January 3 in History
January 3 is the anniversary of the death of Jeff Baena (2025). Below are deaths, events for January 3, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Cicero, Roman philosopher, lawyer, and politician was born in 106 BC, while Anterus, pope of the Catholic Church died in 236.
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Famous people who died on January 3
2015
Martin Anderson (economist) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American academic, economist, and policy analyst
2014
Saul Zaentz (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American record company executive involved with Creedence Clearwater Revival
2013
Sergiu Nicolaescu (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Romanian film director, actor and politician (1930–2013)
What happened on January 3
- 2026
The United States conducts airstrikes across northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas and captures Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2024
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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2023
Singapore's Jurong Bird Park permanently closes.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2020
Iranian General Qasem Soleimani is killed by an American airstrike near Baghdad International Airport, igniting global concerns of a potential armed conflict.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
Chang'e 4 makes the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon, deploying the Yutu-2 lunar rover.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2018
For the first time in history, all five major storm surge gates in the Netherlands are closed simultaneously in the wake of a storm.
- 2016
In response to the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, Iran ends its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
Boko Haram militants destroy the entire town of Baga in north-east Nigeria, starting the Baga massacre and killing as many as 2,000 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2009
The first block of the blockchain of the decentralized payment system Bitcoin, called the Genesis block, is established by the creator of the system, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
Flash Airlines Flight 604 crashes into the Red Sea, resulting in 148 deaths, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Egyptian history.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
Israeli–Palestinian conflict: Israeli forces seize the Palestinian freighter Karine A in the Red Sea, finding 50 tons of weapons.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1999
The Mars Polar Lander is launched by NASA.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1994
Baikal Airlines Flight 130 crashes near Mamoney, Irkutsk, Russia, resulting in 125 deaths.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1993
In Moscow, Russia, George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin sign the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
CommutAir Flight 4821 crashes on approach to Adirondack Regional Airport, in Saranac Lake, New York, killing two people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on January 3
- 106 BC — Cicero, Roman philosopher, lawyer, and politician (died 43 BC)
- 1509 — Gian Girolamo Albani, Italian cardinal (died 1591)
- 1611 — James Harrington, English political theorist (died 1677)
Died on January 3
- 236 — Anterus, pope of the Catholic Church
- 323 — Emperor Yuan of Jin, Chinese emperor (born 276)
- 1028 — Fujiwara no Yukinari, Japanese calligrapher (born 972)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for January 3
Quick answers
Who died on January 3? Jeff Baena (2025), Brenton Wood (2025), Elena Huelva (2023).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in January? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the January 3 historical article above.
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