Historical Events
Buck White
Dec 2 Oscar Brown, Jr's musical "Buck White", starring Muhammad Ali, opens at George Abbott Theatre, NYC, runs for 7 performances
- Dec 2 Two years after doubling its size from six to 12, the NHL announces 2 new teams would be joining the League the following year; Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks
Come and Get It
Dec 5 Apple Records releases the single "Come and Get It" by the band Badfinger; track was written and produced by Paul McCartney for the dark comedy film "The Magic Christian" starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr
- Dec 5 Four-node ARPANET network is established between the University of California, Los Angeles, Stanford Research Institute, U.C. Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah
- Dec 5 US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
Rolling Stones at Altamont
Dec 6 300,000 attend free concert featuring The Rolling Stones in Altamont, California; the event is marred by violence and four deaths
- Dec 6 Oscar Brown, Jr's musical "Buck White", starring Muhammad Ali, closes at George Abbott Theatre, NYC, after 7 performances
- Dec 6 USSR performs nuclear test
- Dec 8 Greek DC-6B crashes in storm at Athens, 93 killed
- Dec 8 Police surprise attack on Black-Panthers in LA
- Dec 11 Libya adopts constitution
The Magic Christian
Dec 12 Comedy film "The Magic Christian", starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr premieres in London, England
- Dec 12 Decathlon Bill Toomey achieves world record-score of 8417 points
- Dec 12 Offices of Banca Nazionale dell'Agricoltura in Piazza Fontana, Milan, are bombed, killing 14
Billy Martin Fired
Dec 13 MLB manager Billy Martin fired by the Minnesota Twins
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Dec 14 "Leaving on a Jet Plane" single sung by Peter, Paul and Mary, written by John Denver, hits #1 on US Billboard's Hot Top 100
- Dec 14 Bishen Bedi takes 7-98 (career-best) v Australia at Calcutta
Jackson Five on Ed Sullivan
Dec 14 Jackson Five make their 1st appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
- Dec 14 One of the most catastrophic flops in the history of showbusiness - the musical "La Strada" opens and closes at Lunt Fontanne NYC after 1 performance
Plastic Ono Band
Dec 15 John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band, play their only European gig - appearing in UNICEF charity concert at London's Lyceum Ballroom, band is augmented by Bonnie & Delaney Bramlett, guitarists George Harrison and Eric Clapton, and keyboardist Billy Preston
- Dec 15 San Francisco Fire Department replaces leather helmets with plastic ones
War is Over! If You Want It
Dec 16 "War is Over! If You Want It, Happy Christmas from John & Yoko" posters begin appearing
- Dec 16 British House of Commons votes 343-185 to abolish the death penalty
Hello Dolly
Dec 16 Film adaptation of "Hello Dolly" starring Barbra Streisand premieres; wins 3 Academy Awards
Coco
Dec 18 André Previn and Alan Jay Lerner's musical "Coco", inspired by the life of Coco Chanel, and starring Katharine Hepburn, opens at Mark Hellinger Theatre, NYC; runs for 329 performances, wins 2 Tony Awards
- Dec 18 House of Lords votes to abolish the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland (Northern Ireland 25 July 1973)
- Dec 18 US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
- Dec 19 Beatle's 7th Christmas fan-club single is released
"Leaving On A Jet Plane"
Dec 20 Peter, Paul & Mary's cover of John Denver's song "Leaving On A Jet Plane" reaches #1
Ross's Final Supreme Appearance
Dec 21 Diana Ross' final TV appearance as a Supreme on "The Ed Sullivan Show", performing “Someday We’ll Be Together", after which Sullivan announced her upcoming departure from the group
- Dec 21 Vince Lombardi (Washington Redskins) coaches his last football game, a 20-10 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas, for a 7-5-2 season and 105-35-6 career
- Dec 22 Pete Marovich sets NCAA record of hitting 30 of 31 foul shots
Ballon d'Or
Dec 23 Ballon d'Or: Milan midfielder Gianni Rivera wins award for best European football player ahead of Cagliari forward Luigi Riva and Bayern Munich striker Gerd Müller
Flood Urges Free Agency
Dec 24 Curt Flood writes to baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn refusing to accept the Cardinals’ right to deal him and in favor of free agency [1]
"Last of the Red Hot Lovers"
Dec 28 Neil Simon's play "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" premieres in NYC
Famous Birthdays
- Dec 2 O. J. McDuffie, American football wide receiver (NFL receptions leader 1998; Miami Dolphins), born in Marion, Ohio
- Dec 2 Paul Stankowski, American golfer (World Open 1996; Hawaiian Open 1997), born in Oxnard, California
- Dec 2 Pavel Loskutov, Estonian long distance athlete (Frankfurt Marathon 1999, 2001; JoongAng Seoul Marathon 2003-04), born in Valka, Latvia
- Dec 3 Bill Steer, Scottish-British heavy metal guitarist (Napalm Death; Carcass; Gentlemans Pistols), born in Stockton-on-Tees, England
- Dec 3 Harold Steinbrenner, American businessman and MLB team owner (New York Yankees), born in Culver, Indiana
- Dec 4 Dionne Farris, American pop and R&B singer-songwriter ("I Know"), born in Plainfield, New Jersey
Jay-Z (54 years old)
Dec 4 American rapper and record producer (Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint), born in Brooklyn, New York
- Dec 5 Lewis Gordon Pugh, English-South African swimmer, polar explorer and motivational speaker, born in Plymouth, England
- Dec 5 Mark Dekker, Zimbabwe cricket opening batsman, born in Gatooma, Rhodesia
- Dec 5 Morgan J. Freeman, American film director (Hurricane Streets), born in Long Beach, California
- Dec 5 Sajid Javid, British politician, Home Secretary (2018-), born in Littleborough, England
- Dec 6 Elmore Spencer, American NBA center (Portland Trail Blazers), born in Atlanta, Georgia
- Dec 6 Greg Knox, Canadian CFL football safety (Calgary Stampeders), born in Toronto, Ontario
- Dec 7 Patrice O'Neal, American stand-up comedian, born in Boston (d. 2011)
- Dec 8 Antoon Kuil, Dutch soccer player (Veendam, SC Heerenveen)
- Dec 8 Steve Van Wormer, American actor, born in Flint, Michigan
- Dec 8 Victor Green, American NFL cornerback/safety (NY Jets), born in Americus, Georgia
- Dec 9 Allison Smith, American actress (Jennie-Cagney & Lacey; Kate & Allie), born in The Bronx, New York
- Dec 9 André Heinz, American environmentalist and son of Senator Henry John Heinz III and Teresa Heinz
- Dec 9 Bixente Lizarazu, French footballer, born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
- Dec 9 Jakob Dylan, American Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter (The Wallflowers - "6th Avenue Heartache"; "One Headlight"), and son of Bob Dylan, born in New York City
- Dec 9 Johnny Vicious [Coles], American house DJ, re-mixer, and record producer, born in New York City
- Dec 9 Ramon Garcia, Venezuelan pitcher (Milwaukee Brewers), born in Guanare, Venezuela
- Dec 9 Sebastian Spence, Canadian actor, born in St. John's, Newfoundland
- Dec 10 Austin Scott, American politician (Rep-R-Georgia 2011-), born in Augusta, Georgia
- Dec 10 Darren Berry, Australian cricketer (Victorian wicket-keeper since 1989-90), born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Dec 10 Nadim Khan, Pakistani cricketer (brother of Moin Pakistani lefty spinner 1993), born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Dec 10 Rob Blake, Canadian Hockey HOF defenseman (Olympic gold 2002; World C'ship gold 1994, 97; Stanley Cup 2001 Colorado Avalanche; Norris Memorial Trophy 1998 LA Kings) and executive (GM LA Kings), born in Simcoe, Ontario
- Dec 11 Alessandro Melli, Italian footballer, born in Agrigento, Italy
- Dec 11 Sean Grande, American sportscaster, born in New York City
- Dec 11 Stig Inge Bjørnebye, Norwegian footballer, born in Elverum, Norway
- Dec 11 Vishwanathan Anand, Indian chess grandmaster, born in Mayiladuthurai, India
- Dec 12 Courtney Hawkins, American NFL wide receiver (Tampa Bay Bucs, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Corpus Christi, Texas
- Dec 12 Doug Terry, American NFL/WLAF safety (KC Chiefs, Scotland Claymores), born in Dumas, Arkansas
- Dec 12 Jane Robinson, Australian rower (World C'ship gold W8+, W4- 2001, W4x 2003), born in Cobden, Australia
- Dec 12 Kris Wirtz, Canadian ice pairs skater (1994 Skate Canada), born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Dec 12 Sophie Kinsella, English author (Confessions of a Shopaholic), born in London
- Dec 13 Murat Nasyrov, Russian singer and composer, born in Almaty, Kaszakhstan (d. 2007)
- Dec 13 Sergei Fedorov, Russian NHL forward (Detroit, Olympic silver 1998), born in Pskov, Russia
- Dec 13 Tony Curran, Scottish actor (Gladiator, Underworld: Evolution), born in Glasgow, Scotland
- Dec 14 Arthur Numan, Dutch soccer player (PSV), born in Heemskerk, Netherlands
- Dec 14 Dave Nilsson, Australian baseball catcher (Milwaukee Brewers), born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Dec 14 Jocelyn Morlock, Canadian contemporary and post-modern classical composer (My Name is Amanda Todd; Bird in the Tangled Sky), and music educator, born in Saint Boniface, Manitoba (d. 2023)
- Dec 14 Rogerick Green, American NFL cornerback (Jacksonville Jaguars), born in Brenham, Texas
- Dec 15 Chantal Petitclerc, Canadian wheelchair athlete (14 x Olympic gold 1996, 2000, 04, 08) and politician (Senator for Grandville, Quebec), born in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, Quebec
- Dec 15 Ralph Ineson, English actor (Harry Potter films), born in Leeds, England
- Dec 15 Rohini, Indian actress, screenwriter and director (Stri), born in Thummapala, India
- Dec 16 Adam Reiss, American astrophysicist (2011 Nobel Prize for Physics for discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe), born in Washington D.C.
- Dec 16 Charles Mincy, American NFL safety, 1991-99 (Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and 2 other teams), born in Los Angeles, California
- Dec 16 Craig White, cricketer (England all-rounder 1994-95, AIS graduate)
Lei Jun (54 years old)
Dec 16 Chinese businessman and founder of Xiaomi Inc, born in Xiantao, Hubei
- Dec 17 Chuck Liddell, American mixed martial artist
- Dec 17 Marc Davis, Oceanside California, 3K steeplechase runner (Goodwill-gold-94)
- Dec 17 Rob Maas, Dutch soccer player (Feyenoord)
- Dec 18 Joe Randa, infielder (KC Royals), born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dec 18 Justin Edinburgh, English footballer
- Dec 18 Santiago Cañizares, Spanish footballer
- Dec 19 Kristen "Kristy" Swanson, American actress (Knots Landing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), born in Mission Viejo, California
- Dec 19 Michael Bates, American football wide receiver (5 × First-team All-Pro; 5 × Pro Bowl; Carolina Panthers), born in Victoria, Texas
- Dec 19 Nayan Mongia, Indian cricket batsman-wicketkeeper (44 Tests, 1 x 100, HS 152, 107 dismissals; Baroda), born in Baroda, India
Richard Hammond (54 years old)
Dec 19 English motoring journalist and TV presenter (Top Gear; The Grand Tour, Brainiac; Science Abuse), born in Solihull, West Midlands, England
- Dec 19 Tom Gugliotta, American basketball forward (NBA All-Star 1997; NBA All-Rookie First Team 1993; Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns), born in Huntington Station, New York
- Dec 19 Villano IV, Mexican professional wrestler
- Dec 20 Bobby Phills, NBA guard (Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets), born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Dec 21 Chuck Smith, NFL defensive end (Atlanta Falcons), born in Athens, Georgia
- Dec 21 Julie Delpy, French-American actress (Before Sunrise; before Sunset; Before Midnight), singer-songwriter, and director, born in Paris, France
- Dec 21 Leon Searcy, NFL offensive tackle (Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson Jaguars), born in Washington, D.C.
- Dec 21 Mihails Zemļinskis, Latvian footballer, born in Riga, Latvia
- Dec 22 Marcie Aguilar, American female infielder (Colo Silver Bullets), born in Tucson, Arizona
- Dec 22 Myriam Bédard, Canadian biathlete, born in Loretteville, Quebec City
- Dec 23 Greg Biffle, American racecar driver, born in Vancouver, Washington
- Dec 23 Martha Byrne, American actress (Lily-As the World Turns), born in Ridgewood, New Jersey
- Dec 23 Rob Pelinka, American sports agent (LA Lakers), born in Chicago, Illinois
- Dec 23 Stephen Grant, American football linebacker (Indianapolis Colts), born in Miami, Florida
- Dec 24 Ed Milliband, British politician (Leader of the Labour Party, 2010–15), born in Fitzrovia, London
- Dec 24 Kenny "Damn" Kelly, rapper (Riff - "Judy Had A Boyfriend"), born in Paterson, New Jersey
- Dec 25 Bernhard Jr., Prince of Netherlands, born in Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Dec 27 Chris Humbert, American water polo center forward (FINA World Cup gold 1991, 97), born in Modesto California
- Dec 27 Chyna [Joanie Laurer], American professional wrestler and reality TV star, born in Rochester, New York (d. 2016)
- Dec 27 Jean-Christophe Boullion, French race car driver
- Dec 27 Sarah Vowell, American author and journalist
- Dec 28 James Trapp, US sprinter and NFL player (Oakland Raiders), born in Greenville, South Carolina
- Dec 28 Katie Hobbs, American politician (Governor of Arizona 2023-), born in Phoenix, Arizona
Linus Torvalds (54 years old)
Dec 28 Finnish-American software engineer (developed Linux operating system), born in Helsinki, Finland
- Dec 29 Allan McNish, Scottish race car driver, born in Dumfries, United Kingdom
- Dec 29 Jennifer Ehle, American actress, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Dec 30 Anthuan Maybank, Georgetown SC, 200m/400m runner
- Dec 30 Dave England, American television personality
- Dec 30 Enno Poppe, German composer (Rundfunk), conductor (ensemble mosaik), and teacher, born in Hemer, Germany
- Dec 30 Jay Kay [Jason Cheetham], English jazz-funk singer-songwriter (Jamiroquai), born in Stretford, Lancashire, England
- Dec 30 Jeff Thomason, NFL tight end (Green Bay Packers-Super Bowl 31)
- Dec 30 Michelle McGann, American golfer (7 LPGA Tour wins), born in West Palm Beach, Florida
- Dec 31 David Rawlings, American guitarist and singer, works with Gillian Welch (All the Good Times), born in North Smithfield, Rhode Island
- Dec 31 Dominik Diamond, Scottish presenter & newspaper columnist, born in Arbroath, United Kingdom
Famous Weddings
Harry Nilsson
Dec 31 American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson (28) weds second wife Diane Clatworthy (22) in Las Vegas, Nevada: divorce in 1974
Famous Deaths
- Dec 1 "Magic" Sam [Maghett], American blues guitarist ("Feelin' Good (We're Gonna Boogie)"), dies of a heart attack at 32
- Dec 2 Kliment Voroshilov, Russian politician and military officer under Stalin (President of the USSR 1953-60), dies at 88
- Dec 2 Stephen Potter, English writer and humorist (School for Scoundrels, Shipbuilders), dies of pneumonia at 69
- Dec 3 Mathias Wieman, German actor (The Blue Light, Fear), dies at 67
- Dec 3 Ruth White, American actress (To Kill a Mockingbird, Up the Down Staircase), dies of cancer at 55
- Dec 4 Alceo Toni, Italian arranger (Vivaldi's "Four Season's" for piano four-hands), composer (Elegiac Quintet), and musicologist, dies at 85
- Dec 4 Fred Hampton, American activist (Black Panther Party leader; Rainbow Coalition co-founder) shot and killed by the FBI and Chicago police at 21
- Dec 7 Eric Portman, actor (Naked Edge), dies from heart ailment at 66
- Dec 7 Hugh Williams, British dramatist, actor and writer (Wuthering Heights, Bank Holiday), dies after surgery at 65
- Dec 7 Lefty O'Doul, American Baseball HOF left fielder (MLB All-Star, World Series 1933; NL batting champion 1929, 32 NY Yankees), dies at 72
- Dec 8 Vincenzo Davico, composer, dies at 80
- Dec 10 Franco Capuana, Itlalian opera conductor, dies of a heart attack on the podium while leading a performance of Gioachino Rossini's "Mosè in Egitto" in Naples, at 75
- Dec 10 Leigh Harline, American composer and conductor, dies at 62
- Dec 13 Raymond A Spruance, U.S. Navy admiral (Battle of Midway), dies at 83
- Dec 13 Spencer Williams, American director, writer and actor (The Amos 'n' Andy Show), dies at 76
- Dec 16 Leo Mathisen, Danish jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer and bandleader, known as "The Lion" (Take It Easy; To Be Or Not To Be), dies at 63
- Dec 17 Arturo da Costa e Silva, 27th President of Brazil (1967-69), dies at 67
- Dec 22 Ilse Steppat, actress (Invisible Terror), dies at 52
- Dec 22 Josef von Sternberg, Austrian-American director (Shanghai Express), dies at 75
- Dec 23 Donald Foster, American actor (Hazel, Lord Love A Duck), dies after long illness at 80
- Dec 26 Johannes Gerard van Dillen, Dutch economic historian (Of Wealth & Oligarchists), dies at 86
- Dec 26 Josef Hromádka, Czech Protestant theologist (Christian Peace Conference founder; Lenin Prize, 1957), dies following a heart attack at 80 [1]
- Dec 26 Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin, French poet and author (History d'aimer), dies at 67
- Dec 28 Henry Oscar, English stage and film actor (Saint in London), dies at 78
- Dec 31 Joseph A Yablonski, American labor leader, and candidate for United Mine Workers (UMW) president, murdered in his home by hitmen hired by then-president of UMW. at 59
- Dec 31 Salvatore Baccaloni, Italian operatic bass buffo singer (Metropolitan Opera, 1940-62), and actor (Merry Andrew; Rock-a-Bye Baby), dies at 69
