- Britain suffers its first civilian casualties at home in the war as the German Navy bombards the eastern coastal towns of Whitby, Hartlepool and Scarborough, killing 40 people and wounding hundreds. The Naval Bombardment Of Scarborough Whitby Hartlepool 16th Dec 1914. Images courtesy World War One Photos Archive www.WW1Photos.com
- The Japanese Foreign Minister declares Japan will not give up German islands occupied north of the Equator
