563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by earthquakes.
1565 – Compromise of the Nobles in Habsburg Netherlands closes against inquisition.
1814 – Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the War of 1812 between the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies.
1923 – President Calvin Coolidge touches a button and lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House grounds.
1936 – 1st radioactive isotope medicine administered in Berkeley, California.
1943 – US President FDR appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces.
1979 – The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to aid the Afghan communist government in its conflict with anticommunist Muslim guerrillas during the Afghan War.
1992 – US President George H. W. Bush pardons Caspar Weinberger for Iran-contra affair.
1997 – Japanese actor Mifune Toshirō, known internationally for his energetic, flamboyant portrayals of samurai characters, especially in films directed by Kurosawa Akira, died near Tokyo.
Film: 1922 - BBC broadcasts first British radio play “The Truth about Father Christmas”
Music: 1818 – Christmas carol “Silent Night” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber is first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria.
1871 – Giusseppi Verdi’s “Aida” opera premieres in Cairo.
Via Britannica / On This Day
