Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
January 3 Saturday, January 3, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 3 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
2
Holidays
1777
War 249 years ago
American Revolutionary War: American forces under General George Washington defeat British forces at the Battle of Princeton, helping boost patriot morale.
George Washington leads American forces to victory over the British at the Battle of Princeton, delivering a crucial morale boost to the patriot cause.
History
What happened on January 3
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 69World history
The Roman legions on the Rhine refuse to declare their allegiance to Galba, instead proclaiming their legate, Aulus Vitellius, as emperor.
Roman soldiers on the Rhine reject Galba's authority and elevate their commander, Aulus Vitellius, as emperor.
- 250World history
Emperor Decius orders everyone in the Roman Empire (except Jews) to make sacrifices to the Roman gods.
Emperor Decius mandates that all Romans except Jews sacrifice to the Roman gods.
- 1521Religion
Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem.
Pope Leo X issues the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, excommunicating Martin Luther.
- 1653Religion
By the Coonan Cross Oath, the Eastern Church in India cuts itself off from colonial Portuguese tutelage.
The Eastern Church in India declares independence from Portuguese control through the Coonan Cross Oath.
- 1749US history
Benning Wentworth issues the first of the New Hampshire Grants, leading to the establishment of Vermont.
Benning Wentworth issues the first New Hampshire Grants, setting the stage for Vermont's establishment.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: American forces under General George Washington defeat British forces at the Battle of Princeton, helping boost patriot morale.
George Washington leads American forces to victory over the British at the Battle of Princeton, delivering a crucial morale boost to the patriot cause.
- 1815European history
Austria, the United Kingdom, and France form a secret defensive alliance against Prussia and Russia.
Austria, the United Kingdom, and France establish a secret defensive pact against Prussia and Russia.
- 1868World history
Meiji Restoration in Japan: The Tokugawa shogunate is abolished; agents of Satsuma and Chōshū seize power.
The Tokugawa shogunate is abolished, and agents from Satsuma and Chōshū take control, marking the beginning of the Meiji Restoration.
- 1920Disaster
Over 640 are killed after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes the Mexican states Puebla and Veracruz.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake kills over 640 people in the Mexican states of Puebla and Veracruz.
- 1958Politics
The West Indies Federation is formed.
The West Indies Federation is established as a political union of ten British Caribbean territories, creating a short-lived attempt at regional independence and cooperation.
- 2024War
At least 91 people are killed in bombings in Kerman, Iran, during a ceremony commemorating the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani four years earlier.
At least 91 people are killed in bombings during a ceremony in Kerman, Iran, marking the anniversary of General Qasem Soleimani's assassination.
- 2026Politics
The United States conducts airstrikes across northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas and captures Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.
The United States conducts airstrikes in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 3
7 this date All birthdays
Ettore Marchiafava
Italian physician
Ettore Marchiafava, the Italian physician and pathologist whose research on malaria laid the foundation for modern malariology, was born today in 1847.
Born
1847
Died
1935
Charles Pelham Villiers
English lawyer and politician
1802 – 1898
Savitribai Phule
Indian poet, educator, and activist
1831 – 1897
Peter Taylor
English footballer and manager
b. 1953 · 73
Jason Marsden
American actor
b. 1975 · 51
Lloyd
American singer-songwriter
b. 1986 · 40
Reto Berra
Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on January 3
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 3, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport January 3, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 3, 2019
Chang'e 4 makes the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon, deploying the Yutu-2 lunar rover.
Chang'e 4 lands on the far side of the Moon, deploying the Yutu-2 rover to explore areas unseen from Earth.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Tamaseseri Festival (Hakozaki Shrine, Fukuoka, Japan)
International
Hakozaki Shrine is a Shintō shrine in Fukuoka
The tenth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
International
The Twelve Days of Christmas, or Twelve Days of Christmastide, is the festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus