In History, Today on December 31

The British East India Company was chartered by Queen Elizabeth I, marking the beginning of British trade and eventual colonial influence in India.

The Battle of Quebec took place during the American Revolutionary War, where British forces successfully defended the city against an American attack.

Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada, a decision that helped unify the provinces of Canada.

Thomas Edison demonstrated incandescent lighting to the public for the first time in Menlo Park, New Jersey, revolutionizing the use of electric light.

The first New Year's Eve celebration was held in Times Square, New York City, marking the beginning of a long-standing tradition.

President Harry S. Truman officially proclaimed the end of hostilities in World War II, marking the formal conclusion of the war for the United States.

The Central African Federation, also known as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was officially dissolved, leading to the independence of its constituent countries.

The AT&T Bell System was broken up by the U.S. government, leading to the creation of several independent companies and the end of its monopoly on telephone service.

The Soviet Union was officially dissolved, marking the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The world prepared for potential Y2K computer problems as the date changed to the year 2000, with widespread fears of technological failures that largely did not materialize.

The official death toll from the Indian Ocean tsunami, which occurred on December 26, 2004, was reported to have surpassed 125,000 people across multiple countries, with Indonesia being the hardest hit.

The Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world, was completed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It officially opened on January 4, 2010.

The United States formally ended its military mission in Iraq, marking the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops from the country after nearly nine years of conflict.

The United Nations Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission in East Timor, known as the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), after the country achieved significant stability following its independence in 2002.

The New Year's Eve celebrations in Shanghai, China, turned tragic when a stampede occurred, resulting in the deaths of 36 people and injuring 49 others.

The World Health Organization was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, which would later be identified as COVID-19, marking the beginning of the global pandemic.