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class="active">Dec<span>ember</span></a></li> </ul> <ul class="calendar-type-list calendar-type-list--header"> <li><a href="#" class="active">All</a></li> <li><a href="/events/date/2008/december">Events</a></li> <li><a href="/deaths/date/2008/december">Deaths</a></li> <li><a href="/weddings/date/2008/december">Weddings</a></li> </ul> </div></div> <article class="section no-padding-top no-padding-bottom"> <div class="wrapper"><header class="section__heading"><h2>Historical Events</h2></header> <ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/1" class="date">Dec 1</a> The US economy has been in recession since December 2007, the National Bureau of Economic Research announces today</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-w"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-whole five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/sport/soccer/ballon-dor" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/sport-award.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Ballon d'Or</span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/2" class="date">Dec 2</a> Ballon d'Or: Manchester United's Portuguese forward <a href="/people/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> wins his first award as best football player in the world; Barcelona forward <a href="/people/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> 2nd, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres 3rd</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-whole seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/cristiano-ronaldo"><figure><img src="/images/people/cristiano-ronaldo.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/cristiano-ronaldo.jpg?w=360 2x" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>Football Star <span class="blue">Cristiano Ronaldo</span></figcaption></figure></a> <a href="/people/lionel-messi"><figure><img src="/images/people/lionel-messi.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/lionel-messi.jpg?w=360 2x" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>Football Star <span class="blue">Lionel Messi</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="sponsor--center"></div><div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><b>Dec 2</b> Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns after the 2008 Thailand political crisis</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/criminal.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">O. J. Simpson Sentenced</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/5" class="date">Dec 5</a> Former NFL star <a href="/people/oj-simpson">O.J. Simpson</a> is sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/oj-simpson"><figure><img src="/images/people/o-j-simpson.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/o-j-simpson.jpg?w=360 2x" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>NFL Running Back and Convicted Criminal <span class="blue">O.J. Simpson</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <span class="grid__sep-dark"></span> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/flags/russia.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Nicholas II Remains Identified</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/5" class="date">Dec 5</a> Human remains previously found in 1991 are finally identified by Russian and American scientists as those of Tsar <a href="/people/nicholas-ii-aleksandrovitch">Nicholas II</a></p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/nicholas-ii-aleksandrovitch"><figure><img src="/images/people/nicolas-ii-aleksandrovitch.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/nicolas-ii-aleksandrovitch.jpg?w=360 2x" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>Tsar of Russia <span class="blue">Nicholas II</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/6" class="date">Dec 6</a> 13th Big 12 Championship Game: #4 Oklahoma beats #19 Missouri, 62-21</li> <li class="event"><b>Dec 6</b> 17th SEC Championship Game: #2 Florida beats #1 Alabama, 31-20</li> <li class="event"><b>Dec 6</b> 4th ACC Championship Game: Virginia Tech beats #18 Boston College, 30-12</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/model.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Bettie Page Hospitalized</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/6" class="date">Dec 6</a> American pin-up model <a href="/people/bettie-page">Bettie Page</a> (85) is hospitalized in critical condition after suffering a heart attack</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/bettie-page"><figure><img src="/images/people/bettie-page.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/bettie-page.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>Queen of Pinups <span class="blue">Bettie Page</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/8" class="date">Dec 8</a> Kirsty Williams elected as Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The first female leader of a political party in Wales.</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/flags/united-states-3.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Blagojevich Arrested</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/9" class="date">Dec 9</a> Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is arrested by federal officials for a number of alleged crimes, including attempting to sell the United States Senate seat being vacated by President-elect <a href="/people/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a></p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/barack-obama"><figure><img src="/images/people/barack-obama.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/barack-obama.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>44th US President <span class="blue">Barack Obama</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <span class="grid__sep-dark"></span> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/person-of-interest.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Bernie Madoff Arrested</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/11" class="date">Dec 11</a> <a href="/people/bernie-madoff">Bernie Madoff</a> arrested and charged with securities fraud in $50 billion Ponzi scheme</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/bernie-madoff"><figure><img src="/images/people/bernie-madoff.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/bernie-madoff.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>Financier and Fraudster <span class="blue">Bernie Madoff</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/12" class="date">Dec 12</a> Andrei Klepach, Deputy Economic Minister of Russia, states that Russia has entered a recession, with two quarters of contraction expected, meaning Russia will fall short of reaching the 6.8% growth forecast for 2008</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/flags/united-states-3.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Bush Gets Shoes Thrown at Him</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/14" class="date">Dec 14</a> President <a href="/people/george-w-bush">George W. Bush</a> make his fourth and final trip to Iraq as president and is almost struck by two shoes thrown at him by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi during a farewell conference in Baghdad</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/george-w-bush"><figure><img src="/images/people/george-walker-bush-jr.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/george-walker-bush-jr.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>43rd US President <span class="blue">George W. Bush</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/15" class="date">Dec 15</a> 74th Heisman Trophy Award: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (QB)</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-w"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-whole five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/flags/republican-party.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Lieberman Endorses McCain</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/17" class="date">Dec 17</a> <a href="/people/joe-lieberman">Joe Lieberman</a> endorses Republican Senator <a href="/people/john-mccain">John McCain</a> for president</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-whole seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/joe-lieberman"><figure><img src="/images/people/joe-lieberman.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/joe-lieberman.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>US Senator <span class="blue">Joe Lieberman</span></figcaption></figure></a> <a href="/people/john-mccain"><figure><img src="/images/people/john-mccain.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/john-mccain.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>US Senator <span class="blue">John McCain</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <span class="grid__sep-dark"></span> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/business-person.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Kochhar Successes Kamat at ICICI</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/19" class="date">Dec 19</a> <a href="/people/chanda-kochhar">Chanda Kochhar</a> is named as the successor of K. V. Kamath to the post of CEO and Managing Director of ICICI Bank</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/chanda-kochhar"><figure><img src="/images/people/chanda-kochhar.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/chanda-kochhar.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>Businesswoman and CEO of ICICI Bank <span class="blue">Chanda Kochhar</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <span class="grid__sep-dark"></span> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/sports-team-coach.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Sixth Coach to Win 1,000</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/25" class="date">Dec 25</a> <a href="/people/phil-jackson">Phil Jackson</a> becomes the sixth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games as his LA Lakers beat Boston Celtics, 92-83 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/phil-jackson"><figure><img src="/images/people/phil-jackson.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/phil-jackson.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>NBA Coach <span class="blue">Phil Jackson</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/27" class="date">Dec 27</a> Israel launches Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, beginning with an airstrike that hits 100 targets in 220 seconds killing around 250 people</li> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/28" class="date">Dec 28</a> Detroit Lions crash to a 31-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the first team in NFL history to go winless in a 16-game season</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/sports-team-coach.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Broncos Fire Shanahan</span></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/30" class="date">Dec 30</a> NFL head coach <a href="/people/mike-shanahan">Mike Shanahan</a> is fired by the Denver Broncos</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/mike-shanahan"><figure><img src="/images/people/mike-shanahan.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/mike-shanahan.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt=""> <figcaption>NFL Head Coach <span class="blue">Mike Shanahan</span></figcaption></figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <br><div class="wrapper"><span class="text-center" style="margin-top:10px"><a href="/events/date/2008" class="button button--center">Events in 2008</a> </span></div> <div class="sponsor--center"></div><div class="wrapper"><header class="section__heading"><h2>Famous Weddings</h2></header> <ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/6" class="date">Dec 6</a> "Lonestar" bass guitarist John Rich (34) weds former model Joan Bush in Nashville</li> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/12" class="date">Dec 12</a> Fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger (57) weds former model Dee Ocleppo (42) in Greenwich, Connecticut</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/craig-ferguson" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/heart.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Craig Ferguson</span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/21" class="date">Dec 21</a> Scottish-American comic and talk show host <a href="/people/craig-ferguson">Craig Ferguson</a> (46) weds American art dealer Megan Wallace Cunningham (26) at her family's home in Chester, Vermont</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/craig-ferguson"><figure><img src="/images/people/craig-ferguson.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/craig-ferguson.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Craig Ferguson"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <span class="grid__sep-dark"></span> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/woody-harrelson" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/heart.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Woody Harrelson</span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/28" class="date">Dec 28</a> American "Cheers" actor <a href="/people/woody-harrelson">Woody Harrelson</a> (47) weds second wife, longtime girlfriend Laura Louie (43) in Maui Island, Hawaii</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/woody-harrelson"><figure><img src="/images/people/woody-harrelson.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/woody-harrelson.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Woody Harrelson"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/31" class="date">Dec 31</a> Former American Idol finalist Gina Glocksen (24) weds teacher Joe Ruzicka (32) at the Century Memorial Chapel at Naperville Settlement in Naperville, Illinois</li> </ul> </div> <div class="wrapper"><header class="section__heading"><h2>Famous Divorces</h2></header> <ul class="event-list"> <li class="event"><a href="/date/2008/december/1" class="date">Dec 1</a> "CSI" actress Marg Helgenberger (50) divorces actor Alan Rosenberg (58) due to irreconcilable differences after 19 years of marriage</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/madonna" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/broken-heart.svg" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Madonna</span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/15" class="date">Dec 15</a> Pop singer <a href="/people/madonna">Madonna</a> (50) divorces film director Guy Ritchie (40) due to unreasonable behavior after almost 8 years of marriage</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/madonna"><figure><img src="/images/people/madonna.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/madonna.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Madonna"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <br><div class="wrapper"><header class="section__heading"><h2>Famous Deaths</h2></header> <ul class="event-list"> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/1" class="deathDate">Dec 1</a> Joseph B. Wirthlin, American businessmen, religious leader, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), dies at 91</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 1</b> Mikel Laboa, Basque singer and songwriter (b. 1934)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 1</b> Paul Benedict, American actor (Harry-Jeffersons), dies at 70</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/2" class="deathDate">Dec 2</a> (Edward) "Ted" Rogers, Canadian entrepreneur (Rogers Communications), MLB team owner (Toronto Blue Jays), and philanthropist, dies of congestive heart failure at 75</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 2</b> Kathleen Baskin-Ball, American United Methodist Pastor</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 2</b> Odetta [Odetta Holmes], American folk singer (Sanctuary), actress and civil rights activist, dies of heart disease at 77</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 2</b> Renato de Grandis, Italian composer, dies at 81</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/3" class="deathDate">Dec 3</a> Robert Zajonc, Polish-American social psychologist (b. 1923)</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/4" class="deathDate">Dec 4</a> Forrest J. Ackerman, American literary agent and writer who invented the term "sci-fi (Famous Monsters of Filmland), dies at 92</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 4</b> Fritz Behrendt, German-Dutch political cartoonist (Het Parool; De Telegraaf; New York Herald Tribune), dies at 83</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/5" class="deathDate">Dec 5</a> Anca Parghel, Romanian jazz singer, pianist, choral director, and composer, dies of breast cancer at 51</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 5</b> Basil Kelly, Irish barrister, politician and judge (Lord Chief Justice), dies at 88</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 5</b> Beverly Garland [Fessenden], American actress (My Three Sons, Scarecrow and Mrs. King), dies at 82</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 5</b> Constantin Ticu Dumitrescu, Romanian politician and president of the Association of Romanian Former Political Prisoners. (b. 1928)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 5</b> Nina Foch, Dutch-American actress (The Ten Commandments, Spartacus, An American in Paris), dies from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome at 84</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 5</b> Patriarch Alexy II of Russia, head of the Russian Orthodox Church (b. 1929)</li> </ul><span class="list-clearfix"></span></div><div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li><div class="sponsor--center"></div></li><li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/7" class="deathDate">Dec 7</a> Dennis Yost, American vocalist, dies at 65</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 7</b> Marky Cielo, Filipino and Igorot dancer and actor (b. 1988)</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/8" class="deathDate">Dec 8</a> Oliver Postgate, English animator, puppeteer and writer, dies at 83</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 8</b> Robert Prosky, Polish-American actor and comedian (Christine, Thief), dies at 77</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/9" class="deathDate">Dec 9</a> Ibrahim Dossey, Ghanaian football player (b. 1972)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 9</b> Yury Glazkov, Soviet Air Force officer and cosmonaut (Soyuz 24), dies at 69</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/10" class="deathDate">Dec 10</a> Didith Reyes [Maria Avenila], Filipino pop singer, dies of a heart attack at 59</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 10</b> Dorothy Porter, Australian poet (The Monkey's Mask), librettist, (The Eternity Man), and lyricist (The Fiery Maze), dies of breast cancer at 54</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 10</b> Henning Christiansen, Danish experimental composer, dies at 76</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/bettie-page" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/model.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Bettie Page <span class="poi__date">(1923-2008)</span></span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/11" class="deathDate">Dec 11</a> American pinup model considered the 'Queen of <a href="/people/supermodels">Pinups</a>' and the 'Dark Angel', dies at 85</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/bettie-page"><figure><img src="/images/people/bettie-page.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/bettie-page.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Bettie Page"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/11" class="deathDate">Dec 11</a> Maddie Blaustein, American voice actress (b. 1960)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 11</b> Patricia Hutchinson, British diplomat (Ambassador to Uruguay, 1980-83), dies at 82</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 11</b> Ron Carey, American labor leader (International Brotherhood of Teamsters), dies of lung cancer at 72</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/12" class="deathDate">Dec 12</a> (Charles) Van Johnson, American actor (in A Guy Named Joe; Brigadoon) always wore red socks, dies at 92</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 12</b> Avery Dulles, American clergyman, Roman Catholic cardinal, theologian, and educator, dies at 90</li> <li><div class="sponsor--center"></div></li><li class="person"><b>Dec 12</b> Daniel Carleton Gajdusek, American virologist, (1976 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on transmissibility of kuru), dies at 85 <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1976/gajdusek/biographical/" title="D. Carleton Gajdusek Biographical - Nobel Prize" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="ref">[1]</a></li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 12</b> Tassos Papadopoulos, Cypriot lawyer and politician (President, 2003-08), dies at cancer at 74</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/13" class="deathDate">Dec 13</a> Horst Tappert, German director, actor and former SS member (Derrick), dies of diabetes at 85</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 13</b> John Drake, New Zealand rugby union footballer (b. 1959)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 13</b> Kathy Staff [Minnie Higginbottom], British actress (Mary Reilly, Last of the Summer Wine, Open All Hours), dies from a brain tumour at 80</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/14" class="deathDate">Dec 14</a> Ramon Barce, Spanish composer, dies at 80</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/15" class="deathDate">Dec 15</a> Geraldine McCullough, American painter and sculptor (Phoenix), dies at 91</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 15</b> Le贸n Febres Cordero, Ecuadorian politician (President of Ecuador 1984-88), dies at 77</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/17" class="deathDate">Dec 17</a> Dave Smith, American baseball player (b. 1955)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 17</b> Freddy Breck [Gerhard Breker], German schlager singer-songwriter ("脺berall auf der Welt"; "Bianca"), and news anchor, dies of cancer at 66</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 17</b> Freddy Breck, German schlager singer, composer, record producer and news anchor, dies of cancer at 66</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/sammy-baugh" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/american-football.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Sammy Baugh <span class="poi__date">(1914-2008)</span></span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/17" class="deathDate">Dec 17</a> American College/Pro Football quarterback (TCU; NFL C'ship 1937, 42; 4 脳 First-team All-Pro; 6 脳 Pro Bowl; 4 脳 NFL passing yards leader; Washington Redskins), dies at 94</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/sammy-baugh"><figure><img src="/images/people/sammy-baugh.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/sammy-baugh.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Sammy Baugh"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/18" class="deathDate">Dec 18</a> Jack Douglas [John Douglas Robertson], English actor (Carry On films), dies at 81</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 18</b> Majel Barrett, American actress and producer (Star Trek), and the widow of Gene Roddenberry, dies at 76</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 18</b> Mark Felt, the infamous "Deep Throat", American FBI official and whistle blower during the Watergate Scandal dies aged 95</li> <li><div class="sponsor--center"></div></li><li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/19" class="deathDate">Dec 19</a> Carol Chomsky, American linguist and education specialist (b. 1930)</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 19</b> Dock Ellis, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star, World Series 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates; pitched no-hitter 1971), dies of liver issues at 63</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/james-bevel" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/civil-rights-activist.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">James Bevel <span class="poi__date">(1936-2008)</span></span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/19" class="deathDate">Dec 19</a> American <a href="/people/civil-rights-activists">civil rights activist</a> (Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Direct Action), dies of <a href="/people/cause-of-death/cancer">cancer</a> at 72</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/james-bevel"><figure><img src="/images/people/james-bevel.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/james-bevel.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="James Bevel"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="person"><b>Dec 19</b> Kenny Cox, American jazz pianist dies of lung cancer at 68</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/20" class="deathDate">Dec 20</a> Dorothy Sarnoff, American operatic soprano, Broadway actress (Rosalinda), author and pioneer of the self-help movement (Speech Can Change Your Life, Speech Dynamics), dies at 94</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/22" class="deathDate">Dec 22</a> Lansana Cont茅, Guinean politician, dies at 74</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/23" class="deathDate">Dec 23</a> Eric Charles Twelves Wilson, English British Army officer (awarded Victoria Cross), dies at 96</li> </ul></div> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/harold-pinter" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/playwright.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Harold Pinter <span class="poi__date">(1930-2008)</span></span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/24" class="deathDate">Dec 24</a> British <a href="/people/playwrights">playwright</a> and screenwriter (The Birthday Party, The Homecoming), dies at 78</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/harold-pinter"><figure><img src="/images/people/harold-pinter.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/harold-pinter.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Harold Pinter"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <span class="grid__sep-dark"></span> <div class="section section--highlight section--poi section--poi-b"><div class="wrapper"><div class="grid"><div class="grid__item one-half--768 five-twelfths--1024"> <header><h3 class="poi__heading"><a href="/people/samuel-p-huntington" class="section__link"><img class="section--icon" src="/images/book-release.svg" loading="lazy" width="69" height="69" alt=""><span class="poi__heading-txt">Samuel P. Huntington <span class="poi__date">(1927-2008)</span></span></a></h3></header> <p><a href="/date/2008/december/24" class="deathDate">Dec 24</a> American political scientist (The Clash of Civilizations) and presidential adviser, dies at 81</p></div> <div class="grid__item one-half--768 seven-twelfths--1024"><div class="poi__list"> <a href="/people/samuel-p-huntington"><figure><img src="/images/people/samuel-p-huntington.jpg?w=200" srcset="/images/people/samuel-p-huntington.jpg?w=360 2x" loading="lazy" width="200" height="250" alt="Samuel P. Huntington"> </figure></a> </div></div></div></div></div> <div class="wrapper"><ul class="event-list"> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/25" class="deathDate">Dec 25</a> Eartha Kitt, American singer (Santa Baby), dancer, comedian, actress and activist (Catwoman-Batman), dies at 81</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/26" class="deathDate">Dec 26</a> G枚sta Krantz, Swedish actor (b. 1925)</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/27" class="deathDate">Dec 27</a> Delaney Bramlett, American rocker (Shindogs; Delaney & Bonnie), dies at 69</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/29" class="deathDate">Dec 29</a> (Cornelis) "Kees" van Dijk, Dutch civil servant and politician (Member of Senate, 1991-99; Minister of the Interior, 1986-89), dies at 77</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 29</b> Daniel Nagrin, American modern dancer and choreographer, dies at 91</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 29</b> Freddie Hubbard, American jazz trumpet player (b. 1938)</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/30" class="deathDate">Dec 30</a> Derek Wadsworth, British jazz composer and arranger, dies at 69</li> <li class="person"><b>Dec 30</b> Dick Green, Canadian actor</li> <li class="person"><a href="/date/2008/december/31" class="deathDate">Dec 31</a> Donald E. Westlake, American author (The Hunter), dies at 75</li> </ul> </div> <div class="wrapper"><div class="section no-padding-top no-padding-bottom"> <div class="sponsor--footer"></div></div> <br></div><div class="pagination"><div class="wrapper"><ul class="pagination__list"> <li class="pagination__item"><a href="/date/2008/november" class="pagination__link pagination__link--left">Nov 2008</a></li> <li class="pagination__item pagination__item--title"><b><a href="/dates-by-year.php" class="pagination__link">History by Year</a></b></li> <li class="pagination__item"><a href="/date/2009/january" class="pagination__link pagination__link--right">Jan 2009</a></li> </ul></div></div> <br><div class="section no-padding-top no-padding-bottom"><div class="wrapper"> <header class="section__heading"><a href="/date/2008" class="section__link"><h2>What Happened in 2008</h2></a></header> <ul class="article-list"><li class="article-list__item"><a href="/photos/spring-temple-buddha"><img 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