Major Events of December 2016: Key Historical Moments from the Month
previous year2009
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
2020next year

Major Events of December 2016: 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 2016 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 2016: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 2016 UNESCO has designated yoga, rumba, and nowruz as 'treasures.
  • 02 Dec 2016 Venezuela Suspended from Mercosur: Venezuela was suspended from the South American trade bloc Mercosur due to concerns over its domestic political situation and human rights violations. source: aljazeera.com
  • 03 Dec 2016 Malaysia condemns Rohingya persecution: On December 3, 2016, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak criticized Myanmar's military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State, describing the violence as "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing." Malaysia also canceled two football matches with Myanmar to protest the crackdown. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 04 Dec 2016 Syrian Civil War casualties: On December 4, 2016, reports indicated that the Syrian Civil War had resulted in significant casualties, with thousands of people killed and injured due to ongoing conflicts between government forces and various opposition groups. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 05 Dec 2016 2016 Oakland warehouse fire: On December 5, 2016, a devastating fire occurred at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, California, resulting in 36 fatalities. The fire, which took place during a concert, was one of the deadliest in California's history and raised concerns about building safety codes and the use of unpermitted venues. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 06 Dec 2016 Battle of Mosul: Iraqi Army advances: On December 6, 2016, the Iraqi Army made significant advances in the Battle of Mosul, recapturing several neighborhoods from ISIS control. The operation was part of a larger offensive to liberate the city, which had been under ISIS occupation since 2014. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 07 Dec 2016 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: On December 7, 2016, the United States commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, honoring the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives in the 1941 attack. source: obamawhitehouse.archives.gov
  • 08 Dec 2016 Trump nominates Andrew Puzder as Labor Secretary: President-elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of Andrew Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Puzder's selection drew mixed reactions, with some praising his business acumen and others expressing concerns over his labor practices. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
  • 09 Dec 2016 EU agrees on visa-free travel for Georgia and Ukraine: The European Union reached an agreement to grant visa-free travel to Georgian and Ukrainian citizens for stays up to 90 days. This decision aimed to strengthen ties with the two countries and was seen as a significant step in their European integration efforts. source: consilium.europa.eu
  • 10 Dec 2016 Istanbul Stadium Bombings: On December 10, 2016, twin bombings occurred outside Istanbul's Vodafone Arena, resulting in at least 46 deaths and 136 injuries. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a PKK-affiliated group, claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted riot police officers and civilians. source: aljazeera.com
  • 11 Dec 2016 Russian Election Interference Allegations: On December 11, 2016, reports emerged alleging that Russian operatives had interfered in the U.S. presidential election by hacking and releasing emails from the Democratic National Committee. These actions were part of a broader campaign to influence the election outcome. source: nytimes.com
  • 12 Dec 2016 Battle for Aleppo Concludes: On December 12, 2016, Syrian government forces, with Russian support, declared victory in the battle for Aleppo, Syria's largest city. The capture of Aleppo marked a significant turning point in the Syrian Civil War. source: bbc.com
  • 13 Dec 2016 Ceasefire agreed to allow fighters to leave Aleppo to Syria's regime: On December 13, 2016, Russia and Syrian rebel groups reached an agreement to evacuate fighters from besieged areas in Aleppo, aiming to conclude a prolonged battle for the city. The deal permitted rebels to withdraw, potentially marking a turning point in Syria's civil war. The fate of civilians remained uncertain, with reports of violence and civilian casualties, including at least 82 civilians reportedly killed by pro-Assad forces. source: time.com
  • 14 Dec 2016 China militarizes Spratly Islands: On December 14, 2016, reports emerged that China had militarized the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, deploying military equipment and personnel to artificial islands it had constructed. This action heightened tensions in the region, as the Spratlys are claimed by multiple countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. China's militarization raised concerns about freedom of navigation and regional security. source: reuters.com
  • 15 Dec 2016 Intelligence agencies allege Putin directed election hacking: On December 15, 2016, U.S. intelligence agencies publicly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The agencies reported that Russian operatives had engaged in cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing the election outcome in favor of Donald Trump. This assessment was based on evidence of Russian involvement in hacking Democratic Party emails and spreading propaganda. source: cnbc.com
  • 16 Dec 2016 Aleppo evacuation crisis: On December 16, 2016, the evacuation of civilians and rebel fighters from eastern Aleppo was underway following a ceasefire agreement. Thousands of people were being transported to government-controlled areas and other safe zones. The evacuation was part of efforts to end the battle for Aleppo, which had resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction. The process faced challenges, including delays and concerns over the safety of evacuees. source: aljazeera.com
  • 17 Dec 2016 Ethiopia Opens Gibe III Hydroelectric Dam: Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Omo River Gibe III Hydroelectric Dam, one of Africa's largest infrastructure projects. Expected to double the country's electricity production, the dam simultaneously represents significant economic potential and environmental controversy, with critics raising concerns about local and regional impacts.
  • 18 Dec 2016 Methanol poisoning tragedy in Irkutsk: In December 2016, over 70 people died in Irkutsk, Russia, due to methanol poisoning from consuming adulterated surrogate alcohol. The victims drank hawthorn-scented bath oil labeled as containing ethanol, which was actually made with methanol. This incident was the deadliest mass methanol poisoning in Russia's post-Soviet history. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 19 Dec 2016 China seizes U.S. Navy underwater drone: On December 19, 2016, Chinese authorities seized an underwater drone operated by the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea. The incident led to diplomatic tensions between the United States and China, with the U.S. demanding the drone's return.
  • 20 Dec 2016 Russian ambassador assassination details: On December 19, 2016, Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov was assassinated in Ankara, Turkey, by Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, an off-duty police officer. The assassination was captured on video and sparked international condemnation, with implications for Russian-Turkish relations. source: bbc.com
  • 21 Dec 2016 2016 Berlin attack manhunt: Following the Berlin Christmas market attack, a manhunt was launched for Anis Amri, the suspect. Authorities issued a Europe-wide alert, and Amri was eventually located and killed by police in Italy on December 23, 2016. source: bbc.com
  • 22 Dec 2016 Syrian army takes full control of Aleppo: On December 22, 2016, the Syrian army declared full control over Aleppo after years of conflict. This marked a significant turning point in the Syrian civil war, with implications for the future of the region. source: bbc.com
  • 23 Dec 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack suspect killed: On December 23, 2016, Anis Amri, the suspect in the Berlin Christmas market attack, was shot and killed by police in Milan, Italy. His death marked the end of a manhunt that spanned several countries. source: bbc.com
  • 24 Dec 2016 ISIS releases video linking to Berlin truck attack: On December 24, 2016, ISIS released a video claiming responsibility for the Berlin truck attack that occurred earlier that month, in which a truck was driven into a Christmas market, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
  • 25 Dec 2016 Pope Francis Christmas peace appeal: On December 25, 2016, Pope Francis delivered his annual Christmas message, calling for peace and reconciliation in conflict zones around the world. He emphasized the need for dialogue and understanding among nations and peoples.
  • 26 Dec 2016 UN acknowledges responsibility for Haiti cholera epidemic: On December 1, 2016, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon publicly apologized for the UN's role in the cholera outbreak in Haiti, acknowledging the organization's moral responsibility for the epidemic that began in 2010. source: un.org
  • 27 Dec 2016 Carrie Fisher dies after heart attack complications: On December 27, 2016, actress and writer Carrie Fisher passed away at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on December 23. source: nytimes.com
  • 28 Dec 2016 Debbie Reynolds Passes Away: American actress Debbie Reynolds tragically suffered a stroke and died one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's passing, creating a poignant moment in Hollywood history.
  • 29 Dec 2016 US expels Russian diplomats over election interference: On December 29, 2016, the United States expelled 35 Russian diplomats in response to alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election. This action was part of a broader set of sanctions against Russia, which included closing two Russian compounds in the U.S. source: nytimes.com
  • 30 Dec 2016 Syria ceasefire agreement takes effect: A nationwide ceasefire in Syria, brokered by Russia and Turkey, came into effect at midnight local time on December 30, 2016. The agreement aimed to end nearly six years of conflict, with both parties committing to cease all armed attacks and refrain from expanding territories under their control. The ceasefire excluded designated terrorist organizations such as ISIL and the al-Nusra Front. source: hurriyetdailynews.com
  • 31 Dec 2016 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan: On December 31, 2016, the United States announced the withdrawal of a significant number of troops from Afghanistan, marking a shift in U.S. military presence in the region. This decision was part of a broader strategy to reduce U.S. involvement in prolonged conflicts abroad. source: abc.net.au