3 January

January 3 is the third day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 362 days remain until the end of the year.

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about January 3rd, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about January 3rd in history!

Table of Contents

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

  • National Fruitcake Toss Day
  • Festival of Sleep Day
  • National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
  • National Drinking Straw Day
  • Weigh-In Day

Historic Events

1994: Millions of people from the former Apartheid Homelands gain South African citizenship

The apartheid regime had stripped the black inhabitants of the right to citizenship to ensure a white majority of the de jure population.

1993: The second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II) is signed

The U.S.A. and Russia agreed to reduce the number of nuclear warheads by about 3,000.

1961: The United States breaks diplomatic relations with CubaIn

April 1961, the U.S. government launched an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Cuban government by invading the country at the bay of pigs.

1959: Alaska becomes the 49th U.S. state

The territory had been bought from Russia in 1867 for a mere $7.2 million.

1957: The first electric watch is available

The Hamilton Electric 500 came in “modern” asymmetrical designs to reflect the revolutionary technology.

Famous Birthdays

1969: Michael Schumacher, German race car driver

1956: Mel Gibson, American/Australian actor, director, producer, screenwriter

1901: Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnamese politician, 1st President of the Republic of Vietnam

1892: J. R. R. Tolkien, English philologist, author

1883: Clement Attlee, English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Heartbreaking Deaths

2010: Mary Daly, American philosopher, theologian

2005: Will Eisner, American illustrator

2003: Sid Gillman, American football player

1967: Jack Ruby, American murderer

1946: William Joyce, American/English politician, broadcaster

1782: Johann Christian Bach, German composer

1782: Johann Christian Bach, German composer

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