January 3: What Happened on This Day in History
January 3rd marks the 3rd day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 362 days (363 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 3rd in history, famous birthdays on January 3rd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 3.
What happened on January 3?
Here's what happened on January 3rd in history:
- 2020: On January 3, 2020, a targeted U.S. military drone strike near Baghdad International Airport killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, a highly influential Iranian military leader and commander of the Quds Force. The strike, authorized by the Trump administration, was carried out in response to perceived imminent threats to American personnel in the region. Soleimani was considered one of the most powerful and strategic military figures in Iran, responsible for coordinating foreign military operations and proxy groups across the Middle East. His assassination dramatically escalated tensions between the United States and Iran, raising global concerns about potential armed conflict and retaliatory actions.
- 2014: An 85-year-old Palestinian man was killed during Israeli violence in Kufr Qaddoum, near Nablus, marking the first Palestinian fatality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2014.
- 2011: An additional 35 military officers were sentenced for their involvement in a mutiny that occurred in February 2009, indicating ongoing judicial proceedings related to military misconduct.
- 2010: Due to Al Qaeda's security threats, the United States and United Kingdom have closed their Yemen embassies.
- 2004: On January 3, 2004, Mikhail Saakashvili was elected as the president of Georgia, marking a significant political transition in the post-Soviet era. Saakashvili was known for his pro-Western reforms and efforts to combat corruption.
- 1999: Israeli authorities detained and subsequently expelled 14 members of the Concerned Christians group. This action was likely related to concerns about potential religious extremism or unauthorized activities within the country.
- 1998: The musical 'Side Show' concludes its run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City after 91 performances, marking the end of its Broadway production.
- 1995: Vladislav Listiev, a prominent Russian talk show host and television producer, was assassinated in Moscow. His murder was a significant event in the Russian media landscape, highlighting the dangerous climate for journalists in post-Soviet Russia.
- 1993: Junk bond financier Michael Milken is released from jail after serving 22 months, marking a significant moment in financial history.
- 1988: Rose Ausländer, a renowned German poet known for her lyrical works and Holocaust-related poetry, passed away. Born in 1901 in Czernowitz (then Austria-Hungary, now Ukraine), she was a significant voice in 20th-century German literature, particularly known for her poetic reflections on Jewish identity and survival.
What famous birthdays are on January 3?
On January 3rd there are the following famous birthdays:
![George Martin]()
George Martin (1926)Legendary record producer known as 'the Fifth Beatle' who profoundly influenced the sound of the Beatles and modern popular music.
![Mel Gibson]()
Mel Gibson (1956)Mel Gibson is an acclaimed American-Australian actor and filmmaker known for iconic roles in 'Mad Max' and 'Lethal Weapon'.
![Robert Loggia]()
Robert Loggia (1930)Renowned American actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Big', 'Scarface', and 'An Officer and a Gentleman'.
![Victoria Principal]()
Victoria Principal (1950)Victoria Principal is a famous American actress best known for her iconic role as Pamela Barnes Ewing in the popular television series...
![Anna May Wong]()
Anna May Wong (1905)Pioneering Chinese-American actress who was the first Chinese-American Hollywood movie star, breaking significant racial barriers in early...
![Victor Borge]()
Victor Borge (1909)Victor Borge was a renowned Danish-American comedian, pianist, and entertainer who revolutionized musical comedy through his unique blend of...
![Dabney Coleman]()
Dabney Coleman (1932)Prominent American character actor known for comedic and dramatic roles in films like 'Nine to Five', 'Tootsie', and 'War Games'.
![Jodie Whittaker]()
Jodie Whittaker (1982)Jodie Whittaker is a prominent British actress who made history as the first female Doctor in the long-running science fiction series Doctor...
![Ray Milland]()
Ray Milland (1907)Acclaimed Welsh-American actor who won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1945 for his powerful performance in 'The Lost Weekend', a...
![Maxene Andrews]()
Maxene Andrews (1916)Maxene Andrews was a renowned soprano singer and key member of the Andrews Sisters, a legendary close harmony group that defined the swing...
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on January 3?
On January 3rd the following celebrities died:
![Judith Anderson]()
![William Cagney]()
- Jack Ruby (1967)
Jack Ruby was a nightclub owner who became infamous for assassinating Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused killer of President John F. Kennedy, in...
- Qasem Soleimani (2020)
Qasem Soleimani was a powerful Iranian major general who commanded the Quds Force and was assassinated in a US drone strike in 2020.
- Joseph Joffre (1931)
French soldier who was the marshall of his nation and commanded armies in the first two years after ww i. he stopped the german invasion in...
- Herb Kelleher (2019)
Legendary American entrepreneur who co-founded Southwest Airlines, revolutionizing low-cost air travel in the United States and transforming...
- Phil Everly (2014)
Phil Everly was a legendary American rock and roll and country singer, best known as one half of the influential Everly Brothers duo.
- Gladys Aylward (1970)
Gladys Aylward was a courageous British missionary who dedicated her life to serving children in China during the early 20th century.
- Mohan Rakesh (1972)
Prominent Indian playwright and novelist who significantly contributed to modern Hindi literature, known for his innovative narrative...
What day of the year is January 3?
January 3rd marks the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 362 days remaining until the end of the year (or 363 days in case of leap years).
January 3rd is the 3rd day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 3?
The zodiac sign associated with January 3rd is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
