2021
Dutchman Max Verstappen wins Formula 1 Drivers’ C’ship for Red Bull with a controversial last lap win over Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton in the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.
Source

2021
British PM Boris Johnson announces an emergency COVID-19 booster program to protect the NHS and stem a possible incoming “tidal wave of Omicron”.
Source

2019
The deepest point of land was identified.
Underneath the Denman Glacier in East Antarctica, there is an ice-filled canyon 11,500 feet below sea level, making it the deepest point on earth to date.
Source

2012
After countless failures, North Korea launched its first satellite.
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 (“Bright Star” in English) was designed as an Earth-observation satellite, but international parties condemned its launch. This was largely down to the fact that the launch rocket used the same technology as a ballistic missile, which North Korea was banned from testing at the time.
Source

2001
Winona Ryder was arrested.
On the premise of shoplifting charges, Winona Ryder was arrested in Beverly Hills for stealing $4,700 worth of merchandise and possession of pain medication without a prescription.
Source

1992
A 7.8 earthquake hit Flores Island in Indonesia, which caused an 82-foot tsunami, killing about 2,500 people.
Source

1988
Rainman, directed by Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, premiered in New York.
Source

1980
Apple made its initial public offering on the US stock market.
Thirty-eight years later, it would become the first US company valued at over $1 trillion.
Source

1968
Arthur Ashe became the first black person to be ranked number one in tennis.
Source

1961
Adolf Eichmann was found guilty of war crimes in Israel.
Source

1941
Adolf Hitler declared the imminent extermination of the Jews at a meeting in the Reich Chancellery.
Source

1915
The Empire of China was established by statesman Yuan Shikai, who declared himself Emperor.
Source

1899
The first case of the bubonic plague was announced in Honolulu.
The Board of Health in Honolulu declared the first bubonic plague death shortly after the cholera epidemic.
Source

1822
Mexico was officially recognized as an independent nation by the US.
Source

1787
Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the US constitution.
Source

884 AD
King Carloman II of West Francia was mortally wounded while out hunting.
Source