previous year2009
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
2020next year

Major Events of December 2010: 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 2010 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 2010: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 2010 Afghan Parliamentary Election Results Announced: The final results of the Afghan parliamentary elections were officially announced, reflecting the complex political landscape in Afghanistan during a period of significant political transition.
  • 02 Dec 2010 African Union troops deployed to Mogadishu: On December 2, 2010, African Union troops were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, to support the transitional government against insurgent groups. This deployment aimed to stabilize the region amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. source: un.org
  • 03 Dec 2010 Controversial election in Côte d'Ivoire: On December 3, 2010, the Constitutional Council declared Laurent Gbagbo the winner of the Ivorian presidential election, leading to a political crisis as both Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara claimed victory. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 04 Dec 2010 Berlusconi meets Putin: On December 4, 2010, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing economic cooperation between Italy and Russia. source: reuters.com
  • 05 Dec 2010 Hong Kong protests for Liu Xiaobo's release: On December 5, 2010, protests were held in Hong Kong advocating for the release of Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The demonstrations highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights in China. source: bbc.com
  • 06 Dec 2010 Obama reaches tax cut compromise: On December 6, 2010, President Barack Obama announced a compromise on tax cuts with congressional Republicans. The agreement aimed to extend tax cuts for all Americans while addressing unemployment benefits. source: nytimes.com
  • 07 Dec 2010 WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Arrested: Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, was arrested in London on charges of sexual assault and rape, stemming from allegations in Sweden. His arrest occurred amid the global controversy over the release of classified U.S. diplomatic cables. source: aljazeera.com
  • 08 Dec 2010 SpaceX First Private Spacecraft Launch and Recovery: SpaceX successfully launched and recovered the Dragon spacecraft, marking the first time a privately developed spacecraft was recovered from orbit. This achievement was a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight. source: aljazeera.com
  • 09 Dec 2010 United States Diplomatic Cables Leak: A massive leak of U.S. diplomatic cables, known as 'Cablegate,' was published by WikiLeaks, revealing confidential communications between U.S. diplomats and foreign officials. The leak included sensitive assessments of foreign leaders and discussions on international relations. source: aljazeera.com
  • 10 Dec 2010 2010 UK Student Protests: On December 10, 2010, students in the UK protested against proposed increases in tuition fees and cuts to education funding. The protests were part of a larger movement against austerity measures and drew significant media attention. source: theguardian.com
  • 11 Dec 2010 United States Diplomatic Cables Leak: On December 11, 2010, WikiLeaks began releasing a series of classified U.S. diplomatic cables, revealing sensitive information about international relations and government communications. The leak sparked widespread debate about transparency and national security. source: theguardian.com
  • 12 Dec 2010 Julian Assange legal challenges: Julian Assange faced multiple legal challenges in December 2010, including extradition requests from Sweden related to sexual assault allegations. His legal battles drew significant media attention and raised questions about press freedom and whistleblowing. source: bbc.com
  • 13 Dec 2010 Colombian flooding causes massive economic damage: On December 13, 2010, severe flooding in Colombia resulted in significant economic damage, affecting agriculture and infrastructure. The disaster prompted government responses to assist affected communities. source: bbc.com
  • 14 Dec 2010 Garment factory fire in Bangladesh claims lives: On December 14, 2010, a fire at a garment factory near Dhaka, Bangladesh, claimed the lives of at least 20 people. The incident raised concerns about safety standards in the garment industry. source: bbc.com
  • 15 Dec 2010 UNHCR urges Cambodia to give more time for Vietnamese refugees to settle in Cambodia after announcing refugee camp closure.: On December 15, 2010, the Cambodian government announced plans to close a UNHCR-run refugee center in Phnom Penh by January 1, 2011, and deport any Vietnamese Montagnard asylum-seekers who had not yet received refugee status. The UNHCR urged Cambodia to extend the deadline to allow more time for resettlement. Subsequently, Cambodia agreed to extend the deadline to February 15, 2011. source: english.cambodiadaily.com
  • 16 Dec 2010 Julian Assange granted bail in UK court: On December 16, 2010, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted bail by a British court after being arrested on a European arrest warrant for questioning over alleged sex crimes in Sweden. The bail conditions included residence at Ellingham Hall, Norfolk, wearing an electronic tag, and reporting to the police daily. Bail was set at £240,000 surety with a deposit of £200,000. source: aljazeera.com
  • 17 Dec 2010 Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation ignites Arab Spring: On December 17, 2010, Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi self-immolated in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, after being harassed by municipal officials. His act became the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and the wider Arab Spring, leading to pro-democracy uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East. source: history.com
  • 18 Dec 2010 Tunisian Revolution begins: On December 18, 2010, widespread protests erupted in Tunisia, marking the beginning of the Tunisian Revolution. The protests were sparked by Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation and were fueled by demands for political reform, economic opportunities, and social justice. source: history.com
  • 19 Dec 2010 Julian Assange controversy continues: On December 19, 2010, the controversy surrounding WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange continued, with ongoing legal battles and debates over the publication of classified US diplomatic cables. Assange faced allegations of sexual misconduct in Sweden and was under investigation for potential extradition. source: theguardian.com
  • 20 Dec 2010 Pope Addresses Clergy Sexual Abuse: During a Christmas dinner with church leaders, Pope Benedict XVI speaks out about the sexual abuse of children perpetrated by priests, addressing a significant institutional crisis.
  • 21 Dec 2010 Rare total lunar eclipse coincides with winter solstice: On December 21, 2010, a total lunar eclipse occurred, coinciding with the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This rare event marked the first time since 1638 that a total lunar eclipse and the winter solstice fell on the same calendar day. The eclipse was visible across North and South America, Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. The totality phase lasted approximately 72 minutes, during which the moon took on a reddish hue due to Earth's shadow. source: aljazeera.com
  • 23 Dec 2010 Greek Parliament Approves Austerity Measures: On December 23, 2010, the Greek parliament approved a 2011 austerity budget, including spending cuts, tax increases, and state asset sales, aiming to reduce the national deficit. source: cnbc.com
  • 25 Dec 2010 Christmas Day 2010: December 25, 2010, was celebrated worldwide as Christmas Day, a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. source: history.com
  • 26 Dec 2010 United States Diplomatic Cables Leak: The leak of U.S. diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks began on December 26, 2010, revealing sensitive communications between U.S. embassies and the State Department. This event sparked global discussions about transparency, privacy, and the role of whistleblowers in government accountability. source: theguardian.com
  • 27 Dec 2010 Ivory Coast political crisis escalates: On December 27, 2010, the political crisis in Ivory Coast intensified as tensions rose between rival factions following the disputed presidential election. The situation led to increased violence and international concern over the stability of the region. source: bbc.com
  • 28 Dec 2010 Tunisian protests escalate: Protests in Tunisia escalated on December 28, 2010, as demonstrators continued to voice their frustrations over unemployment and government corruption. The unrest was a precursor to the larger Arab Spring movement that would follow. source: bbc.com
  • 29 Dec 2010 Political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire: The political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire continued to escalate on December 29, 2010, as international pressure mounted for a resolution to the disputed election results. The situation raised concerns about potential violence and instability in the region. source: bbc.com
  • 30 Dec 2010 China's internet population milestone: China's internet user base surpassed 450 million, solidifying its position as the world's largest online population and highlighting the rapid growth of digital connectivity in the country.
  • 31 Dec 2010 Tunisian protester dies during demonstrations: Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, set himself on fire in protest against police corruption and ill-treatment, an act that sparked widespread protests and led to the Tunisian Revolution.