- December 4, 1783 – George Washington bids his officers farewell at Fraunces Tavern.
- December 8, 1980 – John Lennon (pictured) is assassinated outside of the The Dakota, his Upper West Side apartment building.
- December 22, 1984 – Bernhard Goetz shoots four attempted muggers on a New York City Subway car, and is dubbed the "Subway Vigilante".
- December 27, 1932 – Radio City Music Hall opens.
- December 31, 1831 – Gramercy Park is deeded to New York City.
- December 31, 1890 – Ellis Island in Upper New York Bay opens as a United States immigration depot.