History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

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How to travel a lot more comfortably

How to travel a lot more comfortably

The amazing ways nostalgia changes the brain

The amazing ways nostalgia changes the brain

Going braless: benefits and beginner advice

Going braless: benefits and beginner advice

See Again

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1772 -

The first traveler's cheques are sold in London. The cheques could be used in 90 European cities.

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1776 -

General George Washington hoists the Grand Union Flag for the first time. This is considered the first national flag of the United States of America.

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1798 -

The first Jewish censor is appointed in Russia. Its job is to censor Hebrew books.

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1801 -

The Acts of Union 1800 are passed. The Irish Parliament joins the Kingdom of Great Britain, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

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1801 -

Italian monk Giuseppe Piazzi discovers the dwarf planet Ceres. He first believed he had discovered a comet, but it was later confirmed by astronomers that it was indeed a planet.

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1804 -

Haiti gains independence from France. In doing so the country becomes the world's first black-led republic, as well as the first independent Caribbean state.

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1818 -

English author Mary Shelley publishes the novel 'Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus,' more commonly known as 'Frankenstein.'

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1863 -

President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, which grants freedom to slaves in US confederate states.

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1893 -

Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar, which was first introduced in Europe in 1582.

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1896 -

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen takes the first x-ray on December 22, 1895. He announces his discovery to the world on January 1, 1896.

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1900 -

The Netherlands passes a legislation making education compulsory between the ages of six and 12.

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1901 -

The Commonwealth of Australia is established and the country becomes independent on January 1, 1901.

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Shutterstock

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1907 -

American President Theodore Roosevelt shakes a record 8,513 hands in one day. The record was set at an official New Year's Day function at the White House.

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1912 -

The Republic of China is founded in 1912 and Sun Yat-sen becomes the country's first president.

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1934 -

The island of Alcatraz officially becomes a federal prison in the United States.

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1942 -

The Allies of World War II, called the United Nations from January 1, 1942 onwards, sign a declaration against the Axis powers.

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1948 -

The Constitution of Italy comes into force after being passed on December 22, 1947.

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1962 -

The Beatles audition for Decca Records and are turned down by the label.

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1966 -

The Simon & Garfunkel song 'The Sound of Silence' hits number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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1968 -

Daredevil Evel Knievel fails his attempt to jump the Caesars Palace Fountain and crashes.

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1972 -

For the first time in history, policewomen become full-fledged members of the South African Police Force.

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1981 -

Greece becomes the 10th country to join the European Economic Community.

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1985 -

The Internet's "Domain Name System" is born. The first domain was then created in March, called symbolics.com.

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1986 -

Spain and Portugal follow Greece as the 11th and 12th countries to join the European Economic Community.

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1993 -

The European Economic Community's single market is born and a free trade zone is set up.

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1993 -

The dissolution of Czechoslovakia takes place. The country separates into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

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1999 -

The Euro is introduced as a currency. The Euro is now the official currency of 19 countries.

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2007 - Bulgaria and Romania become members of the European Union. Irish, Bulgarian, and Romanian become official EU languages, joining 20 other languages.

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2018 -

Cannabis is legalized for recreational use in California.

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History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

A look back at important events that took place on January 1st

History highlights: what's happened on New Year's Day

© Getty Images iStock

01/01/21 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE January

A date celebrated throughout the world, January 1st is usually associated with change and new beginnings. But the first day of the year also went down in history for other reasons. Click through this gallery and be surprised by the events that have taken place on New Year's Day.

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