Name: Filipino patriot JosÃ© Rizal executed by Spanish firing squad
Start: 1896-12-30
Location: Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines

Holidays on December 30, 2012:

Birthdays on December 30:

LeBron James

41 Years Old

Dominant force in the NBA, winning four championships and four MVP awards, while also producing and starring in TV shows and films.

Tiger Woods

50 Years Old

A dominant force in golf, winning 15 major championships and holding numerous records, revolutionizing the sport with his athleticism and charisma.

Patti Smith

79 Years Old

A punk rock icon and poet laureate, known for fusing music and literature, creating a unique sound that blends raw energy with poetic lyrics.

Kevin Systrom

42 Years Old

Co-founder of Instagram, a social media platform revolutionizing visual storytelling and online interaction. Known for transforming the way people share and experience moments from...

Matt Lauer

68 Years Old

A charismatic TV host who anchored NBC's Today show for over two decades, known for his in-depth interviews and coverage of major news events.

Ellie Goulding

39 Years Old

A British singer-songwriter and producer known for her unique, atmospheric sound and hit singles like "Lights" and "Love Me Like You Do".

Rudyard Kipling

Died in 1936, aged 70

A renowned author and poet, best known for his imaginative and vivid stories, particularly "The Jungle Book", which have captivated readers of all ages with their timeless themes a...

Sandy Koufax

90 Years Old

Legendary left-handed pitcher and Hall of Famer, known for his incredible fastball and curveball, as well as his courageous decision to sit out a World Series game due to religious...

James Burrows

85 Years Old

A renowned television director, producer, and screenwriter behind iconic sitcoms like Friends, Frasier, and Cheers, credited with shaping the modern American sitcom landscape.

Tracey Ullman

66 Years Old

A talented performer who has made a lasting impact in the entertainment industry through her work in TV, film, and music, creating iconic characters and comedy sketches. She's a ma...

Sean Hannity

64 Years Old

Conservative commentator and host of popular TV and radio shows, known for his outspoken views and opinions on politics and current events.

Bo Diddley

Died in 2008, aged 79

A rock 'n' roll pioneer who blended blues, R&B, and rock to create a unique sound, influencing many famous musicians with his innovative guitar playing and songwriting style.

Events from History on December 30:

104 years ago

Soviet Union formed under Lenin's leadership (Moscow, Soviet Union) 1922

Vladimir Lenin's vision for a communist state took a giant leap forward as the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic merged with three other republics to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This historic union marked the birth of the world's first socialist state, with Lenin at the helm as its first head of government. The new entity was forged from the ashes of the Russian Empire, and it would go on to play a significant role in shaping global politics for decades to come.

110 years ago

Russian mystic Rasputin murdered by royal loyalists (Petrograd, Russian Empire) 1916

In the shadows of the Russian Empire, a sinister plot unfolded, ending in the gruesome murder of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin, the enigmatic mystic who had captivated the hearts of the Romanov royal family. Prince Felix Yusupov, a prominent royal loyalist, orchestrated the heinous crime, fearing Rasputin's influence over the Tsar would lead to the downfall of the monarchy. On a fateful night, Rasputin was lured to Yusupov's palace, where he was poisoned, beaten, and ultimately thrown into the icy waters of the Neva River. Three days later, his frozen, battered body was discovered, marking the end of a tumultuous era.

20 years ago

Saddam Hussein's dramatic end by hanging (Camp Justice, Al-Kazimiyah, Baghdad, Iraq) 2006

Saddam Hussein, the notorious former President of Iraq, met a dramatic end on this fateful day. After weeks of speculation and legal turmoil, the Butcher of Baghdad took his final breath at dawn, courtesy of a tidy noose. The once-feared leader, responsible for countless atrocities, was led to the gallows, his arrogance and defiance slowly giving way to fear and resignation. As the trapdoor swung open, Saddam's reign of terror finally came to an end, bringing closure to the Iraqi people and the world.

54 years ago

US Bombing of North Vietnam Ceases (Hanoi, Vietnam) 1972

The relentless pounding of North Vietnam by American B-52 bombers finally came to an end on this day, marking the conclusion of Operation Linebacker II. It was an 11-day campaign that saw over 100 sorties drop more than 20,000 tons of bombs on Hanoi and Haiphong, forcing North Vietnam back to the negotiating table. Amidst mounting international pressure and domestic protests, President Nixon ordered a halt to the operation, paving the way for the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973. This brutal yet crucial chapter in the Vietnam War finally drew to a close.

90 years ago

Workers occupy General Motors factories in Flint, Michigan (Flint, Michigan, USA) 1936

In the heart of America's industrial landscape, a group of brave auto workers decided to take a stand - quite literally - against the corporate giant General Motors. On a fateful day, nearly 140 workers from United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 659, led by Walter Reuther, flooded the GM's Fischer Body Plant in Flint, Michigan, and simply sat down. They refused to budge, halting all production, in a bold move to demand better wages, improved working conditions, and union recognition. As news of the sit-down strike spread like wildfire, more workers joined in, occupying other GM factories across the city. The 44-day-long protest would become a pivotal moment in American labor history, marking a significant shift in the balance of power between corporations and workers.

130 years ago

Rizal, a brilliant writer and outspoken advocate for reform, stood tall as the sun rose over Manila, his heart heavy with the knowledge that his time was running out. Accused of inciting rebellion against Spanish colonial rule, Rizal refused to back down, even when faced with the ultimate price. As the firing squad took aim, Rizal's thoughts likely drifted to his beloved country, his penultimate plea for freedom and self-governance echoing in the hearts of his fellow Filipinos. His sacrifice would spark a chain reaction, inspiring a nation to fight for independence and cementing his legacy as a national hero.

Notable Deaths on December 30:

2006Saddam Hussein Complex Iraqi leader who shaped the country's destiny and international relations

2022Barbara Walters respected American journalist and author

2020Dawn Wells beloved American actress

2023Tom Wilkinson esteemed English actor

1979Richard Rodgers Legendary American composer and playwright, weaving timeless musical narratives

1996Lew Ayres American actor and veteran of World War I

1970Sonny Liston Fearsome American boxer, known for knocking out opponents in the ring

1916Grigori Rasputin Russian mystic, holding a significant influence on spiritual and philosophical thought

2017Erica Garner dedicated American civil rights activist

1992Romeo Muller Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's Oscar-winning screenplay writer

2014Luise Rainer renowned actress with German, American, and British roots

2004Artie Shaw Legendary American musician who enticed audiences with his mesmerizing clarinet solos

2012Rita Levi-Montalcini Italian neuroscientist and academic who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

2000Julius J. Epstein Award-winning American screen scribe who brought laughter and tears to the big screen

2014Terry Becker American actor, director, and producer who appeared in numerous TV shows and films

2002Mary Brian Hollywood's golden girl, starring in classic films and captivating audiences

1998Sam Muchnick American wrestling promoter and industry leader

1995Doris Grau Voice actor and script supervisor

1993Irving "Swifty" Lazar Legendary American talent agent

2010Bobby Farrell Aruban-born dancer and performer known for his energetic stage presence