Poisoning Attempt
Marcia administered poisoned wine to Commodus after the conspirators decided to act against him.
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On this date in world history
December 31 in History
This permanent archive page contains 109 World History Database records for December 31, spanning 192 to 2022. Recorded topics include Death of Commodus; Poisoning Attempt; Succession.
Total: 109Events: 93Births: 3Deaths: 5Battles: 8Countries: 30
Events on December 31
Succession
Is acclaimed emperor after Commodus is killed.
Reballion of Rebels in Mainz
Godagisel, king of the Vandals, dies in battle. 80,000 Vandals attack the Rhine at Mainz
Siege of Mainz
80,000 Vandals attack the Rhine at Mainz
Marriage
Anne of Cleves arrives in Rochester
Marriage
Anne of Cleves arrives in Rochester
Catholic League Mobilization
Supports Guise family resistance to the Bourbon succession
Catholic League Opposition
Becomes the target of Catholic League opposition after becoming heir presumptive
Treaty of Joinville
Recognized by the Catholic League as a Catholic alternative to Henry of Navarre
Treaty of Joinville
Concludes alliance terms with Spain against the Protestant succession of Henry of Navarre
Treaty of Joinville
Backs the Catholic League through the Treaty of Joinville
Discovery of Orinoco
Reaches the Orinoco
Abdication
Forced to give up power as Janos Kemeny rises against him
Dismissal
Marlborough is dismissed from his commands amid political attacks and accusations over army finances.
Dismissal of Marlborough
Queen Anne dismisses Marlborough from his military commands after political conflict with the Tory ministry.
Treaty of Bassein
Baji Rao II signs the Treaty of Bassein with the British East India Company, accepting subsidiary protection to regain his position at Pune.
Invasion of France
The Allied forces under Blucher cross the Rhine
Newspapers and the Opinion of the People
Publishes an article contrasting newspaper positions with wider public opinion on the American crisis.
End of Second Hall Government
The Second Hall Government ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Council President of Denmark.
Monrad Government
Begins the Monrad Government in Copenhagen and serves as Council President of Denmark.
Prime Minister of Spain
Apppointed Prime Minister of Spain
Coup
A failed atempt to overthrow the Transvaal Government
Jameson Raid
A raid on Paul Krugers Transvaal Republic carried out by a British colonial statesman Leander Starr Jameson and his Rhodesian and Bechuanaland policemen over the New Year weekend of 1895-96. A failed atempt to overthrow the Transvaal Government
Jameson Raid
Intended to trigger an uprising by the primarily British expatriate workers (known as Uitlanders) in the Transvaal but fails to do so.
Jameson Raid
Sends a telegram to Rhodes warning him of his intentions, Jamesons force cross into the Transvaal and head for Johannesburg. Leads 800 men in an abortive attempt to begin a Uitlander uprising.
Jameson Raid
The plan is to make a 3 day dash to Johannesburg before the Boer commandos could mobilise, and once there, trigger an uprising by the primarily British expatriate workers (uitlanders) organised by the Reform Committee.
Jameson Raid
The Boer President calls on his countrymen to defend the state. Intended to trigger an uprising by the primarily British expatriate workers (known as Uitlanders) in the Transvaal but fails to do so. A raid on Paul Krugers Transvaal Republic carried out by a British colonial statesman Leander Starr Jameson and his Rhodesian and Bechuanaland policemen over the New Year weekend of 1895-96
Jameson Raid
Chamberlain orders Hercules Robinson, Governor of General of the Cape Colony, to repudiate the actions of Jameson and warns Rhodes that the Companys Charter would be in danger if it were discovered the Cape Prime Minister was involved in the Raid
Defection
Dines with Lloyd George to sound him out about joining the Liberal Party
End of Jules de Trooz Government
The Jules de Trooz Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as head of the Belgian government.
President of China
Appointed President of the Chinese Republic
Baltic Offensive Strategy Memorandum
Churchill proposes opening new strategic pressure against Germany and considers the requirements for Baltic operations.
Government Ends
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Prime Minister
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Legislation
The Neutrality Laws are strengthened
Neutrality
The Neutrality Laws are strengthened
Bombing of London
Makes a broadcast on BBC TV outlining plans for fire-fighting in London
End of 1940 Review
Reviews a year in which Britain survived invasion threats and fought on.
Free French
Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Free French
Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Operation Overlord
Eisenhower & Montgomerry insist that the scale of the invasion be expanded, to prevent the invaders being restricted to a narrow beachhead, with insufficient room to land follow-up formations, delaying Overlord to June. Eisenhower & Montgomerry both first see the COSSAC plan on 31 December 1943 at Marrakech in Morroco, in a conference with Winston Churchill
Operation Overlord
In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches. Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Operation Overlord
47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Operation Postage Able
In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches
Operation Postage Able
In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches
Ministry of Fear
Directs Ministry of Fear.
Nordwind Offensive
Launched in support of the offensive in the Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge
President of Austria
Appointed President of Austria
Diplomatic Aftermath
Ends the year managing the diplomatic aftermath of the failed intervention
Fall of Santa Clara
The defeat at Santa Clara convinces Batista to flee.
Beatles, The
The Beatles are driven to London by their road manager, Neil Aspinall, and audition the next day for Decca Records, who reject them
Bombing of Umkhonto
Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe
Fatah
Fatah, a Palestinian movement for independence, makes the first terror attack on Israel and initiates the armed struggle for a state
PLO
Syrian-based al-Fatah guerrillas of Yasser Arafat launch their 1st raid on Israel with the aim of provoking a retaliation and sparking an Arab war against Israel. Fatah, a Palestinian movement for independence, makes the first terror attack on Israel and initiates the armed struggle for a state
Meeting with Mario Monje
Guevara meets Bolivian Communist Party leader Mario Monje, and disagreements emerge over command and strategy.
End of First Cernik Government
The First Cernik Government ends in Prague, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.
Beatles, The
Paul McCartney files a suit to dissolve the Beatles
Clean Air Act Amendments
Helps lead congressional work on the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970
Clean Air Act Amendments
Signs the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970
Dissolution
Paul McCartney files a suit to dissolve the Beatles
Dissolution
Paul McCartney files a suit to dissolve the Beatles
Dissolution
Paul McCartney files a suit to dissolve the Beatles
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU
Withdrawal from EFTA
Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU
Constitution of Great Britain
The power-sharing Administration of the Northern Ireland Assembly is sworn in
Premiership Ends
Diouf leaves the prime ministership to succeed Senghor as President
Presidency Ends
Senghor resigns and transfers power constitutionally to Abdou Diouf
President of Nigeria
Appointed military Head of State of Nigeria after the overthrow of Shehu Shagari
Appointment as Vice-President
Muzenda becomes Vice-President under the executive presidency.
Appointment as Vice-President
Muzenda becomes Vice-President when the executive presidency is established.
Election as Executive President
Parliament elects Mugabe as Zimbabwe's executive President.
Swearing-In as Executive President
Mugabe is sworn in as executive President after the constitutional change.
Sworn In as Executive President
Mugabe assumes the newly strengthened executive presidency.
Acting Governor-General
Dennis Young serves as acting Governor-General after Ignatius Kilage dies
End of Strasky Government
The Strasky Government ends in Prague, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.
Treaty of Maastricht
Leads Spain when it completes the formal notification required for Maastricht ratification.
Acting President
Yeltsin unexpectedly resigns and, according to the constitution, Putin becomes (acting) President of the Russian Federation
Constitution of Russia
Yeltsin unexpectedly resigns and, according to the constitution, Putin becomes (acting) President of the Russian Federation
Final New Year Address Prepared
Records a final televised address explaining his early resignation and asking Russians for forgiveness for unmet expectations.
President of Russia
Yeltsin announces his resignation and hands power over to Prime Minister Putin. Appointed President of Russia, acting
Resignation from the Presidency
Announces his resignation in a televised address and transfers presidential powers to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Resignation of Yeltsin
Unitys electoral success gives Yeltsin the confidence to resign in favour of Prime Minister Putin (who becomes Acting President upon Yeltsins resignation)
Transfer of Presidential Authority to Putin
Leaves the Kremlin after transferring acting presidential authority to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
President of Argentina
Appointed provisional President of Argentina after the resignation of Adolfo Rodriguez Saa
Seventeenth Amendment
Parliament adopts the Seventeenth Amendment validating major Musharraf-era constitutional changes.
OBE
Wiggins is awarded an OBE for services to sport
Inauguration of President
Beji Caid Essebsi was sworn in as president of Tunisia.
Saint Sylvester Agreement
Government and opposition representatives agree on elections and transitional power-sharing.
COVID-19
Chinese authorities report pneumonia cases of unknown cause in Wuhan to the World Health Organization.
Acting Prime Minister Takes Office
Aureliu Ciocoi becomes acting Prime Minister after Chicu resigns
Transition Period Ends
The Brexit transition period ends and new UK EU trading rules begin.
House of Lords Membership Ends
Ends his recorded membership of the House of Lords after three decades as Lord Lawson of Blaby and a longer parliamentary career beginning in 1974.
Births on December 31
Birth of the Young Pretender
Birth of the "Young Pretender", son of James Edward "the Old Pretender", son of the exiled Stuart King James VII and II, and Maria Clementina Sobieska, the granddaughter of John III Sobieski
Birth of Alexander Chapman Ferguson
Birth of Alexander Chapman Ferguson
Birth of Peter Quaife
Birth of Kinks bassist Peter Quaife.
Deaths on December 31
Death of Commodus
Commodus is assassinated in a palace conspiracy on December 31, 192.
Death of Thomas Beaufort
Death of Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter
Death of Macarius
Metropolitan Macarius dies after shaping church and literary policy
Death of Flamsteed
Dies after decades of observations connected with Greenwich.
Death of Henry Maitland Wilson
Death of Henry Maitland Wilson, 1st Baron Wilson
Battles on December 31
Battle of Ferozeshah
Wounded at the Battle of Ferozeshah while storming the Sikh camp
Battle of Cetate
Repels the first Ottoman assault on his Russian detachment at Cetate.
Battle of Cetate
Opens the fighting at Cetate with an attack on the Russian position in Wallachia.
Battle of Britain
Supports continued expansion of aircraft output after the Battle of Britain.
Battle of Normandy
47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Battle of Yaguajay
Captures Yaguajay during the final rebel offensive.
Battle of Yaguajay
Fights with Cienfuegos during the final offensive.
Battle of Yaguajay Victory
The government garrison at Yaguajay surrenders to forces under Cienfuegos, removing an important obstacle during the final collapse of Batista's military position.