December 14: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign

Quick Facts for December 14

• Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
• Day of year: 348

About December 14

December 14 serves as a profound reminder of human endurance and intellectual evolution. While the world commemorates the bravery of Roald Amundsen’s polar expedition, it also marks a day of deep reflection in Bangladesh, known as Martyred Intellectuals Day, which honors the scholars lost during the 1971 liberation struggle. In Japan, the day is also dedicated to the memory of the Forty-seven Ronin at Sengaku-ji.

From the scientific to the celestial, this date has consistently pushed boundaries. It saw the groundbreaking presentation of quantum theory by Max Planck in 1900 and the historic moment in 1962 when NASA's Mariner 2 became the very first spacecraft to execute a flyby of the planet Venus. Whether through the lens of a telescope or the grit of an explorer, December 14 captures the essence of human curiosity.

Holidays & Observances on December 14

• Alabama Day (Alabama)
• Forty-seven Ronin Remembrance Day (Sengaku-ji, Tokyo)
• Martyred Intellectuals Day (Bangladesh)
• Monkey Day

Fun & National Days on December 14

• National Biscuits and Gravy Day — Indulge in a hearty, comforting breakfast of warm biscuits smothered in savory sausage gravy.
• National Screwdriver Day — Celebrate by mixing orange juice and vodka for a classic, refreshing cocktail.
• Roast Chestnuts Day — Enjoy the seasonal aroma and flavor of warm, roasted chestnuts.
• National Bouillabaisse Day — Treat yourself to a sophisticated and flavorful traditional French fish stew.
• Free Shipping Day
• Green Monday

On This Day in History

• 557 — A powerful earthquake struck Constantinople, causing significant structural damage and cracking the iconic dome of the Hagia Sophia.
• 1542 — Following the passing of King James V, Mary Stuart ascended to the throne as Queen of Scots at just one week old.
• 1782 — In France, the Montgolfier brothers conducted the first successful test flight of an unmanned hot air balloon, reaching altitudes of 2.5 km.
• 1819 — The United States expanded its territory as Alabama officially joined the Union as the 22nd state.
• 1900 — Physicist Max Planck introduced his fundamental derivation of quantum theory during a presentation at a Berlin physics society.
• 1911 — Roald Amundsen led the first expedition to successfully reach the South Pole, accompanied by his four loyal teammates.
• 1918 — A transformative United Kingdom general election occurred, marking the first time women were legally permitted to cast their votes.
• 1948 — The patent for the first known interactive electronic game was granted to Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann.
• 1962 — Space exploration reached a new milestone when NASA's Mariner 2 spacecraft completed the first-ever flyby of the planet Venus.
• 1972 — The Apollo era reached its lunar conclusion as Eugene Cernan became the final human to walk on the Moon's surface.
• 1995 — Leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia signed the Dayton Agreement in Paris.
• 2004 — France celebrated the official inauguration of the Millau Viaduct, which holds the record as the world's tallest bridge.

Famous Birthdays on December 14

• 1546 — Tycho Brahe, The renowned Danish astronomer and chemist who revolutionized our understanding of the stars.
• 1640 — Aphra Behn, A pioneering English author and playwright who broke barriers in 17th-century literature.
• 1883 — Morihei Ueshiba, The legendary Japanese martial artist credited with the creation of the Aikido style.
• 1895 — George VI of the United Kingdom, The influential King of the United Kingdom who reigned during the Second World War.
• 1916 — Shirley Jackson, The celebrated American novelist famous for her mastery of psychological horror and suspense.
• 1918 — B. K. S. Iyengar, The influential Indian yoga master who founded the globally recognized Iyengar Yoga method.