December 1
December 1 is the 336th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 30 days remain until the year's end. It falls in autumn (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Sagittarius.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On December 1 the Sun's declination is approximately -22.2°. At this latitude the Sun is south of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere shorter days than nights.
For specific rise/set times at your location, see the U.S. Naval Observatory, or the NASA APOD archive for any imagery published on a December 1.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
- Battle of the Sinop Day (Russia)
- Christian feast day: Alexander Briant
- Christian feast day: Ansanus
- Christian feast day: Blessed Bruna Pellesi
- Christian feast day: Castritian
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
2020 — The Arecibo Telescope collapses. ↗(6 years ago)more
The Arecibo Telescope was a 305 m (1,000 ft) spherical reflector radio telescope built into a natural sinkhole at the Arecibo Observatory located near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. A cable-mounted, steerable receiver and several radar transmitters for emitting signals were mounted 150 m (492 ft) above the dish.
2019 — Arsenal Women 11–1 Bristol City Women breaks the record for most goals scored in a FA Women's Super League match, with Vivianne Miedema involved in ten of the eleven Arsenal goals. ↗(7 years ago)more
The women's association football match between Arsenal Women and Bristol City Women was played at Arsenal's home venue, Meadow Park, Borehamwood, on 1 December 2019. It was part of the 2019–20 Football Association Women's Super League and finished in an 11–1 victory for the home team.
2019 — The outbreak of coronavirus infection begins in Wuhan. ↗(7 years ago)more
The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It spread to other parts of Asia and then worldwide in early 2020.
2018 — The Oulu Police informed the public about the first offence of the much larger child sexual exploitation in Oulu, Finland. ↗(8 years ago)more
In December 2018, it transpired that adult men, all of whom had arrived in Finland as asylum seekers or refugees, were grooming, and raping and otherwise sexually abusing, girls under 15 years of age in Oulu, Finland. One victim ended up committing suicide.
2011 — The Alma-Ata Metro was opened. ↗(15 years ago)more
Almaty Metro is a rapid transit/metro system in Almaty, the largest city and a former capital of Kazakhstan. The first line of the system was opened on 1 December 2011, after more than 23 years of construction.
2009 — The Treaty of Lisbon entered into force in the European Union. ↗(17 years ago)more
The Treaty of Lisbon is a European agreement that amends the two treaties which form the constitutional basis of the European Union (EU). The Treaty of Lisbon, which was signed by all EU member states on 13 December 2007, entered into force on 1 December 2009.
- 2006 — The law on same-sex marriage comes into force in South Africa, legalizing same-sex marriage for the first time on the African continent. ↗(20 years ago)
more
Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Africa since the Civil Union Act, 2006 came into force on 30 November 2006. The decision of the Constitutional Court in the case of Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie on 1 December 2005 extended the common-law definition of marriage to include same-sex spouses—as the Constitution of South Africa guarantees equal pr...
2005 — As a result of the merger of the Perm Oblast and the Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug, a new subject of the Russian Federation, the Perm Krai, was created. ↗(21 years ago)more
Until 1 December 2005, Perm Oblast was a federal subject of Russia in Privolzhsky (Volga) Federal District. According to the results of the referendum held in October 2004, Perm Oblast was merged with Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug to form Perm Krai.
2001 — The United Russia political party was founded. ↗(25 years ago)more
The All-Russian Political Party "United Russia" is the ruling political party of Russia. As the largest party in the Russian Federation, it holds 325 of the 450 seats in the State Duma as of 2022, having constituted the majority in the chamber since 2007.
2000 — Vicente Fox Quesada is inaugurated as the president of Mexico, marking the first peaceful transfer of executive federal power to an opposing political party following a free and democratic election in Mexico's history. ↗(26 years ago)more
Vicente Fox Quesada is a Mexican businessman and politician who served as the 62nd president of Mexico from 2000 to 2006. After campaigning as a right-wing populist, Fox was elected president on the National Action Party (PAN) ticket in the 2000 election.
1997 — In the Indian state of Bihar, Ranvir Sena attacks the CPI (ML) Party Unity stronghold Lakshmanpur-Bathe, killing 63 lower caste people. ↗(29 years ago)more
Bihar is a state in Eastern India. It is the second largest state by population, the 12th largest by area, and the 14th largest by GDP in 2024. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West Bengal to the east, and Jharkhand to the south. Bihar is split by the river Ganges, which flows from west to east.
- 1997 — Fourteen-year-old Michael Carneal opens fire at a group of students in Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky, killing three and injuring five. ↗(29 years ago)
more
The Heath High School shooting occurred at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky, on December 1, 1997, when 14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a group of students, killing three and injuring six.
Notable births
2008 — Ella Gross, American singer, model and actress ↗(18 years ago)more
Ella McKenzie Gross, also known mononymously as Ella, is an American singer, model, and actress based in South Korea. She first began her career as a model at age two and has modeled for fashion brands such as H&M, Levi's, and GAP. As a singer, she debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Meovv in September 2024, under The Black Label.
2003 — Robert Irwin, Australian conservationist and television personality ↗(23 years ago)more
Robert Clarence Irwin is an Australian conservationist, zookeeper, wildlife photographer, and television presenter. The son of conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin, he manages Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, and is frequently involved in activities that his father originally participated in.
2001 — Carole Monnet, French tennis player ↗(25 years ago)more
Carole Monnet is a Ukrainian-born French tennis player. Monnet has career-high WTA rankings of No. 162 in singles, achieved on 11 September 2023, and No. 129 in doubles, reached on 28 October 2024.
- 1999 — Lloyd Pope, Australian cricketer ↗(27 years ago)
more
Lloyd Aylmer James Pope is an Australian cricketer who currently represents South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers. A right-arm leg spin bowler, he is known for his effective use of the wrong'un as a variation. Pope was well renowned in his early career for his hair, becoming a cult hero of Australian cricket due to his “flowing red hair”.
1999 — Nico Schlotterbeck, German footballer ↗(27 years ago)more
Nico Cedric Schlotterbeck is a German professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team. He is known for his aerial ability, speed, strength and aggressive tackling.
1997 — Sada Williams, Barbadian sprinter ↗(29 years ago)more
Sada Williams is a Barbadian sprinter competing primarily in the 200 and 400 metres. She won the bronze medal in the 400 m at the 2022 World Championships, becoming the first Barbadian woman ever to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. Williams took gold in the event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Notable deaths
2024 — Terry Griffiths, Welsh snooker player and coach (born 1947) ↗(2 years ago)more
Terence Martin Griffiths was a Welsh professional snooker player, coach, and commentator. He won several amateur championships, including the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1975 and consecutive English Amateur Championship titles in 1977 and 1978, before turning professional in 1978 at the age of 30.
- 2024 — Ian Redpath, Australian cricketer and coach (born 1941) ↗(2 years ago)
more
Ian Ritchie Redpath MBE was an Australian international cricketer who played in 66 Test matches and five One Day Internationals between 1964 and 1976. Greg Chappell said he was one of only two players he knew who would kill to get into the Australian Test team, the other being Rod Marsh.
2023 — Sandra Day O'Connor, first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1981–2006) (born 1930) ↗(3 years ago)more
Sandra Day O'Connor was an American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1981 to 2006. Nominated by President Ronald Reagan, O'Connor was the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. A moderate conservative, she was considered a swing vote.
2022 — Gaylord Perry, American baseball player and coach (born 1938) ↗(4 years ago)more
Gaylord Jackson Perry was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for eight teams from 1962 to 1983, becoming one of the most durable and successful pitchers in history. A five-time All-Star, Perry was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues.
2020 — Arnie Robinson, American athlete (born 1948) ↗(6 years ago)more
Arnie Paul Robinson Jr. was an American athlete. He won a bronze medal in the long jump at the 1972 Olympics and a gold medal in 1976.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (336) | 2^4 × 3 × 7 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (30) | 2 × 3 × 5 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 01122026 · next palindrome year: 2110 |
| Sun declination | -22.23° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 19 days |