December 12th is Poinsettia Day and Ding-A-Ling Day.
The deepest point of land was identified.
After countless failures, North Korea launched its first satellite.
Winona Ryder was arrested.
A 7.8 earthquake hit Flores Island in Indonesia, which caused an 82-foot tsunami, killing about 2,500 people.
Rain Man, directed by Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, premiered in New York.
Apple made its initial public offering on the US stock market.
Arthur Ashe became the first black person to be ranked number one in tennis.
Adolf Eichmann was found guilty of war crimes in Israel.
Adolf Hitler declared the imminent extermination of the Jews at a meeting in the Reich Chancellery.
The Empire of China was established by statesman Yuan Shikai, who declared himself Emperor.
The first case of the bubonic plague was announced in Honolulu.
Mexico was officially recognized as an independent nation by the US.
Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the US constitution.
King Carloman II of West Francia was mortally wounded while out hunting.
