979 – Rotardus appointed as bishop of the kingdom
1769 – First Christian service in New Zealand; Mass is celebrated in Doubtless Bay by Father Paul-Antoine Léonard de Villefeix of the de Surville expedition
1814 – Reverend Samuel Marsden of the Church Missionary Society holds the first Christian service in New Zealand on land, at Rangihoua
1896 – “Stars and Stripes Forever” written by John Philip Sousa
1930 – Slinger Nitschke scores 142 SA v Qld at Adelaide before 5,422
1940 – Bradman out 1st ball for South Australia v Victoria before 6213
1968 – Frank Borman’s Christmas reading while orbiting the Moon
1973 – Arab oil ministers cancel January 5 percent production cut; Saudi Arabian oil minister promises 10 percent OPEC production rise
1976 – 6th Fiesta Bowl: #8 Oklahoma beats Wyoming, 41-7
2012 – 8 people are killed and thousands left homeless after two fires strike Manila, Philippines