1777Battle
Battle of Princeton
George Washington defeated British forces at Princeton, New Jersey, boosting American morale during the Revolutionary War.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — J.R.R. Tolkien born (1892) and Greta Thunberg born (2003), 111 years apart.
2 / 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 →Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Greta Thunberg2003- Mel Gibson1956
- J.R.R. Tolkien1892
3 January in history
9 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1804Discovery
Asteroid Juno discovered
German astronomer Karl Harding discovered Juno, the third asteroid ever found.
1926Songs
Are You Lonesome Tonight released
Elvis Presley's version would later become a No.1 hit in 1960.
1936TV
BBC Television Service starts
BBC began world's first regular high-definition TV service from Alexandra Palace.
1959Law
Alaska becomes US state
President Eisenhower signed proclamation admitting Alaska as the 49th US state.
1959Celestial
Luna 1 passes Moon
Luna 1 passed within 5995 km of Moon's surface.
1968Medical
First successful heart transplant in US
Dr. Norman Shumway performed the first adult heart transplant in the US at Stanford.
1978Tragedy
Air India Flight 855 crashes
Air India Flight 855 crashed into Arabian Sea off Bombay, killing 213.
1983Invention
Apple Lisa introduced
Apple introduced the Lisa, the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, priced at $9,995.
Showing 1-9 of 9 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
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Viewing 3 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1892Birth
J.R.R. Tolkien born
Author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
1956Birth
Mel Gibson born
Mel Gibson was born. American actor and director.
2003Birth
Greta Thunberg born
Greta Thunberg was born. Swedish climate activist.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
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
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
Famous birthdays
23 this weekToday · 3 January
- Greta ThunbergSwedish activist (born 2003)Born 2003 · 23 years ago today
- Mel GibsonAmerican actor and filmmaker (born 1956)Born 1956 · 70 years ago today
- J.R.R. TolkienEnglish writer and philologist (1892–1973)Born 1892 · 134 years ago today
Coming up this week
Dafne KeenSpanish-British actress (born 2005)4 January · born 2005
Michael StipeAmerican singer (born 1960)4 January · born 1960
Louis BrailleFrench educator and inventor of braille (1809–1852)4 January · born 1809
Isaac NewtonEnglish polymath (1642–1727)4 January · born 1643
Deadmau5Canadian music producer and DJ (born 1981)5 January · born 1981
January JonesAmerican actress (born 1978)5 January · born 1978
Celebration3 January
J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Honors the birthday of the renowned author of The Lord of the Rings.
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 3 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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