January 6 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

January 6th is celebrated as Epiphany in many Christian traditions, marking the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus. Historically, in 1838, Samuel Morse publicly demonstrated the telegraph for the first time. Famous personalities born on this day include American actress Rowan Atkinson (1955) and Indian cricketer K. L. Rahul (1992).

Famous People Born on January 6th

Joan of Arc : 1412 : French heroine and saint.

Robert Duvall : 1931 : American actor and filmmaker.

Rowan Atkinson : 1955 : English comedian and actor, famous for Mr. Bean.

Klaus Wowereit : 1953 : German politician, former mayor of Berlin.

Judith Light : 1949 : American actress known for TV and stage roles.

Dave Weckl : 1960 : American jazz fusion drummer.

A. R. Rahman : 1967 : Indian composer and musician.

Joan Crawford : 1904 : American actress and film icon.

Famous Events on January 6th

1066 : Harold Godwinson was crowned King of England.

1412 : Joan of Arc, the French heroine, was born.

1838 : Samuel Morse publicly demonstrated the telegraph for the first time.

1912 : New Mexico was admitted as the 47th U.S. state.

1941 : Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous “Four Freedoms” speech to Congress.

1994 : Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by an assailant hired by the ex-husband of her rival, Tonya Harding.

2021 : The U.S. Capitol was stormed by rioters attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Famous People Who Died on January 6th

Richard Nixon (1994) : 37th President of the United States.

Dmitri Shostakovich (1975) : Russian composer and pianist.

Carl Sandburg (1967) : American poet and writer.

George VI (1952) : King of the United Kingdom and father of Queen Elizabeth II.

John Milton (1674) : English poet, famous for Paradise Lost.

Bobbie Gentry (2023) : American singer-songwriter, known for “Ode to Billie Joe”.

Wilhelm Röntgen (1923) : German physicist, discovered X-rays.

January 6th is a day rich in history, culture, and notable events. From significant historical milestones to the births and deaths of influential personalities, this day has left its mark across centuries. It reminds us of the achievements, challenges, and stories that continue to shape our world today.