On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
January 1
Events on This Day
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1764
249 years agoAt age 8, Wolfgang Mozart entertains the French royal family with a performance at their home in Versailles.
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1863
150 years agoThe Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln takes effect, declaring that all slaves in the rebellious states are free.
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1958
55 years agoJohnny Cash plays at San Quentin State Prison, inspiring inmate Merle Haggard to attempt a career in music after his release.
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1985
28 years agoMTV spinoff channel VH-1—featuring radio personality Don Imus as a VJ—begins broadcasting.
January 1
Born on This Day
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J.D. Salinger
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Famous Capricorns
- Columbia University Alumni
J.D. Salinger
Author / 1919 - 2010
With his landmark novel Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger was an influential 20th-century American writer.
Born: January 1, 1919
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Occupation: Author -
Frank Langella
- In these groups:
- Screen Presidents
- Vampires
- Famous Lookalikes
Frank Langella
Actor / 1938 -
Actor Frank Langella portrayed Richard Nixon in the Broadway and film version of Frost/Nixon. He won a Tony Award and an Oscar nomination.
1938 | 75 years old
Actor -
Barry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater
U.S. Representative / 1909 - 1998
Barry Goldwater was an American politician best known as a senator from Arizona and the Republican candidate for president in 1964.
1909 | 89 years old
U.S. Representative -
J. Edgar Hoover
- In these groups:
- Political Criminals
- Famous Lefties
- Famous Capricorns
J. Edgar Hoover
Government Official / 1895 - 1972
As director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover had rabid anti-Communist and anti-subversive views and used unconventional tactics to monitor related activity.
Born: January 1, 1895
Birthplace: , United States
Occupation: Government Official -
Lorenzo de' Medici
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Royalty
- Famous Italians
Lorenzo de' Medici
Political Leader, Royalty / 1449 - 1492
Lorenzo de' Medici was Florentine statesman, ruler and patron of arts and letters, the most brilliant of the Medici.1449 | 43 years old
Political Leader, Royalty -
Paul Revere
- In these groups:
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Lookalikes
- Famous Capricorns
Paul Revere
Folk Hero / 1735 - 1818
Silversmith Paul Revere took part in the Boston Tea Party and famously alerted the Lexington Minutemen about the approach of the British in 1775.
1735 | 83 years old
Folk Hero
January 1
Died on This Day
-
Hank Williams
- In these groups:
- Country Legends
- Country Music Pioneers
- Musical Monikers
Hank Williams
Songwriter, Singer / 1923 - 1953
Hank Williams became one of America's first country music superstars, with hits like "Your Cheatin' Heart," before his early death at 29.
Died: January 1, 1953
Age: 29 years old
Place: Oak Hill, West Virginia , United States
Occupation: Songwriter, Singer -
Shirley Chisholm
- In these groups:
- Notable Female Leaders
- Groundbreaking Women
- Influential Women of Washington
Shirley Chisholm
U.S. Representative / 1924 - 2005
Shirley Chisholm was the first black congresswoman, and the first African-American woman to make a bid for the U.S. Presidency.
2005 | 80 years old
U.S. Representative -
Helen Wills Moody
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Tennis Players
- Famous Coaches
Helen Wills Moody
Coach, Tennis Player / 1905 - 1998
Tennis player Helen Wills Moody was the first female athlete to become an international star, winning 31 Grand Slam titles during her career.
1998 | 92 years old
Coach, Tennis Player
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Play Nowprofile name: J.D. Salinger profile occupation: Author
profile id: 413152
profile name: Frank Langella profile occupation: Actor
profile id: 9314846
profile name: Barry Goldwater profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 9343398
profile name: J. Edgar Hoover profile occupation: Government Official
profile id: 9386497
profile name: Lorenzo de' Medici profile occupation: Political Leader, Royalty
profile id: 9456172
profile name: Paul Revere profile occupation: Folk Hero
profile id: 9532414
profile name: Hank Williams profile occupation: Songwriter, Singer
profile id: 9247015
profile name: Shirley Chisholm profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 9412974
profile name: Helen Wills Moody profile occupation: Coach, Tennis Player
profile id: 9417115
profile name: Wolfgang Mozart profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9382540
profile name: Abraham Lincoln profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 9240610
profile name: Johnny Cash profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9542118
profile name: Merle Haggard profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9542196
profile name: Don Imus profile occupation: Radio Talk Show Host
profile id: 36937
profile name: Henry M. Flagler profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 39403
profile name: Alonzo J. Ransier profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 37114
profile name: Don Shula profile occupation: Coach
profile id: 244622
profile name: George Tenet profile occupation: Government Official
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