DECEMBER 31, 2023 | NEW YEAR'S EVE | NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY | MAKE UP YOUR MIND DAY | UNIVERSAL HOUR OF PEACE | LEAP SECOND TIME ADJUSTMENT DAY
DECEMBER 31, 2023 | NEW YEAR'S EVE | NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY | MAKE UP YOUR MIND DAY | UNIVERSAL HOUR OF PEACE | LEAP SECOND TIME ADJUSTMENT DAY
New Years Eve
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Every year on December 31st, people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve, the last day of the year. It’s a day to say “goodbye” to the old and “hello” to the new. Read more...
National Champagne Day
NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY
National Champagne Day recognizes the wine that puts the pop in every New Year's Eve celebration. Read more...
Make Up Your Mind Day
MAKE UP YOUR MIND DAY
Each year, Make Up Your Mind Day on December 31st encourages us to quit wavering, to take a side, and follow through with a decision and stick to it. Read more...
UNIVERSAL HOUR OF PEACE | December 31
UNIVERSAL HOUR OF PEACE
From 11:30 p.m. on December 31st to 12:30 a.m. on January 1st each year, Universal Hour of Peace hopes to take a step toward a war-free world. Read more...
Leap Second Time Adjustment Day
LEAP SECOND TIME ADJUSTMENT DAY
Leap Second Time Adjustment Day is listed as an observance title only. Some years scientists do not make adjustments. But, if they do, then it’s done on either June 30 or December 31. Read more...
On Deck for January 1, 2024
National Days
NEW YEAR'S DAY
NATIONAL HANGOVER DAY
NATIONAL BLOODY MARY DAY
NATIONAL THANK GOD IT’S MONDAY DAY
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE DAY
December 31st Celebrated History
1904
Earlier in 1904, The New York Times moved to 42nd Street along Longacre Square overlooking a growing triangle of commerce. In August, New York City Mayor George McClellan renamed the area Times Square. The newspaper ushered in 1905 with the first New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square.
1911
Marie Curie receives her second Nobel Prize. Her work with radioactivity led to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
1983
Mayor Ed Koch appoints Benjamin Ward as New York City Police Commissioner, the first African American to hold the position.
1999
Complying with the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the U.S. government transfers control of the Panama Canal to Panama.
2000
Last day of century and the second millennium.
December 31st Celebrated Birthdays
Elizabeth Arden - 1878
Born Florence Nightingale Graham, the entrepreneur opened her first cosmetics salon in 1910 on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Anthony Hopkins - 1937
The award-winning actor is best-known for his unforgettable role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. Other memorable performances include Remains of the Day, Legends of the Fall, and Nixon.
Rosalind Cash - 1938
Throughout the actress's more than 30 year career she appeared in many popular television series including Barney Miller, Kojak, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, American Playhouse, Hill Street Blues, The Cosby Show, L.A. Law, The Golden Girls, Family Ties, China Beach, A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and General Hospital. She also starred in several movies, including The Omega Man in 1971.
John Denver - 1943
The folk music singer-songwriter rose to fame during the 1970s with hit songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," and "Rocky Mountain High."
Enjoy the celebration,
The Staff at National Day Calendar