On this day — December 13

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his home town of Tikrit.

The EU announces that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia will become members on May 1, 2004.

Sansad Bhavan, the building housing the Indian Parliament, is attacked by five Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. Twelve people are killed, including the terrorists.

Italy, killing 49.

North Carolina, near Raleigh–Durham International Airport, killing 15.

Attack on Derryard checkpoint: The Provisional Irish Republican Army launches an attack on a British Army temporary vehicle checkpoint near Rosslea, Northern Ireland. Two British soldiers are killed and two others are wounded.

Switzerland, after United States authorities refused to grant him a visa to visit UN headquarters in New York.

largely due to the actions by Solidarity.

killing 29, including the University of Evansville basketball team, support staff, and boosters of the team.

the North Vietnamese forces launch their 1975 Spring Offensive (to 30 April 1975), which results in the final capitulation of South Vietnam.

Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt begin the third and final extra-vehicular activity (EVA) or "Moonwalk" of Apollo 17. To date they are the last humans to set foot on the Moon.

5), enabling government by decree and suspending habeas corpus.