On this day: December 4

Man Survives After Being Crushed Between Two Trains

On December 4, 1997, a man in India survived being trapped and crushed between two trains after falling from a carriage; he was rescued by railway workers and taken to hospital with serious injuries but later recovered. Reports at the time highlighted both the rarity of the survival and concerns about platform safety and crowding.

Goalie Loses Teeth, Keeps Playing to Finish NHL Game

On December 4, 1995, an NHL goaltender continued and completed a game after being struck in the mouth and losing multiple teeth. The incident drew attention for the player's toughness and raised later questions about dental and head-injury protocols in hockey.

Beijing Tightens Controls After Tiananmen Crackdown

Following the deadly June 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests centered in Tiananmen Square, Chinese authorities in December 1989 intensified political controls, media censorship, and security measures across the country to prevent dissent and reassert Party authority.

Supreme Court declines to take up key same-sex marriage cases, leaving lower-court decisions intact

On Dec. 4, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review several federal appeals challenging the Defense of Marriage Act and state bans on same-sex marriage, effectively leaving lower-court rulings that had struck down those bans in place.