December 4: What Happened on This Day in History
December 4th marks the 338th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 339th in case of leap years). There are 27 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 4th in history, famous birthdays on December 4th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 4.
What happened on December 4?
Here's what happened on December 4th in history:
- 2021: President Biden carefully evaluated strategic options in response to Russia's substantial military buildup near the Ukrainian border. U.S. intelligence suggested a potential invasion involving approximately 175,000 troops, potentially as early as January 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded NATO guarantees against Ukrainian membership, which the U.S. firmly rejected.
- 2008: On December 4, 2008, the Iraqi parliament approved a security agreement with the United States, allowing U.S. troops to remain in Iraq until 2011. The agreement aimed to provide a legal framework for the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2006: John Bolton announced his resignation as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on December 4, 2006. His tenure was marked by controversial stances on various international issues, including Iran and North Korea. source: nytimes.com
- 1994: On December 4, 1994, the play 'Angels in America: Millennium Approaches' closed after a successful run. The play, written by Tony Kushner, is a significant work in American theater, addressing themes of AIDS and politics. source: nytimes.com
- 1990: Slobodan Milošević was elected president of Serbia on December 4, 1990. His presidency was marked by significant political and social upheaval in the region, leading to a tumultuous period in Yugoslav history. source: bbc.com
- 1987: IBM announced OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0 on April 2, 1987, with an initial shipping date set for the first quarter of 1988. However, the company began shipping the operating system to U.S. customers in December 1987, ahead of schedule. OS/2 1.0 was a multitasking operating system designed to run on Intel 80286 processors, offering improved memory management and compatibility with existing PC-DOS programs. source: os2museum.com
- 1985: On December 4, 1985, President Ronald Reagan announced the appointment of Vice Admiral John M. Poindexter as the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, succeeding Robert C. McFarlane. Poindexter had previously served as Deputy National Security Adviser since October 1983 and was promoted to Vice Admiral in May 1985. He joined the National Security Council staff in June 1981 as military assistant to the National Security Adviser. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 1983: On December 4, 1983, U.S. Navy warplanes conducted a retaliatory strike against Syrian positions in Lebanon, targeting anti-aircraft sites southeast of Beirut. During the operation, two American aircraft—a Navy A-6 Intruder and an A-7 Corsair II—were shot down by Syrian forces. One pilot was rescued, while the other was captured by Syrian troops. The airstrike resulted in Syrian casualties, with two soldiers killed and ten wounded. This marked the first American air combat in Lebanon. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1981: On December 4, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12333, which redefined the roles and responsibilities of U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA. The order authorized the CIA to collect foreign intelligence and conduct counterintelligence activities within the United States, provided these actions were coordinated with the FBI as per procedures agreed upon by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Attorney General. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
- 1975: Suriname officially became a member of the United Nations on December 4, 1975, shortly after gaining independence from the Netherlands. This marked a significant step in its international recognition and participation in global affairs. source: un.org
What famous birthdays are on December 4?
On December 4th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Jay Z]()
Jay Z (1969)Jay-Z is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential hip-hop artists in history. He rose from humble beginnings in Brooklyn to become a billionaire and cultural icon, known for his sharp lyricism, business acumen, and impact on the music industry. [bio]
![Tyra Banks]()
Tyra Banks (1973)Tyra Banks is an American television personality, supermodel, producer, and businesswoman. She gained worldwide fame as a top fashion model in the 1990s and is best known for creating and hosting the reality TV show 'America's Next Top Model.' Banks was also a prominent Victoria's Secret Angel and the host of her own Emmy-winning talk show, 'The Tyra Banks Show.' [bio]
![Jeff Bridges]()
Jeff Bridges (1949)Jeff Bridges is an acclaimed American actor known for his diverse roles across film, television, and music. With a career spanning more than six decades, Bridges has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. [bio]
![Marisa Tomei]()
Marisa Tomei (1964)Marisa Tomei is an acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances across film, television, and stage. She gained international fame for her Academy Award-winning role in 'My Cousin Vinny' and has continued to star in a diverse array of critically acclaimed films and theatre productions. [bio]
![Fred Armisen]()
Fred Armisen (1966)Fred Armisen is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. He is best known for being a cast member on 'Saturday Night Live' and co-creating the sketch comedy series 'Portlandia.' [bio]
![Kevin Sussman]()
Kevin Sussman (1970)Kevin Sussman is an American actor and comedian best known for his roles as Stuart Bloom on the CBS sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory' and as Walter on the comedy-drama series 'Ugly Betty.' [bio]
![Ronnie Corbett]()
Ronnie Corbett (1930)Ronnie Corbett was a celebrated Scottish comedian, actor, and writer best known as one half of the comedy duo 'The Two Ronnies', alongside Ronnie Barker. He was a prominent figure in British entertainment for decades, renowned for his comic timing, monologues, and appearances on both stage and television. [bio]
![Tony Todd]()
Tony Todd (1954)Tony Todd is an American actor and voice actor best known for his roles in horror films, particularly as the titular character in the 'Candyman' film series. He has also appeared in numerous other movies and television series, earning acclaim for his deep voice and commanding presence. [bio]
![Gérard Philipe]()
Gérard Philipe (1922)Gérard Philipe was a renowned French actor widely regarded for his significant contributions to French cinema and theater during the mid-20th century. He achieved fame for his expressive performances and played a pivotal role in popularizing classic works and new cinematic trends before his untimely death at a young age. [bio]
![Victor French]()
Victor French (1934)Victor French was an American actor and director best known for his roles in television series such as 'Little House on the Prairie' and 'Highway to Heaven.' He often collaborated with Michael Landon, appearing in several of Landon's projects throughout his career. [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 4?
On December 4th the following celebrities died:
![Robert Loggia]()
Robert Loggia (2015)Robert Loggia was an American actor and director renowned for his gravelly voice and commanding screen presence. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he appeared in numerous prominent films and television series, earning acclaim for both character and leading roles. [bio]
![Bert Lahr]()
![Richard Todd]()
Richard Todd (2009)Richard Todd was an Irish-born British actor best known for his roles in post-World War II British cinema, notably in the films 'The Dam Busters' and 'The Hasty Heart'. He was one of the most popular British actors of the 1950s. [bio]
![Rosetta Duncan]()
![Leila Hyams]()
![Frank Zappa]()
Frank Zappa (1993)Legendary avant-garde musician and composer who revolutionized rock music with his innovative and eclectic style.
![Hannah Arendt]()
Hannah Arendt (1975)Renowned German-American philosopher and political theorist who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding totalitarianism and...
![Thomas Hobbes]()
Thomas Hobbes (1679)British scholar and philosopher who was passionate about geometry, latin, and discussion.
![Bob McGrath]()
Bob McGrath (2022)Bob McGrath was a beloved American actor and singer best known for his long-running role on the children's television show Sesame Street,...
![Sócrates]()
Sócrates (2011)Legendary Brazilian footballer known for his intelligence, political activism, and pivotal role in Brazil's national team during the 1980s.
What day of the year is December 4?
December 4th marks the 338th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 339th in case of leap years).
There are 27 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 4th is the 4th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 4?
On December 4th, 2026 the day of the week is Friday.
| 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 4?
The zodiac sign associated with December 4th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
