Major Events of December 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of December 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Dec 1920 Alvaro Obregón Becomes President of Mexico: General Alvaro Obregón was sworn into office as the new President of Mexico, symbolically marking the end of the tumultuous Mexican Revolution. In a powerful moment of resilience, Obregón, who had lost part of his right arm during the revolutionary conflict, took the presidential oath by raising his left hand, defying his critics and embodying the spirit of transformation that characterized the era.
02 Dec 1920 Treaty of Alexandropol between Turkey and Armenia: Following a month-long conflict, the Turkish-Armenian War concluded with the Treaty of Alexandropol, which was dictated by Turkish forces. This treaty significantly impacted the territorial and political relations between Turkey and Armenia in the aftermath of World War I.
03 Dec 1920 Armenia Cedes Vast Territory to Turkey in Treaty of Alexandropol: Following its defeat in the Turkish-Armenian War in November, Armenia signed the Treaty of Alexandropol, agreeing to cede a substantial portion of its national territory. Specifically, Armenia surrendered 104,000 of its 174,000 square kilometers (approximately 40,000 of 67,000 square miles) back to Turkey, dramatically reducing its geographical footprint.
04 Dec 1920 Armenia Cedes Territory to Turkey via Treaty of Alexandropol: In a significant territorial concession, Armenia agreed to cede a majority of its territory to Turkey, surrendering approximately 104,000 of 174,000 square kilometers (or 40,000 of 67,000 square miles) following its defeat in the Turkish-Armenian War of November 1920. This treaty dramatically reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Caucasus region.
05 Dec 1920 Greek Referendum Supports Monarchy Restoration: A national referendum in Greece demonstrated significant public support for the restoration of the monarchy, signaling a major political shift in the country's governance.
06 Dec 1920 Dave Brubeck: Jazz Pianist and Composer Born: Dave Brubeck was born in Concord, California, marking the beginning of a legendary jazz career. A pioneering jazz pianist and composer, Brubeck would become known for innovative works like 'Take Five' and compositions such as 'Gates of Justice'. His unique approach to rhythm and musical experimentation significantly influenced the development of jazz in the 20th century.
07 Dec 1920 Draft Mandates for Mesopotamia and Palestine Submitted: Arthur Balfour, serving as the UK's Lord President of the Council and Foreign Secretary, submitted draft mandates for Mesopotamia and Palestine, a crucial step in defining post-Ottoman territorial administration following World War I.
08 Dec 1920 Terrorist Bombing in Romanian Senate: On December 8, 1920, Max Goldstein, a Romanian terrorist, detonated a bomb inside the Romanian Senate chamber, resulting in a tragic attack that killed three prominent individuals: Justice Minister Dimitrie Greceanu, Senator Spirea Gheorghiu, and Bishop Demetriu Radu. The bombing was a significant act of political violence during a tumultuous period in Romanian history.
09 Dec 1920 Uneventful Day in 1920: While no specific major historical events were documented for December 9, 1920, this period was part of the complex post-World War I era. The world was experiencing significant political and social transformations, including the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the establishment of new national boundaries in Europe, and ongoing economic recovery efforts.
10 Dec 1920 Woodrow Wilson Awarded Nobel Peace Prize: President Woodrow Wilson was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his pivotal role in establishing the League of Nations and his efforts to promote international diplomacy in the aftermath of World War I. Wilson's vision of collective security and peaceful conflict resolution was embodied in his famous 'Fourteen Points' speech, which outlined principles for post-war global cooperation.
11 Dec 1920 Devastating Haiyuan Earthquake in China: A catastrophic 8.6 magnitude earthquake struck Gansu Province, causing massive landslides and resulting in approximately 180,000 fatalities. This remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history.
12 Dec 1920 Birth of Margot Duhalde, Pioneering Brazilian Congresswoman: Margot Duhalde was born, who would later become a groundbreaking figure in Brazilian political history as the first woman to serve in the Brazilian Congress. Her entry into national politics represented a significant milestone for women's representation in Brazilian governance.
13 Dec 1920 International Court of Justice Established: The League of Nations formally establishes the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, creating a landmark institution for international dispute resolution.
14 Dec 1920 Jack Dempsey Wins Heavyweight Boxing Title: Jack Dempsey successfully defended his heavyweight boxing championship by knocking out challenger Bill Brennan in the 12th round of a highly anticipated match. This victory further solidified Dempsey's reputation as one of the most dominant boxers of the early 20th century.
15 Dec 1920 Brussels Conference on German War Reparations: On December 22, 1920, the Brussels Conference convened to establish a comprehensive timetable for German war reparations following World War I. The conference outlined a complex payment schedule designed to extend over 42 years, reflecting the significant economic burden placed on Germany as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.
16 Dec 1920 Devastating Haiyuan Earthquake in China: A catastrophic 8.6 magnitude earthquake struck Gansu Province in China, destroying approximately 15,000 square miles of land and causing over 180,000 fatalities. The earthquake was one of the deadliest seismic events of the early 20th century, devastating local communities and infrastructure.
17 Dec 1920 League of Nations Mandates Colonial Territories: The Supreme Council of the League of Nations officially grants mandates over former German overseas colonies to various nations, redistributing colonial territories in the aftermath of World War I and establishing a new international governance framework.
18 Dec 1920 King Constantine I Restored to Greek Throne: King Constantine I was reinstated as the monarch of Greece following the death of his son, Alexander I of Greece. This political restoration marked a significant moment in Greek royal history and political transitions during the early 20th century.
19 Dec 1920 King Constantine I Restored to Greek Throne: King Constantine I was restored as the King of the Hellenes following the death of his son Alexander I of Greece, through a national plebiscite. This event marked a significant political transition in Greek royal governance.
20 Dec 1920 Soviet Intelligence Service Reorganization: Felix Dzerzhinsky restructured the Soviet Union's intelligence service, establishing the Foreign Intelligence Section, which would play a crucial role in Soviet espionage and intelligence gathering.
21 Dec 1920 300th Anniversary of the Mayflower Landing: Plymouth, Massachusetts commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims' historic landing, marking a significant milestone in early American colonial history. This event celebrated the arrival of the Mayflower and the establishment of one of the first European settlements in North America.
22 Dec 1920 Brussels Conference Concludes World War I Reparations: The Brussels Conference concluded with the Allied powers establishing a comprehensive 42-year reparations schedule for Germany, a critical diplomatic effort to address the economic consequences of World War I. This agreement outlined the financial obligations Germany would need to fulfill as compensation for war damages, setting the stage for complex international economic negotiations in the interwar period.
23 Dec 1920 Partition of Ireland: The island of Ireland is officially divided into two distinct regions, each with its own parliamentary system, marking a significant moment in Irish political history and setting the stage for future geopolitical developments.
24 Dec 1920 Enrico Caruso's Final Public Performance: Legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso gave his last public performance in New York City on December 24, 1920, marking the end of an extraordinary musical career that had significantly influenced opera and classical music worldwide.
25 Dec 1920 Hydrocodone First Synthesized in Germany: German pharmaceutical researchers successfully synthesized hydrocodone, a powerful narcotic analgesic closely related to codeine. This breakthrough would later become a significant pain management medication with substantial medical implications.
26 Dec 1920 Uneventful Day in Global History: On December 26, 1920, no major historical events were recorded. This day appears to have been relatively quiet across global political, social, and cultural landscapes. While individual personal events certainly occurred, no significant worldwide or national developments were documented for this specific date.
27 Dec 1920 Uneventful Day in 1920: While no major historical events were recorded on December 27, 1920, this does not diminish the broader historical context of the early 20th century. The year 1920 was marked by significant global transitions, including the aftermath of World War I, the rise of new political ideologies, and ongoing social transformations.
28 Dec 1920 Uneventful Day in 1920: While no specific major historical events were documented for December 28, 1920, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The early 1920s were a period of significant global transformation following World War I, with ongoing political, social, and economic changes across many nations.
29 Dec 1920 Yugoslav Government Bans Communist Party: The Yugoslav government officially prohibited the Communist Party, reflecting the political tensions and ideological conflicts of the post-World War I era in the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia).
30 Dec 1920 Yugoslavia Bans Communist Party through Obznana Decree: On December 30, 1920, the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia) issued the Obznana decree, which officially outlawed the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. This significant political action was part of the government's efforts to suppress communist ideology and maintain political stability in the newly formed kingdom during a period of significant social and political tension.
31 Dec 1920 Ferdinand Foch's Year-End Allied Armies Report: French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the renowned Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies during World War I, delivered his comprehensive year-end report to the Allied military leadership. This report likely provided strategic insights and reflections on the post-World War I military landscape and the implementation of the Treaty of Versailles.