Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju became the undisputed World Chess Champion in a tournament held in Singapore, making him the 18th and the youngest champion in chess history.
Dutch Formula One racing driver Max Verstappen wins the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton to become the first Formula One World Champion to come from the Netherlands.
The Paris Agreement relating to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted.
North Korea successfully launches its first satellite, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2.
Kenya declares independence from Great Britain.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 121 relating to acceptance of Japan to the United Nations is adopted.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 13 relating to acceptance of Siam (now Thailand) to the United Nations is adopted.
World War II: Fifty-four Japanese A6M Zero fighters raid Batangas Field, Philippines. Jesús Villamor and four Filipino fighter pilots fend them off; César Basa is killed.
Winter War: The Battle of Tolvajärvi, also known as the first major Finnish victory in the Winter War, begins.
Yuan Shikai declares the establishment of the Empire of China and proclaims himself Emperor.
Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal (the letter "S" [•••] in Morse Code), at Signal Hill in St John's, Newfoundland.