DayOneToday
Today, around the world
Monday, December 31. What the world marks, and the firsts that happened on this day.
Today, somewhere · from DayOneToday
What the world marks
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: First Night (United States)Artistic and cultural celebration on New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: Last Day of the Year or Bisperás ng Bagong Taón, special holiday between Rizal Day and New Year's Day (Philippines)
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: Novy God Eve (Russia)New Year celebrations in post-Soviet countries
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: Ōmisoka (Japan)Annual Japanese festival
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: The first day of Hogmanay or "Auld Year's Night" (Scotland)Scottish celebration of New Year
Western ChristianityThe seventh of the Twelve Days of ChristmasPeriod between 26 December and 6 January
United StatesThe sixth and penultimate day of KwanzaaUnit of speech sounds
On this day · from DayOneToday
Firsts, not anniversaries
2020The World Health Organization issues its first emergency use validation for a COVID-19 vaccine.9 years ago
2011NASA succeeds in putting the first of two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory satellites in orbit around the Moon.18 years ago
1999The first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, resigns from office, leaving Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as the acting President and successor.30 years ago
1994The First Chechen War: The Russian Ground Forces begin a New Year's storming of Grozny.35 years ago
1983Benjamin Ward is appointed New York City Police Department's first ever African American police commissioner.46 years ago
1968The first flight of the Tupolev Tu-144, the first civilian supersonic transport in the world.61 years ago
1961RTÉ, Ireland's state broadcaster, launches its first national television service.68 years ago
1956The Romanian Television network begins its first broadcast in Bucharest.73 years ago
1955General Motors becomes the first U.S. corporation to make over US$1 billion in a year.74 years ago
1942USS Essex, first aircraft carrier of a 24-ship class, is commissioned.87 years ago
1907The first ever ball drop in Times Square.122 years ago
1879Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time, in Menlo Park, New Jersey.150 years ago
1878Karl Benz, working in Mannheim, Germany, files for a patent on his first reliable two-stroke gas engine. He was granted the patent in 1879.151 years ago
1790Efimeris, the oldest Greek newspaper of which issues have survived till today, is published for the first time.239 years ago
1687The first Huguenots set sail from France to the Cape of Good Hope.342 years ago
1501The First Battle of Cannanore commences, seeing the first use of the naval line of battle.[citation needed]528 years ago
The week ahead, around the world
The same subject is marked on different dates almost everywhere.
Tuesday, Jan 1New Year's Day · Worldwide — The first day of the Gregorian year.
Tuesday, Jan 1Independence Day · Haiti — Haiti became independent in 1804, the first free Black republic.
Sunday, Jan 6Three Kings' Day (Día de Reyes) · Spain · Latin America — Children wake to gifts from the Magi, and a ring-shaped roscón is shared.
Monday, Jan 7Christmas, by the Julian calendar · Ethiopia · Russia · Serbia · Egypt's Copts — Churches that keep the old calendar mark Christmas on January 7.