Historical Events
Harriet Tubman Escapes
Dec 6 Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery in Maryland for the 2nd and final time
Luisa Miller
Dec 8 Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Luisa Miller" premieres in Naples
Dostoyevsky Survives Firing Squad
Dec 22 The execution of Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky by firing squad is called off at the last second
Famous Birthdays
- Dec 6 August von Mackensen, German field marshal (WWI), born in Haus Leipnitz, Kingdom of Prussia, German Confederation (d. 1945)
- Dec 7 Saionji Kinmochi, Japanese politician (Prime Minister of Japan 1906-1908, 1911-1912), born in Kyoto, Japan (d. 1940)
- Dec 11 Ellen Key, Swedish author and feminist (Courageous Woman), born in Gladhammar Parish, Västervik Municipality, Sweden (d. 1926)
- Dec 19 Henry Clay Frick, American industrialist (built world's largest coke & steel operation) and art collector (Frick Collection), born in West Overton, Pennsylvania (d. 1919)
- Dec 21 James Lane Allen, American writer (Kentucky Cardinal), born in Lexington, Kentucky (d. 1925)
- Dec 26 Samuel "Sam" van Beem, Flemish actor (Fanfan la Tulipe), born in Groningen, Netherlands (d. 1912)
- Dec 28 Herbert von Bismarck, German politician, son of Otto of Bismarck, born in Berlin, Prussia (d. 1904)
