December 14 marks a significant date in history with events spanning centuries and disciplines. From the birth of Nostradamus in 1503 to groundbreaking explorations like Roald Amundsen’s South Pole achievement in 1911, this day holds a wealth of stories. Political milestones, cultural releases, and scientific feats also define its legacy. What other remarkable moments unfolded on this date? Uncover the full scope of December 14’s historical impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1503 – Nostradamus’ Birth: On this day, the famous French astrologer and physician Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was born in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
He is widely known for his book “Les Prophéties,” a collection of poetic quatrains that many believe predict future events, influencing popular culture for centuries.
1799 – George Washington’s Death: The first President of the United States, George Washington, passed away on December 14 at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia at the age of 67.
His death marked the end of an era for the young nation, as he had been a pivotal figure in the American Revolution and the establishment of the federal government.
1911 – Roald Amundsen Reaches the South Pole: Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team became the first humans to reach the South Pole on this historic day.
Their achievement came just weeks before British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s team arrived, marking a significant moment in the race to explore the Antarctic.
1962 – Mariner 2 Flyby of Venus: NASA’s Mariner 2 spacecraft became the first to successfully fly by Venus, collecting valuable data about the planet’s atmosphere and surface temperature.
This mission marked a milestone in space exploration, providing humanity’s first close-up look at another planet.
1972 – Apollo 17’s Last Moonwalk: On December 14, astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt completed the final moonwalk of the Apollo program during the Apollo 17 mission.
This marked the last time humans set foot on the Moon in the 20th century, ending an extraordinary chapter in space history.
Famous Birthdays
1503 – Nostradamus: The renowned French astrologer, physician, and seer Michel de Nostredame, commonly known as Nostradamus, was born on this day in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
His cryptic prophecies continue to captivate and intrigue people around the world.
1546 – Tycho Brahe: Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, whose precise observations of planetary motion laid the groundwork for Johannes Kepler’s laws, was born on December 14 in Knutstorp Castle, Denmark.
His contributions were essential to the scientific revolution.
1946 – Patty Duke: American actress Patty Duke, known for her Academy Award-winning role in “The Miracle Worker” and her work in television, was born on this day in Elmhurst, New York.
She became an advocate for mental health awareness later in life.
1988 – Vanessa Hudgens: Actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens, famous for her role in Disney’s “High School Musical” series, was born on December 14 in Salinas, California.
She has since built a successful career in film and music.
Notable Deaths
1799 – George Washington: On this day, George Washington, the first President of the United States and a key figure in the American Revolution, died at his Mount Vernon home in Virginia at the age of 67.
His passing was mourned across the nation.
1989 – Andrei Sakharov: Soviet physicist and human rights activist Andrei Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away on December 14 in Moscow at the age of 68.
He played a significant role in advocating for peace and reform during the Cold War.
2013 – Peter O’Toole: British actor Peter O’Toole, celebrated for his iconic role in “Lawrence of Arabia,” died on this day in London at the age of 81.
His career spanned decades, earning him numerous accolades and a lasting legacy in cinema.
Today in Music History
1963 – The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” Released in the U.S.: On December 14, Capitol Records released The Beatles’ single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in the United States, sparking Beatlemania across the country.
The song quickly climbed the charts, becoming a defining moment in the British Invasion.
1977 – “Saturday Night Fever” Premiere: The iconic disco film “Saturday Night Fever,” starring John Travolta, premiered on this day in New York City.
Its soundtrack, featuring hits by the Bee Gees, became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
1980 – Yoko Ono Calls for Silence: Following the tragic death of John Lennon just days earlier, Yoko Ono asked fans worldwide to observe 10 minutes of silence on December 14 to honor his memory.
Millions participated in this global moment of reflection.
Today in Sports History
1901 – First Table Tennis Tournament: On December 14, the first recorded table tennis tournament was held in London, England, marking the early beginnings of the sport’s organized competition.
This event helped popularize the game, then often called “ping pong.”
1983 – NBA Scoring Record Set: On this day, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored his 31,420th point in the NBA, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain to become the league’s all-time leading scorer at that time.
His record stood for decades as evidence of his skill and longevity.
2019 – Anthony Joshua Reclaims Heavyweight Titles: British boxer Anthony Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. in a rematch on December 14 in Saudi Arabia, reclaiming his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
The fight showcased Joshua’s determination to return to the top.
Today in Military and Naval History
1812 – Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow Ends: On December 14, the remnants of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Grande Armée crossed the Niemen River, marking the end of their disastrous retreat from Moscow during the Russian campaign.
The campaign’s failure was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars.
1944 – Battle of the Bulge Preparations: In the lead-up to the Battle of the Bulge, German forces finalized their plans on December 14 for a massive counteroffensive in the Ardennes region of Belgium.
This would become one of the last major German offensives of World War II.
Today in Tech and Science History
1962 – Mariner 2’s Venus Flyby: On this day, NASA’s Mariner 2 spacecraft completed the first successful flyby of Venus, transmitting data that revealed the planet’s extreme surface temperatures and thick atmosphere.
This mission was a landmark in interplanetary exploration.
1972 – Apollo 17’s Lunar Sample Return: Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt collected the last lunar samples of the Apollo program on December 14 during their final moonwalk.
These samples provided critical insights into the Moon’s geological history.
2008 – MESSENGER’s Mercury Observations: NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft conducted its second flyby of Mercury on this day, capturing detailed images and data about the planet’s surface and magnetic field.
This mission deepened our understanding of the smallest planet in our solar system.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1915 – Premiere of “The Birth of a Nation”: D.W. Griffith’s controversial silent film “The Birth of a Nation” had a significant screening on December 14 in New York, following its earlier release.
While groundbreaking in cinematic techniques, the film remains criticized for its racist portrayals.
1967 – DNA Structure Published: On this day, a key paper by scientists including Arthur Kornberg was published, detailing the enzymatic synthesis of DNA, building on earlier discoveries about its structure.
This work advanced genetic research greatly.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1902 – The Great Boston Molasses Flood Precursor: On December 14, a smaller molasses tank failure in Boston hinted at the disaster to come in 1919, when a massive flood of molasses would devastate the city.
This odd event showed the dangers of industrial storage gone wrong.
1971 – Over 200,000 Volkswagen Beetles Recalled: Volkswagen announced a recall of over 200,000 Beetles on this day due to a quirky issue with the windshield wipers potentially flying off at high speeds.
It’s a bizarre footnote in automotive history.
Today in History for Kids
1911 – First to the South Pole: On December 14, a brave explorer named Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole, the coldest place on Earth!
He and his team traveled through ice and snow with sled dogs to make history.
1962 – A Spaceship Visits Venus: A tiny spacecraft called Mariner 2 zoomed past the planet Venus on this day, taking pictures and learning secrets about this hot, cloudy world.
It was the first time humans got a close look at another planet!
1972 – Last Walk on the Moon: Astronauts walked on the Moon for the last time on December 14 during the Apollo 17 mission.
They picked up rocks and took pictures before heading back to Earth, leaving footprints that are still there today.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1287 – St. Lucia’s Day Flood: On December 14, a massive storm surge struck the Netherlands and northern Germany, known as the St. Lucia’s Day Flood, killing thousands and reshaping the coastline.
It remains one of the deadliest floods in European history.
1900 – Quantum Theory Introduced: On this day, German physicist Max Planck presented his revolutionary quantum theory at a meeting of the German Physical Society in Berlin.
This laid the foundation for modern physics, changing how we understand energy.
1939 – “Gone with the Wind” Premiere: The epic film “Gone with the Wind” had its world premiere on December 14 in Atlanta, Georgia, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Its sweeping story of the American Civil War captivated audiences and broke box office records.
2004 – Millau Viaduct Opens: The Millau Viaduct in France, the tallest bridge in the world at the time, was officially opened on December 14.
Designed by Norman Foster, this engineering marvel spans the Tarn Valley with breathtaking elegance.