31 fun facts for January, 3

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
January 3 marks a variety of significant events, celebrating days such as Festival of Sleep Day and National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day. Historical milestones include Alaska becoming the 49th US state, Apple Inc.'s incorporation, and the birth of J.R.R. Tolkien. Additionally, this date has witnessed various advancements in technology, medicine, and politics.
31 Fun facts
  1. On January 3, 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther. This was due to Luther's Ninety-five Theses, which criticized the church's practices and sought reform, ultimately leading to the Protestant Reformation.
  2. January 3 is marked as the Festival of Sleep Day, encouraging people to catch up on rest and relaxation after the busy holiday season.
  3. In 1959, on this day, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States. This was after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a legislation that officially admitted Alaska into the Union.
  4. On January 3, 106 BC, the famous Roman leader and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero was born. He was an influential rhetorician, philosopher, and lawyer, who played a significant role in politics and governance of the Roman Republic.
  5. January 3 is celebrated as National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day in the United States, a day to indulge in the combination of chocolate and cherries, often eaten as candy.
  6. Apple Inc. was incorporated on January 3, 1977. Today, Apple is one of the world's largest technology companies, known for its iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and various other technology offerings.
  7. On January 3, 1987, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, acknowledging her immense contribution to the world of music.
  8. January 3 is observed as National Drinking Straw Day in the United States, celebrating the invention and the convenience offered by drinking straws.
  9. On this day in 1924, legendary British author J.R.R. Tolkien was born. He is best known for writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
  10. In 1938, on January 3, the first female dentist in the United States, Lucy Hobbs Taylor, passed away.
  11. January 3 is regarded as National Hummingbird Day in Peru, celebrating the fascinating bird species found in the country.
  12. On this day in 1961, the United States severed its diplomatic relations with Cuba, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
  13. Booker T. Washington and his family moved to their new home called "The Oaks" on January 3, 1900. This home is now a part of the Tuskegee University campus and serves as a museum.
  14. January 3 marks the anniversary of the invention of the pinking shears by Samuel Briskman in 1931, which became a huge success.
  15. In 1969, on this day, John Lennon and Yoko Ono debuted their famous "Acorn Peace" at Coventry Cathedral, a performance art piece advocating for world peace.
  16. January 3 is celebrated every year as the Milk Day in Japan, highlighting the importance of milk in daily life as well as its nutritional aspects.
  17. In 1947 on this date, the proceedings of the United States Congress were televised for the first time, opening up new possibilities for accessibility and transparency in government.
  18. Dr. John H. Gibbon Jr. performed the first successful heart surgery using heart-lung bypass machine on January 3, 1953, marking a significant advancement in medical technology.
  19. On January 3, 1961, the United States' first primate astronaut, a chimpanzee named Ham, was launched into space as part of the Mercury program.
  20. January 3, 1910, marked the opening of the Kiel Canal in Germany, connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, considered an engineering marvel at the time.
  21. In 2000, on this date, the last daily comic strip of "Peanuts" was published following the death of its creator, Charles M. Schulz.
  22. On January 3, 1939, the London Zoo recorded its first panda bear named Ming, contributing greatly to the zoo's popularity.
  23. January 3 is observed in the United Kingdom as Memento Mori Day, a day to reflect on one's mortality and the impermanence of life.
  24. In 1996, Motorola released the StarTAC, the world’s first clamshell mobile phone on January 3, launching the era of flip phones.
  25. On this day in 1870, the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began, which would eventually become an iconic landmark of New York City.
  26. Thomas Edison completed construction of his famous Black Maria film studio in New Jersey on January 3, 1893, initiating the beginning of the American film industry.
  27. January 3, 1889, marked the opening of the all-female San Francisco Ladies' Medical College, providing opportunities for women to pursue careers in medicine.
  28. In 1959, on January 3, the play "A Raisin in the Sun" premiered in New York City. Lorraine Hansberry's drama brought attention to the lives and challenges of African Americans in the US.
  29. January 3, 1840, was the date of the first recorded ice hockey match in history, played by the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment at Kingston Harbour in Ontario, Canada.
  30. In 1947, the proceedings of the Canadian Parliament were televised for the first time on January 3, making parliamentary sessions more accessible to the public.
  31. On January 3, 1892, the popular Indian vernacular newspaper "Prabhat" was first published, providing a voice for the people mainly focusing on social and political issues.

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