What Happened on January 3?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JANUARY 3
Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 3, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
1911 Kebin earthquake
Year:
1911
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake destroys the city of Almaty in Russian Turkestan.
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First Balkan War
Year:
1913
First Balkan War: Greece completes its capture of the eastern Aegean island of Chios, as the last Ottoman forces on the island surrender.
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Siege of Sidney Street
Year:
1911
A gun battle in the East End of London leaves two dead. It sparked a political row over the involvement of then-Home Secretary Winston Churchill.
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Sino-French War
Year:
1885
Sino-French War: Beginning of the Battle of Núi Bop.
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Battle of Bapaume (1871)
Year:
1871
In the Battle of Bapaume, an engagement in the Franco-Prussian War, General Louis Faidherbe's forces bring about a Prussian retreat.
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1920 Xalapa earthquake
Year:
1920
Over 640 are killed after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes the Mexican states Puebla and Veracruz.
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World War II
Year:
1944
World War II: US flying ace Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington is shot down in his Vought F4U Corsair by Captain Masajiro Kawato flying a Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
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Frances P. Bolton
Year:
1953
Frances P. Bolton and her son, Oliver from Ohio, become the first mother and son to serve simultaneously in the U.S. Congress.
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BIRTHS ON JANUARY 3
Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 3, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Jill Balcon
Year of birth:
1925
Jill Balcon, English actress (died 2009)
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George Martin
Year of birth:
1926
George Martin, English composer, conductor, and producer (died 2016)
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Otto Beisheim
Year of birth:
1924
Otto Beisheim, German businessman and philanthropist, founded Metro AG (died 2013)
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André Franquin
Year of birth:
1924
André Franquin, Belgian author and illustrator (died 1997)
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Nell Rankin
Year of birth:
1924
Nell Rankin, American soprano and educator (died 2005)
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W. Michael Blumenthal
Year of birth:
1926
W. Michael Blumenthal, American economist and politician, 64th United States Secretary of the Treasury
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Abdul Rahman Ya'kub
Year of birth:
1928
Abdul Rahman Ya'kub, Malaysian lawyer and politician, 3rd Chief Minister of Sarawak (died 2015)
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Eeles Landström
Year of birth:
1932
Eeles Landström, Finnish pole vaulter and politician (died 2022)
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DEATHS ON JANUARY 3
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 3, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Jack Pickford
Year of death:
1933
Jack Pickford, Canadian-American actor, director, and producer (born 1896)
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Wilhelm Cuno
Year of death:
1933
Wilhelm Cuno, German lawyer and politician, Chancellor of Germany (born 1876)
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Walter James (Australian politician)
Year of death:
1943
Walter James, Australian lawyer and politician, 5th Premier of Western Australia (born 1863)
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Jurgis Baltrušaitis
Year of death:
1944
Jurgis Baltrušaitis, Lithuanian poet, critic, and translator (born 1873)
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Joseph Joffre
Year of death:
1931
Joseph Joffre, French general (born 1852)
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Carl Runge
Year of death:
1927
Carl David Tolmé Runge, German physicist and mathematician (born 1856)
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Alexandros Papadiamantis
Year of death:
1911
Alexandros Papadiamantis, Greek author and poet (born 1851)
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James Elroy Flecker
Year of death:
1915
James Elroy Flecker, English poet, author, and playwright (born 1884)
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HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 3
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 3 around the world.
January 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: January 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Hakozaki Shrine
Tamaseseri Festival (Hakozaki Shrine, Fukuoka, Japan)
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Twelve Days of Christmas
The tenth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
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Pope Anterus
Christian feast day: Pope Anterus
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Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Christian feast day: Kuriakose Elias Chavara (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church)
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Genevieve
Christian feast day: Genevieve
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Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
Christian feast day: Holy Name of Jesus
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Daniel of Padua
Christian feast day: Daniel of Padua
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