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Major Events of December 1971: 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 1971 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1971: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1971 Formation of the United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates was founded by six of the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain) in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman region. Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation later. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi became the first president, with Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai serving as vice president. Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was appointed as the prime minister, establishing a new political entity in the Arabian Peninsula.
  • 02 Dec 1971 Formation of the United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates was formed by the union of six small emirates on the Arabian Peninsula: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain. Ras Al Khaimah joined later in February 1972. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was selected as the UAE's first president, and Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was vice president. Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was named as the prime minister.
  • 03 Dec 1971 Indo-Pakistani War Begins: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 erupts with Pakistan launching a pre-emptive strike against India, marking the beginning of a devastating conflict that would reshape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
  • 04 Dec 1971 Indian Navy's Operation Trident: The Indian Navy launched a devastating naval offensive, Operation Trident, targeting Karachi's naval infrastructure. Using three Vidyut-class missile boats armed with Soviet-made SS-N-2B Styx missiles, they destroyed four Pakistani ships and fuel storage tanks. The operation was particularly notable for INS Nirghat sinking the Pakistani destroyer PNS Khaibar, resulting in 222 sailor casualties.
  • 05 Dec 1971 Soviet Union Blocks UN Ceasefire Resolution: The Soviet Union exercised its veto power at the UN Security Council, blocking a resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire and mutual withdrawal of forces between India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  • 06 Dec 1971 Pakistan Severs Diplomatic Ties with India: Pakistan officially severed diplomatic relations with India, marking a critical escalation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and signaling a major geopolitical conflict in South Asia.
  • 07 Dec 1971 Nixon Moves 7th Fleet Towards Bay of Bengal: U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered the 7th Fleet to move towards the Bay of Bengal, signaling American geopolitical interest during the Indo-Pakistani conflict.
  • 08 Dec 1971 Indian Navy Attacks Karachi During Indo-Pakistani War: During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Indian Navy launched a strategic naval assault on the port city of Karachi in West Pakistan. The attack targeted critical maritime infrastructure, including Pakistan Navy vessels, fuel storage facilities, and port installations, significantly disrupting West Pakistan's naval capabilities.
  • 09 Dec 1971 Indian Air Force Strategic Airdrop during Indo-Pakistani War: During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Indian Air Force executed a strategic airdrop of Army units, successfully bypassing Pakistani defensive lines. This tactical maneuver demonstrated the Indian military's advanced aerial deployment capabilities and played a significant role in the conflict's progression.
  • 10 Dec 1971 Willy Brandt Receives Nobel Peace Prize: West German Chancellor Willy Brandt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts towards international reconciliation and diplomatic progress.
  • 11 Dec 1971 Belfast Bomb Attack on Shankill Road: On December 11, 1971, a horrific bombing occurred on the predominantly Protestant and loyalist Shankill Road in Belfast. The bomb explosion outside a furniture showroom killed four civilians, including two infants, and wounded nineteen others. This tragic event was part of the broader Northern Ireland conflict known as 'The Troubles', symbolizing the intense sectarian violence of the period.
  • 13 Dec 1971 John Sinclair Released from Prison after Controversial Marijuana Conviction: John Sinclair, a prominent counterculture activist, was freed after serving time for selling two marijuana joints. His harsh 10-year sentence became a symbol of disproportionate drug law enforcement and sparked significant public debate about marijuana criminalization in the early 1970s.
  • 14 Dec 1971 Martyred Intellectuals Day in Bangladesh: During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Pakistan Army and their local allies executed over 200 East Pakistani intellectuals, a tragic event that is now commemorated annually in Bangladesh as Martyred Intellectuals Day. This systematic killing targeted academics, professionals, and cultural leaders in an attempt to weaken the intellectual backbone of the emerging nation.
  • 15 Dec 1971 Intellectual Killings in East Pakistan: On December 14, 1971, Pakistani forces, with the assistance of their Bangladeshi collaborators, systematically murdered over 200 intellectuals in East Pakistan. This tragic event occurred just one day before the Pakistani forces surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and Bangladesh's liberation force on December 16, 1971, representing a horrific act of cultural and intellectual suppression during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  • 16 Dec 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War Conclusion: The surrender of the Pakistan army in East Pakistan brings a decisive end to both the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, fundamentally reshaping the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
  • 17 Dec 1971 India-Pakistan Ceasefire in Kashmir: A significant ceasefire was declared between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing territorial dispute and following the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
  • 18 Dec 1971 PUSH Founded by Jesse Jackson: Jesse Jackson established People United To Save Humanity (PUSH) in Chicago, an organization dedicated to advancing civil rights, economic empowerment, and social justice for African Americans.
  • 19 Dec 1971 A Clockwork Orange Debuts in New York City: Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking dystopian film 'A Clockwork Orange', based on Anthony Burgess's novella, premiered in New York City. The film, set in a futuristic London, received critical acclaim while simultaneously sparking intense debate about its graphic depiction of violence.
  • 20 Dec 1971 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Becomes President of Pakistan: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto assumed office as the fourth President of Pakistan, succeeding Yahya Khan. This marked a pivotal moment in Pakistani political history, as Bhutto would go on to become a transformative and controversial leader.
  • 21 Dec 1971 United Nations Security Council Elects Kurt Waldheim as Secretary-General: On December 21, 1971, the United Nations Security Council selected Kurt Waldheim as the fourth Secretary-General of the United Nations. Waldheim was chosen with a decisive vote of 11 in favor, 1 against, and 3 abstentions, marking a significant moment in UN diplomatic history.
  • 22 Dec 1971 Doctors Without Borders Founded: The international humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) was established in Paris, France by Bernard Kouchner and a group of journalists. This groundbreaking NGO would go on to provide critical medical aid in conflict zones, disaster areas, and regions with limited healthcare access worldwide.
  • 24 Dec 1971 LANSA Flight 508 Lightning Disaster: On December 24, 1971, LANSA Flight 508 was struck by lightning and catastrophically crashed in the Puerto Inca District, located in the Department of Huánuco, Peru. The aircraft was completely destroyed, resulting in the tragic loss of 91 lives. The incident highlighted the severe risks of flying in challenging weather conditions in the Peruvian Amazon region.
  • 25 Dec 1971 Justin Trudeau Birth: Justin Trudeau, future Prime Minister of Canada and son of the influential Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was born. He would later lead the Liberal Party and serve as Canada's 23rd Prime Minister from 2015 to 2022.
  • 27 Dec 1971 United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Establishment: The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces was officially founded by presidential decree of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, marking a significant milestone in the nation's military and national defense infrastructure following its formation as a unified country.
  • 28 Dec 1971 Doctor Who Serial Rebroadcast Milestone: The Dæmons became the first Doctor Who serial to be rebroadcast by the BBC in a complete omnibus format, setting a precedent for future television programming and archival practices in British broadcasting.
  • 29 Dec 1971 First ARPAnet Email Sent: Ray Tomlinson sends the first email between host computers on the ARPAnet, a pivotal moment in the development of modern digital communication technology.
  • 30 Dec 1971 Soviet Nuclear Test in Kazakhstan: The Soviet Union conducted a nuclear weapons test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Eastern Kazakhstan, continuing its nuclear weapons development program during the Cold War era.
  • 31 Dec 1971 Kurt Waldheim Becomes UN Secretary-General: Austrian diplomat Kurt Waldheim succeeded U Thant as UN Secretary-General, serving until 1981. The transition was formalized with an order signed by former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.