WHAT HAPPENED ON 1. JANUARY
Want to find out what all happened on 1. January

American Civil War: The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect in Confederate territory. (1. January 1863)

The first claim under the Homestead Act is made by Daniel Freeman for a farm in Nebraska. (1. January 1863)

Adolf Loos, architect, co-founder of modern architecture, baptized in St. Thomas church, Brno, Moravia (1. January 1870)

Japan begins using the Gregorian calendar. (1. January 1873)

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom is proclaimed Empress of India. (1. January 1877)

Ferdinand de Lesseps begins French construction of the Panama Canal. (1. January 1880)

Twenty-five nations adopt Sandford Fleming's proposal for standard time (and also, time zones) (1. January 1885)

Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government. (1. January 1890)

The Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, is first held. (1. January 1890)

Ellis Island opens to begin processing immigrants into the United States. (1. January 1892)

The Manchester Ship Canal, England, is officially opened to traffic. (1. January 1894)

New York, New York annexes land from surrounding counties, creating the City of Greater New York. The four initial boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, are joined on January 25 by Staten Island to create the modern city of five boroughs. (1. January 1898)

Spanish rule ends in Cuba. (1. January 1899)

Nigeria becomes a British protectorate. (1. January 1901)

The British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia federate as the Commonwealth of Australia; Edmund Barton is appointed the first Prime Minister. (1. January 1901)

The first American college football bowl game, the Rose Bowl between Michigan and Stanford, is held in Pasadena, California. (1. January 1902)

British India officially adopts the Indian Standard Time. (1. January 1906)

For the first time, a ball is dropped in New York, New York's Times Square to signify the start of the New Year at midnight. (1. January 1908)

Drilling begins on the Lakeview Gusher. (1. January 1909)

Captain David Beatty is promoted to Rear admiral, and becomes the youngest admiral in the Royal Navy (except for Royal family members), since Horatio Nelson. (1. January 1910)