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Events on December 23 in history

1972Dec, 23

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes the Nicaraguan capital of Managua killing more than 10,000.

The 1972 Nicaragua earthquake occurred at 12:29:44 a.m. local time (06:29:44 UTC) on December 23 near Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. It had a moment magnitude of 6.3 and a maximum MSK intensity of IX (Destructive). The epicenter was 28 km (17 mi) northeast of the city centre and a depth of about 10 km (6.2 mi). The earthquake caused widespread casualties among Managua's residents: 4,000–11,000 were killed, 20,000 were injured and over 300,000 were left homeless.

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Events on 1972

  • 21Feb

    Sino-American relations

    United States President Richard Nixon visits the People's Republic of China to normalize Sino-American relations.
  • 8May

    Richard Nixon

    Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation.
  • 22May

    Sri Lanka

    Ceylon adopts a new constitution, becoming a Republic, changes its name to Sri Lanka, and joins the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • 23Jun

    Central Intelligence Agency

    Watergate scandal: U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman are taped talking about using the Central Intelligence Agency to obstruct the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the Watergate break-ins.
  • 1Sep

    Bobby Fischer

    In Reykjavík, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer beats Russian Boris Spassky to become the world chess champion.