1979⚡ Event
Tumaco earthquake and tsunami
A magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck just off the shore of Tumaco, Colombia, causing at least 300 deaths, mostly by the resulting tsunami.
disasterscience
This Week in History: Week 50
December 9 – December 15
Over 104 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (December 9 – December 15)(20)
1981⚡ Event
Mumia Abu-Jamal arrested for murder
Mumia Abu-Jamal was arrested for the murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner; his subsequent conviction and death sentence generated controversy in the United States.
lawpolitics
1983⚡ Event
Raúl Alfonsín becomes President of Argentina
Raúl Alfonsín became the first democratically elected president of Argentina to take office after more than seven years of military dictatorship. His inauguration was on December 10, 1983.
politicslaw
1988⚡ Event
Clapham Junction rail crash
Three trains collided near Clapham Junction railway station in London, killing 35 people and injuring 484 others.
disasterlaw
1989⚡ Event
Mongolian Democratic Union formed
At the first open pro-democracy demonstration in Mongolia, journalist Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj announced the formation of the Mongolian Democratic Union. This union was instrumental in ending communist rule and occurred on December 10, 1989.
politicslaw
1989⚡ Event
IRA firefight in County Fermanagh
The Provisional Irish Republican Army engaged in a fierce firefight with the King's Own Scottish Borderers at a vehicle checkpoint complex in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. This incident was part of The Troubles.
warpolitics
1990⚡ Event
Slobodan Milošević wins Serbian presidential election
In Serbia's first multi-party election, Slobodan Milošević won the presidential election and the Socialist Party of Serbia won the majority of seats in the National Assembly.
politics
1992⚡ Event
Marriage Fund established in UAE
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the Marriage Fund in the United Arab Emirates. This was in response to rising wedding prices and occurred on December 10, 1992.
politicseconomics
1993⚡ Event
Doom video game released
The video game Doom, later considered the "father" of the first-person shooter genre, was released. This event took place on December 10, 1993.
technologyentertainmentarts
2000⚡ Event
Bush v. Gore Supreme Court ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bush v. Gore that the recount of ballots cast in Florida for the presidential election be stopped, effectively making George W. Bush the winner.
politicslaw
2006⚡ Event
Mexican drug war begins
The first action in the Mexican drug war began when President Felipe Calderón ordered military and police units into the state of Michoacán.
warpolitics
2006⚡ Event
International conference on the Holocaust opens in Tehran
Criticized worldwide as a 'meeting of Holocaust deniers', the International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust opened in Tehran.
politics
2008⚡ Event
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich arrested
Rod Blagojevich, the governor of Illinois, was arrested on corruption charges, including for attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by president-elect Barack Obama.
politicslaw
2008⚡ Event
Bernie Madoff arrested for $64.8 billion Ponzi scheme
American stockbroker Bernie Madoff was arrested and charged with securities fraud. The charges related to a $64.8 billion Ponzi scheme, the largest in history.
economicslaw
2012⚡ Event
North Korea launches satellite
North Korea made its first successful satellite launch, as Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 reached orbit.
spacetechnology
2016⚡ Event
South Korean President Park Geun-hye impeached
Park Geun-hye, the president of South Korea, was impeached, marking the culmination of the country's political scandal.
politics
2017⚡ Event
Same-sex marriage legal in Australia
Same-sex marriage in Australia became legal as the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 came into effect.
lawpolitics
2021⚡ Event
Tornado hits Amazon warehouse
A tornado struck an Amazon warehouse during increased holiday demand, killing six sheltering workers. The incident occurred on December 10, 2021.
disastereconomics
2021⚡ Event
Max Verstappen wins 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
At the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to become World Drivers' Champion.
sportsentertainment
2024⚡ Event
Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool found guilty of murder
Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were found guilty of the murder of Sara Sharif. They were sentenced to life imprisonment.
law
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1996🎂 Birth
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld is an American actress, singer, and songwriter.
artsentertainment
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2015🕊️ Death
Soshana Afroyim
Soshana Afroyim, an Austrian painter, has died. She was born in 1927.
arts
2021🕊️ Death
Speedy Duncan
Speedy Duncan, an American football player, has died. He was born in 1942.
sports
2021🕊️ Death
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Thomas, an American football player, has died. He was born in 1987.
sports
2021🕊️ Death
Anne Rice
Anne Rice, an American author known for her gothic novels, has died.
literaturearts
2022🕊️ Death
Jovit Baldivino
Jovit Baldivino, a Filipino singer and actor, has died. He was born in 1993.
musicentertainment
2023🕊️ Death
Julian Carroll
Julian Carroll was an American politician who served as the 54th Governor of Kentucky.
politics
2024🕊️ Death
Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni, an American poet, writer, and activist, has died. She was born in 1943.
literaturearts
2024🕊️ Death
Rocky Colavito
Rocky Colavito was an American professional baseball player and sportscaster.
sports
2024🕊️ Death
Kreskin
Kreskin was an American mentalist, best known as 'The Amazing Kreskin'.
entertainment
2024🕊️ Death
S. M. Krishna
S. M. Krishna was an Indian politician and statesman who served as Minister of External Affairs, Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Governor of Maharashtra.
politics
2024🕊️ Death
Purushottam Upadhyay
Purushottam Upadhyay, an Indian musician, singer, and composer, has died.
musicarts
Trending Topics This Week
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