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Major Events of December 1992: 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 1992 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1992: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1992 Military Aircraft Collision in Montana: Two C-141B Starlifters military transport aircraft collided mid-air over Montana, resulting in a tragic crash that claimed the lives of 13 service members. The incident highlighted the inherent risks in military aviation operations.
  • 02 Dec 1992 Space Shuttle Discovery Military Mission: NASA launched Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-53, a classified mission for the United States Department of Defense, highlighting the ongoing military and technological capabilities of the U.S. space program during the early 1990s.
  • 03 Dec 1992 First SMS Message Sent: Neil Papworth, a test engineer at Sema Group, sent the world's first SMS (Short Message Service) from a computer to an Orbitel 901 mobile phone. The historic message, reading 'Merry Christmas', was sent to Richard Jarvis and marked a pivotal moment in telecommunications technology.
  • 04 Dec 1992 U.S. Military Intervention in Somalia: On December 4, 1992, President George H. W. Bush ordered 28,000 U.S. troops to Somalia in Northeast Africa to address the humanitarian crisis and ongoing civil war. This military intervention, known as Operation Restore Hope, aimed to secure supply routes and protect humanitarian aid workers in a region devastated by conflict, famine, and political instability.
  • 05 Dec 1992 First SMS Text Message Sent: On December 5, 1992, British telecommunications engineer Neil Papworth sent the world's first Short Message Service (SMS) text message. The historic message, reading 'Merry Christmas', was transmitted via a computer to a mobile phone, marking the beginning of a communication revolution that would fundamentally transform global interpersonal communication in the decades to follow.
  • 06 Dec 1992 Demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya: On December 6, 1992, members of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and associated organizations demolished the historic 16th-century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. This event was a pivotal moment in modern Indian communal politics, sparking widespread intercommunal violence between Hindu and Muslim communities.
  • 07 Dec 1992 Galileo Spacecraft Lunar North Pole Flyby: NASA's Galileo spacecraft successfully passed over the Moon's North Pole, specifically near the Peary Crater, during its complex trajectory through the solar system. This maneuver was part of the spacecraft's gravity-assist mission to reach Jupiter, demonstrating advanced deep space navigation techniques.
  • 08 Dec 1992 Galileo Spacecraft's Closest Jupiter Approach: NASA's Galileo spacecraft makes its nearest approach to Jupiter, coming within 303 kilometers of the planet's surface, marking a significant milestone in planetary exploration.
  • 09 Dec 1992 US Marines Land in Somalia for Operation Restore Hope: As part of a multinational humanitarian intervention, 1,800 U.S. Marines landed in Mogadishu, Somalia to restore order and provide critical starvation relief. The operation was authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 794, aiming to stabilize the war-torn nation and facilitate humanitarian aid distribution.
  • 10 Dec 1992 International Human Rights Day Established: The United Nations General Assembly officially declares December 10 as the "International Human Rights Day", a global commemoration to promote and protect human rights worldwide.
  • 11 Dec 1992 Nor'easter storm hits New York, doing $650 million+ worth of damage.
  • 12 Dec 1992 Devastating Flores Earthquake and Tsunami: A catastrophic magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Flores Region in Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami with wave heights up to 25 meters. The disaster resulted in at least 2,200 people killed or missing, over 500 injured, and approximately 40,000 left homeless, causing widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis.
  • 13 Dec 1992 FCC Fines Infinity Broadcasting: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed a $600,000 fine on Infinity Broadcasting for regulatory violations.
  • 14 Dec 1992 Yugoslav Army Ambushes KLA Fighters: In a significant military engagement during the Yugoslav Wars, the Yugoslav Army ambushed a group of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters attempting to smuggle weapons from Albania into Kosovo, resulting in 36 fatalities. This incident underscored the intense tensions and armed conflict in the region.
  • 15 Dec 1992 Arthur Ashe Honored by Sports Illustrated: Tennis legend Arthur Ashe was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, recognizing his exceptional athletic achievements and significant social contributions.
  • 16 Dec 1992 Czech Republic Adopts Constitution: The Czech National Council officially adopted the Constitution of the Czech Republic, a pivotal moment in the nation's transition from communist rule to a democratic state following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. This constitutional milestone marked a significant step in establishing the legal and governmental framework for the newly independent Czech Republic.
  • 17 Dec 1992 NAFTA Signing by President Bush: President George H.W. Bush signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a landmark trade deal eliminating tariffs between Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The agreement established a 15-year timeline for removing trade barriers and promoting economic integration among the three nations.
  • 18 Dec 1992 South Korean Presidential Election Milestone: Kim Young-sam wins the South Korean presidential election, marking a historic moment as the first non-military candidate elected since 1961. This election signaled a significant transition in South Korean democracy, breaking the long-standing military-political dominance.
  • 19 Dec 1992 De Klerk Suspends Military Officers Amid Political Tensions: In a significant move during South Africa's transition from apartheid, State President F. W. de Klerk dismissed or suspended 23 military officers, including six generals, who were suspected of engaging in unauthorized activities aimed at disrupting negotiations with the African National Congress (ANC). This action demonstrated de Klerk's commitment to maintaining political stability and preventing potential internal sabotage during the delicate negotiation process.
  • 20 Dec 1992 Slobodan Milošević Re-elected as Serbian President: Slobodan Milošević is re-elected as the President of Serbia, continuing his controversial leadership during a tumultuous period in the Balkan region. This election occurred amidst rising ethnic tensions and the ongoing breakup of Yugoslavia.
  • 21 Dec 1992 Martinair Flight 495 Crash in Faro, Portugal: On December 21, 1992, a Dutch Martinair DC-10 (Flight MP 495) crashed during landing at Faro Airport in Portugal, resulting in a tragic accident that claimed the lives of 56 passengers and crew. The aircraft encountered severe difficulties during its approach, leading to a catastrophic landing that shocked the aviation community and prompted extensive investigations into the cause of the crash.
  • 22 Dec 1992 Discovery of the Archives of Terror: Dr. Martín Almada uncovered the Archives of Terror in Asunción, Paraguay, revealing extensive documentation of Operation Condor—a systematic campaign of political repression involving secret kidnappings, torture, and killings conducted by security services across multiple South American countries during the 1970s and 1980s. These archives provided crucial evidence of state-sponsored human rights violations.
  • 23 Dec 1992 Passing of Cyril Walters, English Cricket Player: Cyril Walters, a distinguished English cricket player who represented his country in 11 Test matches, died on this date. During his career, Walters accumulated 784 runs, making notable contributions to English cricket in the mid-20th century.
  • 24 Dec 1992 Bush Pardons Weinberger in Iran-Contra Affair: On December 24, 1992, U.S. President George H. W. Bush issued a presidential pardon to Caspar Weinberger, his former Secretary of Defense, for his involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal. This controversial pardon effectively halted the ongoing criminal prosecution related to the covert arms-for-hostages exchange and illegal funding of Nicaraguan Contras during the Reagan administration.
  • 25 Dec 1992 Ukraine Declares Independence from Soviet Union: On December 25, 1992, Ukraine officially completed its referendum process, solidifying its independence from the Soviet Union. This historic moment marked the end of Ukraine's status as a Soviet republic and the beginning of its journey as a sovereign nation. The referendum, held on December 1, 1991, saw an overwhelming 90.32% of voters supporting independence, which was a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
  • 26 Dec 1992 Marty Glickman Retires from New York Jets Broadcasting: Veteran sports announcer Marty Glickman concluded his distinguished broadcasting career with the New York Jets, retiring at the age of 75. Glickman was a pioneering sports broadcaster known for his dynamic and engaging commentary style, having made significant contributions to sports media throughout his decades-long career.
  • 27 Dec 1992 US F-16 Shoots Down Iraqi MiG-25: A United States F-16 Fighting Falcon intercepted and shot down an Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat aircraft after it violated the established Iraqi no-fly zones, demonstrating the ongoing tensions and military enforcement in the region following the Gulf War.
  • 28 Dec 1992 Death of Mort Greene, Songwriter: Mort Greene, an American songwriter best known for his classic composition 'My Grandfather's Clock,' passed away at the age of 80. His musical contribution, particularly the timeless song about a beloved timepiece that symbolically stops when its owner dies, remains a significant piece of American folk music history.
  • 29 Dec 1992 Fernando Collor de Mello Convicted of Corruption: In a landmark political corruption case, Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello was found guilty of stealing over $32 million from the government. As a result, he was barred from holding elected office for eight years, signaling a significant moment in Brazil's fight against political corruption.
  • 30 Dec 1992 Shane Warne's Remarkable Cricket Performance: Shane Warne delivered an exceptional bowling performance, taking 7 wickets for 52 runs, leading the Australian team to victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against the West Indies.
  • 31 Dec 1992 Velvet Divorce: Czechoslovakia Peacefully Dissolves: On the final day of 1992, Czechoslovakia underwent a historic peaceful dissolution, splitting into two independent nations: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This remarkable political transition, dubbed the 'Velvet Divorce', followed the earlier Velvet Revolution and demonstrated a rare, bloodless separation of a nation-state.