December 1972 - December 23, 1972 (Saturday)

December 23, 1972 (Saturday)

• At 12:29 a.m., an earthquake of 6.2 magnitude leveled the Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and killed more than 10,000 people, destroyed 589 city blocks, and left 400,000 homeless.
• Braathens Flight 239, a Norwegian airplane flight from Ålesund to Oslo, crashed while attempting a landing, killing 40 of the 45 persons on board.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Oakland Raiders 13–7, on a last second play that became known as "The Immaculate Reception". The term was used on WTAE-TV's 11 o'clock news by Steelers announcer Myron Cope, who gave credit to a fan, Michael Ord, for coining it, and Sharon Levosky, a friend of Ord's, who called Cope. With 0:22 left, the Steelers trailed 7–6, and were at fourth and 10 on their own 40 yard line. Terry Bradshaw threw a pass that was deflected, and then caught by Franco Harris, who ran 60 yards for the winning touchdown.