December 1: What Happened on This Day in History
December 1st marks the 335th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 336th in case of leap years). There are 30 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 1st in history, famous birthdays on December 1st, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 1.
What happened on December 1?
Here's what happened on December 1st in history:
- 2008: On December 1, 2008, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declared that the United States had entered a recession, marking the beginning of the 2007–2009 economic downturn. This announcement followed a period of economic decline characterized by rising unemployment and a contraction in economic activity. source: nber.org
- 2006: Felipe Calderón officially took office as the President of Mexico on December 1, 2006, after a contentious election. His presidency focused on combating drug cartels and improving the economy, amidst significant political challenges. source: bbc.com
- 1994: On December 1, 1994, rapper Tupac Shakur was convicted of sexual assault in a New York court. He was sentenced to prison for his involvement in the incident, which significantly impacted his career and public image. source: nytimes.com
- 1987: On December 1, 1987, NASA awarded contracts totaling $5 billion for the construction of the Space Station Freedom, a manned orbital outpost. The contracts were awarded to McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., Boeing Aerospace Co., Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, and General Electric Co. These contracts were expected to create approximately 12,000 jobs across the United States. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1985: On December 1, 1985, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) was officially established in Durban, uniting 33 trade unions with approximately 450,000 members. This formation aimed to strengthen the labor movement's opposition to apartheid and promote workers' rights in South Africa. source: kids.britannica.com
- 1983: Rita Lavelle, former head of the EPA's Superfund program, was convicted on December 1, 1983, of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to Congress about her involvement with Aerojet-General Corp. in the Stringfellow Acid Pits case. She was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $10,000. source: upi.com
- 1978: On December 1, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill that expanded the National Park System, adding several new parks and monuments. This initiative aimed to preserve natural landscapes and promote conservation efforts across the United States. source: nps.gov
- 1977: Seamus Twomey, a prominent leader of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), was captured on December 1, 1977. His arrest was part of a broader crackdown on the IRA during a period of heightened conflict in Northern Ireland. source: bbc.com
- 1975: Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean College in Union, New Jersey. It was the first Latino fraternity in the United States, established to unite Latino students and promote cultural awareness and leadership. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1966: On December 1, 1966, the National Football League (NFL) announced the date for the first Super Bowl, scheduled for January 15, 1967. source: nfl.com
What famous birthdays are on December 1?
On December 1st there are the following famous birthdays:
![Richard Pryor]()
Richard Pryor (1940)Richard Pryor was an influential American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time. Renowned for his uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, he transformed stand-up comedy with his unfiltered and deeply personal performances. [bio]
![Janelle Monáe]()
Janelle Monáe (1985)Janelle Monáe is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and producer known for her eclectic musical style and Afrofuturistic themes. She emerged in the late 2000s with critically acclaimed concept albums and has starred in several notable films. [bio]
![Woody Allen]()
Woody Allen (1935)Woody Allen is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian, renowned for his prolific career in cinema and his unique blend of humor, neurotic characters, and philosophical themes. Emerging in the 1950s as a comedy writer and stand-up performer, Allen became a prominent figure in American filmmaking with classics like 'Annie Hall', 'Manhattan', and 'Hannah and Her Sisters.' [bio]
![Bette Midler]()
Bette Midler (1945)Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, comedian, and producer, renowned for her powerful vocals, charismatic stage presence, and versatile performances across music, film, and theater. With a career spanning several decades, Midler has become a cultural icon known for hits like 'The Rose', as well as acclaimed film roles in productions such as 'Beaches' and 'Hocus Pocus.' [bio]
![Zoë Kravitz]()
Zoë Kravitz (1988)Zoë Kravitz is an American actress, singer, and model known for her diverse roles in film and television, as well as her work in music. She has received critical acclaim for her performances in both independent films and major studio productions. [bio]
![Sarah Silverman]()
Sarah Silverman (1970)Sarah Silverman is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer known for her satirical comedy that addresses social taboos and controversial topics. She has appeared in numerous television shows and films, with a career spanning over three decades. [bio]
![Riz Ahmed]()
Riz Ahmed (1982)Riz Ahmed is a British actor, rapper, and activist known for his dynamic performances in film and television, as well as his influential music career. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in 'Nightcrawler,' 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' and 'Sound of Metal,' for which he received critical acclaim and several award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for … [bio]
![Candace Bushnell]()
Candace Bushnell (1958)Candace Bushnell is an American author, journalist, and television producer best known for her column in The New York Observer that served as the basis for her bestselling book 'Sex and the City,' which inspired the iconic HBO television series of the same name. [bio]
![John Densmore]()
John Densmore (1944)John Densmore is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer for the classic rock band The Doors. His unique drumming style played a crucial role in shaping the band's distinctive sound during the 1960s and early 1970s. [bio]
![G. Gordon Liddy]()
G. Gordon Liddy (1929)G. Gordon Liddy was an American lawyer, FBI agent, talk radio host, and political operative who became nationally known for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 1?
On December 1st the following celebrities died:
![Paul Benedict]()
Paul Benedict (2008)Paul Benedict was an American actor and director, best known for his distinctive stage and screen roles, particularly as Harry Bentley, the English neighbor on the television sitcom 'The Jeffersons.' [bio]
![Claude Jade]()
Claude Jade (2006)Claude Jade was a celebrated French actress best known for her work in film and television, most notably her collaborations with director François Truffaut, including her performance as Christine Darbon in the Antoine Doinel film series. [bio]
![James Baldwin]()
James Baldwin (1987)James Baldwin was an influential African-American writer who explored profound themes of race, sexuality, and social justice in his seminal...
![Stéphane Grappelli]()
Stéphane Grappelli (1997)Renowned French-Italian jazz violinist who co-founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France with Django Reinhardt and became a legendary...
![Arthur Chaskalson]()
Arthur Chaskalson (2012)Prominent South African lawyer and judge who served as the 18th Chief Justice of South Africa, playing a crucial role in the country's...
![Gaylord Perry]()
Gaylord Perry (2022)Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher who played for multiple teams and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
![Shelley Morrison]()
Shelley Morrison (2019)Beloved character actress best known for her memorable role as Rosario Salazar on the popular sitcom 'Will & Grace', which ran from 1998 to...
![Pat O'Callaghan]()
Pat O'Callaghan (1991)Irish Olympic hammer throw athlete who won gold medals in 1928 and 1932, pioneering Irish success in track and field events.
![Freddie Young]()
Freddie Young (1998)Renowned British cinematographer who worked extensively in the film industry during the mid-20th century, known for his exceptional camera...
![George J. Stigler]()
George J. Stigler (1991)Prize laureate for his seminal studies of industrial structures, functioning of markets and causes and effects of public regulation.
What day of the year is December 1?
December 1st marks the 335th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 336th in case of leap years).
There are 30 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 1st is the 1st day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 1?
On December 1st, 2026 the day of the week is Tuesday.
| December | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 1?
The zodiac sign associated with December 1st is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
