What Happened on January 4?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON JANUARY 4

Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 4, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Utah

Year: 1896

Utah is admitted as the 45th U.S. state.

Sino-French War

Year: 1885

Sino-French War: French troops under General Oscar de Négrier defeat a numerically superior Qing force at Núi Bop in northern Vietnam.

Fabian Society

Year: 1884

The Fabian Society is founded in London, United Kingdom.

Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)

Year: 1878

Russo-Turkish War (1877–78): Sofia is liberated from Ottoman rule.

Topsy (elephant)

Year: 1903

Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company records the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death.

Aeneas Mackintosh

Year: 1909

Explorer Aeneas Mackintosh of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition escaped death by fleeing across ice floes.

World War II

Year: 1944

World War II: Operation Carpetbagger, involving the dropping of arms and supplies to resistance fighters in Europe, begins.

Finnish Declaration of Independence

Year: 1918

The Finnish Declaration of Independence is recognized by Russia, Sweden, Germany and France.

BIRTHS ON JANUARY 4

Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 4, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Grace Bumbry

Year of birth: 1937

Grace Bumbry, American operatic soprano (died 2023)

Dyan Cannon

Year of birth: 1937

Dyan Cannon, American actress, director, producer, and screenwriter

Floyd Patterson

Year of birth: 1935

Floyd Patterson, American boxer (died 2006)

Rudolf Schuster

Year of birth: 1934

Rudolf Schuster, Slovak politician, 2nd President of Slovakia

Eberhard Wagner

Year of birth: 1938

Eberhard Wagner, German academic, linguist and author

Gao Xingjian

Year of birth: 1940

Gao Xingjian, Chinese novelist, playwright, and critic, Nobel Prize laureate

John McLaughlin (musician)

Year of birth: 1942

John McLaughlin, English guitarist and songwriter

George P. Cosmatos

Year of birth: 1941

George P. Cosmatos, Italian-Canadian director and screenwriter (died 2005)

DEATHS ON JANUARY 4

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 4, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Alfred Grünfeld

Year of death: 1924

Alfred Grünfeld, Austrian pianist and composer (born 1852)

Nellie Cashman

Year of death: 1925

Nellie Cashman, American nurse, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and gold prospector (born 1845)

Süleyman Nazif

Year of death: 1927

Süleyman Nazif, Turkish poet and civil servant (born 1870)

Mohammad Ali Jauhar

Year of death: 1931

Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Indian Muslim activist (born 1878)

Benito Pérez Galdós

Year of death: 1920

Benito Pérez Galdós, Spanish author and playwright (born 1843)

Georg von Hertling

Year of death: 1919

Georg von Hertling, German academic and politician, 7th Chancellor of the German Empire (born 1843)

Joseph Hubert Reinkens

Year of death: 1896

Joseph Hubert Reinkens, German bishop and academic (born 1821)

Stanisław Mieroszewski

Year of death: 1900

Stanisław Mieroszewski, Polish-born politician, writer, historian and member of the Imperial Council of Austria (born 1827)

HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 4

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 4 around the world.

Twelve Days of Christmas

The eleventh of the Twelve Days of Christmas. (Western Christianity)

Independence Day (Myanmar)

Independence Day (Myanmar), celebrates the independence of Myanmar from the United Kingdom in 1948.

World Braille Day

Angela of Foligno

Christian feast day: Angela of Foligno

January 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: January 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Pharaildis

Christian feast day: Pharaildis of Ghent

Elizabeth Ann Seton

Christian feast day: Elizabeth Ann Seton

Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People

Ogoni Day (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People)

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