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3 January 2021
Holidays, observances, history and sky information for this date.
Holidays
No listed India public holiday for this date.
Observances
No UN observance in the current list for this date.
Selected anniversaries
Anniversary
2026 - The United States launches a military operation in Venezuela, capturing president Nicolás Maduro (pictured) and his wife.Country primarily in North America
Anniversary
2009 - The cryptocurrency network of bitcoin was created when Satoshi Nakamoto mined the first block of the chain.Digital asset using a distributed ledger
Anniversary
2004 - Flash Airlines Flight 604 crashed shortly after departure from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport which killed all 148 occupants on board.2004 aviation accident in the Red Sea
Anniversary
2002 - Second Intifada: Israeli forces seized MV Karine A, which was carrying 50 tons of smuggled weapons on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.2000–2005 Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation
Anniversary
1990 - United States invasion of Panama: Manuel Noriega, the deposed strongman of Panama, surrendered to American forces outside the apostolic nunciature in Panama City.1989 military action in Panama
Historical events
History
2026 - The United States conducts airstrikes across northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas and captures Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.Country primarily in North America
History
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.Suicide bombings in Iran
History
2023 - Singapore's Jurong Bird Park permanently closes.Former zoo in Jurong, Singapore
History
2020 - Iranian General Qasem Soleimani is killed by an American airstrike near Baghdad International Airport, igniting global concerns of a potential armed conflict.Iranian military officer (1957–2020)
History
2019 - Chang'e 4 makes the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon, deploying the Yutu-2 lunar rover.2019 Chinese lunar lander & rover
History
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.History
2016 - In response to the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, Iran ends its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.Shia Muslim religious figure and Saudi government critic; executed in 2016
History
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.African jihadist organisation
History
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.System used to settle financial transactions through the transfer of monetary value
History
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.2004 aviation accident in the Red Sea
Notable births
Born
2004 - Carlos Baleba, Cameroonian footballerCameroonian footballer (born 2004)
Born
2003 - Kyle Rittenhouse, American conservative personalityAmerican known for the Kenosha unrest shooting (born 2003)
Born
2003 - Greta Thunberg, Swedish environmental activistSwedish activist (born 2003)
Notable deaths
Died
2025 - Jeff Baena, American filmmaker (born 1977)American screenwriter and film director (1977–2025)
Died
2025 - Brenton Wood, American R&B singer-songwriter and keyboard player (born 1941)American singer and songwriter (1941–2025)
Died
2025 - Niko Lekishvili, Georgian politician (born 1947)Georgian politician (1947–2025)
Died
2023 - Elena Huelva, Spanish cancer activist and influencer (born 2002)Spanish influencer and writer (2002–2023)
Died
2021 - Eric Jerome Dickey, American author (born 1961)American author (1961–2021)
Died
2020 - Qasem Soleimani, Iranian major general, commander of the Iranian Quds Force (born 1957)Iranian military officer (1957–2020)
Died
2019 - Herb Kelleher, American businessman, co-founder of Southwest Airlines (born 1931)American airline businessman (1931–2019)
Died
2018 - Colin Brumby, Australian composer (born 1933)Australian composer and conductor
Sky
Moon phase
Waning Gibbous
78.3% illuminated
Lunar age: 19.3 days
Sun zodiac
Capricorn
13.33 degrees
Constellation: Sagittarius
Moon zodiac
Virgo
6.09 degrees
Constellation: Leo
Astronomy events
Meteor Shower
Quadrantids Meteor Shower PeakApproximate recurring annual peak date. Exact peak timing and visibility vary by year and location.