On This Day — January 2

🕰️ Notable Events on January 2

• 2006 — An explosion in a coal mine in Sago, West Virginia traps and kills 12 miners, leaving only one survivor. Wikipedia ↗
• 2004 — Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples that are returned to Earth. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — A brutal snowstorm smashes into the Midwestern United States, causing 14 inches (359 mm) of snow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 19 inches (487 mm) in Chicago, where temperatures plunge to -13 °F (-25 °C); 68 deaths are reported. Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Sri Lankan Civil War: The Sri Lanka Navy kill 35-100 civilians on the Jaffna Lagoon. Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Leaders of armed opposition declare the President Zviad Gamsakhurdia deposed during a military coup in Georgia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — One of the largest investigations by a British police force ends when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper", is arrested in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — The Gale of January 1976 begins, which results in coastal flooding around the southern North Sea coasts, resulting in at least 82 deaths and US$1.3 billion in damage. Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — A bomb blast at Samastipur, Bihar, India, fatally wounds Lalit Narayan Mishra, Minister of Railways Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — United States President Richard Nixon signs a bill lowering the maximum U.S. speed limit to 55 MPH in order to conserve gasoline during an OPEC embargo. Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — The second Ibrox disaster kills 66 fans at a Rangers-Celtic association football (soccer) match. Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Ronald Reagan sworn in as Governor of California Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Vietnam War: The Viet Cong wins its first major victory. Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and to orbit the Sun, is launched by the Soviet Union. Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Panamanian president José Antonio Remón Cantera is assassinated. Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Luis Muñoz Marín becomes the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: Nuremberg, Germany is severely bombed by Allied forces. Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) convicts 33 members of a German spy ring headed by Fritz Joubert Duquesne in the largest espionage case in United States history—the Duquesne Spy Ring. Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — World War II: Manila, Philippines is captured by Japanese forces. Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — World War II: German bombing severely damages the Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — The second Palmer Raid takes place with another 6,000 suspected communists and anarchists arrested and held without trial. These raids take place in several U.S. cities. Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — Russo-Japanese War: The Russian garrison surrenders at Port Arthur, China. Wikipedia ↗
• 1900 — American statesman and diplomat John Hay announces the Open Door Policy to promote trade with China. Wikipedia ↗
• 1865 — Uruguayan War: The Siege of Paysandú ends as Brazilian and Coloradans capture Paysandú, Uruguay. Wikipedia ↗
• 1863 — American Civil War: The Battle of Stones River (a.k.a. Battle of Murfreesboro) resumes in central Tennessee after a day's respite, resulting in a significant Union victory. Wikipedia ↗
• 1860 — The discovery of the planet Vulcan is announced at a meeting of the French Academy of Sciences in Paris, France. Wikipedia ↗
• 1833 — Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. Wikipedia ↗
• 1818 — The British Institution of Civil Engineers is founded. Wikipedia ↗
• 1791 — Big Bottom massacre in the Ohio Country, marking the beginning of the Northwest Indian War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1788 — Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution. Wikipedia ↗
• 1777 — American Revolutionary War: American forces under the command of George Washington repulsed a British attack at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek near Trenton, New Jersey. Wikipedia ↗
• 1492 — Reconquista: the Emirate of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, surrenders. Wikipedia ↗
• 533 — Mercurius becomes Pope John II, the first pope to adopt a new name upon elevation to the papacy. Wikipedia ↗
• 366 — The Alemanni cross the frozen Rhine in large numbers, invading the Roman Empire. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on January 2

• 1993 — Bryson Tiller, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Korbin Sims, Australian-Fijian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Luis Pedro Cavanda, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Davide Santon, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Karel Abraham, Czech motorcycle racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Maurício Alves Peruchi, Brazilian footballer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Chris Sabburg, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Joseph Paulo, New Zealand-Samoan rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Damien Tussac, French-German rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Mandy Harvey, Deaf Jazz Musician, Singer, Songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Ediz Bahtiyaroğlu, Turkish-Bosnian footballer (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Nicolás Bertolo, Argentinian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Trombone Shorty, American trumpet player and composer Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Ivan Dodig, Croatian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Otacílio Jales, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Kate Bosworth, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Maxi Rodríguez, Argentinian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Hanno Balitsch, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Ryan Garko, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Kirk Hinrich, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Georgios Dedas, Greek basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Melvin Holwijn, Dutch footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Jérôme Pineau, French cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Jonathan Greening, English footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Karina Smirnoff, Ukrainian-American dancer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Megumi Toyoguchi, Japanese voice actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Yoon Se-ah, South Korean actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Brian Boucher, American ice hockey player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Stefan Koubek, Austrian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Aleš Píša, Czech ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Hrysopiyi Devetzi, Greek jumper Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Paz Vega, Spanish actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Chris Cheney, Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Dax Shepard, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Jeff Suppan, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Reuben Thorne, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Jason de Vos, Canadian soccer player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Ludmila Formanová, Czech runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Tomáš Řepka, Czech footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Lucy Davis, English actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Adam Elliot, Australian animator and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Paweł Januszewski, Polish hurdler Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Rodney MacDonald, Canadian educator and politician, 26th Premier of Nova Scotia Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Mattias Norström, Swedish ice hockey player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Taye Diggs, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Renée Elise Goldsberry, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Lisa Harrison, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Eric Whitacre, American composer and conductor Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — István Bagyula, Hungarian pole vaulter Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — William Fox-Pitt, English horse rider and journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Robby Gordon, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Karl-Heinz Grasser, Austrian businessman and politician, 16th Finance Minister of Austria Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Glen Johnson, Jamaican boxer Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Christy Turlington, American model Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Cuba Gooding, Jr., American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Anky van Grunsven, Dutch horse rider Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Tia Carrere, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Jón Gnarr, Icelandic actor and politician; 20th Mayor of Reykjavik City Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Francois Pienaar, South African rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Greg Swindell, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Michael McCann, Scottish lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Rumesh Ratnayake, Sri Lankan cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Pernell Whitaker, American boxer Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — David Cone, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Edgar Martínez, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Gabrielle Carteris, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Todd Haynes, American director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Craig James, American football player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Robert Wexler, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Raman Lamba, Indian cricketer (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Kirti Azad, Indian cricketer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Helen Goodman, English lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Russian pianist and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Beppe Gabbiani, Italian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Lynda Barry, American cartoonist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Henry Bonilla, American broadcaster and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Vincent Racaniello, American virologist, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Jacques Tichelaar, Dutch educator and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Indulis Emsis, Latvian biologist and politician, 9th Prime Minister of Latvia Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Wendy Phillips, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Graeme Strachan, Australian singer-songwriter (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Jim Essian, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Alexander Pogrebinsky, Ukrainian-American painter and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Anatoli Ushanov, Russian footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Christopher Durang, American playwright and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Jean Krier, Luxembourger poet (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Iris Marion Young, American political scientist and academic (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Judith Miller, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Joyce Wadler, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Jack Hanna, American zoologist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Calvin Hill, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — David Shapiro, American poet, historian, and critic Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Sonny Ruberto, American baseball player, coach, and manager (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Péter Eötvös, Hungarian composer and conductor Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Norodom Ranariddh, Cambodian field marshal and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Cambodia Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Janet Akyüz Mattei, Turkish-American astronomer (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Thomas Hammarberg, Swedish lawyer and diplomat Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Dennis Hastert, American educator and politician, 59th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Hugh Shelton, American general Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Jim Bakker, American televangelist Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabian economist and politician, Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — David Bailey, English photographer and painter Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Lynn Conway, American computer scientist and electrical engineer Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Hans Herbjørnsrud, Norwegian author and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Goh Kun, South Korean politician, 31st Prime Minister of South Korea Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Robert Smithson, American sculptor and photographer (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Dana Ulery, American computer scientist Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Roger Miller, American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — David McKee, English author and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Lolo Soetoro, Indonesian geographer and academic (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Ed Casey, Australian banker and politician (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Seiichi Morimura, Japanese author Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Richard Riley, American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 6th United States Secretary of Education Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Keith Thomas, Welsh historian, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Peter Redgrove, English poet, author, and playwright (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — James D. Murray, Scottish mathematician and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Toshiki Kaifu, Japanese lawyer and politician, 76th Prime Minister of Japan Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Avie Bennett, Canadian businessman and philanthropist (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Robert Goralski, American journalist and author (d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Kate Molale, South African activist and politician (d. 1980) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Dan Rostenkowski, American Congressman (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Gino Marchetti, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — William J. Crowe, American admiral and diplomat, United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Evgenios Spatharis, Greek puppeteer, actor, and director (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Rachel Waterhouse, English historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1921 — Glen Harmon, Canadian ice hockey player (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Isaac Asimov, Russian-American chemist, author, and academic (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — Willi Graf, German physician and activist (d. 1943) Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — Beatrice Hicks, American engineer (d. 1979) Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — Vera Zorina, German-Norwegian actress and dancer (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Zypora Spaisman, Polish-American midwife and actress and producer of the Yiddish stage (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Kenny Clarke, American drummer and composer (d. 1985) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Noor Inayat Khan, British SOE agent (d. 1944) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Anna Lee, English-American actress (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Juanita Jackson Mitchell, American lawyer and activist (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — Riccardo Cassin, Italian mountaineer and author (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — Barry Goldwater, American general and politician (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — Jainendra Kumar, Indian author and translator (d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — Lev Schnirelmann, Russian mathematician and academic (d. 1938) Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — Michael Tippett, English composer and conductor (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — Luigi Zampa, Italian director and screenwriter (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1904 — Truus Klapwijk, Dutch diver and swimmer (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1902 — Dan Keating, Irish Republican Army volunteer (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1901 — Bob Marshall, American activist, co-founded The Wilderness Society (d. 1939) Wikipedia ↗
• 1900 — William Haines, American actor and interior designer (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
• 1900 — Una Ledingham, British physician, known for research on diabetes in pregnancy (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
• 1899 — Burhan Asaf Belge, Turkish diplomat (d. 1967) Wikipedia ↗
• 1898 — Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, American economist and lawyer (d. 1989) Wikipedia ↗
• 1897 — Jim Londos, Greek-American wrestler (d. 1975) Wikipedia ↗
• 1897 — Theodore Plucknett, English legal historian (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Dziga Vertov, Polish-Russian director and screenwriter (d. 1954) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Lawrence Wackett, Australian commander and engineer (d. 1982) Wikipedia ↗
• 1895 — Folke Bernadotte, Swedish lieutenant and diplomat (d. 1948) Wikipedia ↗
• 1893 — Lillian Leitzel, German acrobat and strongwoman (d. 1931) Wikipedia ↗
• 1892 — Seiichiro Kashio, Japanese tennis player (d. 1962) Wikipedia ↗
• 1891 — Giovanni Michelucci, Italian architect and urban planner, designed the Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station (d. 1990) Wikipedia ↗
• 1890 — Henrik Visnapuu, Estonian-American poet and playwright (d. 1951) Wikipedia ↗
• 1889 — Bertram Stevens, Australian accountant and politician, 25th Premier of New South Wales (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
• 1886 — Apsley Cherry-Garrard, English explorer and author (d. 1959) Wikipedia ↗
• 1886 — Florence Lawrence, Canadian-American actress (d. 1938) Wikipedia ↗
• 1886 — Billy Zulch, South African cricketer (d. 1924) Wikipedia ↗
• 1885 — Gordon Flowerdew, Canadian lieutenant, Victoria Cross recipient (d. 1918) Wikipedia ↗
• 1884 — Ben-Zion Dinur, Russian-Israeli historian and politician, 4th Israeli Minister of Education (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
• 1879 — Rudolf Bauer, Hungarian discus thrower (d. 1932) Wikipedia ↗
• 1878 — Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai, Indian activist, founded the Nair Service Society (d. 1970) Wikipedia ↗
• 1876 — Aquiles Serdán, Mexican activist and politician (d. 1910) Wikipedia ↗
• 1873 — Thérèse of Lisieux, French nun and saint (d. 1897) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on January 2 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on January 2

🏛️ Public Holidays

Also in: 2 January (GB) · Day after New Year's Day (NZ) · New Year holiday (RU) · Pihenőnap (2026. 01. 10.-től helyettesítve) (HU) · St. Berchtold's Day (CH) · Новогодние каникулы (RU) · วันหยุดพิเศษ (เพิ่มเติม) (TH) · 休息日（由 2026-01-04 调休） (CN)

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Birth of Sayyidina `Ali ibn Abi Talib (ر)