December 31

    What happened on December 31 in history

    7 events fall on December 31, from 1600 to 1999. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

    Events on December 31

    1. 1600

      The East India Company is chartered

      Elizabeth I grants a monopoly on English trade with the east.

      Read about Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, LondonPlay the Exploration & revolution round

    2. 1695

      The window tax

      England begins taxing houses by their number of windows.

      Play the Exploration & revolution round

    3. 1907

      The first Times Square ball drop

      A lighted ball is lowered to mark the new year in New York.

      Read about San Francisco Earthquake and FirePlay the 20th century round

    4. 1907

      The first ball drop

      New York sees in the new year in Times Square.

      Read about San Francisco Earthquake and FirePlay the 20th century round

    5. 1946

      Truman declares hostilities over

      The president formally ends the Second World War for the United States.

      Read about V-J Day Celebration in Times SquarePlay the 20th century round

    6. 1999

      The Panama Canal is handed over

      The United States transfers control of the canal to Panama.

      Play the 20th century round

    7. 1999

      The canal changes hands

      Panama takes full control of the canal at noon.

      Play the 20th century round

    Guess where and when

    Explore a 360° historical scene and place it on the map and the timeline. Free, no sign-up.

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