Deaths on December 31

Phillip Whitehead, English screenwriter, producer, and politician (b. 1937)

Phillip Whitehead (30 May 1937 – 31 December 2005) was a British Labour politician, television producer and writer.

24 Apr

Pope Benedict XVI
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church taking the name Pope Benedict XVI.
25 Apr

European Union
Bulgaria and Romania sign accession treaties to join the European Union.
17 Aug

Israeli disengagement from Gaza
The first forced evacuation of settlers, as part of Israeli disengagement from Gaza, starts.
24 Oct

Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida
Hurricane Wilma makes landfall in Florida resulting in 35 direct 26 indirect fatalities and causing $20.6B USD in damage.
30 Oct

Bombing of Dresden in World War II
The rebuilt Dresden Frauenkirche (destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II) is reconsecrated after a thirteen-year rebuilding project.