December 25, 1972 (Monday)
- An unpublished decree took effect in the U.S.S.R., making it illegal for Soviet residents to meet with foreigners "for the purpose of disseminating false or slanderous information about the Soviet Union", a definition that covered most dissidents.
- Yuri Andropov, the Director of the KGB, recommended that the Soviet Politburo allocate $100,000 in U.S. currency to influence the March parliamentary elections in Chile. The Politburo approved the transfer on February 7, 1973.
- Born: Qu Yunxia, Chinese middle-distance runner; holder of women's 1500 m world record (3:50.46) since 1993
- Died: Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, 94, Indian freedom-fighter; last Governor-General of India (1948–50)
Read more about this topic: December 1972
Famous quotes containing the word december:
“Work—work—work,
In the dull December light,
And work—work—work,
When the weather is warm and bright—
While underneath the eaves
The brooding swallows cling
As if to show me their sunny backs
And twit me with the spring.”
—Thomas Hood (1799–1845)