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 3
Events on This Day
-
1924
89 years agoThe solid gold coffin of King Tut is discovered by archeologist Howard Carter inside a stone sarcophagus.
-
1987
26 years agoQueen of Soul Aretha Franklin is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She's the first female artist to receive the honor.
-
1989
24 years agoThe Arsenio Hall Show, the first late-night talk show with an African-American host, debuts.
-
2001
12 years agoHillary Clinton is sworn in as New York State's first female senator, after beating out Republican Rick Lazio.
January 3
Born on This Day
-
Kimberley Locke
- In these groups:
- American Idol
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Singers
Kimberley Locke
Singer / 1978 -
Singer Kimberley Locke made a hugely successful run on American Idol and ended up placing third (behind runner-up Clay Aiken and winner Ruben Studdard).
Born: January 3, 1978
Age: 35 years old
Birthplace: Hartsville, Tennessee, United States
Occupation: Singer -
Randy Weaver
- In these groups:
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous People Born in 1948
Randy Weaver
1948 -
Randy Weaver, former U.S. Army combat engineer, is best known for being at the center of a deadly confrontation with FBI agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho in 1992.
1948 | 65 years old
-
J.R.R. Tolkien
- In these groups:
- Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers
- Famous Academics
- Famous Linguists
J.R.R. Tolkien
Linguist, Author / 1892 - 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien is an internationally renowned fantasy writer. He is best known for authoring The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
1892 | 81 years old
Linguist, Author -
Mel Gibson
- In these groups:
- Celebrity Bookings
- Famous Irish-Americans
- Celebrity Self-Imploders
Mel Gibson
Film Actor / 1956 -
Mel Gibson is a well-known film actor, director and producer, having starred in Braveheart, Hamlet, Maverick and both the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon series.
Born: January 3, 1956
Age: 57 years old
Birthplace: Peekskill, New York, United States
Occupation: Film Actor -
Lucretia MottLucretia Mott
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist / 1793 - 1880
Lucretia Mott was a leading social reformer of her time and helped to form the Free Religious Association.
1793 | 87 years old
Civil Rights Activist, ... -
Dorothy Arzner
- In these groups:
- Groundbreaking Women
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Film Directors
Dorothy Arzner
Director / 1897 - 1979
Dorothy Arzner was a pioneer in the film industry, becoming one of the first women directors of feature films and the first woman to join the Directors Guild of America.
1897 | 82 years old
Director
January 3
Died on This Day
-
Jack Ruby
- In these groups:
- Infamous Assassins
- Name Changers
- Famous Taureans
Jack Ruby
Entrepreneur, Assassin / 1911 - 1967
Nightclub owner Jack Ruby murdered Lee Harvey Oswald before Oswald could stand trial for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Died: January 3, 1967
Age: 55 years old
Place: Dallas, Texas , United States
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Assassin -
Conrad Hilton
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous People Born in 1887
- Famous People Born in New Mexico
Conrad Hilton
Entrepreneur / 1887 - 1979
Conrad Hilton founded the Hilton Hotel empire and grew it into one of the largest private companies in the U.S., consisting of over 3600 hotels worldwide.
1979 | 91 years old
Entrepreneur -
William Joyce
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous People Named William
- Famous People Born in 1906
William Joyce
Political Leader / 1906 - 1946
William Joyce is best known for his involvement in the British Fascist Party during World War II and immigrating to Nazi Germany.
1946 | 39 years old
Political Leader
Email Updates
Quiz
about Biography?
Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play Nowprofile name: Kimberley Locke profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 578518
profile name: Randy Weaver profile occupation:
profile id: 9508428
profile name: J.R.R. Tolkien profile occupation: Linguist, Author
profile id: 9310680
profile name: Mel Gibson profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9416590
profile name: Lucretia Mott profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist, ...
profile id: 9190257
profile name: Dorothy Arzner profile occupation: Director
profile id: 20640181
profile name: Jack Ruby profile occupation: Entrepreneur, Assassin
profile id: 9339383
profile name: Conrad Hilton profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 17172178
profile name: William Joyce profile occupation: Political Leader
profile id: 9512446
profile name: King Tut profile occupation: King
profile id: 9301157
profile name: Aretha Franklin profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9542195
profile name: Arsenio Hall profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9251306
profile name: Hillary Clinton profile occupation: Women's Rights Activist
profile id: 37114
profile name: Don Shula profile occupation: Coach
profile id: 244622
profile name: George Tenet profile occupation: Government Official
profile id: 39880
profile name: Sam Rayburn profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 38958
profile name: Henry Allen profile occupation: Trumpet Player
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

John F. Kennedy
Famous Military Veterans
Anthony Weiner
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived


