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Major Events of December 1971: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1971 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1971: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1971 John Lennon and Yoko Ono Release Anti-War Anthem: John Lennon and Yoko Ono released "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" on December 1, 1971. The song was a protest against the Vietnam War and a call for peace, featuring the couple's message "War is over, if you want it." source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 02 Dec 1971 Formation of the United Arab Emirates: On December 2, 1971, six of the seven emirates of the Trucial States—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain—formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation on February 10, 1972. The UAE's provisional constitution was adopted, and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was elected as the first president. source: britannica.com
  • 03 Dec 1971 Indo-Pakistani War begins: On December 3, 1971, India launched a preemptive strike against Pakistan, marking the beginning of the Indo-Pakistani War. The conflict led to the creation of Bangladesh and significant geopolitical changes in the region. source: britannica.com
  • 04 Dec 1971 Indian Navy's Operation Trident: Operation Trident was a naval operation conducted by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. It involved a successful attack on the Pakistani port city of Karachi, targeting naval vessels and infrastructure. This operation significantly weakened the Pakistani naval capabilities during the conflict. source: britannica.com
  • 05 Dec 1971 Libya nationalizes British Petroleum concession: On December 5, 1971, Libya announced the nationalization of the British Petroleum (BP) concession, marking a significant shift in the country's oil policy. This move was part of a broader trend of nationalization in the region, aimed at increasing state control over natural resources and revenues. source: reuters.com
  • 06 Dec 1971 Pakistan severs diplomatic ties with India: On December 6, 1971, Pakistan officially severed diplomatic relations with India amid the ongoing conflict of the Indo-Pakistani War. This decision was a response to India's military actions and support for the independence movement in East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh. source: dawn.com
  • 07 Dec 1971 Wings release debut album 'Wild Life': On December 7, 1971, the British-American rock band Wings released their debut studio album, 'Wild Life'. The album was recorded in August 1971 and features tracks like 'Mumbo' and 'Love Is Strange'. It received lukewarm critical and commercial reactions but peaked at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart and number 10 on the US Billboard 200. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 08 Dec 1971 Nixon deploys 7th Fleet in response to Indo-Pakistani conflict: On December 8, 1971, during the Indo-Pakistani War, President Richard Nixon ordered the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet to move towards the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. This deployment aimed to intimidate Indian forces amid escalating tensions in the region. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 09 Dec 1971 Lewis F. Powell Jr. appointed to US Supreme Court: On December 9, 1971, President Richard Nixon appointed Lewis F. Powell Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court. Powell was confirmed by the Senate on December 6, 1971, and received his commission on December 9, 1971. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
  • 10 Dec 1971 William H. Rehnquist confirmed to Supreme Court: On December 10, 1971, the U.S. Senate confirmed William H. Rehnquist as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by a vote of 68–26. Nominated by President Richard Nixon, Rehnquist took his seat on January 7, 1972. source: britannica.com
  • 11 Dec 1971 Balmoral Furniture Company bombing on Shankill Road: On December 11, 1971, a bomb exploded outside the Balmoral Furniture Company showroom on Shankill Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland, killing four civilians, including two infants, and injuring 19 others. The attack was attributed to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in retaliation for the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) bombing of McGurk's Bar a week earlier. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 14 Dec 1971 Martyred Intellectuals Day in Bangladesh: On December 14, 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War, Pakistani forces and their local collaborators abducted and executed over 200 Bengali intellectuals, including professors, journalists, doctors, and artists, aiming to cripple the emerging nation's intellectual class. This day is now observed annually as Martyred Intellectuals Day in Bangladesh. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 15 Dec 1971 Intellectual killings in East Pakistan: On December 15, 1971, following the mass execution of intellectuals on December 14, reports continued to emerge of further killings of intellectuals in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by Pakistani forces and their collaborators, aiming to eliminate the nation's intellectual leadership. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 16 Dec 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War conclusion: On December 16, 1971, Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered to Indian and Bangladeshi forces, leading to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation. source: britannica.com
  • 18 Dec 1971 Operation PUSH founded by Jesse Jackson: On December 18, 1971, Reverend Jesse Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) in Chicago, aiming to improve the economic status of African Americans. source: peoplesworld.org
  • 20 Dec 1971 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto becomes President of Pakistan: On December 20, 1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was appointed as the President of Pakistan following the secession of East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh. His leadership marked a significant shift in Pakistan's political landscape during a tumultuous period. source: britannica.com
  • 21 Dec 1971 United Nations Security Council elects Kurt Waldheim as Secretary-General: On December 21, 1971, Kurt Waldheim was elected as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. His tenure was marked by significant global events and challenges, including the Cold War dynamics and various international conflicts. source: un.org
  • 22 Dec 1971 Doctors Without Borders founded: Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) was founded on December 22, 1971, in France. The organization was established to provide medical assistance in crisis situations and has since become a leading humanitarian organization worldwide. source: britannica.com
  • 27 Dec 1971 United Arab Emirates Armed Forces established: The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces were officially established on December 27, 1971, following a directive issued by the UAE's founding father and first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 28 Dec 1971 Frank Sepe, American bodybuilder and model, born in Rosedale, New York: Frank Sepe, an American fitness author, magazine editor, TV personality, and fitness model, was born in Rosedale, New York. He has been featured on over 100 magazine covers and appeared on various television programs. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 29 Dec 1971 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism founded: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a component of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, was founded on December 29, 1971, to advance research on alcohol-related issues. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 31 Dec 1971 Birth of NBA player Brent Barry: Brent Robert Barry, an American basketball coach and former player, was born on December 31, 1971, in Hempstead, New York. He is the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry and played in the NBA from 1995 to 2009, winning two championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and 2007. source: en.wikipedia.org