January 3rd celebrates Fruitcake Toss Day and Drinking Straw Day.
Today’s the third day of the year and our New Year resolutions are well on the way!
You’re about to discover some of the coolest historical events and fun facts for January 3 including the many major advances in technology and exploration that all fell on this special day.
Did you know that on this day in 1870, workers began construction on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York? It was the first steel-wire suspended bridge in the world.
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about January 3rd in history!
Events
What memorable events happened on January 3 in history? Keep reading to find out!
2024
Jeffery Epstein’s associates were revealed in court documents from Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2015 trial.
The list of associates includes countless high-profile figures, including former US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Steven Hawking, Michael Jackson, and Prince Andrew of Britain.
2019
China’s Chang’e-4 became the first spacecraft to successfully land on the far side of the Moon.
2018
A woman in Rome became the first person to receive a bionic hand that can sense touch.
After losing her left hand in an accident 25 years prior, Almerina Mascarello said, “it’s almost like it’s back again.”
1496
Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tried to fly his famous Flying Machine invention for the first time.
Leonardo da Vinci is known for many things, from his incredible art to his master inventions, and one of the most well-known was his Flying Machine. Unfortunately, his attempt to fly was unsuccessful, but he learned that no man could ever jump high enough to propel his craft.
250 AD
Roman Emperor Decius ordered everyone in the Roman Empire to make sacrifices to the Roman gods.
There were already many Christians in Rome by this point, but the decree did not discriminate. In fact, it was partly targeted at the Christian population who practiced the newly minted religion without the Empire’s permission. Many Christians who refused, including Pope Fabian, were executed.
Famous Births
Is today your birthday? If so, did you know that Mel Gibson was also born on this day? Here are more famous people born on this day.
2003
Greta Thunberg
Swedish
Activist
Age:
21 years old
Born In:
Stockholm, Sweden
1956
Mel Gibson
American
Actor
Age:
68 years old
Born In:
New York, USA
1969
Michael Schumacher
German
Race Car Driver
Age:
55 years old
Born In:
Hürth, Germany
1892
J. R. R. Tolkien
English
Writer
Died On:
Feb 9, 1973 (Age 81)
Born In:
Orange Free State, South Africa
Quotes
Here we have the most notable quotes that have been spoken throughout history on January 3rd.
1861
Thank God men cannot as yet fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.
Henry David Thoreau
American Naturalist
Special Holidays
Are you looking for something to do today? Well, here’s a few special days that might just give you some ideas.
National Drinking Straw Day
Today’s the day that we celebrate the invention of the drinking straw. While plastic drinking straws are a definite no-go these days, head on down to your local eco shop and pick yourself up a reusable one to join in the festivities!
Fruitcake Toss Day
The holiday celebrations are certainly over now, but what to do with your leftover fruitcake? Worry not because today is Fruitcake Toss Day. Now grab all that cake and toss it as far as you possibly can! Goodbye fruitcake!
THe Fact Site’s
Fun Fact Of The Day
Celebrities have to pay $40,000 to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Birthday & Zodiac
People who were born on January 3rd share the Capricorn zodiac sign.
Capricorn’s can-do attitude often leads to success in pretty much any industry. But, while they’re fantastic leaders, they should also be mindful of their workaholic tendencies.
If you were born in January, your birthstone is the Garnet. The garnet is a colorful gem that provides the wearer protection on their journey through life.
If your birthday falls on this day, you would’ve likely been conceived around April 12 in the previous year.
Babies conceived on January 3, 2025, will be due around September 26, 2025.