The following events occurred in December 1924:
December 1, 1924 (Monday) Communists staged a failed coup attempt in Estonia. The drama film Romola, starring Lillian Gish, premiered at George M. Cohan's Theatre in New York City. Boston Arena hosted the first National Hockey League game ever held on American soil when the Boston Bruins defeated the visiting Montreal Maroons, 2 to 1, as both played their first games in franchise history. Smokey Harris scored the first-ever Bruins goal. The musical Lady, Be Good, with music by George and lyrics by Ira Gershwin, opened at the Liberty Theatre on Broadway.
December 2, 1924 (Tuesday) A devastating earthquake struck Java, killing 727. Born: Alexander Haig, United States Secretary of State, in Philadelphia (d. 2010) Born: Jack Davis, American cartoonist, in Atlanta (d. 2016) Died: Kazimieras Būga, 45, Lithuanian linguist
December 3, 1924 (Wednesday) U.S. president Calvin Coolidge delivered his 2nd State of the Union message to the United States Congress. Unlike in 1923, Coolidge delivered a written address instead of giving a speech. The message stated that the present state of the Union "may be regarded with encouragement and satisfaction by every American." Born: F. Sionil José, novelist, in Rosales, Philippines (d. 2022)
December 4, 1924 (Thursday) The trial of confessed serial killer Fritz Haarmann began in Germany. Died: Cipriano Castro, 66, president of Venezuela from 1899 to 1908
December 5, 1924 (Friday) Ibn Saud entered Mecca in ihram clothing and performed the umrah. Benito Mussolini introduced a bill enforcing widespread press censorship. A first Woolworths Australia department store open in downtown Sydney, as predecessor name was Woolworths Stupendous Bargain Basement.
December 6, 1924 (Saturday) France rounded up over 300 communists in raids on their headquarters, including some 70 of foreign nationality that were to be deported. "There are too many foreign communists in France who forget their duty to the country that has given them asylum", Prime Minister Édouard Herriot told the Chamber of Deputies. "They are indulging in political demonstrations, and we will not tolerate it, we will not let them meddle in our political life. If we meet with resistance we will break it, and we will deport as many as necessary." Born: Wally Cox, comedian and actor, in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1973) Died: Gene Stratton-Porter, 61, American author, screenwriter and naturalist
December 7, 1924 (Sunday) The Social Democratic Party maintained its plurality in the German federal election. Born: Mário Soares, president of Portugal from 1986 to 1996, and twice its prime minister; in Lisbon (d. 2017) Bent Fabric (stage name for Bent Fabricus-Bjerre), pianist and composer, in Frederiksberg, Denmark (d. 2020)
December 8, 1924 (Monday) The Erich von Stroheim-directed film Greed premiered at the Cosmopolitan Theatre in New York City. The NHL's Bruins-Canadiens rivalry begins at Boston Arena, with a come-from-behind 4-3 win by Montreal over the Bruins. Died: Xaver Scharwenka, 74, German-Polish pianist, composer and teacher
December 9, 1924 (Tuesday) A new session of British parliament was opened by George V and Queen Mary. The King's speech included a plan to enlarge the naval base at Singapore. Born: Manlio Sgalambro, philosopher and writer, in Lentini, Italy (d. 2014)
December 10, 1924 (Wednesday) The 1924 Nobel Prizes were awarded. The honorees were Manne Siegbahn of Sweden for Physics, Willem Einthoven of the Netherlands (Medicine), and Władysław Reymont of Poland (Literature). No Prize was awarded for Chemistry or Peace this year. Died: August Belmont, Jr., 71, American financier and thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder
December 11, 1924 (Thursday) Photographer Alfred Stieglitz and painter Georgia O'Keeffe were married in New Jersey. Born: Hal Brown, baseball player, in Greensboro, North Carolina (d. 2015)
December 12, 1924 (Friday) Addressing American correspondents at the League of Nations, French politician Aristide Briand said that American entry into the League was essential to ensure world peace. Born: Ed Koch, mayor of New York City, in the Bronx, New York (d. 2013)
December 13, 1924 (Saturday) Exiled Albanian political figure Ahmet Zogu invaded Albania with his Yugoslav-backed guerrilla army attempting to overthrow Fan Noli. Born: Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, political leader, in Kathmandu, Nepal (d. 2011); Robert Coogan, actor, in Glendale, California (d. 1978) Died: Samuel Gompers, 74, American labor leader