Today in History

What happened today in history? Important events, births and deaths.

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14 December Today in History

1925 Türkiye
Amnesty Decision After Sheikh Said Rebellion

Following the suppression of the Sheikh Said Rebellion, the government decided on a general amnesty on December 14, 1925. With this decision, many people who were imprisoned on the grounds that they participated in the rebellion were released.

1943 Türkiye
Minister of National Defense Şükrü Saracoğlu Became Prime Minister

Şükrü Saracoğlu, who was the Minister of National Defense, became the Prime Minister on December 14, 1943. Saracoğlu led a government that continued Turkey's policy of remaining neutral during World War II.

1982 Türkiye
The Constitution of the Republic of Turkey was Accepted

The constitution of the Republic of Turkey was accepted as a result of a referendum held on November 7, 1982, and it came into effect on December 14, 1982. This constitution was prepared after the military coup of September 12, 1980.

2016 Türkiye
Beşiktaş Vodafone Park Opened

Beşiktaş JK's new stadium, Beşiktaş Vodafone Park, was officially opened on December 14, 2016. The stadium is equipped with a completely modern appearance and technology, with a capacity for 41,903 spectators.

1911 Almanya
Roald Amundsen's Antarctic expedition reaches the South Pole

Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911. Although this is not directly related to Germany, it's a significant event in human expedition history and was closely followed in Germany and around the world.

1918 Almanya
Spartacist uprising starts in Berlin

The Spartacist uprising, an armed revolt in Germany led by the Spartacist League, started in Berlin on December 14, 1918. This marked a significant point in the German Revolution of 1918-1919 and the early history of the Weimar Republic.

1973 Almanya
West Germany joins the United Nations

After many years of division and conflict during and after World War II, West Germany finally joined the United Nations on December 14, 1973, marking a significant step in its international recognition and diplomatic development.

2000 Almanya
EU Summit in Nice concludes with Treaty changes

After lengthy negotiations, European Union leaders concluded the Nice Summit on December 14, 2000. They agreed to reform the EU's institutions and decision-making process in preparation for enlargement, a process that directly affected Germany as a key member state.

2015 Almanya
Germany joins the fight against ISIS

On December 14, 2015, Germany decided to join the international coalition against ISIS. The German parliament approved a mandate that allows the deployment of up to 1,200 soldiers to Syria for reconnaissance and support roles, marking a rare decision for military engagement outside the NATO area.

1287 Birleşik Krallık
The Great Storm

On December 14, 1287, a storm surge, known as the Saint Lucia's flood, ravaged England's east coast, reshaping the coastline and claiming thousands of lives.

1782 Birleşik Krallık
Birth of Sir Morrell Mackenzie

Sir Morrell Mackenzie, a prominent British physician and one of the pioneers in laryngology, was born on this day. He is best known for his involvement in the case of Crown Prince Frederick of Germany, who was suffering from throat cancer.

1878 Birleşik Krallık
The opening of the Holborn Viaduct power station

The first coal-fired power station in London, the Holborn Viaduct power station, began operations on 14th December 1878. It was the world's first public coal-fired power station, supplying street lighting and some private premises.

1923 Türkiye
Turkey's first female member of parliament was elected.

Mebrure Aksoley, who was Turkey's first female member of parliament and a women's rights advocate, was elected as a member of parliament to the Grand National Assembly from Ankara.

1971 Türkiye
'Bloody Sunday' events at Istanbul University.

In the event organized at Istanbul University, known as "Bloody Sunday", 3 students died and 70 students were injured in clashes between right-wing and left-wing students.

1978 Türkiye
Start of the Maraş Massacre.

This marks the beginning of the events in Kahramanmaraş between December 14-25, resulting from right-left conflicts, in which hundreds of people, predominantly Alevi citizens, lost their lives and houses were burnt down.

1911 Birleşik Krallık
South Pole expedition

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's expedition reached the South Pole on this day, preceding a British expedition led by Captain Robert F. Scott. This event marked a significant moment in the history of polar exploration, and the subsequent death of Scott and his team on their return journey became a tragic part of British history.

1985 Türkiye
The launch of Turkey's first private television channel.

Magic Box, the first private television channel in Turkey, which broadcasted foreign series and films, started its broadcasting.

2016 Türkiye
Terrorist Attack at Beşiktaş Vodafone Park

In the conflict near Beşiktaş Vodafone Park, a bomb attack carried out by the terrorist organization PKK resulted in the death of 46 people and 166 people were injured.

1972 Birleşik Krallık
The Last Moon Landing

On this day, the last manned mission to the moon, Apollo 17, landed back on Earth. The mission's Command Module Pilot was British-born American astronaut Michael Collins. His role in the successful return of the mission represented a significant achievement for the British-born astronaut.

1799 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
George Washington's Death

George Washington, the first President of the United States, died at his plantation, Mount Vernon, from a severe throat infection.

1900 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
Quantum Mechanics Pioneer Max Born

Max Born, who would go on to be one of the founders of quantum mechanics, was born on this day. Though not American by birth, his work had significant impact on the scientific community across the world, including the United States.

1959 Türkiye
Adnan Menderes's tour of Istanbul

Adnan Menderes organized a tour in Istanbul on December 14, 1959. During this tour, Menderes visited historic and cultural sites in Istanbul and met with various communities.

1963 Türkiye
Student incidents at Istanbul University

On December 14, 1963, student incidents broke out at Istanbul University. These incidents marked a significant turning point in student movements in Turkey.

1911 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
Roald Amundsen Reaches South Pole

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole. This event had a significant impact on the United States and other countries in terms of future explorations and scientific studies in Antarctica.

1995 Türkiye
Turkey's Accession to the European Union Customs Union

Turkey joined the European Union Customs Union on December 14, 1995. This paved the way for closer economic cooperation between Turkey and the EU.

2016 Türkiye
Terrorist attack in Beşiktaş, Istanbul

On December 14, 2016, a bomb attack was carried out at a bus stop in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. Many people lost their lives and were injured in this attack.

1947 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is founded

NASCAR, the company that would go on to govern multiple auto-racing sports events, was founded on this day. It has since become an integral part of American sports culture.

2017 Türkiye
Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria

On December 14, 2017, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch against terrorist organizations in Syria. This operation was considered an important step in Turkey's policy towards Syria.

1972 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
Apollo 17 Astronauts Land on the Moon

Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt of Apollo 17 landed on the moon. They were the last humans to do so to this date, marking the end of NASA's Apollo moon landing missions.

2000 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
The Texas Seven Escape

A group of inmates escaped from the John B. Connally Unit near Kenedy, Texas and went on a crime spree, while being the subjects of a manhunt by the authorities. The event led to changes in prison policies.

2012 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
The Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

A 20-year-old man, Adam Lanza, fatally shot 20 children and six adult staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This tragic event ignited a nationwide debate on gun control.

1925 Türkiye
The leader of the Sheikh Said Rebellion, Sheikh Said, was executed.

The Sheikh Said Rebellion is the first major rebellion of the Republic of Turkey. On December 14, 1925, the leader of the rebellion, Sheikh Said, was executed in Diyarbakir.

1943 Türkiye
İsmet İnönü attended the Cairo Conference during World War II.

At the Cairo Conference, which was an important meeting to determine whether Turkey would participate in World War II, Turkish President İsmet İnönü met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1946 Türkiye
Founding Assembly began its operations.

As part of the transition to a multi-party life in the history of the Republic of Turkey, the Founding Assembly began its operations on December 14, 1946.

2014 Türkiye
The Sivas Massacre case expired due to the statute of limitations.

The case, which was opened due to the incidents that occurred in Sivas on July 2, 1993, where 35 people lost their lives, expired due to the statute of limitations on December 14, 2014.

2016 Türkiye
Russian Ambassador Karlov was assassinated.

Russia's Ambassador to Ankara, Andrey Karlov, lost his life as a result of an assassination organized in an art gallery in Ankara on December 14, 2016.

1925 Türkiye
Turkey's First Radio Broadcast

Turkey's first radio broadcast was carried out in Istanbul on December 14, 1925. This broadcast is an important milestone in Turkey's broadcasting history in the modern sense.

1939 Türkiye
The Annexation of Hatay to Turkey

On December 14, 1939, the State of Hatay, under French mandate, joined Turkey. This is an important event in terms of Turkey's territorial integrity.

1978 Türkiye
Start of the Maraş Incidents

On December 14, 1978, the Maraş Incidents began in Maraş, resulting in the death of 105 people, thousands injured, and numerous houses destroyed. These incidents hold a significant place in Turkish history.

1981 Türkiye
Stand-By Agreement with IMF in Turkey

On December 14, 1981, Turkey signed a Stand-By agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This agreement marked a significant turning point in Turkey's economic policies.

2016 Türkiye
Beşiktaş's Transition to Vodafone Arena

On December 14, 2016, Beşiktaş Football Team played a match in their own stadium, the Vodafone Arena, for the first time in their 112-year history. This is a significant event in Turkish football history.

1965 Türkiye
General Elections in Turkey

The general elections in Turkey took place on December 14, 1965. The Justice Party, under the leadership of Süleyman Demirel, received 52.9 percent of the vote, thereby becoming the sole power.

1970 Türkiye
The Kidnapping of Three Ambassadors

On December 14, 1970, three ambassadors - British James Eliot, Belgian Marcel Dupert and Irish Sean Ronan, were kidnapped from their homes in Beirut by the El-Fatah organization. The El-Fatah organization demanded the release of its 16 members imprisoned in Turkey by kidnapping the ambassadors.

1995 Türkiye
Turkey's Entry into the European Union Customs Union

On December 14, 1995, the Customs Union Agreement was signed between Turkey and the European Union. This agreement significantly deepened Turkey's trade relations with the EU.

2004 Türkiye
Decision to Start Full Membership Negotiations of Turkey to the European Union

On December 14, 2004, the European Union made a decision to begin full membership negotiations with Turkey. This decision further advanced Turkey's relations with the European Union.

2010 Türkiye
Referendum in Turkey

On December 14, 2010, a referendum was held in Turkey for a constitutional amendment. In this referendum, a series of constitutional changes that increased the executive influence over the judiciary was accepted.

1978 Türkiye
Maraş Massacre

In 1978 in Turkey, 105 people lost their lives as a result of conflicts between left and right wing individuals in Maraş. This event is known in the political history of Turkey as the Maraş Massacre and is among the events that set the stage for the military coup of September 12, 1980.

1981 Türkiye
Death Sentences After the September 12 Coup

After the coup of September 12, 1980, it was stated that a total of 683 people were sentenced to death on December 14, 1981. This date is a significant turning point in Turkey's recent history.

2008 Türkiye
AK Party's Judicial Reform

The Turkish government, led by the Justice and Development Party (AKP), announced a judicial reform package to the public on December 14, 2008. These reforms were seen as a part of the modernization of the judicial system in Turkey and the EU harmonization processes.

2013 Türkiye
December 17/25 Bribery and Corruption Operations

This date marks the beginning of the process leading to the December 17/25 Bribery and Corruption Operations that caused significant political tension in Turkey. On December 14, 2013, a number of individuals, including Halkbank General Manager Süleyman Aslan and his son Kaan Çağlayan, were taken into custody.

2016 Türkiye
Bomb Attack After Beşiktaş Match

On December 14, 2016, a bomb attack took place after the Beşiktaş-Bursaspor football match played at Vodafone Park in Istanbul. In this attack, 38 people lost their lives and 166 people were injured. This incident is one of the terrorist attacks in Turkey in recent years.

1925 Türkiye
Founding of Ankara University

On December 14, 1925, Ankara University, the first university of the Republic of Turkey, was established. The University, which was founded upon Ataturk's directives, adopted a contemporary approach to science.

1981 Türkiye
Turkey's First Application to the European Court of Human Rights

Turkey made its first application to the European Court of Human Rights on December 14, 1981. This application was made based on Article 25 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

1995 Türkiye
European Union Customs Union Agreement

On December 14, 1995, a Customs Union agreement was signed between Turkey and the European Union. This agreement was a significant step in Turkey's relations with the European Union and allowed products to circulate without customs duties.

2004 Türkiye
NATO Summit in Istanbul

On December 14, 2004, the 17th summit of NATO was held in Istanbul. This event was hosted by Turkey and brought together the leaders of NATO member countries.

1911 Almanya
Roald Amundsen's South Pole Expedition

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, having set off from Germany, became the first person to reach the South Pole on 14th December 1911. His achievement was a pivotal moment in the history of exploration and brought international attention to Germany's position in polar expeditions.

1973 Almanya
Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt's Eastern Europe policy

On this day in 1973, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) under Chancellor Willy Brandt, formally recognized the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). This was a significant step in Brandt's Ostpolitik (Eastern policy), which aimed at improving relations with East Germany, the Soviet Union, and other Eastern European states during the Cold War.

1980 Almanya
Death of prominent German Jurist, Fritz Bauer

Fritz Bauer, a prominent German Jewish jurist and prosecutor, was known for his role in the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials in which 22 former SS officers were brought to trial for their roles in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Though he passed away in 1968, it was on this day in 1980 that a street in Frankfurt was renamed after him in recognition of his contributions to justice.

2000 Almanya
Closure of Germany's Last Black Coal Mine

On 14th December 2000, the last black coal mine in the German Ruhr region, the "Hannover" mine in Bochum, was shut down. This marked the end of an era for Germany's industrial heartland and reflected the country's shift away from heavy industry towards a more technology- and service-based economy.

2018 Almanya
End of Angela Merkel's Leadership of the Christian Democratic Union

On this day in 2018, Angela Merkel stepped down as leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), though she continued to serve as Chancellor. This marked the beginning of the end of her long tenure in German politics. She had led the party for 18 years and had been Chancellor since 2005. This shift set the stage for a new era in German politics.

1287 Birleşik Krallık
The Great Storm

On this date, one of the most severe storms in British history occurred. In Sussex, the storm changed the course of the River Rother, which had previously flowed to the sea at New Romney, to its present outlet at Rye. As a result, New Romney declined from a major port to a small village.

1542 Birleşik Krallık
Death of James V of Scotland

James V of Scotland, father of Mary Queen of Scots, died on this day, most likely from cholera or dysentery. His death led to the ascension of his six-day-old daughter Mary to the Scottish throne.

1800 Birleşik Krallık
Formation of the Scottish Missionary Society

On this day, the Scottish Missionary Society was formed in Edinburgh. It was an interdenominational society that sent missionaries to places like Jamaica and India.

1896 Birleşik Krallık
Premiere of the play "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" premiered in London on this day. This comedic play is one of Wilde's most popular and enduring works.

1911 Birleşik Krallık
South Pole Reached by Roald Amundsen

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team became the first people to reach the South Pole. Although this event did not directly involve the UK, it was a significant moment in the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration", in which Britain was heavily involved. It added to the rivalry between Britain and Norway, as British explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the pole a month later, only to find the Norwegian flag flying there.

1971 Birleşik Krallık
Britain Introduces Decimal Currency

On this day, the British government introduced a decimal currency system, abandoning the old pounds, shillings, and pence. This was a major change in the country's monetary system.

1799 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
George Washington's Death

The first President of the United States, George Washington, died at his plantation, Mount Vernon, in Virginia. His death was a significant event in early American history and was mourned by the nation.

1819 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
Alabama Becomes a State

Alabama was admitted to the Union as the 22nd state, following the Missouri Compromise. This political event further expanded the United States and led to further tensions between the North and South over the issues of slavery and states' rights.

1900 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
Quantum Theory Proposal

Max Planck, a German theoretical physicist, presented his quantum theory to the German Physical Society. While not an American event, this scientific discovery has greatly influenced the world and has significantly impacted American scientific research and development.

1911 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
South Pole Discovery

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team became the first people to reach the South Pole, beating a British team led by Robert Falcon Scott. While not a direct American event, this was a major milestone in the Age of Exploration, which the United States was actively involved in.

1962 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
NASA's Mariner 2 Spacecraft

The Mariner 2, an unmanned NASA spacecraft, flies by Venus and becomes the first spacecraft to successfully encounter another planet. This marked a major advancement in space exploration for the United States.

2012 Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

A mass shooting took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty children between six and seven years old, as well as six adult staff members, were killed. This tragic event sparked a heated national debate over gun control in the United States.

1788 Fransa
Louis XVI Calls for Estates-General

On 14th December 1788, King Louis XVI issued a formal call to convene the Estates-General, a significant event in the early stages of the French Revolution. The Estates-General was a legislative and consultative assembly of the different classes (or 'estates') of French subjects. This was the first time it had been summoned since 1614.

1800 Fransa
Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise

On this day in 1800, the Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise, also known as the "Infernal Machine" plot, took place. This was an attempt to assassinate First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte. The plot involved a bomb placed in a cart and detonated in the rue Saint-Nicaise, a street in Paris. Although Napoleon escaped unharmed, several bystanders were killed or injured.

1947 Fransa
The Vincent Auriol Presidency

On 14th December 1947, French politician Vincent Auriol was elected the first President of the Fourth French Republic. His term lasted from 1947 to 1954. Auriol was previously a Minister of Finance and served as a member of the French resistance during World War II.

1903 Fransa
Birth of Artist and Poet Pierre-Arnold Bernard

Pierre-Arnold Bernard, more known as Pierre Jean Jouve, was born on this day. He was a renowned French writer, known for his complex and tormented works that heavily explore the human psyche. His significant works include 'Paulina 1880' and 'Hecate'.

1896 Fransa
Birth of Jimmy Berliet

On this day in 1896, French industrialist Marius Berliet's son, Jimmy Berliet, was born. He took over the family business of manufacturing automobiles and commercial vehicles, turning it into a leading French brand, Berliet, in the truck industry until its acquisition by Renault in 1974.