Britannica On This Day December 28 2023 *Westminster Abbey opened, Woodrow Wilson is featured, and more *

This Day in History: December 28

Featured Event

1065





Westminster Abbey opened
The original Westminster Abbey, located in London, was consecrated and opened this day in 1065 by Edward the Confessor and became the site of coronations and other ceremonies of national significance in England

More Events On This Day

American actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died, a day after the sudden and unexpected death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, who was a noted actress and writer.Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about A-list actors
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images
2008

The Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to lose all 16 games in the regular season.Test your knowledge of American football
:copyright: BananaStock/Jupiterimages
1973

U.S. President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act, which obligates federal and state governments to protect all species threatened with extinction that fall within the borders of the United States and its outlying territories.Test your knowledge of animals
:copyright: Mike Criss
1954

American actor Denzel Washington—noted for his engaging and powerful performances in such films as Glory (1989), Malcolm X (1992), and Training Day (2001)—was born.Take our quiz about actors and acting
:copyright: 2001 Warner Brothers, Inc. All rights reserved.
1934

Spanish sculptor Pablo Gargallo, known for his figures sculpted from iron and other metals, died.Test your knowledge of sculptors and sculpture
Francis Raher (CC BY 2.0)
1923

Gustave Eiffel, designer of the famous Eiffel Tower, died at age 91.How much do you know about Paris?
Courtesy of the Caisse Nationale des Monuments Historiques, Paris
1918

While imprisoned for participating in a plot to gain Irish independence, Constance Markievicz became the first woman elected to the House of Commons; however, she refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the king and, thus, did not take her seat.Take our quiz about famous female firsts
1895

The first public demonstration of the Cinématographe, an early motion-picture apparatus designed by the Lumière brothers, took place at the Grand Café in Paris.Test your knowledge of movies
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1832

Following his election to the Senate, John C. Calhoun became the first U.S. vice president to resign; at that time the Constitution did not have procedures for filling such a vacancy, and the post remained empty until Martin Van Buren was sworn in the following year.How much do you know about the history of American politics?
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
1734

The outlaw Rob Roy, known as the Scottish Robin Hood, died.Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about famous Europeans
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1694

Mary II, who became queen of England in 1689, died of smallpox in London at age 32.Test your knowledge of British culture and politics
Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London

Featured Biography

Woodrow Wilson
president of United States

BornDecember 28, 1856
Staunton, Virginia
(Birthday tomorrow)
DiedFebruary 3, 1924 (aged 67)
Washington, D.C., United States


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John Legend
American musician

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Denzel Washington
American actor

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Maggie Smith
British actress

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Stan Lee
American comic book writer

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John von Neumann
American mathematician

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