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On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
December 31
Events on This Day
-
1857
156 years ago
Ottawa is designated Canada's capital by Queen Victoria.
-
1879
134 years ago
Thomas Edison holds a public demonstration of the first practical incandescent electric lamp at Menlo Park, New Jersey.
-
1943
70 years ago
Duke Ellington plays to a standing room only crowd at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago.
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1995
18 years ago
Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip created by Bill Watterson about a boy and his tiger, ends its run in newspapers.
December 31
Born on This Day
-
Anthony Hopkins
- In these groups:
- Frightening Fathers
- Sober Celebs
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
Anthony Hopkins
Film Actor / 1937 -
Anthony Hopkins is an Oscar-winning actor known for roles in many films, including The Lion in Winter, Silence of the Lambs and The Remains of the Day.
Born: December 31, 1937
Age: 75 years old
Birthplace: Margam, Port Talbot, Wales, United Kingdom
Occupation: Film Actor -
Alex Ferguson
- In these groups:
- Famous Scottish People
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Soccer Players
Alex Ferguson
Coach, Soccer Player / 1941 -
Alex Ferguson is a Scottish soccer player known for his highly successful, long-term management of the Manchester United league.
1941 | 71 years old
Coach, Soccer Player -
Jaime Escalante
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Scientists and Educators
- Famous Academics
- Famous Teachers
Jaime Escalante
Educator / 1930 - 2010
Jaime Escalante became famous for his work with troubled, "unteachable" high school math students. His story was told in the 1988 film Stand and Deliver.
1930 | 79 years old
Educator -
John Denver
- In these groups:
- Aviation Accident Victims
- Celebrity Aviators
- Musical Monikers
John Denver
Environmental Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1943 - 1997
John Denver was one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the 1970s. His hits include "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."
Born: December 31, 1943
Birthplace: Roswell, New Mexico, United States
Occupation: Environmental Activist, Songwriter, ... -
Ben Kingsley
- In these groups:
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
- Oscar-Winning Portrayals
- Numerous Nuptials
Ben Kingsley
Actor / 1943 -
Ben Kingsley is an Academy Award-winning actor known for his work in films like Gandhi, Bugsy and Schindler’s List.
1943 | 69 years old
Actor -
Henri Matisse
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Painters
- Famous Sculptors
Henri Matisse
Painter, Sculptor / 1869 - 1954
Henri Matisse was a revolutionary and influential artist of the early 20th century, best known for the expressive color and form of his Fauvist style.
1869 | 84 years old
Painter, Sculptor
December 31
Died on This Day
-
Roberto Clemente
- In these groups:
- Baseball Nicknames
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Leos
Roberto Clemente
Baseball Player / 1934 - 1972
Outfielder Roberto Clemente broke National League batting records while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960s.
Died: December 31, 1972
Age: 38 years old
Place: Puerto Rico , United States
Occupation: Baseball Player -
Ricky Nelson
- In these groups:
- Famous People Who Died in Accidents
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Actors
Ricky Nelson
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Television Personality / 1940 - 1985
American singer and songwriter Ricky Nelson was an early teen idol who acted out his real-life childhood on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
1985 | 45 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor, ... -
Woody Strode
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
Woody Strode
Film Actor / 1914 - 1994
Woody Strode was a Hollywood actor who also had a brief career as a professional football player.
1994 | 80 years old
Film Actor
Email Updates
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Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play Nowprofile name: Anthony Hopkins profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9293262
profile name: Alex Ferguson profile occupation: Coach, Soccer Player
profile id: 189368
profile name: Jaime Escalante profile occupation: Educator
profile id: 9542069
profile name: John Denver profile occupation: Environmental Activist, Songwriter, ...
profile id: 9365267
profile name: Ben Kingsley profile occupation: Actor
profile id: 9402564
profile name: Henri Matisse profile occupation: Painter, Sculptor
profile id: 9250805
profile name: Roberto Clemente profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9421451
profile name: Ricky Nelson profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, ...
profile id: 40563
profile name: Woody Strode profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9518355
profile name: Queen Victoria profile occupation: Political Leader
profile id: 9284349
profile name: Thomas Edison profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 9286338
profile name: Duke Ellington profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9525322
profile name: Bill Watterson profile occupation: Illustrator
profile id: 9542070
profile name: Roy Rogers profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9542054
profile name: Dale Evans profile occupation: Film Actress
profile id: 9385362
profile name: Vince Lombardi profile occupation: Coach
profile id: 578520
profile name: Bernhard Goetz profile occupation: Folk Hero
profile id: 9497402
profile name: Barbra Streisand profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 38684
profile name: César profile occupation: Sculptor
profile id: 36937
profile name: Henry M. Flagler profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 39403
profile name: Alonzo J. Ransier profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 37114
profile name: Don Shula profile occupation: Coach
Your Connections
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Upcoming Birthdays
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César
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Sculptors
- Famous Artists
César
Sculptor / 1921 - 1998
French artist César Baldaccini created large sculptural representations from found objects. He was at the forefront of the New Realism movement.January 1, 1921
Sculptor -
Henry M. Flagler
Henry M. Flagler
Entrepreneur / 1830 - 1913
Henry M. Flagler was an American tycoon who worked with John D. Rockefeller to establish Standard Oil. He developed Florida as the vacation land it is today.
January 2, 1830
Entrepreneur -
Alonzo J. Ransier
- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Black Activists
Alonzo J. Ransier
Civil Rights Activist, Governor, U.S. Representative / 1834 - 1882
Alonzo J. Ransier was an African-American politician from South Carolina served during post-Civil War Reconstruction.
January 3, 1834
U.S. Representative -
Don Shula
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Coaches
- Famous People Named Don
Don Shula
Coach / 1930 -
Don Shula was the head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1996, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship and an undefeated season.January 4, 1930
Coach
Famous Capricorns
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Larry Clark
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Photographers
- Famous Film Directors
Larry Clark
Photographer, Director / 1943 -
American photographer and film director Larry Clark is known for his images and movies, like Kids, that graphically depict unconventional teenage activities.
January 19, 1943
Photographer, Director -
Don Shula
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Coaches
- Famous People Named Don
Don Shula
Coach / 1930 -
Don Shula was the head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1996, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship and an undefeated season.January 4, 1930
Coach
