December 13: Republic Day in Malta ( 1974); St. Lucia's Day in Sweden
- 1545 - Counter-Reformation: The Council of Trent, an ecumenical council convoked by Pope Paul III in response to the growth of Protestantism, opened in Trento, Italy.
- 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside were decisively defeated in the Battle of Fredericksburg.
- 1937 - Nanking Massacre: Japanese forces under General Iwane Matsui captured Nanjing, China and began weeks of looting, burning, raping and killing.
- 1981 - Prime Minister Wojciech Jaruzelski declared martial law in Poland, suspended Solidarity and imprisoned many union leaders.
- 2003 - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (pictured) was found hiding in a spider hole during Operation Red Dawn and captured.
Recent days: December 12 – December 11 – December 10
More anniversaries:
December 13: Republic Day in Malta ( 1974); St. Lucia's Day in Sweden
- 1545 - Counter-Reformation: The Council of Trent, an ecumenical council convoked by Pope Paul III in response to the growth of Protestantism, opened in Trento, Italy.
- 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside were decisively defeated in the Battle of Fredericksburg.
- 1937 - Nanking Massacre: Japanese forces under General Iwane Matsui captured Nanjing, China and began weeks of looting, burning, raping and killing.
- 1981 - Prime Minister Wojciech Jaruzelski declared martial law in Poland, suspended Solidarity and imprisoned many union leaders.
- 2003 - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (pictured) was found hiding in a spider hole during Operation Red Dawn and captured.
Recent days: December 12 – December 11 – December 10
More anniversaries: