1807

The U.S. Congress passes the Embargo Act. AI analysis

The Embargo Act was passed to prevent American ships from trading with foreign nations, particularly Britain and France, to avoid entanglement in the Napoleonic Wars. While intended to pressure these nations, it severely harmed the U.S. economy and was eventually repealed in 1809. --AI Explanation

1864

The Second Battle of Nashville begins during the American Civil War. AI analysis

The Second Battle of Nashville was a decisive Union victory that effectively destroyed the Confederate Army of Tennessee. It marked a turning point in the Civil War, ensuring Union dominance in the Western Theater and setting the stage for the Confederacy's eventual defeat. --AI Explanation

1882

The first electric Christmas tree lights are used in the United States. AI analysis

The use of electric lights on a Christmas tree for the first time was a major innovation in holiday celebrations. It replaced candles, which were a fire hazard, and marked the beginning of the widespread use of electric lighting for festive occasions. --AI Explanation

1894

The Dreyfus Affair begins in France, sparking a political scandal. AI analysis

The Dreyfus Affair was a political and legal scandal in France that divided the country. It revolved around the wrongful conviction of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, for treason. The case highlighted deep anti-Semitism in France and led to significant political reforms. --AI Explanation

1914

The Christmas Truce of World War I occurs. AI analysis

During World War I, soldiers along the Western Front temporarily ceased fighting on Christmas Eve, engaging in informal truces, exchanging gifts, and even playing soccer. This moment of humanity in the midst of war became a symbol of the futility and horrors of conflict. --AI Explanation

1937

The Japanese Army invades the Chinese city of Nanking. AI analysis

The invasion of Nanking by the Japanese army during the Second Sino-Japanese War led to the infamous Nanking Massacre, where thousands of Chinese civilians and soldiers were killed. This brutal event is considered one of the most horrific atrocities of the 20th century. --AI Explanation

1941

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his "Day of Infamy" speech. AI analysis

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt's speech on December 8 (officially delivered to Congress on December 8) called for the United States to declare war on Japan. The speech galvanized U.S. public opinion and marked the country's formal entry into World War II. --AI Explanation

1944

The Battle of the Bulge begins in World War II. AI analysis

The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II. Despite initial successes, the Germans were unable to break the Allied lines. The battle ended in an Allied victory, hastening the collapse of Nazi Germany. --AI Explanation

1964

The Beatles' "I Feel Fine" hits number one on the U.S. charts. AI analysis

"I Feel Fine" became one of the Beatles' biggest hits, marking a significant moment in the band's international success. Its innovative use of feedback and catchy melody made it a hallmark of the band's influence on the global music scene. --AI Explanation

1966

The first episode of the Star Trek series airs on U.S. television. AI analysis

The debut of Star Trek on television introduced a groundbreaking sci-fi series that explored themes of peace, diversity, and exploration. Despite its initial lack of success, the show eventually gained a massive fan following and became one of the most influential TV franchises in history. --AI Explanation

1970

The Soviet Union launches the Venera 7 spacecraft to Venus. AI analysis

Venera 7 became the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the surface of Venus. This achievement advanced space exploration and provided valuable insights into the conditions of other planets in our solar system, contributing to future space missions. --AI Explanation

1989

The overthrow of the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu begins. AI analysis

The overthrow of Nicolae Ceaușescu marked the end of one of the most repressive regimes in Eastern Europe. His downfall was part of the larger wave of anti-communist revolutions sweeping Eastern Europe, leading to the collapse of the Soviet-aligned regimes in the region. --AI Explanation

1991

The Soviet Union officially dissolves, ending the Cold War. AI analysis

The dissolution of the Soviet Union was a historic moment, ending the Cold War and leading to the emergence of 15 independent republics. It marked the collapse of communism as the dominant political system in Eastern Europe and drastically altered global geopolitics. --AI Explanation

1998

The impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton is approved by the House of Representatives. AI analysis

The impeachment of Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice followed a scandal involving his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was later acquitted by the Senate, but the impeachment highlighted deep political divisions in the U.S. --AI Explanation

2007

The global financial crisis begins to hit economies worldwide. AI analysis

The financial crisis of 2007–2008 began to unfold in earnest, triggered by the collapse of the housing market and subprime mortgage securities. The crisis led to widespread economic downturns, bank failures, and government bailouts, reshaping the global financial landscape. --AI Explanation

2010

WikiLeaks publishes a trove of U.S. diplomatic cables. AI analysis

WikiLeaks’ release of thousands of classified U.S. diplomatic cables sparked global controversy. It exposed sensitive information about international relations, causing diplomatic strains between countries. The event led to debates over transparency, government secrecy, and whistleblowing. --AI Explanation

2013

The European Union wins the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in uniting Europe. AI analysis

The European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for its role in promoting peace, democracy, and human rights across Europe. The prize recognized the EU’s efforts to integrate formerly hostile nations and maintain stability within Europe after World War II. --AI Explanation

2016

The United Nations Security Council passes a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine. AI analysis

The passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 condemned Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, emphasizing their illegality under international law. It marked a significant diplomatic moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with strong reactions from both Israel and the international community. --AI Explanation

2017

The United Nations General Assembly votes on the status of Jerusalem, rejecting the U.S. decision to recognize it as Israel’s capital. AI analysis

The UN vote against the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital reflected deep divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The resolution reaffirmed Jerusalem’s status as a city with disputed sovereignty, highlighting the ongoing complexities of the peace process. --AI Explanation

2018

French President Emmanuel Macron announces a "grand débat national" in response to the Yellow Vest protests. AI analysis

In response to widespread protests by the Yellow Vest movement, French President Macron initiated a national debate to address public grievances about taxes, social policies, and economic inequality. This move aimed to ease tensions and show responsiveness to the concerns of ordinary French citizens. --AI Explanation

December 22 Birthdays
Events Birthdays Deaths

244

Diocletian

Roman emperor

(d. 311)

948

Kang Kam-ch'an

Korean official and general

(d. 1031)

1183

Chagatai Khan

Mongol ruler

(d. 1242)

1300

Khutughtu Khan Kusala

Mongolian emperor

(d. 1329)

1459

Sultan Cem

Ottoman politician

(d. 1495)

1546

Kuroda Yoshitaka

Japanese daimyō

(d. 1604)

1550

Cesare Cremonini

Italian philosopher and author

(d. 1631)

1569

Étienne Martellange

French architect

(d. 1641)

1591

Tommaso Dingli

Maltese architect and sculptor

(d. 1666)

1639

Jean Racine

French poet and playwright

(d. 1699)

1666

Guru Gobind Singh

Indian guru and poet

(d. 1708)

1694

Hermann Samuel Reimarus

German philosopher and academic

(d. 1768)

1696

James Oglethorpe

English general and politician, 1st Colonial Governor of Georgia

(d. 1785)

1723

Carl Friedrich Abel

German viol player and composer

(d. 1787)

1765

Johann Friedrich Pfaff

German mathematician and academic

(d. 1825)

1799

Nicholas Callan

Irish priest and physicist

(d. 1864)

1805

John Obadiah Westwood

English entomologist and archaeologist

(d. 1893)

1807

Johan Sebastian Welhaven

Norwegian author, poet, and critic

(d. 1873)

1819

Franz Abt

German composer and conductor

(d. 1870)

1819

Pierre Ossian Bonnet

French mathematician and academic

(d. 1892)

1839

John Nevil Maskelyne

English magician

(d. 1917)

1850

Victoriano Huerta

Mexican general and politician, 35th President of Mexico

(d. 1916)

1853

Teresa Carreño

Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter and pianist

(d. 1917)

1853

Evgraf Fedorov

Russian mathematician, crystallographer, and mineralogist

(d. 1919)

1853

Sarada Devi

Indian mystic and philosopher

(d. 1920)

1856

Frank B. Kellogg

American lawyer and politician, 45th United States Secretary of State, Nobel Prize laureate

(d. 1937)

1858

Giacomo Puccini

Italian composer and educator

(d. 1924)

1862

Connie Mack

American baseball player and manager

(d. 1956)

1865

Charles Sands

American golfer and tennis player

(d. 1945)

1868

Jaan Tõnisson

Estonian journalist, lawyer, and politician, 2nd Prime Minister of Estonia

(d. 1941?)

1869

Dmitri Egorov

Russian mathematician and academic

(d. 1931)

1869

Edwin Arlington Robinson

American poet and playwright

(d. 1935)

1872

Camille Guérin

French veterinarian and bacteriologist

(d. 1961)

1874

Franz Schmidt

Austrian cellist, pianist, and composer

(d. 1939)

1876

Filippo Tommaso Marinetti

Egyptian-Italian poet and composer

(d. 1944)

1878

Myer Prinstein

Polish-American jumper

(d. 1925)

1880

Fred Woolley

Australian rugby league player

(d. 1955)

1883

Marcus Hurley

American cyclist

(d. 1941)

1883

Edgard Varèse

French-American composer

(d. 1965)

1884

St. Elmo Brady

African American chemist and educator

(d. 1966)

1885

Deems Taylor

American conductor and critic

(d. 1966)

1887

Srinivasa Ramanujan

Indian mathematician and theorist

(d. 1920)

1888

J. Arthur Rank

1st Baron Rank, English businessman, founded Rank Organisation

(d. 1972)

1889

George Hutson

English runner and soldier

(d. 1914)

1892

Herman Potočnik

Slovenian-Austrian engineer

(d. 1929)

1894

Edwin Linkomies

Finnish academic, professor and the Prime Minister of Finland

(d. 1963)

1898

Vladimir Fock

Russian physicist and mathematician

(d. 1974)

1899

Gustaf Gründgens

German actor and director

(d. 1963)

1900

Marc Allégret

French director and screenwriter

(d. 1973)

1901

Andre Kostelanetz

Russian-American conductor and composer

(d. 1980)

1903

Haldan Keffer Hartline

American physiologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

(d. 1983)

1905

Pierre Brasseur

French-Italian actor and screenwriter

(d. 1972)

1905

Pierre Levegh

French ice hockey player and racing driver

(d. 1955)

1905

Kenneth Rexroth

American poet, translator, and academic

(d. 1982)

1907

Peggy Ashcroft

English actress

(d. 1991)

1908

Giacomo Manzù

Italian sculptor and academic

(d. 1991)

1909

Patricia Hayes

English actress

(d. 1998)

1911

Danny O'Dea

English actor

(d. 2003)

1912

Elias Degiannis

Greek commander

(d. 1943)

1912

Lady Bird Johnson

American beautification activist; 38th First Lady of the United States

(d. 2007)

1913

Giorgio Oberweger

Italian discus thrower and hurdler

(d. 1998)

1915

Barbara Billingsley

American actress

(d. 2010)

1915

Phillip Glasier

English author and academic

(d. 2000)

1917

Gene Rayburn

American game show host and actor

(d. 1999)

1921

Dimitri Fampas

Greek guitarist and composer

(d. 1996)

1921

Hawkshaw Hawkins

American singer-songwriter and guitarist

(d. 1963)

1922

Ruth Roman

American actress

(d. 1999)

1922

Jim Wright

American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

(d. 2015)

1923

Peregrine Worsthorne

English journalist and author

(d. 2020)

1924

Frank Corsaro

American actor and director

(d. 2017)

1925

Lewis Glucksman

American businessman and philanthropist

(d. 2006)

1925

Lefter Küçükandonyadis

Turkish footballer and manager

(d. 2012)

1926

Alcides Ghiggia

Italian-Uruguayan footballer and manager

(d. 2015)

1926

Roberta Leigh

English writer, artist and TV producer

(d. 2014)

1928

Fredrik Barth

German-Norwegian anthropologist and academic

(d. 2016)

1929

Wazir Mohammad

Indian-Pakistani crickete

r

1930

Ardalion Ignatyev

Russian sprinter and educator

(d. 1998)

1931

Gisela Birkemeyer

German hurdler and coach

(d. 2024)

1931

Carlos Graça

São Toméan lawyer and politician, Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe

(d. 2013)

1932

Phil Woosnam

Welsh soccer player and manager

(d. 2013)

1933

John Hartle

English motorcycle racer

(d. 1968)

1934

David Pearson

American race car driver

(d. 2018)

1935

Paulo Rocha

Portuguese director and screenwriter

(d. 2012)

1936

James Burke

Irish historian and autho

r

1936

Héctor Elizondo

American actor and directo

r

1937

Charlotte Lamb

English author

(d. 2000)

1937

Eduard Uspensky

Russian author, poet, and playwright

(d. 2018)

1937

Ken Whitmore

English author and playwrigh

t

1938

Matty Alou

Dominican-American baseball player and scout

(d. 2011)

1938

Lucien Bouchard

Canadian lawyer and politician, 27th Premier of Quebe

c

1938

Red Steagall

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and poe

t

1940

Luis Francisco Cuéllar

Colombian rancher and politician

(d. 2009)

1940

Mike Molloy

English journalist, author, and illustrato

r

1942

Jerry Koosman

American baseball playe

r

1942

Dick Parry

English saxophonis

t

1943

Stefan Janos

Slovak-Swiss physicist and academi

c

1943

Paul Wolfowitz

American banker and politician, 25th United States Deputy Secretary of Defens

e

1944

Mary Archer

English chemist and academi

c

1944

Steve Carlton

American baseball playe

r

1944

Barry Jenkins

English drumme

r

1945

Frances Lannon

English historian and academi

c

1945

Sam Newman

Australian footballer and sportscaste

r

1945

Diane Sawyer

American journalis

t

1946

Roger Carr

English businessma

n

1946

C. Eugene Steuerle

American economist and autho

r

1947

Brian Daley

American author and screenwriter

(d. 1996)

1947

Dilip Doshi

Indian crickete

r

1948

Steve Garvey

American baseball player and sportscaste

r

1948

Don Kardong

American runner, journalist, and autho

r

1948

Rick Nielsen

American singer-songwriter and guitaris

t

1948

Chris Old

English cricketer and coac

h

1948

Lynne Thigpen

American actress and singer

(d. 2003)

1949

Maurice Gibb

Manx-English singer-songwriter and producer

(d. 2003)

1949

Robin Gibb

Manx-English singer-songwriter and producer

(d. 2012)

1949

Ray Guy

American football player

(d. 2022)

1950

Manfred Moore

American football player and rugby league player

(d. 2020)

1951

Lasse Bengtsson

Swedish journalis

t

1951

Charles de Lint

Dutch-Canadian author and criti

c

1951

Gerald Grosvenor

6th Duke of Westminster, British landowner, businessman and philanthropist

(d. 2016)

1951

Tony Isabella

American comic book writer, editor, actor, artist and criti

c

1951

Jan Stephenson

Australian golfe

r

1952

Sandra Kalniete

Latvian politician and diplomat, former Latvian Minister of Foreign Affair

s

1953

Ian Turnbull

Canadian ice hockey playe

r

1953

Tom Underwood

American baseball player

(d. 2010)

1954

Hideshi Matsuda

Japanese racing drive

r

1954

Derick Parry

Nevisian crickete

r

1955

Galina Murašova

Lithuanian discus throwe

r

1955

Lonnie Smith

American baseball playe

r

1955

Thomas C. Südhof

German-American biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureat

e

1956

Jane Lighting

English businesswoma

n

1957

Stephen Conway

English bisho

p

1957

Carole James

English-Canadian educator and politicia

n

1957

Peter Mortimer

Australian rugby league playe

r

1958

Frank Gambale

Australian guitarist, songwriter, and produce

r

1958

David Heavener

American singer-songwriter, producer, actor, and directo

r

1959

Bernd Schuster

German footballer and manage

r

1960

Jean-Michel Basquiat

American painter and poet

(d. 1988)

1960

Luther Campbell

American rapper and acto

r

1960

Paul Kuniholm

Artis

t

1961

Yuri Malenchenko

Russian colonel, pilot, and astronau

t

1962

Ralph Fiennes

English acto

r

1963

Giuseppe Bergomi

Italian footballer and coac

h

1963

Brian McMillan

South African cricketer and educato

r

1963

Luna H. Mitani

Japanese-American painter and illustrato

r

1964

Mike Jackson

American baseball playe

r

1964

Simon Kirby

English businessman and politicia

n

1965

David S. Goyer

American screenwrite

r

1965

Urszula Włodarczyk

Polish heptathlete and triple jumpe

r

1966

Dmitry Bilozerchev

Russian gymnast and coac

h

1966

Marcel Schirmer

German singer-songwriter and bass playe

r

1966

David Wright

English lawyer and politicia

n

1967

Richey Edwards

Welsh singer-songwriter and guitarist

(d. 1995)

1967

Stéphane Gendron

Canadian lawyer and politicia

n

1967

Rebecca Harris

English businesswoman and politicia

n

1967

Dan Petrescu

Romanian footballer and manage

r

1968

Emre Aracı

Turkish composer, conductor, and historia

n

1968

Luis Hernández

Mexican footballe

r

1968

Lori McKenna

American singer-songwrite

r

1968

Dina Meyer

American actres

s

1969

Myriam Bédard

Canadian biathlet

e

1969

Mark Robins

English footballer and manage

r

1970

Gary Anderson

Scottish darts playe

r

1970

Ted Cruz

Canadian-American lawyer and politicia

n

1971

Ajeenkya Patil

Indian economist and academi

c

1972

Mark Hill

English musician, producer and songwrite

r

1972

Kirk Maltby

Canadian ice hockey player and scou

t

1972

Vanessa Paradis

French singer-songwriter and actres

s

1974

Rei Hance

American actres

s

1975

Sergei Aschwanden

Swiss martial artis

t

1975

Dmitri Khokhlov

Russian footballer and manage

r

1975

Marcin Mięciel

Polish footballe

r

1975

Stanislav Neckář

Czech ice hockey playe

r

1975

Takuya Onishi

Japanese astronau

t

1976

Katleen De Caluwé

Belgian sprinte

r

1976

Jason Lane

American baseball player and coac

h

1976

Aya Takano

Japanese author and illustrato

r

1977

Steve Kariya

Canadian ice hockey player and coac

h

1978

Danny Ahn

South Korean singe

r

1978

Joy Ali

Fijian boxer

(d. 2015)

1978

Emmanuel Olisadebe

Nigerian-Polish footballe

r

1979

Jamie Langfield

Scottish footballer and coac

h

1980

Chris Carmack

American actor, singer, and mode

l

1980

Marcus Haislip

American basketball playe

r

1981

Marina Kuptsova

Russian high jumpe

r

1982

Britta Heidemann

German fence

r

1982

Alinne Moraes

Brazilian actress and mode

l

1983

José Fonte

Portuguese footballe

r

1983

Doc Gallows

American wrestle

r

1983

Viola Kibiwot

Kenyan runne

r

1984

Basshunter

Swedish singer, record producer and D

J

1984

Greg Finley

American acto

r

1986

Dennis Armfield

Australian footballe

r

1986

Fatih Öztürk

Turkish footballe

r

1987

Zack Britton

American baseball playe

r

1987

Éder

Bissau-Portuguese footballe

r

1988

Scott Darling

American ice hockey playe

r

1988

Mohamed El Shenawy

Egyptian footballe

r

1988

Leigh Halfpenny

Welsh rugby playe

r

1989

Jordin Sparks

American singer-songwriter and actres

s

1989

Jacob Stallings

American baseball playe

r

1990

Jean-Baptiste Maunier

French actor and singe

r

1991

DaBaby

American rappe

r

1992

Michaela Hončová

Slovak tennis playe

r

1992

Nick Johnson

American basketball playe

r

1992

Moonbyul

South Korean rapper, vocalist and songwrite

r

1993

Raphaël Guerreiro

Portuguese footballe

r

1993

Meghan Trainor

American singer-songwriter and produce

r

1994

Rúben Lameiras

Portuguese footballe

r

1998

G Hannelius

American actress and singe

r

1998

Casper Ruud

Norwegian tennis playe

r

2000

Joshua Bassett

American actor and singe

r

2001

Camila Osorio

Colombian tennis playe

r

2006

Callan McKenna

Scottish footballer; goalkeeper at AFC Bournemout

h

December 22 Deaths
Events Birthdays Deaths

AD 69

Vitellius

Roman emperor

(b. 15)

731

Yuan Qianyao

official of the Chinese Tang dynast

y

1012

Baha' al-Dawla

Buyid amir of Ira

q

1060

Cynesige

Archbishop of Yor

k

1115

Olaf Magnusson

King of Norway

(b. 1099)

1530

Willibald Pirckheimer

German lawyer and author

(b. 1470)

1554

Alessandro Bonvicino

Italian painter

(b. 1498)

1572

François Clouet

French miniaturist

(b. c. 1510)

1603

Mehmed III

Ottoman sultan

(b. 1566)

1641

Maximilien de Béthune

Duke of Sully, 2nd Prime Minister of France

(b. 1560)

1646

Petro Mohyla

Ruthenian metropolitan and saint

(b. 1596)

1660

André Tacquet

Flemish priest and mathematician

(b. 1612)

1666

Guercino

Italian painter

(b. 1591)

1681

Richard Alleine

English minister and author

(b. 1611)

1767

John Newbery

English publisher

(b. 1713)

1788

Percivall Pott

English physician and surgeon

(b. 1714)

1806

William Vernon

English-American merchant

(b. 1719)

1828

William Hyde Wollaston

English chemist and physicist

(b. 1766)

1853

Manuel María Lombardini

Mexican general and politician. President

(1853) (b. 1802)

1867

Jean-Victor Poncelet

French mathematician and engineer

(b. 1788)

1870

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Spanish journalist, poet, and playwright

(b. 1836)

1880

George Eliot

English novelist and poet

(b. 1819)

1884

John Chisum

American cattle baron

(b. 1824)

1891

Paul de Lagarde

German biblical scholar and orientalist

(b. 1827)

1899

Dwight L. Moody

American evangelist and publisher, founded Moody Publishers

(b. 1837)

1902

Richard von Krafft-Ebing

German-Austrian psychiatrist and author

(b. 1840)

1915

Rose Talbot Bullard

American medical doctor and professor

(b. 1864)

1917

Frances Xavier Cabrini

Italian-American nun and saint

(b. 1850)

1918

Aristeidis Moraitinis

Greek lieutenant and pilot

(b. 1891)

1919

Hermann Weingärtner

German gymnast

(b. 1864)

1924

Karl Denke

German serial killer and cannibal

(b. 1860)

1925

Amelie Beese

German pilot and engineer

(b. 1886)

1939

Ma Rainey

American singer

(b. 1886)

1940

Nathanael West

American author and screenwriter

(b. 1903)

1941

Karel Hašler

Czech actor, director, composer, and screenwriter

(b. 1879)

1942

Franz Boas

German-American anthropologist and linguist

(b. 1858)

1943

Beatrix Potter

English children's book writer and illustrator

(b. 1866)

1944

Harry Langdon

American actor, comedian, and vaudevillian

(b. 1884)

1950

Frederick Freake

English polo player

(b. 1876)

1957

Frank George Woollard

English engineer

(b. 1883)

1959

Gilda Gray

Polish-American actress and dancer

(b. 1901)

1960

Ninian Comper

Scottish-English architect

(b. 1864)

1962

Ross McLarty

Australian politician, 17th Premier of Western Australia

(b. 1891)

1965

Richard Dimbleby

English journalist

(b. 1913)

1968

Raymond Gram Swing

American journalist

(b. 1887)

1969

Enrique Peñaranda

45th President of Bolivia

(b. 1892)

1971

Godfried Bomans

Dutch journalist and author

(b. 1913)

1974

Sterling North

American author and critic

(b. 1906)

1979

Darryl F. Zanuck

American director and producer

(b. 1902)

1985

D. Boon

American singer and musician

(b. 1958)

1986

Mary Burchell

English author and activist

(b. 1904)

1986

David Penhaligon

Cornish Liberal Politician

(b. 1944), Member of Parliament (MP) for Truro (1974–1986)

1987

Luca Prodan

Italian-Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist

(b. 1953)

1988

Chico Mendes

Brazilian trade union leader and activist

(b. 1944)

1989

Samuel Beckett

Irish author, poet, and playwright, Nobel Prize laureate

(b. 1906)

1992

Harry Bluestone

English violinist and composer

(b. 1907)

1992

Frederick William Franz

American religious leader

(b. 1893)

1993

Don DeFore

American actor

(b. 1913)

1995

Butterfly McQueen

American actress and dancer

(b. 1911)

1995

James Meade

English economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

(b. 1907)

1996

Jack Hamm

American cartoonist and television host

(b. 1916)

1997

Sebastian Arcos Bergnes

Cuban-American dentist and activist

(b. 1931)

2001

Ovidiu Iacov

Romanian footballer

(b. 1981)

2001

Walter Newton Read

American lawyer and second chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission

(b. 1918)

2002

Desmond Hoyte

Guyanese lawyer, politician and President of Guyana

(b. 1929)

2002

Joe Strummer

English singer-songwriter

(b. 1952)

2004

Doug Ault

American baseball player and manager

(b. 1950)

2006

Elena Mukhina

Russian gymnast

(b. 1960)

2006

Galina Ustvolskaya

Russian composer

(b. 1919)

2007

Charles Court

Australian politician, 21st Premier of Western Australia

(b. 1911)

2007

Adrian Cristobal

Filipino journalist and playwright

(b. 1932)

2009

Luis Francisco Cuéllar

Colombian rancher and politician

(b. 1940)

2009

Albert Scanlon

English footballer

(b. 1935)

2010

Fred Foy

American soldier and announcer

(b. 1921)

2012

Chuck Cherundolo

American football player and coach

(b. 1916)

2012

Ryan Freel

American baseball player

(b. 1976)

2012

Cliff Osmond

American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

(b. 1937)

2012

Lim Keng Yaik

Malaysian physician and politician

(b. 1939)

2013

Diomedes Díaz

Colombian singer-songwriter

(b. 1956)

2013

Hans Hækkerup

Danish lawyer and politician

(b. 1945)

2013

Oscar Peer

Swiss author, playwright, and philologist

(b. 1928)

2014

John Robert Beyster

American physicist and academic

(b. 1924)

2014

Christine Cavanaugh

American actress

(b. 1963)

2014

Joe Cocker

English singer-songwriter

(b. 1944)

2014

Bernard Stone

American lawyer and politician

(b. 1927)

2015

Peter Lundblad

Swedish singer-songwriter

(b. 1950)

2015

Freda Meissner-Blau

Australian activist and politician

(b. 1927)

2016

Chad Robinson

Australian rugby league player

(b. 1980)

2017

Gonzalo Morales Sáurez

Costa Rican painter

(b. 1945)

2018

Paddy Ashdown

British politician

(b. 1941)

2018

Simcha Rotem

last survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

(b. 1924)

2018

Herman Sikumbang

Indonesian guitarist

(b. 1982); casualty during 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami

2019

Ram Dass

American spiritual teacher and author

(b. 1931)