January 1 in History

Historical Events on January 1

1502 The present-day location of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is first explored by the Portuguese.

1776 American Revolutionary War: Norfolk, Virginia is burned by combined Royal Navy and Continental Army action.

1804 French rule ends in Haiti. Haiti becomes the first black republic and second independent country in North America after the United States

1863 American Civil War: The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect in Confederate territory.

1899 Spanish rule ends in Cuba.

1901 Nigeria becomes a British protectorate.

1934 Nazi Germany passes the "Law for the Prevention of Genetically Diseased Offspring".

1945 World War II: In retaliation for the Malmedy massacre, U.S. troops kill 60 German POWs at Chenogne.

1973 Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are admitted into the European Economic Community.

All Events

Famous Birthdays on January 1

1895 J. Edgar Hoover

1947 Jon Corzine

1953 Gary Johnson

1954 Bob Menendez

All Births

Famous Deaths on January 1

1953 Hank Williams

1992 Grace Hopper

1998 Helen Wills

2005 Shirley Chisholm

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