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Major Events of December 2015: 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 2015 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 2015: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 2015 Chicago Police Chief Resigns Amid Laquan McDonald Shooting Controversy: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel requested the resignation of Police Chief Garry McCarthy following public protests and loss of confidence in the police department, particularly related to the Laquan McDonald shooting footage from October 2014.
  • 02 Dec 2015 San Bernardino Terrorist Attack: On December 2, 2015, a devastating terrorist attack occurred at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik carried out a mass shooting that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others, marking a significant act of domestic terrorism in the United States.
  • 03 Dec 2015 Putin Responds to Turkish Jet Downing: Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Turkish Air Force's shooting down of a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 jet in Syria, warning that Russia's response would extend far beyond trade sanctions, signaling potential escalating tensions in the region.
  • 04 Dec 2015 Germany Expands Military Support Against ISIS: In a show of solidarity with France after the Paris terrorist attacks, Germany's Bundestag approved measures to expand its military's role. The country will deploy six Tornado reconnaissance aircraft and up to 1,200 soldiers to support coalition missions against Islamic State militants, marking a significant shift in Germany's military engagement.
  • 05 Dec 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference Draft Agreement: Participants at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris reached a draft agreement, marking a significant step in global climate negotiations.
  • 06 Dec 2015 San Bernardino Shootings: President Barack Obama characterized the San Bernardino shootings as a terrorist act designed to kill innocent people, marking a significant moment in the national discourse on domestic terrorism.
  • 07 Dec 2015 Venezuela's Historic Parliamentary Election: In a landmark democratic moment, Venezuela's National Electoral Council announced that the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won 99 seats in the 167-member National Assembly. With an impressive 74.3% voter turnout, President Nicolás Maduro recognized the opposition's victory, affirming the strength of Venezuela's democratic process.
  • 08 Dec 2015 Iraqi Forces Advance Against ISIS in Ramadi: Iraqi military forces successfully recaptured significant portions of Ramadi from Islamic State militants, marking a strategic victory in the ongoing fight against the terrorist organization.
  • 09 Dec 2015 Taliban Attack on Kandahar Airport: A significant Taliban attack on Kandahar International Airport resulted in at least 50 casualties, including civilians and Afghan National Security Forces personnel. An additional 35 individuals were injured in this devastating assault, highlighting the ongoing instability in Afghanistan.
  • 10 Dec 2015 ISIL Oil Sales Revelation: A U.S. Treasury official disclosed that ISIL has generated over $500 million from oil sales to Turkey and Syrian President Bashar Assad, revealing the complex economic networks sustaining the terrorist organization.
  • 11 Dec 2015 Assad Rejects Negotiations in Syrian Civil War: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad declared he would not negotiate with opposition groups, effectively halting peace negotiations being pursued by Russia and the United States, just days after an opposition meeting in Riyadh established a negotiation framework.
  • 12 Dec 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21): The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) was held in Paris, bringing together global leaders to address critical environmental challenges. Delegates from 195 countries convened to negotiate a landmark agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
  • 13 Dec 2015 Paris Climate Agreement Signed: The United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP21) reached a landmark global agreement in Paris, establishing the Paris Agreement to address the critical challenges of global warming and climate change. This international treaty represented a significant diplomatic effort to combat environmental challenges.
  • 14 Dec 2015 As new curfews are declared by Turkish authorities in the region, at least seven people have been killed in clashes between Turkish security force and Kurdish protesters. The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey reports that 52 curfews were imposed by Turkish authorities in seven Turkish provinces since mid-August. This has placed around 1.3 million people under curfew.
  • 15 Dec 2015 Flint Water Crisis State of Emergency: The Mayor of Flint, Michigan declared a state of emergency over severely contaminated water supplies, sparking calls for a criminal investigation into the public health crisis.
  • 16 Dec 2015 U.S. Congress Prevents Government Shutdown: U.S. Congress reached a spending agreement to fund fiscal year 2016 federal government operations, preventing a year-end government shutdown. President Barack Obama signed an additional bill extending government funding until December 22.
  • 17 Dec 2015 UN-Brokered Peace Deal in Libya: A United Nations-mediated agreement was signed by delegates from Libya's competing political factions to establish a national unity government. However, some armed brigades with close political ties remain opposed to the agreement.
  • 18 Dec 2015 U.S. B52 Bomber Flies Near Chinese Artificial Island: A U.S. B52 bomber conducted a routine mission over the South China Sea, flying within two nautical miles of a Chinese-created artificial island in the disputed Spratly Islands. China accused the U.S. of intentionally raising tensions in the region.
  • 19 Dec 2015 President Obama's Year in Review: President Barack Obama reflected on 2015's top 10 significant events, highlighting economic growth, normalized relations with Cuba, and the historic Paris climate change agreement.
  • 20 Dec 2015 2016 Iranian Assembly of Experts Election: Elections for the 88-seat Experts Assembly were scheduled for February 25, 2016. This clerical body has the power to choose or dismiss Iran's supreme leader and oversee their activities. The election was particularly significant as it might determine the successor to 76-year-old Ayatollah Ahmad Ali Khamenei.
  • 21 Dec 2015 Bagram Suicide Bombing: A devastating suicide bombing targeted a joint Afghan-U.S. military patrol in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. The attack resulted in six U.S. troops killed and six more injured. The Taliban, through spokesperson Zabiullah Mojahid, claimed responsibility for the attack via social media.
  • 22 Dec 2015 SpaceX Makes Historic Rocket Landing: SpaceX achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully launching an orbital rocket and landing its first stage back on the ground at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, revolutionizing space transportation technology.
  • 23 Dec 2015 Russian Military Intervention in Syria: Amnesty International reported that Russian air strikes in Syria resulted in at least 200 civilian casualties, suggesting serious violations of international humanitarian law. Moscow categorically denied causing civilian deaths during their military intervention.
  • 24 Dec 2015 Severe Tornado Outbreak in U.S.: A spring-like storm caused over 20 tornadoes across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast, resulting in at least 11 deaths and dozens of injuries. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency in affected regions, with significant damage to homes, transportation infrastructure, and power systems.
  • 25 Dec 2015 Surprise Diplomatic Meeting Between Indian and Pakistani Leaders: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise two-hour visit to Lahore, meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Allama Iqbal International Airport. This was the first such high-level visit since Atal Bihari Vajpayee's diplomatic trip to Pakistan in 2004, signaling a potential thaw in India-Pakistan relations.
  • 26 Dec 2015 Devastating EF-4 Tornado Strikes Garland, Texas: A violent EF-4 tornado hit Garland, Texas, causing catastrophic damage. The tornado resulted in nine fatalities and injured nearly 500 people, making it one of the most destructive tornadoes of the year.
  • 27 Dec 2015 Boko Haram Attacks in Nigeria: Boko Haram militants launched coordinated attacks in northeastern Nigeria, targeting the city of Maiduguri and a market in Madagali, Adamawa state. Using rocket-propelled bombs and suicide bombers, the attacks resulted in at least 55 fatalities, highlighting the ongoing insurgency's brutality.
  • 28 Dec 2015 Japan-South Korea Comfort Women Resolution: Japan and South Korea reached a 'reversible' solution to the long-standing dispute about Korean women used as sex slaves by the Japanese military during World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will apologize, and Tokyo will establish an aid fund of approximately 1 billion Japanese yen (8.3 million).
  • 29 Dec 2015 Guinea Declared Ebola-Free: The World Health Organization officially declared Guinea free of Ebola virus transmissions for the first time since the outbreak began in March 2014, marking a significant milestone in combating the deadly epidemic.
  • 30 Dec 2015 Al-Qamishli Terrorist Bombings: Islamic State (ISIS) suicide bombers attacked Assyrian Christian restaurants in Al-Qamishli, Syria during New Year's Eve celebrations, killing at least 16 people and injuring 35 others. The attacks targeted religious minorities in a Kurdish-controlled region.
  • 31 Dec 2015 Record Flooding in Mississippi River Basin: Unprecedented flooding occurred along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, causing major road closures and evacuations. At least 24 people died in the Midwestern United States. The Mississippi River was expected to crest at 47.5 feet in Thebes, Illinois, surpassing the 1995 record. Some flooded areas were at risk of freezing due to below-freezing temperatures.