December 24: What Happened on This Day in History
December 24th marks the 358th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 359th in case of leap years). There are 7 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 24th in history, famous birthdays on December 24th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 24.
What happened on December 24?
Here's what happened on December 24th in history:
- 2021: Burmese military forces committed the Mo So massacre, killing at least 44 civilians in a brutal act of violence, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Myanmar.
- 2014: A devastating suicide bombing by pro-government Sunni militiamen resulted in at least 33 fatalities and 55 injuries in Madaen, highlighting the ongoing sectarian violence in the region.
- 2011: Arab League monitors held a critical meeting with Syria's foreign minister, following the previous day's deadly bombings in Damascus, in an attempt to address escalating tensions in the region.
- 2004: Johnny Oates, a notable baseball player and manager who significantly contributed to the sport during his lifetime, passed away. Born in 1926, Oates had a distinguished career in Major League Baseball, known for his strategic management and playing skills.
- 2002: James Alan Ferman, a prominent British film censor who significantly influenced media classification in the United Kingdom, passed away at the age of 72.
- 1999: João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo, former President of Brazil from 1979 to 1985, passed away. He was a significant political figure who played a crucial role in Brazil's transition from military dictatorship to democracy.
- 1998: On December 24, 1998, a tragic incident occurred at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, when a tourist, Luan Phi Dawson, was struck by a piece of flying metal while waiting to board a ride. The accident also injured Dawson's wife and a Disneyland employee. Dawson succumbed to his injuries on December 26th, highlighting the potential safety risks in amusement park attractions.
- 1995: While December 24, 1995 might appear unremarkable at first glance, it was Christmas Eve - a day of cultural significance for many around the world. Families were likely preparing for holiday celebrations, businesses were winding down for the holiday season, and many countries were experiencing typical winter activities. Though no major global events were recorded, the day represented a moment of potential personal and familial importance.
- 1988: Piyush Chawla, an Indian cricket player, was born. He would later become a notable leg-spin bowler in Indian cricket, representing various domestic and national teams.
- 1981: Curtis Sliwa and Lisa Evers, co-founders of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer urban safety organization, were married on this date. The Guardian Angels, founded in New York City, became known for citizen-led crime prevention and community safety efforts.
What famous birthdays are on December 24?
On December 24th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Ava Gardner]()
![Ricky Martin]()
Ricky Martin (1971)Internationally renowned Puerto Rican pop singer who rose to global fame in the late 1990s.
![Stephenie Meyer]()
![Lee Daniels]()
Lee Daniels (1959)Acclaimed American film director known for critically acclaimed movies like 'Precious' and 'The Butler', who has significantly influenced...
![Masaki Aiba]()
Masaki Aiba (1982)Masaki Aiba is a prominent Japanese entertainer, member of the popular boy band Arashi, known for his versatile talents in music, acting,...
![Mark Valley]()
Mark Valley (1964)American actor known for roles in television series like 'Boston Legal' and 'Human Target'.
![Diedrich Bader]()
Diedrich Bader (1966)American actor known for his comedic roles in television, particularly as Oswald in 'The Drew Carey Show' and roles in various sitcoms and...
![Satomi Ishihara]()
Satomi Ishihara (1986)Popular Japanese actress known for her roles in television dramas and films, with a significant presence in Japanese entertainment media.
![Lynn Chen]()
Lynn Chen (1976)Lynn Chen is an accomplished Asian-American actress and musician, known for her roles in independent films and her work across various media...
![Ruth Chatterton]()
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 24?
On December 24th the following celebrities died:
![Harold Pinter]()
Harold Pinter (2008)Renowned British playwright and Nobel Laureate in Literature, known for his distinctive dramatic style characterized by pauses and subtle...
![Jack Klugman]()
Jack Klugman (2012)Jack Klugman was a renowned American television actor best known for his iconic roles in 'The Odd Couple' and 'Quincy, M.E.
![Peter Lawford]()
Peter Lawford (1984)Peter Lawford was a prominent British-American actor who appeared in 57 films and multiple TV series.
![Charles Durning]()
Charles Durning (2012)Acclaimed American character actor known for his versatile roles in film and theater, including notable performances in 'Dog Day Afternoon'...
![Liz Smith]()
Liz Smith (2016)Renowned American gossip columnist who wrote for major newspapers and published the autobiography 'Natural Blonde' in 2000.
![Toshirô Mifune]()
![Norma Talmadge]()
Norma Talmadge (1957)American actress, silent screen, vaudeville and radio star, oldest of three talmadge sisters, who was promoted by her stage-driven mother.
- George Michael (2009)
Legendary pop singer and songwriter, known for his incredible musical career with Wham! and as a solo artist.
- Samuel Huntington (2008)
Samuel Huntington was a prominent American political scientist who developed the influential 'Clash of Civilizations' theory, significantly...
- Braguinha (2006)
Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Braga, known as Braguinha, was a renowned Brazilian musician who significantly influenced Brazilian popular music...
What day of the year is December 24?
December 24th marks the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 359th in case of leap years).
There are 7 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 24th is the 24th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 24?
On December 24th, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| December | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 24?
The zodiac sign associated with December 24th is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
