1282-Llywelyn ab Gruffydd the last native and independent Prince of Wales is killed at the Battle of Orewin Bridge at Cilmeri, near Builth Wells, south Wales by forces of Edward I of England. Reigned from 1259 and is known as Llywelyn the Last.
1620-Mayflower Pilgrims come ashore in Plymouth Bay, traditionally thought to be at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts [NS: Dec 21]
1792-French King Louis XVI goes on trial, accused of high treason and crimes against the state
1913-"Mona Lisa" is recovered two years after it was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris
1931-Statute of Westminster gives complete legislative independence to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland (Free State), and Newfoundland (not then part of Canada)
1946-United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established by resolution 57 of the U.N. General Assembly
1997-Delegates from 150 industrial nations attending a U.N. climate conference in Kyoto, Japan, reach agreement to control heat-trapping greenhouse gases