Historical Events
- 39th Sugar Bowl: #2 Oklahoma beats #5 Penn State, 14-0
- AFC Championship, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh: Miami Dolphins beat Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-7
Australian Open Women's Tennis
Australian Open Women's Tennis: Margaret Court beats Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6-4, 7-5 for her record 11th and final Australian singles crown
- Leap second day; also in 1973-79, 1987
Event of Interest
Martin McGuinness is arrested and held under the new Republic of Ireland legislation
- NFC Championship, RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.: Washington Redskins beat Dallas Cowboys 26-3
Famous Birthdays
- Cole Ford, American football placekicker (Oakland Raiders), born in Tucson, Arizona
- Joey McIntyre, American singer-songwriter (New Kids On The Block - "Lovin' You Forever"), born in Needham, Massachusetts
- Kelvin Kinney, American football defensive end (Washington Redskins), born in Montgomery, West Virginia
Famous Deaths
Roberto Clemente (1934-1972)
Puerto Rican Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (15 x MLB All Star; World Series 1960, 71 [MVP]; Pittsburgh Pirates), dies in a plane crash at 38
About December 31, 1972
Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 50 years and 3 months
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Capricorn
Music Charts
#1 Song: You're So Vain - Carly Simon
#1 Song: Long Haired Lover From Liverpool - Little Jimmy Osmond
