December 27th

Benazir Bhutto assassinated. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan was killed after a shooting and the detonation of a suicide bomb while campaigning for the upcoming elections in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

The U.S. announced plans to hold Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Rwanda's first genocide trial opened for the 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis.

The Soviet Union took control of Afghanistan, installing Afghan politician Babrak Karmal as president.

The Netherlands transferred sovereignty to Indonesia after more than 300 years of Dutch rule.

International Monetary Fund formally established by 29 member countries.

Between 20,000 & 40,000 die in magnitude 8 quake in Erzincam Turkey.

Radio City Music Hall in New York City opened.

Greater Poland Uprising of 1918–1919 begins. The revolt against the Germans began in Poznań after a speech by the Polish Prime Minster, Ignacy Paderewski. The uprising led to newer territory being added to Poland in the Treaty of Versailles.

Prohibitionist Carry Nation smashed her first saloon.

Anesthesia used for the first time for childbirth. Dr. Crawford W. Long, an American physician, gave ether to his wife during the birth of their second child. The event revolutionalized the use of anesthesia in medicine and surgery.

Charles Darwin begins his journey on the HMS Beagle. It was during this 5-year long voyage that the English naturalist worked on his Theory of Evolution. He published the evidence supporting it in his 1859 book, On the Origin of Species.

1st public railway using steam locomotive completed in England between Stockton and Darlington.

Flushing Remonstrance petition signed in the Dutch colony of New Netherland protesting ban on Quaker worship.

Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to native Indians in the New World.