23 fun facts for December, 14
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
December 14th is marked by numerous historical events and milestones, such as the first successful South Pole expedition led by Roald Amundsen, Alabama's statehood, and premieres of famous artists' works. It is also a day to celebrate national and international days like Monkey Day, National Bouillabaisse Day, and Zamenhof Day.
23 Fun facts
- The South Pole was first reached on December 14, 1911: Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen led the first successful expedition to the South Pole, along with four other members on this historic day.
- Alabama became the 22nd state of the United States on December 14, 1819: Alabama was admitted to the union, making it the 22nd state of the United States and a major milestone in the nation's history.
- George Washington passed away on December 14, 1799: The first President of the United States, George Washington, died at his Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia after suffering from a throat infection.
- Nostradamus was born on December 14, 1503: The famous prophet and astrologer Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was born on this day in December 1503, in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
- The Apollo 17 astronauts took the iconic "Blue Marble" photograph of Earth on December 14, 1972: The crew of Apollo 17 captured the famous Earth's image on this day when they were at a distance of about 29,000 kilometers from the planet.
- Monkey Day is celebrated on December 14th: Monkey Day is an unofficial international holiday that celebrates monkeys and other non-human primates. It was first celebrated in 2000 and has grown in popularity since then.
- December 14th is National Bouillabaisse Day in the United States: Every year on this day, Americans celebrate the famous French seafood soup called bouillabaisse, usually made with a mixture of fish and shellfish cooked in a savory broth.
- Zamenhof Day is celebrated on December 14th: Zamenhof Day, also known as Esperanto Day, is an annual celebration that honours the creator of Esperanto, L. L. Zamenhof, and promotes the use of the international language he created.
- The Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich premiered his Symphony No. 7 at the Bolshoi Theatre on December 14, 1941: The performance was considered an act of defiance against the Nazis and helped boost the Soviet Union's morale during World War II.
- DNA pioneer Maurice Wilkins was born on December 14, 1916: The New Zealand-born British physicist and molecular biologist, who played a significant role in the discovery of the structure of DNA, was born on this day.
- Google announced its search engine improvements with Google Instant on December 14, 2010: Google Instant made search results faster and more accurate, displaying results as users typed in their queries.
- Dutch artist Piet Mondrian passed away on December 14, 1944: The pioneer of abstract art, whose work became an integral part of the De Stijl movement, died in New York at the age of 71.
- Ivy Day is celebrated on December 14th in Ireland: Ivy Day commemorates the life and work of Irish politician Charles Stewart Parnell, whose advocacy led to major land reforms in Ireland in the late 1800s.
- World Energy Conservation Day is observed every December 14th: This global day encourages people to conserve energy and create awareness about the importance of sustainable energy usage to protect the environment.
- The first Mini car was produced on December 14, 1959: The Mini, a small, fuel-efficient car designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, was first produced at the Longbridge factory in Birmingham, England.
- Pakistan's military ruler, General Yahya Khan, resigned on December 14, 1971: After suffering a humiliating defeat in the Bangladesh Liberation War, General Yahya Khan relinquished his position as Pakistan's president and military ruler.
- The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was inaugurated on December 14, 1947: The iconic home of the Real Madrid football club was first opened on this day, witnessing numerous memorable matches and historic victories.
- The first Vienna Convention came into force on December 14, 1965: This international treaty aimed to regulate various aspects of diplomatic relations, establishing rules and legal framework for embassies, consulates, and diplomatic personnel.
- December 14th is the National Day for the Horse in the United States: Recognizing the contributions of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States, the Congress designated this day to promote awareness and appreciation for horses.
- Famous singer Patty Duke was born on December 14, 1946: The talented American actress, singer, and mental health advocate was born on this day, eventually winning an Academy Award for her role in the film "The Miracle Worker."
- The Mariner 2 spacecraft successfully flew past Venus on December 14, 1962: NASA's Mariner 2, the first spacecraft to perform a successful flyby of another planet, transmitted information about Venus's atmosphere and surface temperature, yielding valuable data for scientists.
- English novelist Shirley Jackson was born on December 14, 1916: Jackson, who is best known for her short story "The Lottery" and her novel "The Haunting of Hill House," was born on this day.
- Famous French engineer Gustave Eiffel was born on December 14, 1832: The designer of the world-renowned Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, was born in Dijon, laying the foundation for his significant contributions to architecture and engineering.