Did you know
Woodrow Wilson served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921.
December 4 in History
1918 — U
S. President Woodrow Wilson sails for the World War I peace talks in Versailles, becoming the first US president to travel to Europe while in office.
December 4 spans 69 recorded events across recorded history, from 771 to 2025. Below is a curated digest of the most significant moments tied to this date.
By thisDay.info Editorial Team · — Wikipedia
Historical Events
69 events
771 – 2025
Today in history
More major events on December 4
The featured story and these ranked highlights form a quick summary. Every recorded event remains available in the chronology below.
- 1865 North Carolina ratifies 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, followed two days later by Georgia, and U.S. slaves were legally free within two weeks. Source
- 2005 Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong protest for democracy and call on the government to allow universal and equal suffrage. Source
- 1965 Launch of Gemini 7 with crew members Frank Borman and Jim Lovell. The Gemini 7 spacecraft was the passive target for the first crewed space rendezvous performed by the crew of Gemini 6A. Source
Did you know
He was a key figure in the Progressive Era, implementing significant economic reforms during his presidency.
Did you know
The League of Nations was established largely due to Wilson's efforts and vision for international cooperation.
Did you know
Wilson's foreign policy approach became known as Wilsonian idealism, emphasizing democracy and self-determination.
Did you know
He suffered a stroke in 1919, which left him incapacitated for several months and impacted his ability to effectively govern.
771
Austrasian king Carloman I dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne as sole king of the Frankish Kingdom.
Kingdom within Frankish empire (511–751)
963
The lay papal protonotary is elected pope and takes the name Leo VIII, being consecrated on 6 December after ordination.
Title in the Catholic Church's Roman Curia
1110
An army led by Baldwin I of Jerusalem and Sigurd the Crusader of Norway captures Sidon at the end of the First Crusade.
King of Jerusalem from 1100 to 1118
1259
Kings Louis IX of France and Henry III of England agree to the Treaty of Paris, in which Henry renounces his claims to French-controlled territory on continental Europe (including Normandy) in exchange for Louis withdrawing his support for English rebels.
King of France from 1226 to 1270
1563
The final session of the Council of Trent is held nearly 18 years after the body held its first session on December 13, 1545.
Roman Catholic Church ecumenical council 1545–1563
1619
Thirty-eight colonists arrive at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia.
The group's charter proclaims that the day "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."
1623
50 Christians are executed in Edo, Japan, during the Great Martyrdom of Edo.
Former city in Musashi, Japan
1676
The Battle of Lund occurs, and is the bloodiest battle in Scandinavian history.
1676 battle of the Scanian War
1745
Charles Edward Stuart's army reaches Derby, its furthest point during the Second Jacobite Rising.
Jacobite leader (1720–1788)
1783
At Fraunces Tavern in New York City, U.S.
General George Washington bids farewell to his officers.
1786
Mission Santa Barbara is dedicated (on the feast day of Saint Barbara).
18th-century Catholic mission
1791
The first edition of The Observer, the world's first Sunday newspaper, is published.
British weekly newspaper
1804
The United States House of Representatives adopts articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase.
Lower house of the U.S. Congress
1808
Napoleonic Wars: Under the orders by commander Tomás de Morla, the city of Madrid surrenders to French Emperor Napoleon I after a 4 day long siege.
1807–1814 war against Napoleon in Iberia
1829
In the face of fierce local opposition, British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation declaring that anyone who abets sati in Bengal is guilty of culpable homicide.
Representative of the Indian monarch
1861
American Civil War: The 109 electors of the several states of the Confederate States of America unanimously elect Jefferson Davis as President and Alexander H.
Stephens as Vice President.
1863
American Civil War: Confederate General James Longstreet lifts his unsuccessful siege of Knoxville, Tennessee after failing to capture the city.
Confederate Army general (1821–1904)
1864
American Civil War: Sherman's March to the Sea: Union cavalry forces defeat Confederate cavalry in the Battle of Waynesboro, Georgia, opening the way for General William T.
Sherman's army to approach the coast.
1865
North Carolina ratifies 13th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, followed two days later by Georgia, and U.S. slaves were legally free within two weeks.
1867
Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry (better known today as the Grange).
U.S. state
1872
The American brigantine Mary Celeste is discovered drifting in the Atlantic.
Her crew is never found.
1875
Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison; he is later recaptured in Spain.
American politician (1823–1878)
1881
1893
First Matabele War: A patrol of 34 British South Africa Company soldiers is ambushed and annihilated by more than 3,000 Matabele warriors on the Shangani River in Matabeleland.
1893–94 British invasion of the Ndebele Kingdom
1906
Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek lettered fraternity for African-Americans, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
International historically African American collegiate fraternity
1909
In Canadian football, the First Grey Cup game is played.
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues defeat the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club, 26–6.
1909
The Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club, the oldest surviving professional hockey franchise in the world, is founded as a charter member of the National Hockey Association.
National Hockey League team in Montreal, Quebec
1917
The Finnish Senate submits to the Parliament of Finland a proposal for the form of government of the Republic of Finland and issues a communication to Parliament declaring the independence of Finland.
Historical government body in Finland from 1816 to 1918
1919
Ukrainian War of Independence: The Polonsky conspiracy is initiated, with an attempt to assassinate the high command of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine.
Eastern European military conflict (1917–1921)
1928
Cosmo Gordon Lang was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first bachelor to be appointed in 150 years.
British archbishop (1864–1945)
1939
World War II: HMS Nelson is struck by a mine (laid by U-31) off the Scottish coast and is laid up for repairs until August 1940.
Global conflict (1939–1945)
1942
World War II: Carlson's patrol during the Guadalcanal campaign ends.
WWII anti-Japanese operation in 1942
1943
World War II: In Yugoslavia, resistance leader Marshal Josip Broz Tito proclaims a provisional democratic Yugoslav government in-exile.
Yugoslavia from 1918 to 1941
1943
World War II: U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt closes down the Works Progress Administration, because of the high levels of wartime employment in the United States.
1945
By a vote of 65–7, the United States Senate approves United States participation in the United Nations.
(The UN had been established on October 24, 1945.)
1948
Chinese Civil War: The SS Kiangya, carrying Nationalist refugees from Shanghai, explodes in the Huangpu River.
1927–1949 civil war in China
1949
Sir Duncan George Stewart, governor of the Crown Colony of Sarawak, was fatally stabbed by a member of the Rukun 13.
British colonial administrator
1950
Korean War: Jesse L.
Brown (the 1st African-American Naval aviator) is killed in action during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
1950
Korean War: Associated Press photographer Max Desfor photographs hundreds of Korean refugees crossing a downed bridge in the Taedong River: 1951 Pulitzer Prize winner Flight of Refugees Across Wrecked Bridge in Korea.
American not-for-profit news agency
1956
The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) get together at Sun Studio for the first and last time.
1956 recording of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash
1964
Free Speech Movement: Police arrest over 800 students at the University of California, Berkeley, following their takeover and sit-in at the administration building in protest of the UC Regents' decision to forbid protests on UC property.
Student protest in California, 1964–1965
1965
Launch of Gemini 7 with crew members Frank Borman and Jim Lovell.
The Gemini 7 spacecraft was the passive target for the first crewed space rendezvous performed by the crew of Gemini 6A.
1969
Black Panther Party members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are shot and killed during a raid by 14 Chicago police officers.
American political organization (1966–1982)
1971
The PNS Ghazi, a Pakistan Navy submarine, sinks during the course of the Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971.
Tench-class submarine of Pakistan Navy
1971
During a concert by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention at the Montreux Casino, an audience member fires a flare gun into the ceiling, causing a fire that destroys the venue.
The incident served as the inspiration for Deep Purple's 1973 song Smoke on the Water.
1974
Martinair Flight 138 crashes into the Saptha Kanya mountain range in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka, killing 191.
1974 aviation accident in Sri Lanka
1977
Jean-Bédel Bokassa, president of the Central African Republic, crowns himself Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire.
Leader of Central Africa from 1966 to 1979
1977
Malaysian Airline System Flight 653 is hijacked and crashes in Tanjong Kupang, Johor, killing 100.
1977 aircraft hijacking in Malaysia
1978
Following the murder of Mayor George Moscone, Dianne Feinstein becomes San Francisco's first female mayor.
1978 murders in San Francisco, California, US
1979
The Hastie fire in Hull kills three schoolboys and eventually leads police to arrest Bruce George Peter Lee.
City in the East Riding, England
1981
South Africa grants independence to the Ciskei "homeland" (not recognized by any government outside South Africa).
Bantustan in South Africa (1972–1994)
1983
US Navy aircraft from USS John F.
Kennedy and USS Independence attack Syrian missile sites in Lebanon in response to an F-14 being fired on by an SA-7. One A-6 Intruder and A-7 Corsair are shot down. One American pilot is killed, one is rescued, and one is captured.
1984
Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers kill 107–150 civilians in Mannar.
1983–2009 Sri Lankan internal conflict
1986
The MV Amazon Venture oil tanker begins leaking oil while at the port of Savannah in the United States, resulting in an oil spill of approximately 500,000 US gallons (1,900,000 L).
Port in United States of America
1991
Terry A.
Anderson is released after seven years in captivity as a hostage in Beirut; he is the last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon.
1991
Pan American World Airways ceases its operations after 64 years.
United States airline (1927–1991)
1992
Somali Civil War: President George H.
W. Bush orders 28,000 U.S. troops to Somalia in Northeast Africa.
1996
Journalists Fernando Balderas Sánchez and Yolanda Figueroa and their three children are murdered in a case that initially prompted speculation about links to organized crime, corruption, or their journalistic work.
1996 murder of journalist couple in Mexico
1998
The Unity Module, the second module of the International Space Station, is launched.
American module of the International Space Station
2005
Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong protest for democracy and call on the government to allow universal and equal suffrage.
Part of the Hong Kong electoral reform
2006
Six black youths assault a white teenager in Jena, Louisiana.
Six black teenagers in Louisiana, convicted in a 2006 beating
2014
Islamic insurgents kill three state police at a traffic circle before taking an empty school and a "press house" in Grozny.
Ten state forces die with 28 injured in gun battles ending with ten insurgents killed.
2015
A firebomb is thrown into a restaurant in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, killing 17 people.
2015 fire in Agouza, Egypt
2017
The Thomas Fire starts near Santa Paula in California.
It eventually became the largest wildfire in modern California history to date after burning 1,140 square kilometers (440 sq mi) in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
2021
Semeru on the Indonesian island of Java erupts, killing at least 68 people.
Stratovolcano in Indonesia
2024
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is shot and killed in Manhattan, New York City near the entrance of the New York Hilton Midtown.
American health care company
2025
Yasser Abu Shabab is assassinated near Rafah, Gaza Strip.
2025 ambush near Rafah which led to the death of Yasser Abu Shabab