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On This Day in History — January 6

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Highlights of January 6

2021 — Supporters of then-outgoing U.S. president Donald Trump attack the United States Capitol to disrupt certification of the 2020 presidential election, resulting in five deaths and evacuation of the U.S. Congress. Read more
2014 — The first episode of the documentary series Benefits Street aired on Channel 4, prompting discussion in the United Kingdom about welfare dependency. Read more
1994 — Two-time American Olympic figure-skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan was hit on the leg with a police baton by an assailant hired by the ex-husband of her rival Tonya Harding. Read more
1972 — A brawl broke out between players, fans, and police officers during an ice hockey game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the St. Louis Blues in Philadelphia. Read more
1960 — National Airlines Flight 2511, traveling from New York City to Miami, exploded in mid-air due to a bomb placed by an unknown party, resulting in the deaths of all 34 people on board. Read more
1953 — The inaugural Asian Socialist Conference, an organisation of socialist political parties, opened in Rangoon with 177 delegates, observers and fraternal guests. Read more
1941 — During his State of the Union address, U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt presented his Four Freedoms (composite poster depicted) as fundamental freedoms that all people ought to enjoy. Read more
1912 — German geophysicist Alfred Wegener presented his theory of continental drift, the precursor of plate tectonics, to the German Geological Society. Read more
1907 — Italian educator Maria Montessori opened her first school and day-care centre for working-class children in Rome, employing a philosophy of education that now bears her name. Read more
1839 — The worst storm to impact Ireland in 300 years damaged or destroyed more than 20 per cent of houses in Dublin with 100-knot (190 km/h) winds. Read more
1725 — J. S. Bach led the first performance of Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, a chorale cantata for Epiphany. Read more
1540 — King Henry VIII of England married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves; the marriage was annulled six months later. Read more
1536 — The oldest European school of higher learning in the Americas, the Colegio de Santa Cruz, was founded in Tlatelolco, Mexico City. Read more
1449 — Four years before the fall of Constantinople, Constantine XI Palaiologos (pictured) assumed the throne as the last Byzantine emperor. Read more
1322 — Stefan Dečanski was crowned King of Serbia, succeeding his half-brother Stefan Konstantin, whom he later defeated in battle. Read more
1066 — Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon monarch before the Norman Conquest, was crowned King of England. Read more

Events

2025 — Justin Trudeau announces his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Prime Minister of Canada after nine years in office. Read more
2021 — Supporters of U.S. president Donald Trump storm the United States Capitol Building to disrupt certification of the 2020 presidential election, resulting in four deaths and evacuation of the U.S. Congress. Read more
2019 — Muhammad V of Kelantan resigns as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, becoming the first monarch to do so. Read more
2017 — Five people are killed and six others injured in a mass shooting at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport in Broward County, Florida. Read more
2012 — Twenty-six people are killed and 63 wounded when a suicide bomber blows himself up at a police station in Damascus. Read more
2005 — Edgar Ray Killen is indicted for the 1964 murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner during the American Civil Rights Movement. Read more
2005 — A train collision in Graniteville, South Carolina, United States, releases about 60 tons of chlorine gas. Read more
1995 — A chemical fire in an apartment complex in Manila, Philippines, leads to the discovery of plans for Project Bojinka, a mass-terrorist attack. Read more
1994 — U.S. figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is attacked and injured by an assailant hired by her rival Tonya Harding's ex-husband during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Read more
1993 — Indian Border Security Force units kill 55 Kashmiri civilians in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, in revenge after militants ambushed a BSF patrol. Read more
1993 — Four people are killed when Lufthansa CityLine Flight 5634 crashes on approach to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy-en-France, France. Read more
1992 — President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia flees the country as a result of the military coup. Read more
1989 — Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh are sentenced to death for conspiracy in the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi; the two men are executed the same day. Read more
1974 — In response to the 1973 oil crisis, the United States implements the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act, switching to permanent daylight saving time for a trial period. Read more
1974 — Aeroflot Flight H-75 crashes near Mukachevo, killing 24. Read more
1969 — Allegheny Airlines Flight 737 crashes in Lafayette Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania, United States, killing 11. Read more
1968 — Aeroflot Flight 1668 crashes near Olyokminsk, killing 45. Read more
1967 — Vietnam War: United States Marine Corps and ARVN troops launch "Operation Deckhouse Five" in the Mekong River delta. Read more
1960 — National Airlines Flight 2511 is destroyed in mid-air by a bomb, while en route from New York City to Miami. Read more
1960 — The Associations Law comes into force in Iraq, allowing registration of political parties. Read more
1951 — Korean War: Beginning of the Ganghwa massacre, in the course of which an estimated 200–1,300 South Korean communist sympathizers are slaughtered. Read more
1947 — Pan American Airlines becomes the first commercial airline to offer a round-the-world ticket. Read more
1946 — The first general election ever in Vietnam is held. Read more
1941 — United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Four Freedoms speech in the State of the Union address. Read more
1929 — King Alexander of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes suspends his country's constitution, starting the January 6th Dictatorship. Read more
1929 — Mother Teresa arrives by sea in Calcutta, India, to begin her work among India's poorest and sick people. Read more
1912 — New Mexico is admitted to the Union as the 47th U.S. state. Read more
1912 — German geophysicist Alfred Wegener first presents his theory of continental drift. Read more
1900 — Second Boer War: Having already besieged the fortress at Ladysmith, Boer forces attack it, but are driven back by British defenders. Read more
1839 — The Night of the Big Wind, the most damaging storm in 300 years, sweeps across Ireland, damaging or destroying more than 20% of the houses in Dublin. Read more
1838 — Alfred Vail and colleagues demonstrate a telegraph system using dots and dashes (this is the forerunner of Morse code). Read more
1809 — Combined British, Portuguese and colonial Brazilian forces begin the Invasion of Cayenne during the Napoleonic Wars. Read more
1781 — In the Battle of Jersey, the British defeat the last attempt by France to invade Jersey in the Channel Islands. Read more
1725 — J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123, a chorale cantata for Epiphany. Read more
1724 — Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65, a Bach cantata, for Epiphany, is performed the first time. Read more
1721 — The Committee of Inquiry on the South Sea Bubble publishes its findings, revealing details of fraud among company directors and corrupt politicians. Read more
1661 — English Restoration: The Fifth Monarchists unsuccessfully attempt to seize control of London, England. The revolt is suppressed after a few days. Read more
1641 — Arauco War: The first Parliament of Quillín is celebrated, putting a temporary hold on hostilities between Mapuches and Spanish in Chile. Read more
1579 — The Union of Arras unites the southern Netherlands under the Duke of Parma (Ottavio Farnese), governor in the name of King Philip II of Spain. Read more
1540 — King Henry VIII of England marries Anne of Cleves. Read more
1536 — The first European school of higher learning in the Americas, Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco, is founded by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza and Bishop Juan de Zumárraga in Mexico City. Read more
1492 — The Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella enter Granada at the conclusion of the Granada War. Read more
1449 — Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor at Mystras. Read more
1355 — Charles IV of Bohemia is crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy as King of Italy in Milan. Read more
1322 — Stephen Uroš III is crowned King of Serbia, having defeated his half-brother Stefan Konstantin in battle. His son is crowned "young king" in the same ceremony. Read more
1205 — Philip of Swabia undergoes a second coronation as King of the Romans. Read more
1066 — Following the death of Edward the Confessor on the previous day, the Witan meets to confirm Harold Godwinson as the new King of England; Harold is crowned the same day, sparking a succession crisis that will eventually lead to the Norman conquest of England. Read more

Born on January 6

2006 — Stefanos Tzimas, Greek footballer Read more
2003 — MattyBRaps, American rapper, singer, and YouTuber Read more
2000 — Fiete Arp, German footballer Read more
2000 — Mohamed Camara, Malian footballer Read more
2000 — Kwon Eun-bin, South Korean singer and actress Read more
2000 — Jack McBain, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
2000 — Shuhua, Taiwanese singer Read more
2000 — Tyler Oliveira, American YouTuber Read more
1999 — Polo G, American rapper Read more
1999 — Mac McClung, American basketball player Read more
1997 — Michel Aebischer, Swiss footballer Read more
1996 — Courtney Eaton, Australian model and actress Read more
1994 — Catriona Gray, Filipino-Australian model, singer and beauty queen, Miss Universe 2018 Read more
1994 — Denis Suárez, Spanish footballer Read more
1994 — Jameis Winston, American football player Read more
1994 — Jay B, South Korean singer Read more
1993 — Pat Connaughton, American basketball player Read more
1993 — Jesús Manuel Corona, Mexican footballer Read more
1993 — Jérôme Roussillon, French-Guadeloupean footballer Read more
1992 — Corey Conners, Canadian professional golfer Read more
1991 — Duarte Alves, Portuguese politician Read more
1991 — Will Barton, American basketball player Read more
1991 — Kevin Gausman, American baseball player Read more
1990 — Cristian Erbes, Argentine footballer Read more
1990 — Sean Kilpatrick, American basketball player Read more
1990 — Alex Teixeira, Brazilian footballer Read more
1989 — Andy Carroll, English footballer Read more
1989 — Sergio León, Spanish footballer Read more
1989 — Derrick Morgan, American football player Read more
1987 — Arin Hanson, American YouTuber Read more
1987 — Bongani Khumalo, South African footballer Read more
1987 — Ndamukong Suh, American football player Read more
1986 — Paul McShane, Irish footballer Read more
1986 — Petter Northug, Norwegian skier Read more
1986 — Irina Shayk, Russian fashion model Read more
1986 — Alex Turner, English singer, songwriter, and musician Read more
1984 — A. J. Hawk, American football player and analyst Read more
1984 — Kate McKinnon, American actress and comedian Read more
1984 — Eric Trump, American businessman Read more
1983 — Adam Burish, American ice hockey player Read more

Died on January 6

2023 — Mary Lou Kownacki, American Roman Catholic nun, peace activist, and writer (born 1941) Read more
2022 — Peter Bogdanovich, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1939) Read more
2022 — Sidney Poitier, Bahamian-American actor, director, and diplomat (born 1927) Read more
2022 — Francisco Sionil Jose, Philippine novelist (born 1924) Read more
2021 — Ashli Babbitt, American participant in the January 6 United States Capitol attack Read more
2021 — Gordon Renwick, Canadian ice hockey administrator and businessman (born 1935) Read more
2021 — James Cross, British diplomat kidnapped during the 1970 October crisis in Québec (born 1921) Read more
2020 — Richard Maponya, South African businessman (born 1920) Read more
2019 — José Ramón Fernández, Cuban revolution leader (born 1923) Read more
2019 — Lamin Sanneh, Gambian-born American professor (born 1942) Read more
2019 — W. Morgan Sheppard, British actor (born 1932) Read more
2019 — Paul Streeten, Austrian-born British economics professor (born 1917) Read more
2017 — Octavio Lepage, Venezuelan politician, President of Venezuela (born 1923) Read more
2017 — Om Puri, Indian actor (born 1950) Read more
2016 — Pat Harrington, Jr., American actor and screenwriter (born 1929) Read more
2016 — Florence King, American journalist and author (born 1936) Read more
2016 — Christy O'Connor Jnr, Irish golfer and architect (born 1948) Read more
2016 — Silvana Pampanini, Italian model, actress, and director, Miss Italy 1946 (born 1925) Read more
2015 — Basil John Mason, English meteorologist and academic (born 1923) Read more
2014 — Marina Ginestà, French Resistance soldier and photographer (born 1919) Read more
2014 — Nelson Ned, Brazilian singer-songwriter (born 1947) Read more
2014 — Julian Rotter, American psychologist and academic (born 1916) Read more
2013 — Ruth Carter Stevenson, American art collector, founded the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (born 1923) Read more
2012 — Bob Holness, South African-English radio and television host (born 1928) Read more
2011 — Uche Okafor, Nigerian footballer, coach, and sportscaster (born 1967) Read more
2008 — Shmuel Berenbaum, Rabbi of Mir Yeshiva (Brooklyn) (born 1920) Read more
2007 — Roberta Wohlstetter, American political scientist, historian, and academic (born 1912) Read more
2006 — Lou Rawls, American singer-songwriter (born 1933) Read more
2005 — Eileen Desmond, Irish civil servant and politician, 12th Irish Minister for Health (born 1932) Read more
2005 — Lois Hole, Canadian academic and politician, 15th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta (born 1929) Read more
2005 — Tarquinio Provini, Italian motorcycle racer (born 1933) Read more
2004 — Pierre Charles, Dominican educator and politician, 5th Prime Minister of Dominica (born 1954) Read more
1999 — Michel Petrucciani, French-American pianist (born 1962) Read more
1995 — Joe Slovo, Lithuanian-South African lawyer and politician (born 1926) Read more
1993 — Dizzy Gillespie, American singer-songwriter and trumpet player (born 1917) Read more
1993 — Rudolf Nureyev, Russian-French dancer and choreographer (born 1938) Read more
1992 — Steve Gilpin, New Zealand vocalist and songwriter (born 1949) Read more
1991 — Alan Wiggins, American baseball player (born 1958) Read more
1990 — Ian Charleson, Scottish-English actor (born 1949) Read more
1990 — Pavel Cherenkov, Russian physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1904) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian Feast day: André Bessette (Roman Catholic Church); Christian Feast day: January 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Christmas: Christmas (Armenian Apostolic Church); Christmas: Christmas Eve (Russia); Christmas: Christmas Eve (Ukraine); Epiphany or Three Kings' Day (Western Christianity) or Theophany (Eastern Christianity), and its related observances: Little Christmas (Ireland); Epiphany or Three Kings' Day (Western Christianity) or Theophany (Eastern Christianity), and its related observances: Þrettándinn (Iceland)

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Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “January 6”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.