- 192 31 Dec The Roman emperor Commodus, whose brutal reign ended 90 years of peaceful prosperity, is assassinated.
- 1600 31 Dec British East India Company - which eventually ruled India - receives its charter from Elizabeth I.
- 1879 31 Dec US inventor Thomas Edison demonstrates 'incandescent lighting' - the electric lightbulb - in New Jersey.
World War One Centenary
- Find out more about how the BBC is covering the World War One Centenary, and see the latest programmes and online content
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