December 4 in History
December 4 is the birthday of Jackson Holliday (2003) and the anniversary of the death of Princess Birgitta of Sweden (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for December 4, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Persius, Roman poet was born in AD 34, while John of Damascus, Syrian priest and saint died in 749.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.
Famous people born on December 4
Famous people who died on December 4
2024
Killing of Brian Thompson (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
2024 killing of health insurance executive in New York City
2016
Patricia Robins (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
British author of short stories and novels (1921-2016)
2012
Jack Brooks (American politician) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American politician (1922–2012)
2006
K. Ganeshalingam (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
K. Ganeshalingam, Sri Lankan accountant and politician, Mayor of Colombo (born 1938)
2006
Ross A. McGinnis (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient (1987–2006)
What happened on December 4
- 2025
Yasser Abu Shabab is assassinated near Rafah, Gaza Strip.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2024
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is shot and killed in Manhattan, New York City near the entrance of the New York Hilton Midtown.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2021
Semeru on the Indonesian island of Java erupts, killing at least 68 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2017
The Thomas Fire starts near Santa Paula in California. It eventually became the largest wildfire in modern California history to date after burning 1,140 square kilometers (440 sq mi) in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
A firebomb is thrown into a restaurant in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, killing 17 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2014
Islamic insurgents kill three state police at a traffic circle before taking an empty school and a "press house" in Grozny. Ten state forces die with 28 injured in gun battles ending with ten insurgents killed.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
Six black youths assault a white teenager in Jena, Louisiana.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong protest for democracy and call on the government to allow universal and equal suffrage.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
The Unity Module, the second module of the International Space Station, is launched.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
Journalists Fernando Balderas Sánchez and Yolanda Figueroa and their three children are murdered in a case that initially prompted speculation about links to organized crime, corruption, or their journalistic work.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
Somali Civil War: President George H. W. Bush orders 28,000 U.S. troops to Somalia in Northeast Africa.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Terry A. Anderson is released after seven years in captivity as a hostage in Beirut; he is the last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Pan American World Airways ceases its operations after 64 years.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
The MV Amazon Venture oil tanker begins leaking oil while at the port of Savannah in the United States, resulting in an oil spill of approximately 500,000 US gallons (1,900,000 L).
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers kill 107–150 civilians in Mannar.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on December 4
- AD 34 — Persius, Roman poet (died 62)
- 846 — Hasan al-Askari 11th Imam of Twelver Shia Islam (died 874)
- 1428 — Bernard VII, Lord of Lippe (died 1511)
Died on December 4
- 749 — John of Damascus, Syrian priest and saint (born 676)
- 771 — Carloman I, Frankish king (born 751)
- 870 — Suairlech ind Eidnén mac Ciaráin, Irish bishop
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for December 4
Quick answers
Who was born on December 4? Jackson Holliday (2003), Kim Do-ah (2003), Kim Do-yeon (singer) (1999).
Who died on December 4? Princess Birgitta of Sweden (2024), Killing of Brian Thompson (2024), Bob McGrath (2022).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in December? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the December 4 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.