33 fun facts for December, 30

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
December 30th is filled with various historical events, from the Gadsden Purchase, expanding the United States territory, to significant moments in sports, like NHL legend Wayne Gretzky's milestones. This day also includes cultural events such as the opening of the first Kmart store, the premiere of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance," and the introduction of the Euro currency.
33 Fun facts
  1. On December 30, 1853, the Gadsden Purchase was signed, in which the United States purchased land from Mexico for $10 million, adding around 29,670 square miles to the country. This territory now makes up parts of Arizona and New Mexico.
  2. In 1896, an ice riot took place in New Bremen, Ohio on December 30th. Residents were outraged that the price of ice had increased from seventy-five cents to a dollar per hundred pounds. The new price led to protests and violence, including the destruction of an icehouse.
  3. On December 30, 1903, the Iroquois Theatre fire occurred in Chicago, Illinois, where around 600 people were killed. It is still considered the deadliest single-building fire in United States history.
  4. Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer, announced on December 30, 1924, the existence of distant galaxies beyond the Milky Way. This discovery drastically expanded our understanding of the universe.
  5. On December 30, 1948, the first US house entirely lit by nuclear power was in Arco, Idaho. Known as "the atomic city," Arco was the pioneer in nuclear energy during the mid-20th century.
  6. On December 30, 1963, the television game show "Let's Make a Deal" was aired for the first time on NBC. The show, hosted by Monty Hall, featured contestants winning prizes by making deals with the host.
  7. December 30, 1972, saw a rare snowfall in the Sahara desert. The snow only lasted for about 30 minutes but was an extraordinary sight for the local population.
  8. On December 30, 1980, Wayne Gretzky, the famous Canadian ice hockey player, scored his 50th goal of the season. He was only 19 years old at the time and became the youngest player in the history of the NHL to accomplish this feat.
  9. Ireland became the last European country to allow divorce on December 30, 1995, when a constitutional amendment was approved by the Irish President.
  10. On December 30, 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the "Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act." This legislation mandated federal background checks on gun buyers and imposed a waiting period for purchasing handguns.
  11. December 30 is celebrated as National Bicarbonate of Soda Day in the United States, a day that encourages people to appreciate the usefulness of baking soda in cooking, cleaning, and other household activities.
  12. December 30 is observed as Rizal Day in the Philippines, commemorating the life and works of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The day is marked by various activities, including flag-raising ceremonies, wreath-laying events, and parades.
  13. December 30 is also known as Falling Needles Family Fest Day, a day to celebrate and appreciate the beauty of real Christmas trees before the needles begin to fall as the season comes to a close.
  14. On December 30, 2016, the United States abstained from a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements, allowing it to pass. This marked a substantial departure from the traditional US support for Israel in the international forum.
  15. December 30th is the birthday of famous English author Rudyard Kipling (born in 1865), who wrote the classic novel "The Jungle Book" and the poem "If."
  16. On December 30, 2013, Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula One champion, had a serious skiing accident in the French Alps. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and was placed in a medically induced coma for several months.
  17. On December 30, 1817, the world's first coffee percolator was invented by Benjamin Thompson of Massachusetts.
  18. On December 30, 1936, the United Auto Workers staged their first sit-down strike in Flint, Michigan, advocating for better working conditions and pay. This strike played a significant role in the creation of labor rights in the United States.
  19. December 30, 1945, is the birth date of Davy Jones, an English lead singer and member of the American pop-rock band, The Monkees.
  20. On December 30, 1977, the famous musician-turned-murderer Phil Spector fatally shot actress Lana Clarkson in his mansion. In 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison.
  21. December 30, 2011, saw the execution of Saddam Hussein, the former President of Iraq. His execution was controversial, as many believed it to be a political move.
  22. On December 30, 2000, R&B singer and actress Aaliyah was posthumously awarded a Billboard Millennium Award in recognition of her contributions to the music industry.
  23. December 30, 1953, marked the opening of the Kmart chain with the first store in Garden City, Michigan. Kmart went on to be a major discount retailer in the US.
  24. On December 30, 1879, Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" premiered in New York City. This comic opera became one of their most popular and enduring works.
  25. Texas was readmitted to the Union on December 30, 1870, after the end of the American Civil War and the periods of Reconstruction.
  26. December 30, 1916, marked the brutal assassination of Grigori Rasputin, a Russian mystic who had significant influence over the Romanov family.
  27. On December 30, 2012, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, was admitted to a New York hospital for treatment of a blood clot caused by a concussion. She made a full recovery after spending several days in the hospital.
  28. On December 30, 2009, a suicide bomber attacked a CIA base in Afghanistan, killing seven CIA officers. It marked one of the deadliest attacks on the CIA in recent history.
  29. The first-ever Spanish Grand Prix took place on December 30, 1968, in Jarama. The race was won by Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart.
  30. On December 30, 1981, NHL legend Wayne Gretzky scored his 100th point of the season, reaching the milestone in just 38 games. This shattered the previous record of 50 games, also set by Gretzky.
  31. December 30, 1997, marked the introduction of the "Euro" currency in the European Union. Although only digital transactions were permitted initially, euro banknotes and coins were introduced later in 2002.
  32. On December 30, 1952, the famous ocean liner SS United States arrived in New York City after a record-breaking transatlantic crossing. The ship won the coveted Blue Riband prize for its remarkable journey.
  33. December 30, 2012, saw the passing of legendary Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, Ravi Shankar influenced countless musicians, including The Beatles.

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