On This Day: What happened on 01 January?

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 01 January, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 01 JANUARY

1 | Origin and the beginning of Christian era.

2022 | New Year’s Day, the most commemorated holiday around the world.

1502 | Portuguese explorers landed on Guanabara Bay off the coast of South America and named it Rio de Janeiro (January River).

1700 | On this day, Russia begins using the Anno Domini era instead of using the Anno Mundi era of the Byzantine Empire.

1804 | Haiti gained independence on this day from France.

1999 | The Euro currency was launched after a decade of preparation.

2002 | Taiwan officially joined the World Trade Organisation, 21 days after China joined.

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DEATHS

2020 | American business executive and lawyer, David Stern, 77.

2005 | American politician and author, Shirley Chisholm, 80.

2021 | American footballer, Floyd Little, 78.

2001 | American movie actor, Ray Walston, 86.

1992 | American computer scientist, Grace Hopper, 85.

BIRTHDAYS

1985 | Egyptian movie actress, Donia Samir Ghanem.

1988 | Indian YouTube star, Chapati Hindustani Gamer.

1981 | British DJ, Shahid Khan.

1995 | American singer who gained popularity for her single “Lowlife”, Poppy.

1999 | American singer, Diamond White.

SPORTS

2015 | On this day, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s first start was not  enjoyable as the Gunners lost 2-0 at St Mary’s in the Premier League match against Southampton and he was caught smoking in the showers after the match,  he was fined £20 000.

ENTERTAINMENT

1993 | The film directed by Chen Kaige “Farewell My Concubine”  premiered in Hong Kong (Cannes Palme d’Or 1993) for the first time.

AFRICA FACT

Zimbabwe has more official languages in the world than any other country with 16 official languages. These are; Chewa, Chibarwe, Shangani, Shona, sign language, and Xhosa, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda.