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December 28, 2025 Holiday:

Call a Friend Day

Call a Friend Day is a heartwarming holiday that encourages people to reconnect with old friends and loved ones. On this special day, people are reminded to take a moment to reach out to those who have been important in their lives, but may have fallen out of touch. Traditionally, people mark the occasion by making a phone call, sending a text or email, or even meeting up with friends they haven't seen in a while. The holiday is all about nurturing friendships and strengthening bonds, and is a great opportunity to catch up, share stories, and create new memories. By doing so, people can rekindle old friendships and make new ones, spreading joy and positivity throughout their social circles.

Learn more about Call a Friend Day
Holidays on December 28, 2025:

National Chocolate Candy Day

Indulge in rich flavors and textures on National Chocolate Candy Day, December 28, 2025. more >>

Pledge of Allegiance Day

Pledge of Allegiance Day, December 28, 2025: Honor the values of freedom, justice, and unity with this special day of patriotism and civic engagement. more >>

National Card Playing Day

National Card Playing Day, 12/28/2025, unite with fellow card enthusiasts for a day of friendly competition, laughter, and fun. more >>

National Short Film Day

National Short Film Day, December 28, 2025: Discover the truth behind this lesser-known holiday and explore popular film-related events. more >>

Holy Innocents Day

Holy Innocents' Day, December 28, 2025: Commemorating the massacre of young children in Bethlehem and honoring the value and innocence of human life. more >>

National Download Day

National Download Day on 12/28/2025: Learn if this holiday exists and what it's all about. more >>
Birthdays on December 28:

Denzel Washington

71 Years Old

Acclaimed actor, director, and producer renowned for his powerful performances in film, television, and theater, earning numerous awards and accolades.

John Legend

47 Years Old

A multi-talented artist renowned for soulful voice, poignant songwriting, and versatile acting skills, blending genres like R&B, pop, and hip-hop. He's a household name with numero...

Maggie Smith

91 Years Old

A renowned actress celebrated for her iconic roles in the Harry Potter film series and Downton Abbey, earning numerous awards and accolades for her remarkable performances.

Stan Lee

Died in 2018, aged 95

Creator of iconic superheroes and stories that have shaped the Marvel Universe, revolutionizing the comic book industry and popular culture.

Seth Meyers

52 Years Old

Host of Late Night with Seth Meyers, a popular talk show known for its witty humor and in-depth interviews, and a former Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member and head writer.

Gayle King

71 Years Old

A renowned TV journalist and co-anchor of CBS This Morning, known for her in-depth interviews and coverage of major news events.

Nichelle Nichols

Died in 2022, aged 89

Trailblazing actress who broke racial barriers in Star Trek, playing Lieutenant Uhura, a role that inspired generations of women and minorities in STEM fields.

Ray Bourque

65 Years Old

A legendary defenseman who won five Norris Trophies and holds the record for most goals, assists, and points by a defenseman in NHL history. He's a Boston Bruins icon and one of th...

Adam Vinatieri

53 Years Old

Legendary NFL kicker holding numerous records, including most career field goals and points scored. Known for clutch performances in high-pressure games.

Linus Torvalds

56 Years Old

Creator of the Linux operating system, a free and open-source software that powers millions of computers and devices worldwide. He's credited with revolutionizing the tech industry...

Arthur Eddington

Died in 1944, aged 61

A pioneer in astrophysics, he formulated the Eddington limit, a crucial concept in understanding stars, and was a key figure in popularizing Einstein's theory of relativity. His wo...

Sienna Miller

44 Years Old

A talented actress and fashion designer, known for her versatile film roles and iconic bohemian style. She's a household name in the entertainment industry, gracing red carpets and...

Events from History on December 28:
118 years ago
Devastating quake strikes Messina, Italy, killing thousands (Messina, Italy) 1908
Messina, a picturesque Italian city, was turned into a scene of utter chaos as a massive earthquake tore through its streets, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The 7.1 magnitude quake, with a mind-boggling intensity of XI, struck without warning, catching the unsuspecting population off guard. The scale of devastation was catastrophic, with estimates suggesting that between 75,000 to 200,000 lives were lost, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The city, once a thriving hub of commerce and culture, was reduced to rubble, leaving survivors to pick up the pieces and confront the aftermath of the disaster.
190 years ago
Spain acknowledges Mexico's sovereignty (Madrid, Spain) 1836
After centuries of Spanish rule, Mexico finally gained recognition as an independent nation when the Santa María-Calatrava Treaty was signed on December 28, 1836. This milestone marked the culmination of Mexico's arduous struggle for independence, sparked by the 1810 Grito de Dolores. The treaty not only solidified Mexico's freedom but also established boundaries, trade agreements, and diplomatic relations between the newly recognized nation and its former colonial power, Spain. This monumental event paved the way for Mexico's growth and development, shaping the course of its history.
85 years ago
Reinhard Heydrich's Assassination Plot Unfolds in Czechoslovakia (Prague, Czechoslovakia) 1941
In the midst of World War II, a daring plan to eliminate one of the most feared men in the Third Reich, Reinhard Heydrich, the ruthless SS leader and architect of the Final Solution, begins to take shape. Two Czechoslovakian agents, Jan Kubiš and Josef Gabčík, trained by the British Special Operations Executive, parachute into Czechoslovakia, tasked with infiltrating Heydrich's inner circle and taking him out. The success of Operation Anthropoid would be a massive blow to the Nazi regime, but the risks were incredibly high, and the consequences of failure would be catastrophic. Will these brave agents succeed in their perilous mission?
83 years ago
Canadian victory in brutal Battle of Ortona (Ortona, Abruzzo, Italy) 1943
In the snow-covered streets of Ortona, a small Italian town, a fierce battle raged on for eight days, pitting the 1st Canadian Infantry Division against the elite German 1st Parachute Division. The Canadians, determined to claim victory, fought house-to-house, room-to-room, and even staircase-to-staircase, pushing the Germans back inch-by-inch. As the battle drew to a close, the Canadians emerged victorious, capturing the town and handing the Germans a decisive defeat.
141 years ago
Indian National Congress founded by A.O. Hume (Mumbai, Bombay Presidency, British India) 1885
In the midst of British rule, 72 visionaries, including Allan Octavian Hume, a Scottish-born civil servant, gathered in Bombay to lay the groundwork for a new era of Indian self-governance. The Indian National Congress, a beacon of hope for Indian autonomy, was born. This pivotal moment marked the first step towards India's struggle for independence, as the INC would go on to become a powerful platform for Indian voices to demand freedom and equality.
53 years ago
President Nixon signs landmark Endangered Species Act into law (The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20500, USA) 1973
In a move that marked a significant shift in the country's conservation efforts, President Richard Nixon put his signature on the Endangered Species Act, a landmark legislation aimed at protecting and preserving the nation's fragile ecosystem. This groundbreaking law ensured that threatened species, from the majestic bald eagle to the humble monarch butterfly, would receive the protection they desperately needed to thrive. By signing this bill into law, Nixon sent a strong message that the United States was committed to preserving its natural heritage for generations to come.
Notable Deaths on December 28:
2015Lemmy Legendary rock icon and songwriter known for his music and stage presence
2016Debbie Reynolds Beloved actress and singer who entertained audiences with her comedic timing
2021John Madden Hall of Fame coach and commentator who revolutionized the game of football
2004Jerry Orbach Versatile actor and singer who brought joy and excitement to audiences through his performances
1983Dennis Wilson American drummer and songwriter who co-wrote "Kokomo" with the Beach Boys
2021Harry Reid Long-time Senate majority leader and champion of legislation
2017Rose Marie Famous comedian and actress who brought laughter to the big screen
1999Clayton Moore Renowned actor who entertained audiences with his charismatic performances
2004Susan Sontag Visionary writer and critic who explored the human condition through her work
2009Jimmy Sullivan Rock musician and songwriter who captured the hearts of fans with his music
2014Leelah Alcorn Tragic American transgender teenager who advocated for LGBTQ+ rights
1937Maurice Ravel French pianist and composer who revolutionized classical music
1984Sam Peckinpah American film director known for his violent and philosophical Westerns
2013Joseph Ruskin Renowned American actor with numerous film credits
1993William L. Shirer Influential journalist and historian known for chronicling global events and past civilizations
1971Max Steiner Austrian-born American composer who wrote the scores for many films
1990Warren Skaaren Award-winning screenwriter and producer behind iconic films and television shows
2012Mark Crispin visionary American computer scientist behind IMAP
1986John D. MacDonald American colonel and author who wrote numerous thriller novels
1945Theodore Dreiser American novelist and journalist who exposed social injustices through his writing