December 31: Fun Facts about Today in History

(December 31, 1857)
On this day in 1857, Queen Victoria proclaimed Ottawa as the capital of Canada, which is located in Ontario at the junction of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Rideau rivers and was first recorded by Samuel de Champlain in 1613. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 31, 1999)
The United States gives Panama sovereignty of the Panama Canal (as well as all nearby area known as the Panama Canal Zone).The Torrijos–Carter Treaties were signed in 1977, and this measure complied with them. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 31, 2004)
Taipei 101, the world's highest skyscraper at the time (509 metres), was officially opened on this day (1,670 ft). photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 31, 2018)
Kader Khan was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, on December 11, 1937. He was an actor and writer who appeared in films such as Taqdeerwala (1995), Naseeb (1981), and Angaar (2001). (1992). On December 31, 2018, he passed away in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 31, 2019)
Wuhan, China, was where the World Health Organization first became aware of "viral pneumonia" cases. COVID-19, the virus that caused the disease, went on to cause a worldwide pandemic the following year. photo source: wikimedia.org