December 06
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Anniversary of the Founding of Quito(Ecuador)
Annual celebration marking the founding of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, on December 6, 1534.
Armed Forces Day(Ukraine)
A national holiday honoring the service and sacrifice of Ukraine's military forces each year on December 6.
Christianfeast day:
Abraham of Kratia, Aemilianus(Roman Catholic Church), Denise and companions, BlessedJános Scheffler, María del Monte Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras, Nicholas of Myra, and its related observances:Saint Nicholas Day, whereSaint Nicholas/Santa Clausleaves little presents in children's shoes. (International), December 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring multiple saints including Saint Nicholas and others, observed on December 6.
Constitution Day (Spain)
Spain's national holiday celebrating the approval of its 1978 constitution on December 6.
Day of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan
Annual observance honoring the contributions of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies on December 6.
Independence Day, celebrates theindependence of FinlandfromRussiain 1917.
Finland’s national holiday marking its declaration of independence from Russia on December 6, 1917.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women(Canada)
Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women honors victims and raises awareness about gender-based violence on December 6.
Abraham of Kratia
Feast day of Saint Abraham of Kratia, commemorating the 6th-century Christian hermit and ascetic.
Aemilianus(Roman Catholic Church)
Feast day honoring Saint Aemilianus, celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church on December 6.
Events
Béla I is crowned king of Hungary.
Béla I ascends the Hungarian throne, marking the start of his reign.
Mongol invasion of Rus': Kyiv, defended by Voivode Dmytro, falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan.
Mongol forces under Batu Khan capture Kyiv after its defense by Voivode Dmytro.
After exploring the island of Cuba (which he had mistaken for Japan) for gold, Christopher Columbus lands on an island he names Hispaniola.
Christopher Columbus lands on Hispaniola after exploring Cuba, claiming the island for Spain.
The city of Quito in Ecuador is founded by Spanish settlers led by Sebastián de Belalcázar.
Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar establishes the city of Quito in present-day Ecuador.
Pride's Purge removes royalist sympathizers from Parliament so that the High Court of Justice could put the King on trial.
Pride's Purge expels royalist MPs from the English Parliament to prepare for King Charles I’s trial.
Charles Edward Stuart's army begins retreat during the second Jacobite Rising.
Charles Edward Stuart’s forces begin their retreat during the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
The U.S. Congress moves from New York City to Philadelphia.
The United States Congress relocates its seat from New York City to Philadelphia.
Five French warships attempting to escape the Royal Naval blockade of Saint-Domingue are all seized by British warships, signifying the end of the Haitian Revolution.
British warships capture French vessels at Saint-Domingue, signaling the end of the Haitian Revolution.
Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States.
Births
Hasan al-Askari
The 11th Imam in Twelver Shia Islam, revered as a religious leader and scholar.
King of Castile and León from 1295 until his death, known for his efforts to consolidate royal power.
King of England and disputed King of France during the Hundred Years' War, known for his bouts of mental illness.
Baldassare Castiglione
Italian Renaissance courtier, diplomat, and author of 'The Book of the Courtier'.
Barbara Radziwiłł
Queen consort of Poland in the mid-16th century, famed for her romance with King Sigismund II Augustus.
Janus Dousa
Dutch historian, poet, and nobleman who played a key role in the Dutch Revolt and in founding Leiden University.
Niccolò Zucchi
Italian astronomer and physicist known for early telescope innovations and observations of Jupiter's belts.
William Cavendish
English nobleman, soldier, and patron of the arts who supported King Charles I during the Civil War.
George Monck
English soldier and statesman who orchestrated the Restoration of Charles II and served as Duke of Albemarle.
Deaths
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek bishop renowned for his generosity and faith. He inspired the modern-day figure of Santa Claus.
Prince Toneri of Japan
Prince Toneri was an influential Nara-period member of the Japanese imperial family who contributed to the nation's early historical records.
Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyya
Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyya was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who led a significant revolt against the Abbasid Caliphate.
Afonso I of Portugal
Afonso I was the first King of Portugal who established Portugal’s independence from León and laid the foundations of the Portuguese nation.
Maximus
Maximus was the Eastern Orthodox Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Rus’, overseeing the church during a turbulent period in the early 14th century.
Roger Bigod
Roger Bigod was an English nobleman and feudal baron known for his political influence and military roles under King Edward I.
Pope Clement VI
Pope Clement VI was the head of the Catholic Church who led the papacy during the mid-14th century, including the crisis of the Black Death.
Jan van Scorel
Jan van Scorel was a pioneering Dutch painter who introduced Italian Renaissance techniques to Northern Europe.
Ahmad Ibn al-Qadi
Ahmad Ibn al-Qadi was a Moroccan scholar renowned for his writings on law, mathematics, and governance during the Saadian era.