Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
The 9.1–9.3 Mw Indian Ocean earthquake shakes northern Sumatra with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). One of the largest observed tsunamis, it affected coastal and partially mainland areas of Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mal...
Orange Revolution: The final run-off election in Ukraine is held under heavy international scrutiny.
Witnesses report the first of several sightings of unexplained lights near RAF Woodbridge, in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom, an incident called "Britain's Roswell".
Tu-144, the world's first commercial supersonic aircraft, surpassing Mach 2, goes into service.
The first Kwanzaa is celebrated by Maulana Karenga, the chair of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach.
World War II: George S. Patton's Third Army breaks the encirclement of surrounded U.S. forces at Bastogne, Belgium.
World War II: German warship Scharnhorst is sunk off Norway's North Cape after a battle against major Royal Navy forces.
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
Thespis, the first Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration, debuts.
American Civil War: The Trent Affair: Confederate diplomatic envoys James Murray Mason and John Slidell are freed by the United States government, thus easing tensions between the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
First Rules derby is held between Sheffield F.C. and Hallam F.C., the oldest football fixture in the world.
The discovery of octonions by John T. Graves, who denoted them with a boldface O, was announced to his mathematician friend William Hamilton, discoverer of quaternions, in a letter on this date.
A theater fire in Richmond, Virginia kills 72 people, including the Governor of Virginia George William Smith and the president of the First National Bank of Virginia Abraham B. Venable.
Battles of Pultusk and Golymin: Russian forces hold French forces under Napoleon.
Austria and France sign the Treaty of Pressburg.
Henry Lee III's eulogy to George Washington in congress declares him as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
Louis XVI of France gives his public assent to Civil Constitution of the Clergy during the French Revolution.
American Revolutionary War: In the Battle of Trenton, the Continental Army under General George Washington executes a successful surprise attack and defeats a garrison of Hessian forces serving Great Britain.
Bach led the first performance of Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, BWV 40, his first Christmas Cantata composed for Leipzig.