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31 December 2024
Holidays, observances, history and sky information for this date.
Holidays
No listed India public holiday for this date.
Observances
No UN observance in the current list for this date.
Selected anniversaries
Anniversary
2006 - War in Somalia: Transitional Federal Government forces attacked the last stronghold of the Islamic Courts Union in the town of Jilib.Ethiopian military invasion and occupation in Somalia
Anniversary
2004 - Taipei 101 (pictured) in Taipei, Taiwan, opened to the public as the world's tallest building.Skyscraper in Taiwan
Anniversary
1999 - Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin became acting president upon President Boris Yeltsin's unexpected resignation.Leader of Russia since 1999
Anniversary
1999 - In accordance with the Torrijos–Carter Treaties, Panama assumed full control of the Panama Canal Zone from the United States.1977 treaties transferring the Panama Canal from the U.S. to Panama after 1999
Anniversary
1998 - The European Exchange Rate Mechanism froze the exchange rates of the legacy currencies in the eurozone, establishing the value of the euro.European system to reduce exchange rate variability after the Euro
Historical events
History
2020 - The World Health Organization issues its first emergency use validation for a COVID-19 vaccine.Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
History
2019 - The World Health Organization is informed of cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause, detected in Wuhan. This later turned out to be COVID-19, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic.Specialized agency of the United Nations
History
2018 - Thirty-nine people are killed after a ten-story building collapses in the industrial city of Magnitogorsk, Russia.2018 apartment building collapse in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
History
2015 - A fire breaks out at the Downtown Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates, located near the Burj Khalifa, two hours before the fireworks display is due to commence. Sixteen injuries were reported; one had a heart attack, another suffered a major injury, and fourteen others with minor injuries.Community in United Arab Emirates
History
2014 - A New Year's Eve celebration stampede in Shanghai kills at least 36 people and injures 49 others.Deadly crush of people at a new year celebration
History
2011 - NASA succeeds in putting the first of two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory satellites in orbit around the Moon.American space and aeronautics agency
History
2010 - Tornadoes touch down in midwestern and southern United States, including Washington County, Arkansas; Greater St. Louis, Sunset Hills, Missouri, Illinois, and Oklahoma, with a few tornadoes in the early hours. A total of 36 tornadoes touched down, resulting in the deaths of nine people and $113 million in damages.2010 windstorm in the midwestern and southern United States
History
2004 - The official opening of Taipei 101, the tallest skyscraper at that time in the world, standing at a height of 509 metres (1,670 ft).Skyscraper in Taiwan
History
2001 - Rwanda adopts a new national flag and anthem.Notable births
Born
2002 - Sophia Laforteza, Filipino-American singerFilipino and American singer (born 2002)
Born
2001 - Katie Volynets, American tennis playerAmerican tennis player (born 2001)
Born
2000 - Alycia Parks, American tennis playerAmerican tennis player (born 2000)
Born
1999 - Calvin Bassey, Italian-Nigerian footballerNigerian footballer (born 1999)
Notable deaths
Died
2024 - Arnold Rüütel, Estonian politician, 3rd President of Estonia (born 1928)President of Estonia from 2001 to 2006
Died
2024 - Johnnie Walker, British radio DJ (born 1945)British radio DJ (1945–2024)
Died
2023 - Cale Yarborough, American Hall of Fame racing driver and founder of Cale Yarborough Motorsports, NASCAR Cup Series champion (1976, 1977, 1978) (born 1939)American racing driver (1939–2023)
Died
2022 - Pope Benedict XVI, German Roman Catholic cardinal and theologian, pope (2005–2013) and archbishop of Munich and Freising (1977–1982) (born 1927)Head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013
Died
2022 - Barry Lane, English golfer (born 1960)English professional golfer (1960–2022)
Died
2021 - Betty White, American actress, comedian and producer (born 1922)American actress and comedian (1922–2021)
Died
2018 - Kader Khan, Indian actor (born 1937)Indian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer (1937–2018)
Died
2016 - William Christopher, American actor (born 1932)American actor (1932–2016)
Sky
Moon phase
New Moon
0.7% illuminated
Lunar age: 0.8 days
Sun zodiac
Capricorn
10.30 degrees
Constellation: Sagittarius
Moon zodiac
Capricorn
17.22 degrees
Constellation: Sagittarius
Astronomy events
No major astronomy event in the current calendar for this date.