Notable History

As most of you are aware its a new year; yet another year to try some thing and call it new, just 'cause...Here are some things to reflect on and remind you of things past.

January 1
The first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
This year there are 365 days and counting. (364 because I'm writing this on the 2nd)
Most western European countries changed the start of the year to January 1 before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. For example, Scotland changed the start of the Scottish New Year to January 1 in 1600. England, Ireland and the British colonies changed the start of the year to January 1 in 1752. Later that year in September, the Gregorian calendar was introduced throughout Britain and the British colonies. These two reforms were implemented by the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750.
January 1 became the official start of the year as follows:

• 1522 The Republic of Venice
• 1544 Holy Roman Empire (Germany)
• 1556 Spain, Portugal
• 1559 Prussia, Sweden
• 1564 France
• 1576 Southern Netherlands
• 1579 Lorraine
• 1583 United Provinces of the Netherlands (northern)
• 1600 Scotland
• 1700 Russia
• 1721 Tuscany
• 1752 Great Britain (excluding Scotland) and its colonies

404 – An infuriated Roman mob tears Telemachus, a Christian monk, to pieces for trying to stop a gladiators' fight in the public arena held in Rome.
1001 – Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II.
1772 – The first traveler's cheques, which can be used in 90 European cities, go on sale in London, England, Great Britain.
1773 – The hymn that became known as "Amazing Grace", then titled "1 Chronicles 17:16–17" is first used to accompany a sermon led by John Newton in the town of Olney, England.
1781 – American Revolutionary War: 1,500 soldiers of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment under General Anthony Wayne's command rebel against the Continental Army's winter camp in Morristown, New Jersey in the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781.

1788 – First edition of The Times of London, previously The Daily Universal Register, is published.
1800 – The Dutch East India Company is dissolved.
1801 – The dwarf planet Ceres is discovered by Giuseppe Piazzi.
1804 – French rule ends in Haiti. Haiti becomes the first black republic and second independent country in North America after the United States
1808 – The importation of slaves into the United States is banned.
1860 – First Polish stamp is issued.
1863 – American Civil War: The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect in Confederate territory.
1892 – Ellis Island opens to begin processing immigrants into the United States.
1899 – Spanish rule ends in Cuba.
1902 – The first American college football bowl game, the Rose Bowl between Michigan and Stanford, is held in Pasadena, California.
1908 – For the first time, a ball is dropped in New York, New York's Times Square to signify the start of the New Year at midnight.

1912 – The Republic of China is established.
1913 – The British Board of Censors is established.
1932 – The United States Post Office Department issues a set of 12 stamps commemorating the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth.
1934 – Alcatraz Island becomes a United States federal prison.
1934 – Nazi Germany passes the "Law for the Prevention of Genetically Diseased Offspring".
1937 – Safety glass in vehicle windscreens becomes mandatory in the United Kingdom.
1939 – Sydney, Australia, swelters in 45 ˚C (113 ˚F) heat, a record for the city.
1942 – The Declaration by United Nations is signed by twenty-six nations.
1945 – World War II: In retaliation for the Malmedy massacre, U.S. troops massacre 30 SS prisoners at Chenogne.
1949 – United Nations cease-fire takes effect in Kashmir from one minute before midnight. War between India and Pakistan stops accordingly.
1954 – NBC makes the first coast-to-coast NTSC color broadcast when it telecast the Tournament of Roses Parade, with public demonstrations given across the United States on prototype color receivers.
1956 – Sudan achieves independence from Egypt and the United Kingdom.
1956 – A new year event causes panic and stampedes at Yahiko Shrine, Yahiko, Niigata, Japan, killing at least 124 people.
1959 – Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces during the Cuban Revolution.
1960 – Cameroon achieves independence from France and the United Kingdom.
1970 – Unix time begins at 00:00:00 UTC/GMT.
1971 – Cigarette advertisements are banned on American television.
1985 – The first British mobile phone call is made by Ernie Wise to Vodafone.

1990 – David Dinkins is sworn in as New York City's first black mayor.
1992 – Russia is officially formed.
2007 – Adam Air Flight 574 disappears over Indonesia with 102 people on board.
2012 – Kim Jong-un is officially declared the new Supreme Leader of North Korea.

RIP
1782 – Johann Christian Bach, German composer (b. 1735)
1793 – Francesco Guardi, Venetian painter (b. 1712)
1796 – Alexandre-Théophile Vandermonde, French mathematician (b. 1735)
1957 – Seán South and Fergal O'Hanlon are killed in the Brookeborough Raid2012 – Gary Ablett, English footballer (b. 1965)