Vietnam War: The Viet Cong wins its first major victory, at the Battle of Ap Bac.
1 January 1948
The British railway network is nationalized to form British Railways on 1 January 1948.
31 December 1994
The First Chechen War: The Russian Ground Forces begin a New Year’s storming of Grozny.
30 December 2004
A fire in the República Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina, kills 194.
29 December 2013
Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher suffers a massive head injury while skiing in the French Alps
28 December 1879
Tay Bridge disaster: The central part of the Tay Rail Bridge in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom collapses as a train passes over it, killing 75.
24 December 1971
LANSA Flight 508 is struck by lighting and crashes in the Puerto Inca District in the Department of Huánuco in Peru, killing 91