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.

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January 2

January 2

Events on This Day

1893

120 years ago
Frederick Douglass delivers a dedication address at the Haitian Pavilion in Chicago at the World's Columbian Exposition.
1906

107 years ago
Willis Carrier receives a patent for a device used to treat air, essentially what would be the world's first air conditioner.
1974

39 years ago
Richard Nixon signs a law that sets a nationwide speed limit in an effort to conserve fuel as oil prices rise higher.

Read more at History.com
2007

6 years ago
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy opens to 152 hand-picked students in South Africa.

January 2

Born on This Day

- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers
- Famous Capricorns
Isaac Asimov

Writer / 1920 - 1992

Scholar Isaac Asimov was one of the 20th century's most prolific writers, writing in many genres. He was known for sci-fi works like Foundation and I, Robot.

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Isaac Asimov
Born: January 2, 1920
Birthplace: Petrovichi, Russia
Occupation: Writer
- In these groups:
- Hollywood Heartthrobs
- Famous TV Doctors
- Famous Capricorns
Taye Diggs

Actor / 1971 -

Taye Diggs is an American actor best known for his role as the opportunistic landlord Benny in the Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking musical Rent.

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Taye Diggs
1971 | 42 years old
Actor
- In these groups:
- Celebrities With Advanced Degrees
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Models
Christy Turlington

Model / 1969 -

Christy Turlington is one of America’s most successful models. Best known for her work for Maybelline, she has appeared on more than 300 magazine covers.

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Christy Turlington
1969 | 44 years old
Model
- In these groups:
- Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winners
- Cast of The Butler
- Famous Capricorns
Cuba Gooding Jr.

Actor / 1968 -

Cuba Gooding Jr. is an African-American actor who is best known for his Oscar-winning role in Cameron Crowe's film Jerry Maguire.

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Cuba Gooding Jr.
Born: January 2, 1968
Age: 45 years old
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, United States
Occupation: Actor
- In these groups:
- Sparks On The Set
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Actresses
Kate Bosworth

Film Actress / 1983 -

Actress Kate Bosworth's first starring role was in the surf movie Blue Crush in 2002, followed by Beyond the Sea and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

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Kate Bosworth
1983 | 30 years old
Film Actress
- In these groups:
- Name Changers
- Cast of Dancing with the Stars
- Famous Capricorns
Tia Carrere

Film Actress, Television Actress / 1967 -

Tia Carrere is an American actress best known for her role as Cassandra in the film, Wayne's World.

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Tia Carrere
1967 | 46 years old
Film Actress, Television Actress

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January 2

Died on This Day

- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Pianists
- Famous Songwriters and Composers
Erroll Garner

Songwriter, Pianist / 1921 - 1977

Erroll Garner was a virtuosic and popular jazz pianist known for creating one of the best-selling albums in jazz, Concert by the Sea (1958).

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Erroll Garner
Died: January 2, 1977
Age: 55 years old
Place: Los Angeles, California , United States
Occupation: Songwriter, Pianist
- In these groups:
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
Emil Jannings

Film Actor / 1884 - 1950

German actor Emil Jannings was a celebrated film star, winning the first Best Actor Oscar in 1929. Sadly, the advent of sound killed his career in the U.S.

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Emil Jannings
1950 | 65 years old
Film Actor
- In these groups:
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Military Leaders
James Longstreet

General, Political Leader / 1821 - 1904

James Longstreet was the principle general of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, serving under Robert E. Lee.

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James Longstreet
1904 | 82 years old
General, Political Leader

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- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Black Activists
Alonzo J. Ransier

Civil Rights Activist, Governor, U.S. Representative / 1834 - 1882

Alonzo J. Ransier was an African-American politician from South Carolina served during post-Civil War Reconstruction.

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Alonzo J. Ransier
January 3, 1834
U.S. Representative
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Coaches
- Famous People Named Don
Don Shula

Coach / 1930 -

Don Shula was the head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1996, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship and an undefeated season.

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Don Shula
January 4, 1930
Coach
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Columbia University Alumni
- Famous People Named George
George Tenet

Government Official / 1953 -

CIA director George Tenet resigned in 2004 after U.S. forces in Iraq failed to find the weapons of mass destruction he had claimed existed there.

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George Tenet
January 5, 1953
Government Official
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Congressional Representatives
- Famous People Born in 1882
Sam Rayburn

U.S. Representative / 1882 - 1961

Sam Rayburn was an American politician best known for his roles as Speaker of the House, Majority Leader to Congress and Chairman of the National Democratic Convention.

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Sam Rayburn
January 6, 1882
U.S. Representative

Famous Capricorns

- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Photographers
- Famous Film Directors
Larry Clark

Photographer, Director / 1943 -

American photographer and film director Larry Clark is known for his images and movies, like Kids, that graphically depict unconventional teenage activities.

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Larry Clark
January 19, 1943
Photographer, Director
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Coaches
- Famous People Named Don
Don Shula

Coach / 1930 -

Don Shula was the head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1996, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship and an undefeated season.

See full bio
Don Shula
January 4, 1930
Coach

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