Politics
All Politics →DEC 31 · 1999
December 31 in history — On This Day
1999
Panama Takes Full Control of the Canal
Panama assumed full control of the Panama Canal on December 31, 1999, under the treaty arrangements negotiated in 1977.
Read the story →Also on December 31
This Week in History
Made with AI
AI History Recreations
Short videos that recreate moments from the past. They are illustrations, not archival footage.
All videos →War & Conflict
All War →DEC 29 · 1890
The Wounded Knee Massacre
Space
All Space →DEC 30 · 2000
Cassini Flies Past Jupiter
Technology
All Technology →DEC 31 · 1968
The Tu-144 Makes Its First Flight
History
View all →Crime & Justice
View all →Science
View all →Medicine & Health
View all →Nature & Disasters
View all →Exploration
View all →Sport
View all →Art & Literature
View all →Music
View all →Film & TV
View all →The Story Behind the Photo
Chicago After the Fire: From Burned Blocks to a New Skyline
A photograph taken after the 1871 fire can make Chicago look as though its future had been decided by a wall of flame. A view from around 1905 tells a different story: tall offices, busy transport routes and commercial streets crowded again.
Explore the frame →Collections
Explore by Topic
My Birthday in History
See what happened on your date.
Watch in 30 Seconds
Big moments, short videos.
Browse videos →