Historical Events
- Dec 4 Manila paper (made from sails, canvas and rope) patented in Massachusetts
Music History
Dec 4 Robert Schumann's "Das Paradies und die Peri" premieres in Leipzig
A Christmas Carol
Dec 19 "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is published, 6,000 copies sold
- Dec 25 1st theatre matinee (Olympic Theatre, NYC)
Famous Birthdays
- Dec 6 Albert de Vriendt, Flemish historical painter and etcher, born in Ghent, belgium (d. 1900)
Robert Koch (1843-1910)
Dec 11 German pioneering bacteriologist (TB, cholera, Nobel Prize 1905), born in Clausthal, Hanover
- Dec 13 George Stephănescu, Romanian composer, born in Bucharest, Romania (d. 1925)
- Dec 21 Thomas Bracken, Irish-born New Zealand poet, born in Clones, County Monaghan (d. 1898)
- Dec 23 Richard Conner, American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient (d. 1924)
- Dec 24 Lydia Koidula, Estonian poet, born in Vändra, Estonia (d. 1886)
- Dec 29 Elisabeth of Wied [pseudonym Carmen Sylva], Queen consort of Romania and poet, born in Neuwied, Germany (d. 1916)
Famous Weddings
Mary Baker Eddy
Dec 10 Author and religious leader Mary Baker Eddy (22) weds building contractor George Washington Glover (32) in Tilton, New Hampshire
David Farragut
Dec 26 US Navy flag officer David Farragut (42) weds Virginia Loyall