ON THIS DAY

The past leaves a trace.

Choose a date and follow its stories through time. Browse the calendar

A date. A doorway to the past.

Choose a day and discover what happened.

January 3Across the years

8 selected records · Newest first

1977
Science & Discovery · January 3

Apple Computer is incorporated.

Apple Computer is incorporated.

1933
Historical Figures · January 3

Birth of Rolf Steiner

Born: Rolf Steiner, German mercenary.

Rolf Steiner is a German retired mercenary. He began his military career as a French Foreign Legion paratrooper and saw combat in Vietnam, Egypt, and Algeria. Steiner rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel commanding the 4th Commando Brigade in the Biafran Army during the Nigerian Civil War, and later fought with the Anyanya rebels in southern Sudan.

1749
Historical Events · January 3

Benning Wentworth issues the first of the New Hampshire Grants, leading to the establishment of Vermont.

Benning Wentworth issues the first of the New Hampshire Grants, leading to the establishment of Vermont.

Benning Wentworth was an American merchant, landowner and colonial administrator who served as the governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766. He is best known for issuing a series of land grants between 1749 and 1766 in territory disputed with the Province of New York. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire into a prominent local family, Wentworth was groomed by his father John to take over the family business before Wentworth's misbehavior at Harvard College led him to be sent by his father to Boston to undergo an apprenticeship at his uncle's counting house.

1749
Arts & Culture · January 3

The first issue of Berlingske, Denmark's oldest continually operating newspaper, is published.

The first issue of Berlingske, Denmark's oldest continually operating newspaper, is published.

Berlingske, previously known as Berlingske Tidende, is a Danish national daily newspaper based in Copenhagen. It is considered a newspaper of record for Denmark. First published on 3 January 1749, Berlingske is Denmark's oldest continually operating newspaper and among the oldest newspapers in the world.

1521
Historical Events · January 3

Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem.

Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem.

Pope Leo X was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 9 March 1513 to his death in December 1521.

250
Ancient Civilizations · January 3

Emperor Decius orders everyone in the Roman Empire (except Jews) to make sacrifices to the Roman gods.

Emperor Decius orders everyone in the Roman Empire (except Jews) to make sacrifices to the Roman gods.

Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius, known as Trajan Decius or simply Decius, was Roman emperor from 249 to 251.

236
Historical Figures · January 3

Death of Anterus

Died: Anterus, pope of the Catholic Church.

Pope Anterus was the bishop of Rome from 21 November 235 until his death on 3 January 236.

69
Ancient Civilizations · January 3

The Roman legions on the Rhine refuse to declare their allegiance to Galba, instead proclaiming their…

The Roman legions on the Rhine refuse to declare their allegiance to Galba, instead proclaiming their legate, Aulus Vitellius, as emperor.

Servius Sulpicius Galba was a Roman emperor, ruling for 7 months from 8 June AD 68 to 15 January 69. He was the first emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors and assumed the throne following Emperor Nero's suicide.

Dates follow the source calendar pages; older dates may use different calendars. About the sources