December 1992 · day by day

What happened in December 1992?

The top front-page story of each day in December 1992, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.

Dec 1🌍 Climate Change Insights – Scientists challenge existing theories on ice ages with new findings from Nevada's Devils Hole, revealing ancient temperature records.
Dec 2🔭 Hubble Telescope Sees Galaxies – The Hubble Space Telescope captured images of over 300 galaxies, providing insights into galactic structure four billion light-years away.
Dec 3🔬 Cystic Fibrosis Drug Approval – Genentech completes final trials for Pulmozyme, a cystic fibrosis treatment, seeking FDA clearance by March.
Dec 4🔬 Gene Therapy Approved – Federal panel approves gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis, potentially leading to a cure for the hereditary disease.
Dec 5⚽ Virginia Soccer Dominates – Virginia showcased its strength, defeating Duke 3-0 in the NCAA semifinals, marking a historic moment in college soccer.
Dec 6📸 Yeltsin Survives Challenge – President Boris N. Yeltsin narrowly survived a serious challenge from hard-line opponents in Parliament seeking to curb his powers.
Dec 7🏛️ Mogadishu Port Opens – UN food deliveries began in Mogadishu as a 400-ton shipment of wheat and sorghum reached the capital's northern sector.
Dec 8🤖 Robot Explores Volcano – An eight-legged robot named Dante is set to explore the smoldering crater of an Antarctic volcano to reach a lava lake.
Dec 9🌍 Clinton's Economic Warning – President-elect Bill Clinton cautioned that economic recovery may be slow, urging Congress to prepare for necessary long-term changes.
Dec 10🌍 Hundreds Dead in Bolivia – A mudslide in a Bolivian gold-mining town has resulted in hundreds dead or missing, prompting government rescue efforts.
Dec 11🔬 Hemophilia Drug Approved – FDA approved Recombinate, the first genetically engineered drug for hemophilia A, marking a significant advancement in medical treatment.
Dec 12🎭 Ailey Tribute Performance – The Alvin Ailey American Dance Company presents "The Winter in Lisbon," a vibrant tribute to jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie.
Dec 13🏛️ Paris' Ceramic Facades – Paris begins to showcase a variety of ceramic facades, enriching its architectural landscape with over 100 unique designs across the city.
Dec 14🔬 Fast Tuberculosis Test – Researchers patented a method to diagnose tuberculosis quickly using a genetic fragment from the bacteria causing the illness.
Dec 15🌍 New Extinction Clues – Researchers find evidence linking a massive volcanic eruption to Earth's worst extinction event, wiping out 96% of species 250 million years ago.
Dec 16🌍 Russia's Political Shift – Viktor S. Chernomyrdin and Ruslan I. Khasbulatov rise to prominence amid Russia's political turmoil, shaping the new government.
Dec 17🔭 Planets Beyond Solar System – Hubble Space Telescope captures evidence of gas and dust disks around 15 stars, suggesting planets may be common beyond our solar system.
Dec 18🌏 Yeltsin Visits China – President Boris N. Yeltsin of Russia arrived in China for a three-day visit to strengthen economic ties post-Soviet Union.
Dec 19🕊️ Yeltsin Signs Nuclear Treaty – President Boris N. Yeltsin announced readiness to sign a major nuclear-arms treaty with the U.S., surprising American officials.
Dec 20🏛️ New Israeli Park Opens – Excavations at Sepphoris, Israel, the Roman capital of Galilee, have been opened to the public as part of a new national park.
Dec 21🌍 World's Largest Organism – A new candidate from Utah is nominated as the world's largest organism, surpassing a giant fungus in Michigan.
Dec 22🌸 Orchid Mating Insights – Researchers explore the complex mating process of orchids, revealing their dependence on pollinators for reproduction.
Dec 23📡 New Jersey Fiber Optics – New Jersey Bell receives approval for a $1.5 billion plan to replace its network with fiber optics by 2010, aiming for statewide coverage.
Dec 24🌍 Yeltsin Approves Cabinet – President Boris N. Yeltsin approved a new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Viktor S. Chernomyrdin, largely mirroring the previous government.
Dec 25⚽ Brad Friedel Signed – Goalkeeper Brad Friedel joins Nottingham Forest from Dallas Sidekicks for $450,000, marking a significant move in soccer.
Dec 26🌍 Global Economic Shifts – The 1990s are shaping up as a struggle between regional alliances and global institutions, affecting international relations and economies.
Dec 27🗳️ Yugoslav Premier Concedes – Yugoslavia's Prime Minister congratulated rival Slobodan Milosevic on his election victory, despite earlier claims of fraud.
Dec 28🏛️ Cathedral Celebrates 100 Years – The Cathedral of St. John the Divine celebrated its 100th birthday with a unique procession featuring artists and performers.
Dec 29🔬 Comet Alert Canceled – Doomsday has been postponed a thousand years regarding Comet Swift-Tuttle due to new data, alleviating previous fears.
Dec 30🌍 New Arms Treaty Signed – Washington and Moscow finalize a strategic arms treaty, aligning their nuclear arsenals with a new cooperative relationship.
Dec 31🔬 FDA Approves Cancer Drug – Cytogen Corporation received FDA approval for Oncoscint, a diagnostic agent for colorectal and ovarian cancer, expected to generate $26 million in sales.

Happy Birthday! 1992 – The Year in Headlines

The whole of 1992 in real headlines. See the 1992 book →

Born in December? Pick the day

Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book:

Dec 1
Dec 2
Dec 3
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