Name: American B-52 Bombers Unleash Fury on Hanoi
Start: 1972-12-26
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Holidays on December 26, 2012:

Birthdays on December 26:

Kit Harington

39 Years Old

Star of HBO's hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, playing the iconic role of Jon Snow, a brooding and heroic character. He's also known for his rugged good looks and charming on-sc...

Jared Leto

54 Years Old

Academy Award-winning actor and lead vocalist of the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, known for his intense method acting and iconic roles in films like "Dallas Buyers Club" and "...

Lars Ulrich

62 Years Old

Drummer and co-founder of Metallica, known for his aggressive drumming style and songwriting skills that helped shape the heavy metal genre. He's also a fierce advocate for artists...

John Walsh

80 Years Old

Creator of America's Most Wanted, a groundbreaking TV show that helped capture hundreds of fugitives, and a tireless advocate for crime victims and their families.

Phil Spector

Died in 2021, aged 81

Pioneering music producer and songwriter behind iconic Wall of Sound technique, creating timeless hits for The Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, and John Lennon.

Mao Zedong

Died in 1976, aged 82

Leader of the Chinese Communist Party who implemented radical social and economic reforms, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, shaping modern China's poli...

Ozzie Smith

71 Years Old

Legendary shortstop and charismatic broadcaster known for acrobatic defensive plays and iconic backflips, entertaining fans with his unique blend of athleticism and showmanship.

Chris Daughtry

46 Years Old

Lead vocalist of the band Daughtry, known for his powerful, soulful voice and hit songs like "Home" and "It's Not Over", blending rock and pop styles.

Caroll Spinney

Died in 2019, aged 85

Creator of beloved Muppets characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, bringing joy and education to children worldwide through Sesame Street.

David Sedaris

69 Years Old

A humorist and master storyteller, known for his witty, relatable, and often irreverent essays and short stories that explore the human experience.

Jade Thirlwall

33 Years Old

A British singer and songwriter, best known as a member of the girl group Little Mix, winning The X Factor in 2011 and achieving global success with hits like "Wings" and "Shout Ou...

Martin Cooper

97 Years Old

The inventor of the mobile phone, credited with making the first public call on a handheld device, revolutionizing personal communication.

Events from History on December 26:

35 years ago

Soviet Union's dissolution marks end of Cold War era (Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union) 1991

In a shocking yet inevitable turn of events, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union gathered on a fateful day to sign the death certificate of a crumbling empire. The once-mighty USSR, crumbling under the weight of economic stagnation, nationalist uprisings, and external pressures, finally breathed its last. The room was filled with a mix of emotions as the Soviet flag was lowered for the final time, marking the end of the Cold War and the dawn of a new era. The Soviet Union, born out of the ashes of World War I, had finally succumbed to the forces of change, leaving behind a legacy of nuclear paranoia, espionage, and ideological rivalry.

22 years ago

Massive Tsunami Devastates Indian Ocean Coastal Regions (Off the coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia) 2004

A colossal earthquake, rivaling the largest ever recorded, struck off the coast of Indonesia, unleashing a monstrous tsunami that ravaged the shores of Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Malaysia. The earthquake's massive 9.1-9.3 magnitude triggered a devastating tsunami, catching unsuspecting tourists and locals off guard. The colossal waves, reaching heights of over 30 meters, swept away entire villages, resorts, and coastal cities, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.

85 years ago

Winston Churchill addresses U.S. Congress during WWII (United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., USA) 1941

As the world teetered on the brink of chaos, Winston Churchill, the defiant British Prime Minister, stepped onto the hallowed grounds of the U.S. Congress, his mission: to fortify the Anglo-American alliance and galvanize the American people in the face of Nazi tyranny. On December 26, 1941, Churchill became the first foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress, delivering an impassioned speech that would cement the special relationship between the two nations. With his trademark oratory flair, he warned of the dangers of isolationism and rallied the Americans to join the fight against the Axis powers. This historic address marked a pivotal moment in the war effort, as Churchill's eloquence and strategic charm helped secure vital U.S. support for the Allied cause.

82 years ago

Patton's Third Army Relieves Besieged Bastogne Forces (Bastogne, Belgium) 1944

George S. Patton's Third Army spearheaded a daring rescue mission to break the German encirclement of besieged American forces in Bastogne, Belgium. After days of intense fighting, the Third Army finally linked up with the 101st Airborne Division, relieving the exhausted defenders who had been holding out against overwhelming odds. The successful breakout marked a turning point in the Battle of the Bulge, as Allied forces regained momentum against the German army.

83 years ago

German battleship Scharnhorst sunk off Norway's North Cape (North Cape, Norway) 1943

The Scharnhorst, one of Germany's most feared warships, met its demise in the freezing waters off Norway's North Cape on a fateful December day. Cornered by a formidable Royal Navy force, including the battleship HMS Duke of York, the Scharnhorst put up a valiant fight but was eventually sent to the bottom of the ocean, taking nearly 2,000 of its crew with it. The battle marked a significant turning point in the war, as the Allies gained a crucial advantage in the North Atlantic.

54 years ago

American B-52 Bombers Unleash Fury on Hanoi (Hanoi, Vietnam) 1972

In the largest single combat launch in Strategic Air Command history, a fleet of 120 American B-52 Stratofortress bombers, including 78 launched from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, descended upon Hanoi, unleashing a torrent of bombs as part of Operation Linebacker II. The bombing campaign, code-named "Eleven Days of Christmas," was a 11-day aerial onslaught aimed at compelling North Vietnam to return to the negotiating table. As the dragnet of bombs tightened around Hanoi, the fate of the war hung precariously in the balance, and the world held its breath.

Notable Deaths on December 26:

2021Desmond Tutu Leading voice for racial equality and peace in South Africa

1972Harry S. Truman Innovative American leader who served as the 33rd President of the United States and pioneered the role of commander-in-chief

2006Gerald Ford 38th President of the United States and leader in crisis management

2004Reggie White Pro footballer and wrestler known for his athleticism and physical presence

2023Tom Smothers Legendary comedian and social activist with a sharp wit

2010Teena Marie Trailblazing American singer-songwriter

2000Jason Robards Veteran American character actor with a career spanning decades

1999Curtis Mayfield Soul music legend with a powerful voice and iconic style

1974Jack Benny Comedic legend and vaudevillian entertainer known for his quick wit and humor

2021Edward O. Wilson Pioneering biologist in fields of entomology and social biology

2016Ricky Harris Gifted comedian, actor, and entertainer

1977Howard Hawks Visionary American filmmaker and screenwriter who directed iconic movies and made lasting contributions to the film industry

2001Nigel Hawthorne Acclaimed British stage and screen actor with numerous awards

1980Richard Chase Notorious American serial killer and cannibalistic offender who committed heinous crimes and was brought to justice

2005Vincent Schiavelli Beloved actor with a career spanning decades in film and television

2002Herb Ritts Pioneering American photographer who captured iconic images

2012Gerry Anderson Visionary English director, producer, and screenwriter

2017Irv Weinstein Renowned broadcaster and journalist

2011Pedro ArmendÃ¡riz, Jr. Versatile Mexican-American actor and producer