On This Day — January 4

🕰️ Notable Events on January 4

• 2013 — A gunman kills eight people in a house-to-house rampage in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. Wikipedia ↗
• 2007 — The 110th United States Congress convenes, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history. Wikipedia ↗
• 2006 — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel suffers a second, apparently more serious stroke. His authority is transferred to acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Wikipedia ↗
• 2004 — Spirit, a NASA Mars rover, lands successfully on Mars at 04:35 UTC. Wikipedia ↗
• 2004 — Mikheil Saakashvili is elected President of Georgia following the November 2003 Rose Revolution. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — Former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura is sworn in as governor of Minnesota. Wikipedia ↗
• 1998 — Wilaya of Relizane massacres in Algeria: Over 170 are killed in three remote villages. Wikipedia ↗
• 1998 — A massive ice storm hits eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, continuing through January 10 and causing widespread destruction. Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — In Pakistan's deadliest train accident an overloaded passenger train collides with an empty freight train, resulting in 307 deaths and 700 injuries. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Second Gulf of Sidra incident: A pair of Libyan MiG-23 "Floggers" are shot down by a pair of US Navy F-14 Tomcats during an air-to-air confrontation. Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — The Maryland train collision: An Amtrak train en route to Boston from Washington, D.C., collides with Conrail engines in Chase, Maryland, killing 16 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — The Troubles: The Ulster Volunteer Force shoots dead six Irish Catholic civilians in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The next day, gunmen shoot dead ten Protestant civilians nearby in retaliation. Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — United States President Richard Nixon refuses to hand over materials subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee. Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Rose Heilbron becomes the first female judge to sit at the Old Bailey in London, England. Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — A military coup takes place in Upper Volta (later Burkina Faso), dissolving the National Parliament and leading to a new national constitution. Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon. Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Gypsy opened and closed on Broadway after 120 performances and four previews Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from orbit. Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — The Greek National Radical Union is formed by Konstantinos Karamanlis. Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Korean War: Chinese and North Korean forces capture Seoul. Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Burma gains its independence from the United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — World War II: Operation Carpetbagger, involving the dropping of arms and supplies to resistance fighters in Europe, begins. Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — The Finnish Declaration of Independence is recognized by Russia, Sweden, Germany and France. Wikipedia ↗
• 1912 — The Scout Association is incorporated throughout the British Empire by royal charter. Wikipedia ↗
• 1903 — Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company shoots the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death. Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Utah is admitted as the 45th U.S. state. Wikipedia ↗
• 1884 — The Fabian Society is founded in London, England, United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1878 — Russo-Turkish War (1877-78): Sofia is liberated from Ottoman rule and becomes capital of Liberated Bulgaria in 1879. Wikipedia ↗
• 1865 — The New York Stock Exchange opens its first permanent headquarters near Wall Street in New York City. Wikipedia ↗
• 1863 — The New Apostolic Church is established in Hamburg, Germany. Wikipedia ↗
• 1854 — The McDonald Islands are discovered by Captain William McDonald aboard the Samarang. Wikipedia ↗
• 1853 — After having been kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South, Solomon Northup regains his freedom; his memoir Twelve Years a Slave later becomes a national bestseller. Wikipedia ↗
• 1847 — Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government. Wikipedia ↗
• 1798 — Constantine Hangerli arrives in Bucharest, Wallachia, as its new Prince, invested by the Ottoman Empire. Wikipedia ↗
• 1762 — Great Britain enters the Seven Years' War against Spain and Naples. Wikipedia ↗
• 1717 — The Netherlands, Great Britain, and France sign the Triple Alliance. Wikipedia ↗
• 1649 — English Civil War: The Rump Parliament votes to put Charles I on trial. Wikipedia ↗
• 1642 — King Charles I of England attempts to arrest Five Members of Parliament, commencing England's slide into civil war. Wikipedia ↗
• 1490 — Anne of Brittany announces that all those who would ally with the King of France will be considered guilty of the crime of lèse-majesté. Wikipedia ↗
• 871 — Battle of Reading: Æthelred of Wessex fights, and is defeated by, a Danish invasion army. Wikipedia ↗
• Julius Caesar fights Titus Labienus in the Battle of Ruspina. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on January 4

• 1999 — Nico Hischier, Swiss hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1996 — Jackson Hastings, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Kris Bryant, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Iago Falque, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Toni Kroos, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Alberto Paloschi, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Graham Rahal, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Anestis Argyriou, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Maximilian Riedmüller, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Kay Voser, Swiss footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Younès Kaboul, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Andrei Krauchanka, Belarusian decathlete Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — James Milner, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwanese tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Gökhan Gönül, Turkish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Al Jefferson, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Kang Hye-jung, South Korean actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Richard Logan, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Lucie Škrobáková, Czech hurdler Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Alicia Garza, American activist Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Miguel Monteiro, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Justin Ontong, South African cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Yaroslav Popovych, Ukrainian cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Shergo Biran, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Tristan Gommendy, French race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Dominik Hrbatý, Slovakian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Mai Meneses, Spanish singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Ted Lilly, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Shane Carwin, American mixed martial artist and wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Danilo Hondo, German cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Frank Høj, Danish cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Harmony Korine, American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Junichi Kakizaki, Japanese botanist and sculptor Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Kees van Wonderen, Dutch footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — David Berman, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Johnny Nelson, English boxer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — David Toms, American golfer and philanthropist Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — David Wilson, Australian rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Deana Carter, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Yvan Attal, French actor and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Guy Forget, French tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Craig Revel Horwood, Australian-English dancer, choreographer, and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Julia Ormond, English actress and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Susan Devoy, New Zealand squash player Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Dot Jones, American shot putter and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Dave Foley, Canadian comedian, actor, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Till Lindemann, German singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — André Rouvoet, Dutch educator and politician, Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Peter Steele, American singer-songwriter and bass player (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Sidney Green, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Gavin Miller, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Art Paul Schlosser, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Michael Stipe, American singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Vanity, Canadian-American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Matt Frewer, American-Canadian actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Julian Sands, English actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Patty Loveless, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Ann Magnuson, American actress and performance artist Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Zehava Gal-On, Israeli politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Sarojini Sahoo, Indian journalist, author, and poet Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Bernard Sumner, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Cecilia Conrad, Norwegian economist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Tina Knowles, American fashion designer, founded House of Deréon Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Norberto Alonso, Argentinian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Bob Black, American author and activist Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Barbara Cochran, American skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Khondakar Ashraf Hossain, Bangladesh poet and academic (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Mick Mills, English footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Kostas Davourlis, Greek footballer (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé, Malian civil servant and politician, Prime Minister of Mali Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Chris Cutler, American-English drummer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Marie-Thérèse Letablier, French sociologist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Rick Stein, English chef and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Arthur Conley, American singer-songwriter (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Richard R. Schrock, American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Angela Harris, Baroness Harris of Richmond, English politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Alan Sutherland, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Doris Kearns Goodwin, American historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Hwang Sok-yong, South Korean author and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Priit Vesilind, Estonian-American author and photographer Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Bolaji Akinyemi, Nigerian political scientist, academic, and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — John McLaughlin, English guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — George P. Cosmatos, Italian-Canadian director and screenwriter (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Kalpnath Rai, Indian politician (d. 1999) Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — K. Thurairetnasingam, Sri Lankan civil servant and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Gao Xingjian, Chinese novelist, playwright, and critic, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Helmut Jahn, German-American architect Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Brian Josephson, Welsh physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Grace Bumbry, American operatic soprano Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Dyan Cannon, American actress, director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Walter Mahlendorf, German sprinter Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Floyd Patterson, American boxer (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Hellmuth Karasek, Czech-German journalist, author, and critic (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Rudolf Schuster, Slovak politician, 2nd President of Slovakia Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, American author Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Clint Hill, American secret service agent and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Roman Personov, Russian physicist and academic (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Carlos Saura, Spanish director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — William Deane, Australian judge and politician, 22nd Governor-General of Australia Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Coşkun Özarı, Turkish footballer and coach (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Sorrell Booke, American actor and director (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Don Shula, American football player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Günter Schabowski, German journalist and politician (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Paul Desmarais, Canadian businessman and philanthropist (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Barbara Rush, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Veikko Hakulinen, Finnish skier and technician (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Sebastian Kappen, Indian priest and theologian (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Marianne Werner, German shot putter Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Tito Rodríguez, Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter and television host (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Mart Port, Estonian architect (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Frank Wess, American saxophonist and flute player (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — William Colby, American intelligence officer, 10th Director of Central Intelligence (d. 1996) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Slim Gaillard, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Lionel Newman, American pianist and composer (d. 1989) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Robert Parrish, American actor and director (d. 1995) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Herman Franks, American baseball player, coach, and manager (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Malietoa Tanumafili II, Samoan ruler (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1912 — Noro Morales, Puerto Rican-American pianist and bandleader (d. 1964) Wikipedia ↗
• 1910 — Arthur Villeneuve, Canadian painter (d. 1990) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — J.R. Simplot, American businessman (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — Sterling Holloway, American actor (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1902 — John McCone, American businessman and politician, 6th Director of Central Intelligence (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1901 — C. L. R. James, Trinidadian journalist and theorist (d. 1989) Wikipedia ↗
• 1900 — James Bond, American ornithologist and zoologist (d. 1989) Wikipedia ↗
• 1897 — Chen Cheng, Chinese politician, Vice President of the Republic of China (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Everett Dirksen, American politician (d. 1969) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Jørgen Løvset, Norwegian gynecologist and academic (d. 1981) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — André Masson, French painter and illustrator (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Arnold Susi, Estonian lawyer and politician, Estonian Minister of Education (d. 1968) Wikipedia ↗
• 1895 — Leroy Grumman, American engineer and businessman, co-founded Grumman Aeronautical Engineering Co. (d. 1982) Wikipedia ↗
• 1894 — Manuel de Abreu, Brazilian physician and poet (d. 1962) Wikipedia ↗
• 1891 — Edward Brooker, English-Australian sergeant and politician, 31st Premier of Tasmania (d. 1948) Wikipedia ↗
• 1890 — Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, American publisher, founded DC Comics (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
• 1889 — M. Patanjali Sastri, Indian lawyer and jurist, 2nd Chief Justice of India (d. 1963) Wikipedia ↗
• 1884 — Guy Pène du Bois, American painter, critic, and educator (d. 1958) Wikipedia ↗
• 1883 — Max Eastman, American author and poet (d. 1969) Wikipedia ↗
• 1883 — Johanna Westerdijk, Dutch pathologist and academic (d. 1961) Wikipedia ↗
• 1882 — Aristarkh Lentulov, Russian painter and set designer (d. 1943) Wikipedia ↗
• 1881 — Wilhelm Lehmbruck, German sculptor (d. 1919) Wikipedia ↗
• 1878 — A. E. Coppard, English poet and short story writer (d. 1957) Wikipedia ↗
• 1878 — Rosa Grünberg, Swedish actress and soprano (d. 1960) Wikipedia ↗
• 1878 — Augustus John, Welsh painter and illustrator (d. 1961) Wikipedia ↗
• 1877 — Marsden Hartley, American painter and poet (d. 1943) Wikipedia ↗
• 1874 — Josef Suk, Czech violinist and composer (d. 1935) Wikipedia ↗
• 1872 — Ottilie Sutro, American pianist (d. 1970) Wikipedia ↗
• 1872 — Albert Tyler, American pole vaulter and educator (d. 1945) Wikipedia ↗
• 1869 — Tommy Corcoran, American baseball player and umpire (d. 1960) Wikipedia ↗
• 1864 — Clara Emilia Smitt, Swedish author (d. 1928) Wikipedia ↗
• 1858 — Carter Glass, American publisher and politician, 47th United States Secretary of the Treasury (d. 1946) Wikipedia ↗
• 1848 — Katsura Tarō, Japanese general and politician, 6th Prime Minister of Japan (d. 1913) Wikipedia ↗
• 1839 — Carl Humann, German archaeologist, architect, and engineer (d. 1896) Wikipedia ↗
• 1838 — General Tom Thumb, American circus performer (d. 1883) Wikipedia ↗
• 1832 — George Tryon, English admiral (d. 1893) Wikipedia ↗
• 1813 — Isaac Pitman, English linguist and educator (d. 1897) Wikipedia ↗
• 1809 — Louis Braille, French educator, invented Braille (d. 1852) Wikipedia ↗
• 1785 — Jacob Grimm, German philologist and mythologist (d. 1863) Wikipedia ↗
• 1720 — Johann Friedrich Agricola, German organist and composer (d. 1774) Wikipedia ↗
• 1710 — Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Italian composer, violinist, and organist (d. 1736) Wikipedia ↗
• 1672 — Hugh Boulter, English-Irish archbishop (d. 1742) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on January 4 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on January 4

🏛️ Public Holidays

Also in: New Year holiday (RU) · Новогодние каникулы (RU)

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Urs of Sayyidina Jāfar as-Sādiq (ق)
• Islamic: Urs of Zaynab bint Ali (ر)