What Happened On This Day – January 3
1994 Millions of people from the former Apartheid Homelands gain South African citizenship
The apartheid regime had stripped the black inhabitants of the right to citizenship to ensure a white majority of the de jure population.
1993 The second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II) is signed
The U.S.A. and Russia agreed to reduce the number of nuclear warheads by about 3,000.
1961 The United States breaks diplomatic relations with Cuba
In April 1961, the U.S. government launched an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Cuban government by invading the country at the bay of pigs.
1959 Alaska becomes the 49th U.S. state
The territory had been bought from Russia in 1867 for a mere $7.2 million.
1957 The first electric watch is available
The Hamilton Electric 500 came in “modern” asymmetrical designs to reflect the revolutionary technology.
Births On This Day – January 3
1969 Michael Schumacher
German race car driver
1956 Mel Gibson
American/Australian actor, director, producer, screenwriter
1901 Ngo Dinh Diem
South Vietnamese politician, 1st President of the Republic of Vietnam
1892 J. R. R. Tolkien
English philologist, author
1883 Clement Attlee
English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Deaths On This Day – January 3
2010 Mary Daly
American philosopher, theologian
2005 Will Eisner
American illustrator
2003 Sid Gillman
American football player
1967 Jack Ruby
American murderer
1946 William Joyce
American/English politician, broadcaster