- Dec 17 Anaheim Township created in Los Angeles County
- Dec 20 South Carolina declared an "independent commonwealth" and secedes from the Union (US Civil War)
- Dec 24 Actor Joseph Jefferson's dramatization of "Rip Van Winkle" premieres in NYC
Historic Event
Dec 26 Maiden voyage of 1st steamship owned by 1 man (Cornelius Vanderbilt)
Historic Event
Dec 28 Harriet Tubman arrives in Auburn, New York, on her last mission to free slaves, having evaded capture for 8 years on the Underground Railroad
- Dec 29 The first British seagoing iron-clad warship, HMS Warrior is launched