All Events

Historical Events on December 31

  • Byzantine Empire

    535

    Byzantine general Belisarius completes the conquest of Sicily, defeating the Gothic garrison of Palermo (Panormos), and ending his consulship for the year.

  • American Revolutionary War

    1775

    American Revolutionary War: Battle of Quebec: British forces repulse an attack by Continental Army General Richard Montgomery.

  • Baltimore

    1796

    The incorporation of Baltimore as a city.

  • American Civil War

    1862

    American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln signs an act that admits West Virginia to the Union, thus dividing Virginia in two.

  • World War II

    1944

    World War II: Hungary declares war on Nazi Germany.

  • Harry S. Truman

    1946

    President Harry S. Truman officially proclaims the end of hostilities in World War II.

  • Nigeria

    1983

    In Nigeria a coup d'état led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari ends the Second Nigerian Republic.

  • United Kingdom

    1985

    United Kingdom founds a member state of UNESCO.

  • Soviet Union

    1991

    All official Soviet Union institutions have ceased operations by this date 5 days after the Soviet Union is officially dissolved.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on December 31

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on December 31

30. December

01. January