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On this day in history - January 1

What Happened On This Day – January 1

  • 1999 The Euro becomes the official currency in 11 countries

    While the Euro was already valid for bank transfers, notes and coins were introduced on January 1, 2002.

  • 1993 Czechoslovakia is dissolved

    The country was peacefully divided into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

  • 1992 The Russian Federation is founded

    The formation of the Russian Federation followed the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

  • 1958 The European Economic Community (EEC) is founded

    The EEC was a predecessor of today's European Union (EU)

  • 1912 Republic of China is founded

    It was succeeded by the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
January 1

  • 1977 Bobby Roode

    Canadian wrestler

  • 1895 J. Edgar Hoover

    American 1st Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

  • 1864 Alfred Stieglitz

    American photographer

  • 1863 Pierre de Coubertin

    French historian, educator, founded the International Olympic Committee

  • 1735 Paul Revere

    American military officer

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
January 1

  • 1997 Townes Van Zandt

    American singer-songwriter, guitarist

  • 1958 Edward Weston

    American photographer

  • 1953 Hank Williams

    American singer-songwriter, guitarist

  • 1894 Heinrich Hertz

    German physicist

  • 1782 Johann Christian Bach

    German composer