Historical Events
• 1066 – Harold II is crowned King of England, shortly before the Norman Conquest. (britannica.com)
• 1412 – Joan of Arc, French national heroine, is born in Domrémy, France. (britannica.com)
• 1838 – A fire destroys 900 buildings in New York City, one of the largest urban fires of the 19th century. (en.wikipedia.org)
• 1912 – New Mexico is admitted as the 47th U.S. state. (britannica.com)
• 1941 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers the “Four Freedoms” speech to Congress, outlining fundamental human rights. (history.com)
• 1994 – Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is attacked at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. (en.wikipedia.org)
• 2021 – Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (bbc.com)
Notable Birthdays
• Joan of Arc (1412) – French heroine and saint. (britannica.com)
• Eli Whitney (1765) – American inventor, known for inventing the cotton gin. (britannica.com)
• Carl Sandburg (1878) – American poet, biographer, and historian. (britannica.com)
• Rowan Atkinson (1955) – English actor and comedian, famous for Mr. Bean and Blackadder. (britannica.com)
• Diane Keaton (1946) – American actress and filmmaker, Oscar winner for Annie Hall. (britannica.com)
Observances / Facts
• Epiphany / Three Kings’ Day – Celebrated by Christians worldwide, commemorating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. (vatican.va)
• National Cuddle Up Day (U.S.) – Encourages people to get cozy and enjoy warmth during winter. (timeanddate.com)