The Event Registry

2002

2002

Euro currency introduced

The euro became the official currency for 12 European Union countries, with euro banknotes and coins entering circulation. By March 2002 it replaced legacy currencies like the mark and lira, symbolizing a new era of European economic integration

January 1 National 0

2002

2002

Euro currency introduced

The euro became the official currency for 12 European Union countries, with euro banknotes and coins entering circulation. By March 2002 it replaced legacy currencies like the mark and lira, symbolizing a new era of European economic integration

January 1 National 0

1994

1994

NAFTA takes effect

The North American Free Trade Agreement went into force, eliminating most tariffs between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This created one of the world’s largest free-trade zones and reshaped economic relations on the continent

January 1 National 0

1994

1994

NAFTA takes effect

The North American Free Trade Agreement went into force, eliminating most tariffs between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This created one of the world’s largest free-trade zones and reshaped economic relations on the continent

January 1 National 0

1959

1959

Batista regime falls in Cuba

Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Havana as rebel forces led by Fidel Castro seized power, marking a victorious culmination of the Cuban Revolution and a turning point in Cold War-era Latin America

January 1 National 0

1959

1959

Batista regime falls in Cuba

Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Havana as rebel forces led by Fidel Castro seized power, marking a victorious culmination of the Cuban Revolution and a turning point in Cold War-era Latin America

January 1 National 0

1863

1863

Emancipation Proclamation issued

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that enslaved people in Confederate states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free,” a pivotal step toward abolishing slavery

January 1 National 0

1863

1863

Emancipation Proclamation issued

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that enslaved people in Confederate states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free,” a pivotal step toward abolishing slavery

January 1 National 0

1920

1920

Palmer Raids peak

U.S. authorities, led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, conducted sweeping raids on January 2, 1920, arresting thousands of suspected radicals. These actions, during the post-WWI Red Scare, reflected widespread fears of communism and led to debates over civil liberties

January 2 National 0

1920

1920

Palmer Raids peak

U.S. authorities, led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, conducted sweeping raids on January 2, 1920, arresting thousands of suspected radicals. These actions, during the post-WWI Red Scare, reflected widespread fears of communism and led to debates over civil liberties

January 2 National 0

1863

1863

Battle of Stones River concludes

The Civil War Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) ended in a strategic Union victory. Although both sides suffered heavy casualties, the Union win bolstered Northern morale after earlier setbacks

January 2 National 0

1863

1863

Battle of Stones River concludes

The Civil War Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) ended in a strategic Union victory. Although both sides suffered heavy casualties, the Union win bolstered Northern morale after earlier setbacks

January 2 National 0

1492

1492

Moors surrender Granada

The last Muslim stronghold in Spain, Granada, fell to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, completing the Reconquista and effectively ending Islamic rule in Iberia

January 2 National 0

1492

1492

Moors surrender Granada

The last Muslim stronghold in Spain, Granada, fell to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, completing the Reconquista and effectively ending Islamic rule in Iberia

January 2 National 0

1959

1959

Alaska becomes a state

The U.S. admitted Alaska as the 49th state on this day. The addition of the vast, resource-rich territory expanded America’s strategic and economic reach in the far north during the Cold War era

January 3 National 0

1959

1959

Alaska becomes a state

The U.S. admitted Alaska as the 49th state on this day. The addition of the vast, resource-rich territory expanded America’s strategic and economic reach in the far north during the Cold War era

January 3 National 0

1870

1870

Construction begins on Brooklyn Bridge

Ground was broken for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. When completed in 1883, it became the world’s longest suspension bridge and an iconic feat of engineering, symbolizing American urban progress

January 3 National 0

1870

1870

Construction begins on Brooklyn Bridge

Ground was broken for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. When completed in 1883, it became the world’s longest suspension bridge and an iconic feat of engineering, symbolizing American urban progress

January 3 National 0

1777

1777

Battle of Princeton

General George Washington’s Continental Army defeated British forces at Princeton, New Jersey, boosting American morale during the Revolutionary War. Coming on the heels of the victory at Trenton, it convinced many that the patriot cause could succeed

January 3 National 0

1777

1777

Battle of Princeton

General George Washington’s Continental Army defeated British forces at Princeton, New Jersey, boosting American morale during the Revolutionary War. Coming on the heels of the victory at Trenton, it convinced many that the patriot cause could succeed

January 3 National 0

2004

2004

Spirit rover lands on Mars

NASA’s Spirit rover successfully landed on Mars, beginning a landmark mission that, along with its twin Opportunity, vastly expanded our knowledge of the Red Planet’s geology and past water activity

January 4 National 0

2004

2004

Spirit rover lands on Mars

NASA’s Spirit rover successfully landed on Mars, beginning a landmark mission that, along with its twin Opportunity, vastly expanded our knowledge of the Red Planet’s geology and past water activity

January 4 National 0

1896

1896

Utah joins the Union

Utah was admitted as the 45th U.S. state. After decades of territorial status and conflict over the practice of polygamy, statehood marked Utah’s full integration into the United States, with the Mormon Church renouncing polygamy beforehand

January 4 National 0

1896

1896

Utah joins the Union

Utah was admitted as the 45th U.S. state. After decades of territorial status and conflict over the practice of polygamy, statehood marked Utah’s full integration into the United States, with the Mormon Church renouncing polygamy beforehand

January 4 National 0