The three ships carrying settlers who would later found Virginia, the first of the Thirteen Colonies, departed England.
Source
A Christmas Carol by English author Charles Dickens was published.
Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt was presumed dead after being swept out to sea by a riptide.
The crew of the Union Star lost their lives along with all eight lifeboat volunteers who tried to save them.
The US Office of Censorship was created to control info relating to World War II.
Stanley Kubrick's X-rated film 'A Clockwork Orange' premiered, which was based on the book by Anthony Burgess.