January 1 - This day in History

January 1: General Interest
1959: Batista forced out by Castro-led revolution

On this day in 1959, facing a popular revolution spearheaded by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista flees the island nation. Amid celebration and chaos in the Cuban capitol of Havana, the U.S. debated how best to deal with the radical Castro and the ominous rumblings of anti-Americanism in Cuba... read more


American Revolution
1781 : Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mutiny-of-the-pennsylvania-line


Automotive
1919 : Edsel Ford succeeds father as president of Ford
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/edsel-ford-succeeds-father-as-president-of-ford


Civil War
1863 : The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-emancipation-proclamation-takes-effect


Cold War
1959 : Cuban dictator Batista falls from power
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cuban-dictator-batista-falls-from-power


Crime
1973 : The real-life murder behind Looking For Mr. Goodbar
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-real-life-murder-behind-looking-for-mr-goodbar


Disaster
1978 : Air India jet crashes just after takeoff
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/air-india-jet-crashes-just-after-takeoff


General Interest
45 B.C. : New Year's Day
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/new-years-day

1803 : Haitian independence proclaimed
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/haitian-independence-proclaimed

1863 : Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/emancipation-proclamation-goes-into-effect

1876 : First modern Mummers' Parade
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-modern-mummers-parade


Hollywood
1915 : Sneak preview of The Birth of a Nation
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sneak-preview-of-the-birth-of-a-nation


Literary
1879 : E.M. Forster is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/em-forster-is-born


Music
1958 : Inmate Merle Haggard hears Johnny Cash play San Quentin State Prison
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/inmate-merle-haggard-hears-johnny-cash-play-san-quentin-state-prison


Old West
1863 : A Nebraska farmer files the first homestead claim
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-nebraska-farmer-files-the-first-homestead-claim


Presidential
1863 : Lincoln signs Emancipation Proclamation
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lincoln-signs-emancipation-proclamation


Vietnam War
1966 : 1st Marine Division advance elements arrive
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/1st-marine-division-advance-elements-arrive

1967 : Operation Sam Houston begins
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-sam-houston-begins


World War I
1915 : British ship Formidable is torpedoed
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/british-ship-formidable-is-torpedoed


World War II
1942 : United Nations created
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-nations-created

1946 : Hidden Japanese surrender after Pacific War has ended
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hidden-japanese-surrender-after-pacific-war-has-ended