Event:
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has announced his resignation; the 89-year-old president indicated after reelection in 2013 that he would retire before the end of the 7-year term
More Notable Events on December 31:
1999 Control of Panama Canal reverts to Panama
1997 Microsoft buys Hotmail E-mail service
1993 Barbra Striesand does her 1st live public concert in 20 years
1991 U.S.S.R., last day of existence
1990 Sci-Fi Channel on cable TV begins transmitting
