Today In History, Jan. 1: Fidel Castro
Today is Tuesday, Jan. 1.
Today's Highlight in History:
1959: Fidel Castro
On Jan. 1, 1959, Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries overthrew Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista, who fled to the Dominican Republic.
1863: Emancipation Proclamation
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves in rebel states shall be "forever free."
1892: Ellis Island
In 1892, the Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York formally opened.
1953: Hank Williams Sr.
In 1953, country singer Hank Williams Sr., 29, was discovered dead in the back seat of his car during a stop in Oak Hill, West Virginia, while he was being driven to a concert date in Canton, Ohio.
1975: Watergate Guilty
In 1975, a jury in Washington found Nixon administration officials John N. Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman and Robert C. Mardian guilty of charges related to the Watergate cover-up (Mardian's conviction for conspiracy was later overturned on appeal).
1994: North American Free Trade Agreement
In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect.
2009: Claiborne Pell
Ten years ago: Six-term Rhode Island Sen. Claiborne Pell died at age 90.
2009: Iraq Green Zone Handover
Ten years ago: The U.S. formally transferred control of the Green Zone to Iraqi authorities in a pair of ceremonies that also handed back Saddam Hussein's former palace.
2009: Israel Mideast
Ten years ago: An Israeli warplane dropped a 2,000-pound bomb on the home of one of Hamas' top five decision-makers, instantly killing him and 18 others.
2009: Rose Bowl
Ten years ago: No. 5 Southern California defeated No. 6 Penn State 38-24 in the 95th Rose Bowl.
2009: Russia Ukraine Gas
Ten years ago: Russia made good on its threat to cut off all natural gas supplies to Ukraine.
2009: Winter Classic
Ten years ago: The Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 in the Winter Classic at chilly Wrigley Field.
2014: Colorado Recreational Pot
In 2014, the nation's first legal recreational pot shops opened in Colorado at 8 a.m. Mountain time.
2014: Fiesta Bowl
Five years ago: No. 15 Central Florida pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the bowl season by outlasting No. 6 Baylor 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl.
2014: Juanita Moore
Five years ago: Actress Juanita Moore, 99, died in Los Angeles.
2014: Rose Bowl
Five years ago: No. 4 Michigan State romped to a 24-20 victory over No. 5 Stanford in the 100th Rose Bowl.
2018: California Recreational Marijuana
One year ago: California launched legal sales of recreational marijuana, with customers linking up early for ribbon cuttings and promotions.
2018: Gretchen Carlson
One year ago: Former Fox News Channel anchor and 1989 Miss America Gretchen Carlson was named chairwoman of the Miss America Organization's board of directors, with three other past pageant winners joining her on the board.
2018: Peter Martins
One year ago: Peter Martins, the longtime leader of the New York City Ballet, announced his retirement in the midst of an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct.
2018: Rose Bowl
One year ago: In the first Rose Bowl to go into overtime, Georgia advanced to college football's national championship game with a 54-48 win over Oklahoma.
2018: Sugar Bowl
One year ago: Alabama advanced by beating top-ranked Clemson, 24-6, in the Sugar Bowl.
