It happened on a… December 2

FIFA Ballon d’Or: Barcelona striker Lionel Messi wins his record sixth award. He will add a seventh in 2021.

Stephen Hawking claims that Artificial Intelligence could be a “threat to mankind” and spell the end of the human race.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”, 2nd film in the Hobbit series, directed by Peter Jackson, starring Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen, premieres in Los Angeles

US reality show “The Simple Life” with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie premieres on Fox.

Patrick Roy resigns from the Montreal Canadiens; suspended the following day by General Manager Réjean Houle; later traded to Colorado Avalanche.

Robert Bourassa, with the slogan ‘la force de l’expérience’, leads the Liberals back to power in Quebec after 9 years of PQ rule.

Fidel Castro becomes President of Cuba, replacing Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado.

Fred Astaire’s 1st film, “Dancing Lady”, released.