Major Events of December 2009: 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 2009 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of December 2009: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Dec 2009 Treaty of Lisbon Enters into Force: The Treaty of Lisbon officially entered into force in the European Union, fundamentally restructuring the EU's institutional and legal framework. This landmark treaty aimed to enhance the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the European Union's operations.
- 02 Dec 2009 Tiger Woods Infidelity Scandal Emerges: Jaimee Grubbs, a cocktail bar waitress, provided evidence to reporters about her involvement with Tiger Woods, marking the beginning of a major public scandal that would significantly impact the golfer's personal and professional life.
- 03 Dec 2009 Commemorating Bhopal Industrial Disaster: Indian activists marked the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal industrial disaster, which resulted in 3,787 deaths, remembering one of the world's worst industrial accidents and its long-lasting environmental and human impact.
- 04 Dec 2009 NATO Troop Surge in Afghanistan: NATO announced that 25 member countries would provide an additional 7,000 troops for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, complementing the previously announced 30,000 US troops and 500 British troops.
- 05 Dec 2009 Amanda Knox Murder Conviction: An Italian jury convicts American student Amanda Knox of murdering her former roommate, Meredith Kercher, sentencing Knox to 26 years and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito to 25 years in prison, concluding a high-profile international criminal case.
- 06 Dec 2009 Archaeological Evidence of Neolithic Cannibalism Discovered: Archaeologists uncovered compelling evidence of mass cannibalism during the Neolithic period at a 7,000-year-old burial site in Germany, providing unprecedented insights into prehistoric human behavior and social practices.
- 07 Dec 2009 UN Climate Change Summit COP15: The United Nations convenes the COP15 climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, bringing together world leaders and delegates from 192 countries to negotiate a critical global climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, with discussions running until December 19.
- 08 Dec 2009 Baghdad Car Bombings: A devastating series of five car bombings struck the center of Baghdad, Iraq, killing at least 127 people and wounding 448 others. The coordinated attacks highlighted the ongoing instability and violence in the region during this period.
- 09 Dec 2009 Amanda Knox Murder Trial Verdict: An Italian jury convicted American student Amanda Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007. Knox received a 26-year sentence, while Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years, in a high-profile international legal case.
- 10 Dec 2009 Barack Obama Receives Nobel Peace Prize: President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in a significant international diplomatic moment. The ceremony recognized Obama's early efforts towards international diplomacy and hope for global peace, despite criticism about the award's timing so early in his presidency.
- 11 Dec 2009 Pope Addresses Irish Clergy Abuse Scandal: Pope Benedict XVI issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Irish people's outrage over widespread sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Dublin, as revealed by the Murphy Report.
- 12 Dec 2009 CIA Terminates Blackwater Drone Contract: The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency cancelled its contract with Xe Services LLC (formerly Blackwater) for drone operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, signaling a shift in military contractor policies.
- 13 Dec 2009 Tony Blair's Iraq War Admission: In a candid interview, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted he would have proceeded with the Iraq War even knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction, revealing the complex motivations behind the controversial military intervention.
- 14 Dec 2009 Abu Dhabi Bailout for Dubai World: Abu Dhabi provided a US$10 billion financial bailout to Dubai World, helping to stabilize the emirate's financial situation during a critical economic period.
- 15 Dec 2009 UN Climate Change Negotiations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Danish hosts urged countries to compromise and salvage an international agreement aimed at mitigating dangerous climate change and global warming.
- 16 Dec 2009 Ben Bernanke Named Time's Person of the Year: Ben Bernanke, Chair of the US Federal Reserve, was honored by Time magazine as Person of the Year for his critical role in rescuing the global economy during the Great Recession. His strategic interventions and monetary policies were credited with preventing a more severe economic collapse.
- 17 Dec 2009 Drone Video Feed Interception: Iraqi militants reportedly intercepted live video feeds from U.S. MQ-1 Predator drones, potentially compromising military operational security and intelligence gathering capabilities.
- 18 Dec 2009 Auschwitz Sign Theft: The infamous 'Arbeit macht frei' sign was stolen from the Auschwitz concentration camp, a shocking act targeting a symbol of Holocaust remembrance.
- 19 Dec 2009 NASA Discovers Liquid on Titan: NASA made a groundbreaking discovery by capturing the first-ever photograph of liquid outside Earth - sunlight reflecting on a lake on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, marking a significant milestone in planetary exploration.
- 20 Dec 2009 Saudi Airstrikes in Yemen: Shiite sources reported that Saudi air strikes in northern Yemen resulted in 54 deaths, including women and children.
- 21 Dec 2009 Auschwitz 'Arbeit Macht Frei' Sign Recovered: Polish police arrested five men and recovered the infamous 'Arbeit macht frei' sign that hung above the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, a powerful symbol of the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities.
- 22 Dec 2009 Escalating Conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo: The conflict in Dungu (Dongo), Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, intensified with 100 people killed and approximately 115,000 people forced to flee their homes by December 10th.
- 23 Dec 2009 Liu Xiaobo Trial for Subversion: Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was put on trial for subversion, a significant moment in China's human rights discourse.
- 24 Dec 2009 US Senate Passes Historic Healthcare Reform Bill: In a pivotal vote of 60-39, the United States Senate approved a comprehensive healthcare bill that would extend insurance coverage to approximately 30 million additional Americans, marking a significant milestone in healthcare reform efforts.
- 25 Dec 2009 Attempted Terrorist Attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian national, attempted to detonate an explosive device aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. The terrorist tried to ignite powder and liquid explosives as the plane prepared to land. Passengers and crew successfully subdued Abdulmutallab, and the plane landed safely without casualties.
- 26 Dec 2009 Commemorating the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Countries around the Indian Ocean marked the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2004 tsunami and earthquake, which claimed approximately 250,000 lives. The commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history.
- 27 Dec 2009 Iranian Election Protests on Day of Ashura: On the Day of Ashura in Tehran, Iran, government security forces violently suppressed demonstrations by firing upon protesters, marking a significant escalation of the post-election unrest.
- 28 Dec 2009 First Legal Gay Marriage in Latin America: Two Argentine men made history by becoming the first gay couple to legally marry in a civil ceremony in Latin America, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
- 29 Dec 2009 Sudan Referendum on South Sudan Independence: The Sudanese parliament approved legislation to hold a referendum on South Sudan's potential independence, a critical step in the country's political process and potential territorial division.
- 30 Dec 2009 CIA Base Attack in Afghanistan: A devastating suicide bomber attack at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost Province, Afghanistan, killed nine people, including seven CIA agents. This attack was a significant blow to U.S. intelligence operations in the region.
- 31 Dec 2009 Serbia Sues Croatia for Genocide: The Government of Serbia initiated legal proceedings against Croatia at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide. This action reflects the ongoing tensions and unresolved historical conflicts from the Balkan Wars of the 1990s.