🗓️ On This Day - January 3rd
It’s January 3rd - which means there's 362 days left in the year! But this isn’t any ordinary day - from the birth of the man who created Middle-Earth to the first time Leonardo Da Vinci tried to fly, there are plenty more fun facts about January 3rd you’ll want to tuck into.
On this day
All roads lead to Brooklyn!
On January 3rd 1870, construction began on one of New York City’s most recognizable icons - The Brooklyn Bridge. Building work finished around 13 years later, and at the time, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world!
Welcome, Alaska!
In 1959, the USA grew a little bigger when Alaska became the 49th state. Of course, Alaska was already owned by the US - who bought the western territory from the Russians in 1867 for $7.2 million.
The Queen of Soul gained major recognition.
The legendary Aretha Franklin made music history when she became the first-ever female musician inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 3rd, 1987.
Big changes for Jobs and co!
iPhone aficionados may not know that, in 1977, the company formerly known as The Apple Computer Company officially changed their name and became Apple Computer Inc. That, of course, was just the beginning for these game-changing boffins!
Da Vinci took flight… well, he tried.
Leonardo Da Vinci was a creator centuries ahead of his time! His legacy isn’t all full of successes like the Mona Lisa, however. On January 3rd, 1496, Da Vinci tried to fly for the first time. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be - and he learned that no human could possibly jump high enough to make his machine work.
Thankfully, the Wright Brothers worked out the conundrum of human flight a few centuries later!
Jon Pertwee became The Doctor for a whole generation of TV viewers.
In “Spearhead from Space,” which aired on January 3rd in 1970, Doctor Who fans were introduced to the Third Doctor - after both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton retired from the famous role.
Jon Pertwee played the famous Doctor Who for five seasons from 1970 to 1974. “Spearhead from Space” was also the first episode of the sci-fi behemoth which was filmed and aired in color!
Special Days Falling on January 3rd
January 3rd isn’t just another “recovery day” from New Year - take a look at some of these special holidays, for example!
Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
Yes, you read that right! Although it’s a US holiday, Chocolate lovers everywhere can celebrate by indulging in these fruity treats.
Fruitcake Toss Day
if you’d rather throw your fruit than eat it, then this Colorado-born tradition might be for you. The first Great Fruitcake Toss came to pass in 1996 when a group of Manitou Springs locals came together in a park to dispose of their leftover baked goods!
National Drinking Straw Day
Today, we also honor the invention of the drinking straw. It was on this day in 1888 that Marvin C. Stone was granted a patent for his paper straw design, which has evolved massively over the decades.
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This page was last modified on February 19, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
On December 31st, 2012, President Barack Obama announced that January would be recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. He acknowledged the fact that human trafficking occurs both within the United States and internationally, and that it affects individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. He also noted that women and girls are disproportionately affected by these abuses. The goal of this national observance is to raise awareness and take action to end human trafficking and slavery. Historically, January is also when Abraham Lincoln launched the Emancipation Proclamation.
Famous Birthdays on January 3rd
If you were born on January 3rd…
If January 3rd is your birthday, you are a Capricorn according to Western astrology. People born under this sign are known for their ambition, though their hard-working nature means they can quite easily turn into workaholics! Check out our Capricorn fact page.
