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Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, December 31, 2024.  I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> Panama Canal turned over to Panama on December 31, 1999.

The United States officially transferred control of the Panama Canal to Panama under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, giving the nation control of the strategic waterway for the first time.

Why this matters: The transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama marked the end of nearly a century of U.S. control, symbolizing a significant shift in sovereignty and self-determination for Panama. This handover strengthened Panamanian national pride, increased the country’s economic independence, and reinforced global debates about the role of powerful nations in managing strategic resources.

Find out how much you know about the Panama Canal with this special quiz.

Notable Events

• December 31, 1999 - Following Yeltsin’s resignation, Vladimir Putin assumes the role of acting president of Russia.

• December 31, 1961 - John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev exchange holiday messages.

• December 31, 1857 - Ottawa made capital of Canada. On this day in 1857, Queen Victoria named Ottawa, located at the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Rideau rivers, as Canada’s capital.

In partnership with Masters of Trivia
Knowledge Gamified

A recent MSN article titled “Top 10 Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Turned Vision into Reality” featured Dom Einhorn, founder of Intelligent Games, in the #3 spot. For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. Additionally, the November 2024 issue of New York Weekly Magazine describes Masters of Trivia as follows:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from December 31 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: December 31, 1999 - Russian President Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigns, appointing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as acting president.

Lasting Significance: This transition marked the beginning of Putin's long-standing influence over Russian politics. Under Putin's leadership, Russia has experienced significant political and economic changes, including centralization of power and assertive foreign policies. His tenure has had lasting implications for international relations, cybersecurity, and global geopolitical dynamics.

2. Event: December 31, 1600 - Queen Elizabeth I grants a royal charter to the British East India Company authorizing it to trade in the East Indies. 

Lasting Significance: This event marked the beginning of British commercial and eventually colonial interests in Asia. The company's establishment led to significant economic and political influence in the region, laying the groundwork for the British Empire in India. Its legacy continues to resonate today, influencing modern trade practices and international relations.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• December 31, 1937 - Anthony Hopkins is born in Margam, UK. Hopkins is an acclaimed Welsh actor known for his versatile performances, including his iconic role as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

• December 31, 1941- Sir Alex Ferguson is born in Glasgow, Scotland. Alex Ferguson is a legendary Scottish football player and manager, best known for his record-breaking tenure at Manchester United, where he won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.

• December 31, 1924 - Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini orders the shutdown of opposition newspapers.

Science & Discovery

Brought to you by TopRanked, the Affiliate Marketing Directory.

• December 31, 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) was first alerted to cases of "viral pneumonia" in Wuhan, China, later identified as COVID-19, which became a global pandemic the next year.

• December 31, 2004 - Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest building at 1,667 feet (508 meters), opened in Taipei, Taiwan.

• December 31, 1744 - Earth's Wobble Discovery. English astronomer James Bradley announces his discovery of Earth’s wobble, known as nutation.

• December 31, 1911 - Marie Curie is awarded her second Nobel Prize, in Chemistry, for her pioneering work on radioactivity.

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• December 31, 1695 - England imposes a window tax, prompting many shopkeepers to brick up their windows to evade it.

• December 31, 1930 - US tobacco industry produced 123 billion cigarettes in 1930.

• December 31, 1955 - General Motors becomes the first U.S. company to earn over $1 billion in a single year.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• December 31, 1988. The Chicago Bears defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the infamous Fog Bowl.

• December 31, 1952 - Danny Nardico defeats former middleweight champion Jake LaMotta in seven rounds in Coral Gables, Florida, delivering the only knockdown of LaMotta's career.

• December 31, 1967 - Evel Knievel’s attempt to jump the Caesar's Palace Fountain in Las Vegas ends in failure, leaving him with a broken pelvis, femur, wrist, hip, and both ankles.

In the Arts Today

• December 31, 1985 - Former teen idol Rick Nelson dies in a plane crash in De Kalb, Texas.

• December 31, 1869 - Henri Matisse, widely considered the most influential French painter of the 20th century, was born.

• December 31, 1907 - Gustav Mahler conducts the Metropolitan Opera, in New York City.

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The Rest of the Story

• December 31, 1984 - Bernhard Goetz, the white man who shot four Black men on a New York City subway, surrenders at a police station in Concord, New Hampshire.

• December 31, 1564- Freedom of Religious Conscience. William I of Orange calls for freedom of religious conscience for his subjects in a powerful speech to the Council of State.

• December 31, 1783 - Import of African slaves banned by all of the Northern US states.

• December 31, 1907 - For 1st time, a ball drops at Times Square to signal the New Year.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.