1st » Cambodian Civil War: Khmer Rouge rebels intensify assaults on Cambodian government positions, forcing their retreat from Kompong Thmar and nearby Ba Ray.
2nd » Abu Dhabi (emirate) named Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah (emirate) known as Sharjah, Dubai, and Umm Al Quwain form the United Arab Emirates.
3rd » Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: Pakistan launches Operation Chengiz Khan called a pre-emptive strike against India and a full scale war begins claiming hundreds of lives.
4th » The United Nations Security Council calls an emergency session to consider the deteriorating situation between India and Pakistan.
4th » The Indian Navy attacks the Pakistan Navy and Karachi.
4th » The Montreux Casino in Switzerland is set ablaze by someone wielding a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert; the incident would be noted in the Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water".
7th » Pakistan President Yahya Khan announces the formation of a coalition government with Nurul Amin as Prime Minister and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as Deputy Prime Minister.
9th » The United Arab Emirates join the United Nations.
9th » Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 e.g Indo-Pakistani War: The Indian Air Force executes Meghna Heli Bridge e.g an airdrop of Indian Army units, bypassing Pakistani defences.
18th » Capitol Reef National Park is established in Utah.
20th » Zulfikar Ali Bhutto takes over as the fourth President of Pakistan.
Famous Birthdays on December in 1971
1st » Trinity (wrestler) named Trinity, American wrestler and stuntwoman
1st » Emily Mortimer, English actress and screenwriter
1st » Melanie Peres, German-Israeli model, actress, and singer
1st » Mika Pohjola, Finnish-American pianist and composer
1st » John Schlimm, American author and educator
1st » Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee, Mongolian wrestler and mixed martial artist
1st » Peter Van de Veire, Belgian radio host
1st » Christian Pescatori, Italian racing driver
2nd » Wilson Jermaine Heredia, American actor and singer
2nd » Jüri Reinvere, Estonian-German composer and poet
5th » Kavus Torabi, Iranian-English guitarist (Knifeworld (British rock band) named Knifeworld, Cardiacs, The Monsoon Bassoon, Guapo (band) called Guapo, and Chrome Hoof)
5th » Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, German politician, Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany) called Federal Minister of Defence
6th » Craig Brewer, American director, producer, and screenwriter
6th » Richard Krajicek, Dutch tennis player
6th » Naozumi Takahashi, Japanese singer and voice actor
6th » Carole Thate, Dutch field hockey player
6th » Ryan White, American HIV/AIDS in the United States called AIDS victim (d. 1990)
7th » Vladimir Akopian, Azerbaijani-Armenian chess player
7th » Chasey Lain, American porn actress
9th » Geoff Barrow, English drummer, DJ, composer, and producer (Portishead (band) Portishead, Beak (band) Beak, and Quakers (band) Quakers)
9th » Petr Nedvěd, Czech-Canadian ice hockey player
10th » Bill Baroni, American lawyer and politician
10th » Brian Nichols, American spree killer
11th » Willie McGinest, American football player and sportscaster