December 31
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Pope Sylvester I(Catholic Church), December 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Feast day commemorating Pope Sylvester I, celebrated by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on December 31.
International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis(Azerbaijan)
A day to celebrate unity and cooperation among Azerbaijanis around the world on December 31.
New Year's Eve(International observance), and its related observances:
First Night(United States), Last Day of the Year orBisperás ng Bagong Taón, special holiday betweenRizal DayandNew Year's Day(Philippines), Novy GodEve (Russia), Ōmisoka(Japan), The first day ofHogmanayor "Auld Year's Night" (Scotland)
New Year's Eve marks the final day of the year, celebrated worldwide with diverse cultural traditions and festivities.
The seventh of theTwelve Days of Christmas(Western Christianity)
The seventh day of the Twelve Days of Christmas, observed in Western Christian traditions on December 31.
The sixth andpenultimateday ofKwanzaa(United States)
The sixth day of Kwanzaa, known as Kuumba (Creativity), celebrating artistic expression within African-American culture.
Pope Sylvester I(Catholic Church)
Feast day of Pope Sylvester I, the early 4th-century Bishop of Rome, observed by the Catholic Church on December 31.
December 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Collective liturgical commemorations observed by the Eastern Orthodox Church on December 31.
First Night(United States)
First Night is a city-wide, alcohol-free arts festival held on New Year’s Eve in various U.S. cities.
Last Day of the Year orBisperás ng Bagong Taón, special holiday betweenRizal DayandNew Year's Day(Philippines)
Official holiday in the Philippines on December 31, bridging Rizal Day and New Year's Day with festive traditions.
Events
Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gaul.
In 406 AD, the Vandals, Alans, and Suebians crossed the frozen Rhine into Roman Gaul, launching a major invasion.
Byzantine general Belisarius completes the conquest of Sicily, defeating the Gothic garrison of Palermo (Panormos), and ending his consulship for the year.
By 535 AD, Byzantine general Belisarius captured Palermo, completing the conquest of Sicily for the Eastern Roman Empire.
Battle of Englefield: The Vikings clash with ealdorman Æthelwulf of Berkshire. The invaders are driven back to Reading (East Anglia); many Danes are killed.
Battle of Englefield in 870 saw Anglo-Saxon forces under Æthelwulf repel Viking raiders near Reading, delivering a significant early victory.
Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV is forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Henry V, in Ingelheim.
In 1105, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV was compelled to abdicate in favor of his son Henry V at Ingelheim, ending his turbulent reign.
The Lý dynasty of Vietnam ends after 216 years by the enthronement of the boy emperor Trần Thái Tông, husband of the last Lý monarch, Lý Chiêu Hoàng, starting the Trần dynasty.
In 1225, Vietnam’s Lý dynasty ended as the young Trần Thái Tông ascended the throne, inaugurating the Trần dynasty.
James I the Conqueror, King of Aragon, enters Medina Mayurqa (now known as Palma de Mallorca, Spain), thus consummating the Christian reconquest of the island of Mallorca.
In 1229, King James I of Aragon captured Palma de Mallorca, completing the Christian reconquest of the Balearic island.
The First Battle of Cannanore commences, seeing the first use of the naval line of battle.
The First Battle of Cannanore in 1501 introduced the naval line of battle tactic in combat at sea.
The British East India Company is chartered.
On December 31, 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted a royal charter establishing the British East India Company.
James, Duke of York is named Duke of Normandy by Louis XIV of France.
In 1660, King Louis XIV of France bestowed the title Duke of Normandy upon James, Duke of York.
Births
Muhammad ibn al-Qasim
Muhammad ibn al-Qasim was an Umayyad general who led the conquest of the Sindh region in the Indian subcontinent. He established lasting administrative structures and cities that shaped early Islamic rule in the area.
Pope Callixtus III served as head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1455 to 1458. He is noted for launching a crusade against the Ottoman Turks and reversing the condemnation of Joan of Arc.
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier was a French navigator and explorer who made three voyages to North America and claimed vast territories for France. He is best known for mapping the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and exploring the Saint Lawrence River.
Eleonora Gonzaga
Eleonora Gonzaga was Duchess of Urbino and a notable patron of the arts during the Italian Renaissance.
Beatrice of Portugal
Beatrice of Portugal was Duchess of Savoy and a princess of the Portuguese House of Aviz.
Andreas Vesalius
Andreas Vesalius was a pioneering Belgian anatomist, physician, and author of the seminal work De humani corporis fabrica.
John Radcliffe
John Radcliffe was an English politician and Member of Parliament during the early reign of Elizabeth I.
Henry I
Henry I, Duke of Guise, was a French nobleman and military leader who founded and led the Catholic League during the French Wars of Religion.
Simon Forman
Simon Forman was an English astrologer, occultist, and physician known for his detailed casebooks and astrological charts.
Deaths
Quintus Fabius Maximus
Roman politician from the patrician gens Fabia who served as suffect consul in 45 BC.
Commodus
Roman emperor from 180 to 192 AD, remembered for his extravagant reign and gladiatorial pursuits.
Pope from 314 to 335 AD who led the early Christian Church during the reign of Constantine the Great.
Li Shiji
Prominent Tang dynasty general whose military leadership helped secure the empire’s frontiers.
Ibn Hawshab
9th-century Isma'ili missionary who established a strong community in Yemen.
Ahmad Maymandi
Persian statesman and two-time vizier of the Ghaznavid Empire, renowned for reforms and patronage.
Margrave of Styria from 1122 to 1164 who strengthened his realm’s autonomy within the Holy Roman Empire.
Leopold V
Duke of Austria from 1177 to 1194, known for his part in the Third Crusade and capture of King Richard I.
Humphrey de Bohun
3rd Earl of Hereford and Lord High Constable of England, active in the late 13th century.