Osun Defender History Corner: January 3 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

January 3, 1521

Martin Luther excommunicated by Pope Leo X.

January 3, 1777

Battle of Princeton during the American Revolutionary War.

January 3, 1848

Joseph Jenkins Roberts becomes the first President of Liberia.

January 3, 1868

Meiji Restoration in Japan, marking the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.

January 3, 1925

Benito Mussolini declares himself dictator of Italy.

January 3, 1947

Proceedings of the U.S. Congress are televised for the first time.

January 3, 1957

The Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch.

January 3, 1961

The United States severs diplomatic relations with Cuba.

January 3, 1977

Apple Computer is incorporated by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.

January 3, 1990

David Dinkins is sworn in as the 106th Mayor of New York City, becoming the first African American to hold this position.

January 3, 1993

The Republic of Czechoslovakia is dissolved, leading to the formation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

January 3, 2000

Final communication from the spacecraft Pioneer 10.

January 3, 2004

Flash Airlines Flight 604 crashes into the Red Sea, killing all 148 people on board.

January 3, 2009

Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip, officially ending Operation Cast Lead.

January 3, 2010

The tallest man-made structure at the time, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, is officially opened.

January 3, 2014

A chemical spill contaminates the water supply of 300,000 residents in Charleston, West Virginia.

January 3, 2015

Boko Haram militants attack the town of Baga in Nigeria, resulting in mass casualties.

January 3, 2019

China becomes the first country to land a rover on the far side of the Moon.

January 3, 2020

The United States assassinates Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq.

January 3, 2022

The James Webb Space Telescope is launched, marking a significant advancement in space observation.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on January 3. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.