Looking back over the month of December

DECEMBER 1

1959 - The Antarctic Treaty is signed, ensuring the protection of the world's most remote and inhospitable continent.

DECEMBER 2

1804 - Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of France.

DECEMBER 3

1854 - The Battle of the Eureka Stockade is held near Ballarat, Victoria.

DECEMBER 5

1901 - American animator and film producer, Walt Disney, is born.

DECEMBER 7

1941 - Japanese fighters bomb the US navy base at Pearl Harbour, precipitating America's entry into WWII.

DECEMBER 8

1980 - Singer, songwriter and former member of The Beatles, John Lennon, is murdered.

DECEMBER 9

1968 - The computer mouse makes its public debut.

DECEMBER 10

1878 - Bushranger Ned Kelly robs the Euroa bank.

DECEMBER 12

1915 - American singer and actor Frank Sinatra is born.

DECEMBER 16

1631 - Mount Vesuvius erupts, destroying six villages and killing up to 4,000 people.

DECEMBER 17

1967 - Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt goes missing whilst swimming at Portsea, Victoria.

DECEMBER 18

1865 - Slavery is abolished in the United States of America.

DECEMBER 19

1843 - Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is published for the first time.

DECEMBER 20

1957 - The King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley, receives his draft notice.

DECEMBER 24

1818 - The Christmas carol Silent Night is sung for the first time.

DECEMBER 26

1945 - The first Sydney to Hobart yacht race is held.