Discover What Happened Today in History
The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union formally voted the USSR out of existence, officially dissolving the world's first communist state. This marked the end of the Cold War and led to the independence of its 15 constituent republics.
A massive 9.1–9.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a devastating tsunami across the Indian Ocean. The disaster killed approximately 230,000 people in 14 countries, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
The pioneering scientists announced the discovery of the element radium, a highly radioactive substance they isolated from pitchblende. This groundbreaking work in radioactivity would earn them, along with Henri Becquerel, the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903.
General George Washington led the Continental Army in a surprise attack against Hessian forces garrisoned at Trenton, New Jersey. The decisive American victory provided a crucial morale boost following a series of defeats and revitalized the Patriot cause.
Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist, celebrated the first Kwanzaa in Los Angeles as a cultural holiday for African Americans. The week-long celebration, from December 26 to January 1, is based on African harvest festival traditions and emphasizes family, community, and culture.