December 30 in History

• 1853

  December 30, 1853:

  The United States signs the Gadsden Purchase to acquire 78,000 square km of extra northern Mexican territory.

• 1877

  December 30, 1877:

  “Symphony No. 2” by Johannes Brahms is performed for the first time in Vienna.

• 1896

  December 30, 1896:

  José Rizal, a Philippine nationalist, is publicly executed.

• 1916

  December 30, 1916:

  Russian conservatives murder Grigori Rasputin the Serbian mystic whom they believed was influencing Alexandra, empress consort of Russia.

• 1939

  December 30, 1939:

  The American drama film, “Of Mice and Men” is released.

• 1968

  December 30, 1968:

  Frank Sinatra records his song, “My Way”.

• 1980

  December 30, 1980:

  German footballer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is named winner of the Ballon d'Or.

• 1981

  December 30, 1981:

  “That Girl” by Stevie Wonder is released.

• 2006

  December 30, 2006:

  Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is executed for committing crimes against humanity.