1896Law
Utah becomes 45th US state
Utah was admitted as the 45th state of the United States after banning polygamy.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Birth of Isaac Newton (1643) and Louis Braille born (1809), 166 years apart.
1 / 6 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
- Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin CaseHall of Fame◆
- 1975U.S. Safety Board Enters Study of Bronx Rail CrashThe New York Times◆
- 2023China data ‘under-represents’ true impact of Covid outbreak – WHOThe Guardian◆
- 2013No boys allowed: the rise of single-sex clubs and societiesThe Guardian◆
- 1903Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company records the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death.Wikipedia◆
- 1863The New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.Wikipedia◆
- 1844The first issue of the Swedish-languaged Saima newspaper founded by J. V. Snellman is published in Kuopio, Finland.Wikipedia◆
- 2004Spirit (artist's impression depicted), the first of two rovers of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission, successfully landed on Mars.Wikipedia◆
- 1973Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running sitcom in the world, premiered as an episode of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse.Wikipedia◆
- 1972Rose Heilbron (pictured) became the first female judge to sit at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.Wikipedia◆
- 1936Billboard published its first music hit parade.Wikipedia◆
- 1909British explorer Aeneas Mackintosh, a member of the Nimrod Expedition, escaped death by fleeing across ice floes.Wikipedia◆
- 2007The 110th United States Congress convenes, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history.Wikipedia◆
- 1976The Troubles: The Ulster Volunteer Force shoots dead six Irish Catholic civilians in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The next day, gunmen would shoot dead ten Protestant civilians nearby in retaliation.Wikipedia◆
- Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin CaseHall of Fame◆
- 1975U.S. Safety Board Enters Study of Bronx Rail CrashThe New York Times◆
- 2023China data ‘under-represents’ true impact of Covid outbreak – WHOThe Guardian◆
- 2013No boys allowed: the rise of single-sex clubs and societiesThe Guardian◆
- 1903Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company records the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death.Wikipedia◆
- 1863The New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.Wikipedia◆
- 1844The first issue of the Swedish-languaged Saima newspaper founded by J. V. Snellman is published in Kuopio, Finland.Wikipedia◆
- 2004Spirit (artist's impression depicted), the first of two rovers of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission, successfully landed on Mars.Wikipedia◆
- 1973Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running sitcom in the world, premiered as an episode of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse.Wikipedia◆
- 1972Rose Heilbron (pictured) became the first female judge to sit at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.Wikipedia◆
- 1936Billboard published its first music hit parade.Wikipedia◆
- 1909British explorer Aeneas Mackintosh, a member of the Nimrod Expedition, escaped death by fleeing across ice floes.Wikipedia◆
- 2007The 110th United States Congress convenes, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history.Wikipedia◆
- 1976The Troubles: The Ulster Volunteer Force shoots dead six Irish Catholic civilians in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The next day, gunmen would shoot dead ten Protestant civilians nearby in retaliation.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Dafne Keen2005- Michael Stipe1960
- Louis Braille1809
- Isaac Newton1643
4 January in history
4 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1958Achievement
Edmund Hillary reaches South Pole
New Zealander Edmund Hillary reached South Pole overland as part of Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
1979Discovery
Voyager 1 discovers new moon of Jupiter
Voyager 1 discovered Thebe, a small inner moon of Jupiter.
2010Global
Burj Khalifa opens
The Burj Khalifa, world's tallest building at 828m, opened in Dubai.
Showing 1-4 of 4 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 4
1903 Oddly trueTopsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company records the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1863 Oddly trueThe New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1844 First everThe first issue of the Swedish-languaged Saima newspaper founded by J. V. Snellman is published in Kuopio, Finland.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
2004 First everSpirit (artist's impression depicted), the first of two rovers of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission, successfully landed on Mars.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1973 Oddly trueLast of the Summer Wine, the longest-running sitcom in the world, premiered as an episode of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2023The GuardianChina data ‘under-represents’ true impact of Covid outbreak – WHOAnalysis of Chinese data finds no new variants of concern emerging, but world health body says it still does not have…
Read on The Guardian →
2013The GuardianNo boys allowed: the rise of single-sex clubs and societiesZoe Williams: This month, a women-only restaurant will join a clutch of new clubs, societies and networking events th…
Read on The Guardian →- 1975The New York TimesU.S. Safety Board Enters Study of Bronx Rail Crash
Natl Transportation Safety Bd, superseding Fed RR Adm in Fed investigation of Jan 2 crash of 2 Penn Central commuters…
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 headlineDrunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
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 “Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company records the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? Oddly true
Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. The Edison film company records the film Electrocuting an Elephant of Topsy's death.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1863 Oddly true
The New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1844 First ever
The first issue of the Swedish-languaged Saima newspaper founded by J. V. Snellman is published in Kuopio, Finland.
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 4 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
4
1643Birth
Birth of Isaac Newton
Mathematician and physicist Isaac Newton was born in Woolsthorpe, England, author of Principia Mathematica.
1809Birth
Louis Braille born
Louis Braille was born. French inventor of Braille.
1960Birth
Michael Stipe born
Michael Stipe was born. American singer, R.E.M. frontman.
2005Birth
Dafne Keen born
Dafne Keen was born. English actress.
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.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Suicide
30 BCDeath
Cleopatra dies
Cleopatra, queen of the ptolemaic kingdom, died on this day in 30 BC. Suicide (historically debated, asp bite). Remembered as: The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Famous birthdays
23 this weekToday · 4 January
- Dafne KeenSpanish-British actress (born 2005)Born 2005 · 21 years ago today
- Michael StipeAmerican singer (born 1960)Born 1960 · 66 years ago today
- Louis BrailleFrench educator and inventor of braille (1809–1852)Born 1809 · 217 years ago today
- Isaac NewtonEnglish polymath (1642–1727)Born 1643 · 383 years ago today
Coming up this week
Deadmau5Canadian music producer and DJ (born 1981)5 January · born 1981
January JonesAmerican actress (born 1978)5 January · born 1978
Bradley CooperAmerican actor and filmmaker (born 1975)5 January · born 1975
Umberto EcoItalian semiotician, philosopher and writer (1932–2016)5 January · born 1932
Eddie RedmayneEnglish actor (born 1982)6 January · born 1982
Rowan AtkinsonEnglish actor, comedian, and writer (born 1955)6 January · born 1955
Day of Recognition4 January
World Braille Day
United Nations observance raising awareness of braille as an essential means of communication.
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 4 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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