BBC ON THIS DAY

Deposed Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu

1989: Romania's 'first couple' executed

Deposed Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena are shot after being found guilty of crimes against the state.

1974: Cyclone Tracy leaves Darwin devastated
The Australian city of Darwin is wrecked by a powerful cyclone that leaves thousands of people homeless.

1991: Gorbachev resigns as Soviet Union breaks up
Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union for almost seven years, steps down from office.

The Queen addresses the nation in her first Christmas broadcast

1952: Queen makes first Christmas speech
British and Commonwealth listeners hear the Queen's first Christmas broadcast since her accession to the throne.

1977: Silent film legend Chaplin dies
Charlie Chaplin, the comic genius of silent films, dies at his home in Switzerland at the age of 88.

2003: Mars space probe disappears
Scientists fail to make contact with British-built Mars probe Beagle 2, which should have landed on the Red Planet earlier today.

Around this Day

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24 December

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26 December

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