Name: President Nixon signs landmark Endangered Species Act into law
Start: 1973-12-28
Location: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20500, USA

Holidays on December 28, 2026:

Call a Friend Day

Call a Friend Day, 12/28/2026: Reconnect with old friends and loved ones, nurture friendships, and create new memories. more >>

National Chocolate Candy Day

Indulge in rich flavors and textures on National Chocolate Candy Day, December 28, 2026. more >>

Pledge of Allegiance Day

Pledge of Allegiance Day, December 28, 2026: Honor the values of freedom, justice, and unity with a solemn promise of loyalty to the United States. more >>

National Card Playing Day

National Card Playing Day, December 28, 2026: Join friends and fellow enthusiasts for a day of social card games, friendly competition, and fun. more >>

National Short Film Day

National Short Film Day, December 28, 2026: Discover the truth behind this lesser-known holiday and explore popular film-related events. more >>

Holy Innocents Day

Holy Innocents' Day, December 28, 2026, commemorates the massacre of young children in Bethlehem, highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable lives. more >>

National Download Day

Discover the truth about National Download Day on December 28, 2026. Is it a real holiday or just a myth? 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 MarÃa-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 KubiÅ¡ and Josef GabÄÃk, 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

Boxing Day Observed