1801Invention
Ceres discovered by Piazzi
Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres, the first asteroid and now classified as a dwarf planet, from Palermo observatory.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Birth of Paul Revere (1735) and Vidya Balan born (1979), 244 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- British Left Waffles on Falkland IslandsHall of Fame◆
- 1948FIRST HOPE IS SEEN IN CABLE DISPUTEThe New York Times◆
- 2023Qantas flight to Philippines forced to turn back to Sydney as authorities close airspaceThe Guardian◆
- 2021Extend Covid measures or households face 'cliff edges', says LabourThe Guardian◆
- 1001Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable).Wikipedia◆
- 1808As a result of the lobbying efforts by the abolitionist movement (emblem pictured), the importation of slaves into the United States was officially banned, although slavery itself remained permitted.Wikipedia◆
- 1801Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet Ceres, naming it after the Roman goddess of agriculture and of motherly love.Wikipedia◆
- 1773The hymn "Amazing Grace" was probably first used in a prayer meeting in Olney, England, without the music familiar to modern listeners.Wikipedia◆
- 1995The Draupner wave in the North Sea in Norway is detected, confirming the existence of freak waves.Wikipedia◆
- 1726J. S. Bach led the first performance of Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16, his church cantata for New Year's Day to a libretto by Georg Christian Lehms (pictured).Wikipedia◆
- 1725J. S. Bach led the first performance of his chorale cantata Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, which features trumpet fanfares at the start and end.Wikipedia◆
- 1860The first Polish postage stamp is issued, replacing the Russian stamps previously in use.Wikipedia◆
- 1847The world's first "Mercy" Hospital is founded in Pittsburgh, United States, by a group of Sisters of Mercy from Ireland; the name will go on to grace over 30 major hospitals throughout the world.Wikipedia◆
- 1834Most of Germany forms the Zollverein customs union, the first such union between sovereign states.Wikipedia◆
- British Left Waffles on Falkland IslandsHall of Fame◆
- 1948FIRST HOPE IS SEEN IN CABLE DISPUTEThe New York Times◆
- 2023Qantas flight to Philippines forced to turn back to Sydney as authorities close airspaceThe Guardian◆
- 2021Extend Covid measures or households face 'cliff edges', says LabourThe Guardian◆
- 1001Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable).Wikipedia◆
- 1808As a result of the lobbying efforts by the abolitionist movement (emblem pictured), the importation of slaves into the United States was officially banned, although slavery itself remained permitted.Wikipedia◆
- 1801Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet Ceres, naming it after the Roman goddess of agriculture and of motherly love.Wikipedia◆
- 1773The hymn "Amazing Grace" was probably first used in a prayer meeting in Olney, England, without the music familiar to modern listeners.Wikipedia◆
- 1995The Draupner wave in the North Sea in Norway is detected, confirming the existence of freak waves.Wikipedia◆
- 1726J. S. Bach led the first performance of Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16, his church cantata for New Year's Day to a libretto by Georg Christian Lehms (pictured).Wikipedia◆
- 1725J. S. Bach led the first performance of his chorale cantata Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, which features trumpet fanfares at the start and end.Wikipedia◆
- 1860The first Polish postage stamp is issued, replacing the Russian stamps previously in use.Wikipedia◆
- 1847The world's first "Mercy" Hospital is founded in Pittsburgh, United States, by a group of Sisters of Mercy from Ireland; the name will go on to grace over 30 major hospitals throughout the world.Wikipedia◆
- 1834Most of Germany forms the Zollverein customs union, the first such union between sovereign states.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Colin Morgan1986- Vidya Balan1979
- Paul Revere1735
1 January in history
6 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1804Battle
Haiti declares independence
Haiti declared independence from France after the successful slave revolt led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, becoming the first Black republic.
1863Law
Emancipation Proclamation takes effect
President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation came into force, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free.
1892Global
Ellis Island immigration station opens
Ellis Island in New York Harbor opened as the United States' main immigration station, processing over 12 million immigrants over the next 62 years.
1962Songs
The Beatles start Decca audition
The Beatles auditioned for Decca Records in London, famously rejected with the line 'guitar groups are on the way out'.
1964Medical
First US Surgeon General report on smoking
US Surgeon General Luther Terry released landmark report linking smoking to lung cancer and heart disease.
Showing 1-6 of 6 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 1
1001 First everGrand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable).
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1808 Oddly trueAs a result of the lobbying efforts by the abolitionist movement (emblem pictured), the importation of slaves into the United States was officially banned, although slavery itself remained permitted.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1801 Oddly trueItalian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet Ceres, naming it after the Roman goddess of agriculture and of motherly love.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1773 First everThe hymn "Amazing Grace" was probably first used in a prayer meeting in Olney, England, without the music familiar to modern listeners.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1995 WeirdThe Draupner wave in the North Sea in Norway is detected, confirming the existence of freak waves.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2023The GuardianQantas flight to Philippines forced to turn back to Sydney as authorities close airspaceQF19 was three hours into New Year’s Day journey when pilots learned they could not land at Manila
Read on The Guardian →
2021The GuardianExtend Covid measures or households face 'cliff edges', says LabourUniversal credit boost, ban on evictions and mortgage holiday must continue, party says
Read on The Guardian →- 1948The New York TimesFIRST HOPE IS SEEN IN CABLE DISPUTE
With 3,000 workers in four large international communications companies scheduled to go on strike at midnight tonight…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineBritish Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable).” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable).
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1808 Oddly true
As a result of the lobbying efforts by the abolitionist movement (emblem pictured), the importation of slaves into the United States was officially banned, although slavery itself remained permitted.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1801 Oddly true
Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet Ceres, naming it after the Roman goddess of agriculture and of motherly love.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 1 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1735Birth
Birth of Paul Revere
Silversmith and American patriot Paul Revere was born in Boston. He became famous for his midnight ride on 18 April 1775 warning that British troops were advancing on Lexington and Concord.
1979Birth
Vidya Balan born
Vidya Balan was born. Indian actress.
1986Birth
Colin Morgan born
Colin Morgan was born. Northern Irish actor.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Accident
1997Death
Diana, Princess of Wales dies
Diana, Princess of Wales, member of british royal family, died on this day in 1997. Car crash in Paris. Remembered as: Global humanitarian and celebrated royal figure.
Assassinated
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Famous birthdays
23 this weekToday · 1 January
- Colin MorganIrish actor (born 1986)Born 1986 · 40 years ago today
- Vidya BalanIndian film actress (born 1979)Born 1979 · 47 years ago today
- Paul RevereAmerican silversmith and military officer (1735–1818)Born 1735 · 291 years ago today
Coming up this week
Kate BosworthAmerican actress (born 1983)2 January · born 1983
Cuba Gooding Jr.American actor (born 1968)2 January · born 1968
Isaac AsimovAmerican writer and biochemist (1920–1992)2 January · born 1920
Greta ThunbergSwedish activist (born 2003)3 January · born 2003
Mel GibsonAmerican actor and filmmaker (born 1956)3 January · born 1956
J.R.R. TolkienEnglish writer and philologist (1892–1973)3 January · born 1892
Holiday1 January
New Year's Day
Global celebration marking the first day of the modern Gregorian calendar year.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 1 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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