1872day.year
The American brigantine Mary Celeste is discovered drifting in the Atlantic. Her crew is never found.
The derelict American brigantine Mary Celeste was found unmanned adrift in the Atlantic, sparking one of the sea’s greatest mysteries.
The Mary Celeste, launched in 1861, was discovered on December 4, 1872, off the Azores without a soul aboard.
Her cargo and stores were intact, and personal belongings were undisturbed, deepening the enigma.
Despite extensive investigations, no clues emerged about the fate of Captain Benjamin Briggs and his crew.
Various theories, from mutiny and piracy to natural calamities and paranormal explanations, have been proposed.
The Mary Celeste’s abandonment remains one of maritime history’s enduring puzzles, captivating writers and historians alike.
1872
Mary Celeste
1948day.year
Chinese Civil War: The SS Kiangya, carrying Nationalist refugees from Shanghai, explodes in the Huangpu River.
The SS Kiangya, carrying Nationalist refugees, exploded in the Huangpu River on December 4, 1948, causing massive loss of life.
During the final stages of the Chinese Civil War, the steamship SS Kiangya was transporting thousands of Nationalist refugees from Shanghai when it suffered a catastrophic explosion on December 4, 1948. The blast, believed to have been caused by a leftover wartime mine or a boiler malfunction, tore the vessel apart amid the Huangpu River’s crowded waterway. Rescue efforts were hampered by chaotic conditions and the ship sank quickly, resulting in an estimated death toll ranging from one to three thousand people. Survivors described scenes of panic as passengers clung to debris in freezing waters. The tragedy highlighted the desperate plight of refugees fleeing civil conflict and the dangers of maritime travel under war conditions. The SS Kiangya disaster remains one of the deadliest maritime accidents in Chinese history.
1948
Chinese Civil War
SS Kiangya
Nationalist
Shanghai
Huangpu River
1971day.year
During a concert by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention at the Montreux Casino, an audience member fires a flare gun into the ceiling, causing a fire that destroys the venue. The incident served as the inspiration for Deep Purple's 1973 song Smoke on the Water.
During a Frank Zappa concert at Montreux Casino on December 4, 1971, a flare gun fired into the ceiling sparked a fire that destroyed the venue, inspiring Deep Purple’s song Smoke on the Water.
At a sold-out show by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, an audience member discharged a flare gun into the wood-paneled ceiling of Montreux Casino, igniting a blaze that engulfed the entire building. The fire halted performances and forced the evacuation of over 2,000 attendees, marking the end of the Montreux Jazz Festival at that location. Witnessing the smoke billowing across Lake Geneva, members of Deep Purple were inspired to write and record the iconic song Smoke on the Water. The track’s opening lyrics vividly recount the dramatic events of that night, turning the incident into a legendary chapter in rock history. The burned-out casino has since become a symbol of music’s ability to transform real-world events into artistic expression.
Frank Zappa
The Mothers of Invention
Montreux Casino
flare gun
Deep Purple
Smoke on the Water
1974day.year
Martinair Flight 138 crashes into the Saptha Kanya mountain range in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka, killing 191.
Martinair Flight 138 crashed into Sri Lanka’s Saptha Kanya mountains near Maskeliya on December 4, 1974, killing all 191 people on board.
Chartered by Sri Lankan pilgrims returning from the Hajj, Boeing 707 Flight 138 approached Ratmalana Airport amid poor weather and navigational challenges. At 09:48 local time, the aircraft struck the slopes of the Saptha Kanya mountain range, disintegrating on impact and killing all passengers and crew. At the time, it was Sri Lanka’s deadliest aviation disaster, leading to international scrutiny of approach procedures in mountainous terrain. Investigations pointed to pilot error and misinterpretation of altitude data, prompting revised training and safety protocols. Despite improvements, Flight 138 remains a solemn reminder of the risks of flying in challenging environments.
1974
Martinair Flight 138
Saptha Kanya
Maskeliya
1977day.year
Malaysian Airline System Flight 653 is hijacked and crashes in Tanjong Kupang, Johor, killing 100.
Malaysian Airline System Flight 653 was hijacked and crashed near Tanjong Kupang in Johor on December 4, 1977, killing all 100 people on board.
Bound from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, Flight 653 fell under the control of unknown hijackers shortly after takeoff. Communication with ground control ceased as the Boeing 737 veered off course over the Malacca Strait. The aircraft ultimately crashed in a mangrove swamp near Tanjong Kupang, Johor, with no survivors. The motives and identities of the hijackers remain officially unresolved, making it one of aviation history’s enduring mysteries. In its aftermath, Malaysian authorities implemented stricter security screenings and protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
Malaysian Airline System Flight 653
Johor
1979day.year
The Hastie fire in Hull kills three schoolboys and eventually leads police to arrest Bruce George Peter Lee.
A tragic fire at a residential home in Hull kills three schoolboys and leads to the arrest of arsonist Bruce George Peter Lee.
On the night of December 4, 1979, a fire engulfed a residential home in Hull and claimed the lives of three young schoolboys. The blaze initially appeared accidental but soon aroused suspicion due to irregular burn patterns and witness reports. Investigators discovered similar fires across the city and connected them through forensic analysis of charred debris. Their diligent work led to the arrest of Bruce George Peter Lee, who confessed to a string of deadly arsons. The case shocked the local community and prompted nationwide reviews of fire safety protocols in schools and homes. Lee's conviction remains one of the most notorious arson cases in British history.
1979
Hull
Bruce George Peter Lee
1986day.year
The MV Amazon Venture oil tanker begins leaking oil while at the port of Savannah in the United States, resulting in an oil spill of approximately 500,000 US gallons (1,900,000 L).
The oil tanker MV Amazon Venture begins leaking in Savannah, spilling nearly half a million gallons of crude oil into the harbor.
On December 4, 1986, the MV Amazon Venture began leaking bunker oil while docked at the port of Savannah, Georgia. Faulty piping and valve failures led to an estimated spill of 500,000 US gallons of heavy fuel oil into the Savannah River. The slick spread rapidly, threatening local fisheries, wetlands, and wildlife habitats along the coast. Emergency response teams deployed booms, skimmers, and dispersants in an effort to contain the pollution. The incident prompted a review of tanker maintenance standards and spurred improvements in spill response planning at U.S. ports. It stands as one of the largest single-source oil spills in American waterways during the 1980s.
1986
port of Savannah
an oil spill
2017day.year
The Thomas Fire starts near Santa Paula in California. It eventually became the largest wildfire in modern California history to date after burning 440 square miles (1,140 km) in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
The Thomas Fire ignited near Santa Paula, California, and burned over 440 square miles, becoming the largest wildfire in modern state history. The blaze devastated communities across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
On December 4, 2017, a small brush fire near Santa Paula quickly escalated into the Thomas Fire amid dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds. Fueled by drought-weakened vegetation, the fire spread rapidly, overwhelming containment efforts and prompting massive evacuations. Over the course of several weeks, it consumed 440 square miles, making it the largest recorded wildfire in modern California history at that time. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, with hundreds of homes lost and thousands of residents displaced. Firefighters from across the state and federal agencies collaborated in one of the largest firefighting operations in US history. The smoke plume darkened skies hundreds of miles away, prompting air quality warnings throughout Southern California. Recovery and rebuilding efforts continued long after the flames were extinguished, highlighting the increasing risks posed by climate-related wildfire disasters.
2017
Thomas Fire
Santa Paula
California
wildfire in modern California history
Ventura
Santa Barbara
2021day.year
Semeru on the Indonesian island of Java erupts, killing at least 68 people.
Mount Semeru on Java erupted violently, sending ash and pyroclastic flows that killed at least 68 people. The eruption underscored Indonesia's vulnerability to volcanic hazards.
On December 4, 2021, Indonesia's Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Java, erupted suddenly, producing hot ash clouds and pyroclastic flows that descended its slopes. The eruption caught nearby villages off guard, burying homes and farmland under layers of ash and volcanic debris. Emergency services rushed to evacuate residents, but at least 68 people lost their lives and many more were injured or went missing. Ash plumes reached several kilometers into the sky, disrupting air travel and affecting air quality across the region. Government agencies declared a state of emergency and established relief centers for displaced families, providing food, shelter, and medical care. The disaster highlighted the ongoing challenges of disaster preparedness in Indonesia, a nation with hundreds of active volcanoes. Experts warned of potential secondary hazards, including lahars and further explosive activity in the coming days.
2021
Semeru
erupts