December 1974: A festive recollection

• Worsley Hotel Fire: On 13th December 1974, a tragic arson attack occurred at the Worsley Hotel in Maida Vale, London. The fire claimed the lives of seven individuals, including a probationary firefighter, and highlighted the devastating consequences of deliberate fire-setting during a period of heightened societal tension​.
• Rent Freeze Ends: On 19th December, Prime Minister Harold Wilson lifted the 1971 "rent freeze," allowing landlords to raise rental prices for the first time in three years, a move that generated significant public discussion.
• John Stonehouse Arrested: On 24th December, MP John Stonehouse, who had disappeared in November and was believed dead, was arrested in Melbourne, Australia. He faced numerous charges, including fraud and forgery, after staging his disappearance to escape financial troubles.

• Greek Referendum on the Monarchy: On 8th December, voters in Greece overwhelmingly rejected the monarchy in favour of a presidential republic, with nearly 70% voting to maintain the government structure as a republic.
• France Approves Abortion Law: On 20th December, the French National Assembly passed the Veil Law, legalising abortion up to the tenth week of pregnancy. The law, championed by Health Minister Simone Veil, would come into effect on 17th January 1975.
• State of Emergency in Bangladesh: On 28th December, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared a state of emergency in Bangladesh, directing the paramilitary National Defence Force to crack down on opposition and suspected terrorists.

• "Wombling Merry Christmas" by The Wombles
• "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell
• "When Will I See You Again" by The Three Degrees
  

• "The Towering Inferno": A gripping disaster film centered around a fire in a skyscraper, featuring an ensemble cast including Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. It was a critical and box-office hit.
• "Young Frankenstein": Mel Brooks' hilarious parody of horror classics, particularly Frankenstein, starring Gene Wilder.
• "Murder on the Orient Express": A star-studded adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery, directed by Sidney Lumet and featuring Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot.

Births:

• Nicole Appleton (December 7, 1974): English singer and member of the All Saints.
• Shinya Yamanaka (December 18, 1974): Japanese Nobel laureate in medicine, recognised for his groundbreaking stem cell research.
• Mena Suvari (December 13, 1974): American actress well known for her roles in American Beauty and American Pie.

Deaths:

• Dame Kathleen Courtney (December 9, 1974): A British suffragist and peace campaigner instrumental in the international women's rights movement.
• John Jacob Astor VII (December 19, 1974): A prominent British politician and owner of The Times newspaper.
• Harry Chapin Sr. (December 26, 1974): Renowned illustrator and artist, father of musician Harry Chapin.