Happy New Year’s Eve – we hope you’ve had an amazing year! December 31st is officially No Interruptions Day and Make Up Your Mind Day.
We’ve made it to the very last day of the year, that’s a reason to celebrate!
You probably already guessed this, but today has been a very important day in history, it’s the end of a year, but also the start of something new! Here you’ll find some interesting facts and events that all happened on New Year’s Eve throughout history.
Did you know that on this day in 1977, Ted Bundy escaped from jail? He broke through the ceiling of the chief jailer’s apartment and, wearing clothes he found there, walked out the front door.
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about December 31st in history!
Events
What memorable events happened on December 31 in history? Keep reading to find out!
2023
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe announced that she would end her 52-year-long reign.
Queen Margrethe took over the throne from her father, King Frederik IX, on January 14, 1972. She was succeeded by Crown Prince Frederik, who was crowned King Frederik X on January 14, 2024.
2017
The Washington Post called Lorde a bigot in a full-page ad after she canceled her show in Israel.
2011
NASA successfully put two satellites designed to study the Moon’s interior structure into the Moon’s orbit.
The purpose of the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) was also to better map the surface of the Moon and its gravitational field. The two satellites’ mission was a complete success, but due to fuel constraints, they were ultimately crashed into the surface of the Moon almost a year later, on December 17, 2012.
2009
A blue moon and a lunar eclipse occurred on the same day.
The fact that both happened on New Year’s Eve made the event even more special. While we use the expression “once in a blue moon” to refer to something rare, a blue moon is just the second full moon within a calendar month. Unfortunately for spectators, the lunar eclipse was only partial; otherwise, it would have been an incredible sight!
1996
Blizzard Entertainment released the first Diablo game.
Diablo’s expectations were low, with the game’s executive producer estimating a hundred thousand or so sales in total. Fortunately for Blizzard, these estimates couldn’t have been more wrong – there were more than 450,000 preorders alone, with more than 2 million copies sold by 2000.
1967
Evel Knievel attempted to jump the Caesar’s Palace Fountain.
Jumping the Vegas’ Caesars Palace Fountain was Knievel’s longest attempted motorcycle jump at 141 feet. He failed the jump and broke several bones – his pelvis, femur, hip fractures, wrist, and both ankles. On top of that, he suffered a concussion.
1600
The British East India Trading Company was given a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I.
The company’s name to which the charter was awarded was the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies. The initial charter essentially gave the company a monopoly on all trade west of the Americas and east of Africa.
Famous Births
Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Anthony Hopkins? See what other famous people were born on this day.
1999
Brooklyn McKnight
American
YouTuber
Age:
24 years old
Born In:
Utah, USA
1977
Psy
South Korean
Singer
Age:
46 years old
Born In:
Seoul, South Korea
1977
Donald Trump Jr.
American
Political Activist
Age:
46 years old
Born In:
New York, USA
1937
Anthony Hopkins
Welsh
Actor
Age:
86 years old
Born In:
Wales, UK
Famous Deaths
Unfortunately, December 31st has also been a day where we’ve had to say some goodbyes over the years…
1922
2021
Betty White
American
Actress
1922
2021
Betty White
Betty White was an American actress born on January 17, 1922. She died on this day in 2021, at age 99 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Died On:
Dec 31, 2021 (Age 99)
Died In:
California, USA
Quotes
What is your favorite quote from December 31st? Here are the most noteworthy quotes said on this day in history.
2011
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.
Neil Gaiman
English Writer
2009
Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.
Brad Paisley
American Singer
Special Holidays
If you’re looking for something to do today, maybe these special holidays might just help to cure your boredom!
No Interruptions Day
Today we celebrate a holiday which is pretty much the holiday’s equivalent to a “do not disturb” sign. So put your phone on mute, or turn it off for the day, and enjoy a day with much more clarity and peace. The only danger is not wanting to turn your phone on again!
Make Up Your Mind Day
We’re all a little indecisive at times, but it doesn’t really get in the way of our lives most of the time. Then there are the big decisions, the ones we’re not quite sure about and put off. So take the opportunity on Make Up Your Mind Day to finally make some of those decisions!
THe Fact Site’s
Fun Fact Of The Day
Female polar bears are around half the size of male polar bears.
Birthday & Zodiac
Those of you who were born on New Year’s Eve share the Capricorn star sign.
Capricorn is represented by the sea goat and is the tenth sign in the zodiac. Anyone who was born between December 22 and January 19 falls into this astrological sign.
Anyone born in December has the Blue Topaz birthstone. The blue topaz promotes harmony, serenity, tranquility and helps the wearer to overcome hurt and pain.
Those who were born on this day were likely conceived the same year on April 9.
A baby that is conceived on New Year’s Eve in 2023 will be due around September 23, 2024.
