What happend on 31st December

30.12
01.01
1916

The Hampton Terrace Hotel in North Augusta, South Carolina, one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the USA at the time, burns to the ground.

1904

The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square, then known as Longacre Square, in New York, New York.

1879

Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time (Menlo Park, New Jersey).

1862

American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln signs an act that admits West Virginia to the Union (thus dividing Virginia in two); meanwhile, the Battle of Stones River is fought near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

1857

Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa, Ontario, as the capital of Canada

1775

American Revolutionary War: British forces repulse an attack by Continental Army generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold at the Battle of Quebec.

1695

A window tax is imposed in England, causing many shopkeepers to brick up their windows to avoid the tax.

1687

The first Huguenots set sail from France to the Cape of Good Hope.

1600

British East India Company is chartered.