The month of December has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in December 1925.
• The Farmer-Labour Party is dissolved just two hours after its formation in Japan on December 1. The dissolution was ordered by the Japanese government, which accused the party of harboring a secret communist agenda.
• The border delineating Northern Ireland and Ireland is established on December 3 when representatives of both countries sign the Northern Irish Border Agreement.
• The George Gershwin composition “Concerto in F” is performed for the first time on December 3. The performance in New York’s Carnegie Hall is conducted by Walter Damrosch and features Gershwin on piano.
• A counterfeiting scheme is uncovered by the Banco de Portugal on December 4. An alert bank teller tips off the bank, which ultimately discovers that wealthy entrepreneur Arthur Virgílio Alves Reis is the mastermind behind the scheme. Reis was eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• The Pottsville Maroons defeat the Chicago Cardinals in front of 6,000 fans on December 6 in a game the press depicted as the championship of the National Football League.
• Russian Orthodox bishop Peter of Krutitsy is arrested on December 9. Peter is charged with conspiring with Russian emigres in the west. Peter is ultimately executed by shooting on October 10, 1937.
• George Bernard Shaw is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature on December 10.
• Karam Chand and Kartari Chand tie the knot in India on December 11. The Chand’s marriage lasts 90 years and 291 days, and is the longest marriage recorded. Karam Chand passed away in 2016 and Kartari in 2019.
• Communist politician Benjamin Gitlow is pardoned by New York Governor Al Smith on December 11. Gitlow was convicted for publishing a manifesto calling for the overthrow of the U.S. government, which Governor Smith characterized as a “political crime” upon issuing his pardon.
• The Qaja dynasty, which had ruled Iran since 1789, comes to an end on December 12 when the country’s Parliament declares General Reza Khan Pahlavi Prime Minister and installs him as Shah of Iran.
• The Fascist government in Italy signs a secret pact with Britain on December 14. The pact is designed to reinforce Italian dominance in Ethiopia.
• The national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega is founded at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania on December 16.
• U.S. Army Colonel Billy Mitchell is convicted on eight charges of insubordination on December 17. Mitchell was critical of military leaders for investing in battleships and had argued for greater investment in airbased defenses.
• Reichstag President Paul Löbe speaks out in favor of partial prohibition in Germany on December 19.
• George Edwin Taylor passes away on December 23 at the age of 68. Taylor was the first African American presidential candidate, running for the highest office in the United States as nominee of the National Negro Liberty Party in 1904.
• Law No. 2263 is passed by the Italian parliament on December 24. The law states that the decisions of Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and his government were not subject to legislative review and could only be overruled by order of King Victor Emmanuel III.
• A Christmas story published in the London newspaper The Evening News on December 24 identifies a children’s character as “Winnie-the-Pooh” for the first time. The character had previously been referred to as “Edward” in a poem published in Punch magazine in 1924.
• The Turkish government passes a law identifying the Gregorian calendar as the official calendar for all government affairs on December 26. The use of the Islamic calendar in government affairs also is banned.
• The Japan Sumo Association is founded on December 28.
• The first attempt at a global New Year’s celebration is made via international radio on December 31. Musical entertainment and greetings from various consuls general from an assortment of foreign countries are sent from New York.
