December 19, 1972 (Tuesday)
- The supertanker Sea Star collided with another ship and spilled 144,000,000 litres of petroleum into the Persian Gulf.
- Apollo 17 returned to Earth, concluding the program of lunar exploration.
- Born: Warren Sapp, American NFL defensive tackle, in Orlando, Florida; and Alyssa Milano, American actress (Charmed and Who's the Boss?), in Brooklyn
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