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28 fun facts for January, 2

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
The history of January 2nd includes the completion of the Reconquista in Spain, the birth of National Science Fiction Day, and the unveiling of the iPhone by Steve Jobs. From remarkable sporting achievements to the launch of groundbreaking space missions, this diverse date holds something for everyone.
28 Fun facts
  1. On January 2nd, 1492, the Spanish forces led by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella conquered Granada from the Moors. This completed the Reconquista, or the re-conquest of Spain, that lasted for about 781 years.
  2. January 2nd is considered National Buffet Day in the United States, a day where people can indulge in endless piles of food offered at buffets.
  3. On January 2nd, 1860, the construction of the first ocean-going iron-hulled steamship, the SS Great Eastern, was completed. The ship was designed by renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and launched in London.
  4. On this day in 1920, the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates played Major League Baseball's (MLB) first ever indoor game at the San Francisco Seals baseball stadium. This exhibition game was a one of kind event in MLB history.
  5. In 1959, the Soviet Union's Luna 1 spacecraft, the first interplanetary mission, was launched on January 2nd. Although it missed its target of the Moon, it became the first man-made object to leave Earth's gravity.
  6. On January 2nd, 1929, the United States recognized the government of dictator Gerardo Machado in Cuba. This decision marked the beginning of the long-lasting alliance between the two countries.
  7. On January 2nd, 1833, Great Britain claimed the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, asserting British sovereignty. The British successfully fended off Argentinian forces' attempts to re-capture the islands in 1982.
  8. January 2nd is National Science Fiction Day in the United States, a day dedicated to celebrating the genre of science fiction and its impact on culture and technology.
  9. On January 2nd, 1972, Mariner 9 successfully entered Mars orbit, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. It sent back valuable data on Mars' surface and atmosphere during its mission.
  10. On this day in 1788, Georgia ratified the United States Constitution, making it the fourth state to do so. Georgia was one of the thirteen original colonies.
  11. January 2nd, 1974 marked the first waterbed patent when inventor Charles Hall obtained a patent for his water-filled mattress. Waterbeds gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s as a luxury alternative to traditional mattresses.
  12. In 1967, on January 2nd, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the Governor of California. This former Hollywood actor would later go on to become the 40th President of the United States.
  13. On January 2nd, 1981, Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the Yorkshire Ripper, was arrested in Sheffield, England. He was later convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others between 1975 and 1980.
  14. On January 2nd, 1971, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved to introduce a telephone number specifically for emergencies. This led to the creation of the 911 emergency system in the United States.
  15. In 2004, on January 2nd, NASA's spacecraft Stardust flew past the Comet Wild 2, collecting dust samples from its tail, which were returned to Earth later in the mission.
  16. January 2nd, 2006 marked the official opening of the Taipei 101 building, the world's tallest building at the time, located in Taipei, Taiwan. The building has 101 floors and stands 509 meters tall.
  17. On this day in 2007, Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the first-generation iPhone, which revolutionized the smartphone industry and made Apple a global leader in mobile technology.
  18. On January 2nd, 1975, the popular television game show "Wheel of Fortune" premiered on NBC. The show is still running today, making it one of the longest-running American TV shows.
  19. January 2nd is known as 'Ancestry Day' in the nation of Haiti. It is a day to remember and honor the nation’s African ancestors' struggles, sacrifices, and bravery.
  20. On January 2nd, 1955, José Antonio Remón Cantera, president of Panama, was assassinated during a racetrack ceremony in Panama City. He was a prominent military and political figure in Panama.
  21. January 2nd, 1935 marked the birth of American astronaut David Scott. He was the seventh person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971.
  22. On January 2nd, 1996, the iconic British band The Spice Girls released their debut single, "Wannabe," which went on to become a worldwide hit and girl power anthem.
  23. January 2nd is National Cream Puff Day in the United States, commemorating the creation of the classic pastry dessert that originated in France in the 16th century.
  24. On January 2nd, 1988, Canadian hockey player Mario Lemieux scored five goals in five different ways during an NHL game. This impressive feat remains unmatched in the league's history.
  25. January 2nd, 1933, was the inauguration of the first drive-in theaters for automobiles, called "Auto Movies." This drive-in was located in Miami, Florida.
  26. In 1959, on January 2nd, Yoronjima Island, Sakishima Islands, Japan, officially joined Kagoshima Prefecture. This marked an important step in consolidating Japan's territories.
  27. On January 2nd, 1900, American inventor John Stevens filed a patent for a device that improved the efficiency of solar cells, which led to significant advancements in solar energy technology.
  28. Australian tennis player Ken Rosewall won his first Grand Slam singles title on January 2nd, 1953, at the Australian Championships. He held a record for the youngest winner of the tournament until 2003.

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