January 6: What Happened on This Day in History
January 6th marks the 6th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 359 days (360 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 6th in history, famous birthdays on January 6th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 6.
What happened on January 6?
Here's what happened on January 6th in history:
- 2020: In early January 2020, Indonesia experienced catastrophic flooding that severely impacted Jakarta and surrounding areas in West Java and Banten provinces. The torrential rainfall, described as the worst in over a decade, led to widespread destruction and significant human suffering. At least 74 districts were affected, with massive flooding causing extensive damage to infrastructure, disrupting power supplies, and forcing approximately 175,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The natural disaster resulted in the tragic loss of more than 60 lives, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events and climate change-related challenges.
- 2014: On January 6, 2014, 14-year-old Aitzaz Hasan confronted a suicide bomber outside his school in Hangu, Pakistan. He tackled the bomber, leading to the detonation of explosives that killed both, preventing a potential attack on over 2,000 students inside. source: time.com
- 2011: On January 6, 2011, Médecins Sans Frontières accused the Democratic Republic of the Congo of not doing enough to prevent war rape after 33 women were raped in Fizi, South Kivu, on New Year's Day. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2010: On January 6, 2010, China surpassed Germany to become the world's largest exporter. This milestone reflected China's rapid economic growth and its increasing influence in global trade. source: reuters.com
- 2004: On January 6, 2004, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity successfully landed on Mars, beginning its mission to explore the planet's geology and search for signs of past water activity. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2001: On January 6, 2001, the United States Congress, presided over by Vice President Al Gore, certified the Electoral College results of the 2000 presidential election, confirming George W. Bush's victory. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1999: On January 6, 1999, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) launched a brutal invasion of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. This marked a significant escalation in the civil war, leading to widespread violence and humanitarian crises. source: bbc.com
- 1998: NASA launched the Lunar Prospector spacecraft on January 6, 1998, to study the Moon's composition and search for water ice. This mission contributed significantly to lunar science and exploration. source: nasa.gov
- 1993: The Bombay riots, a series of communal riots in Mumbai, began on December 6, 1992, and escalated in January 1993. The violence resulted in significant loss of life and property, highlighting deep-seated communal tensions in the region. source: bbc.com
- 1988: On January 6, 1988, a significant winter storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain to much of the Southern Plains, Southeastern, and Mid-Atlantic states. The storm led to hazardous driving conditions, school closures, and at least 26 fatalities across the affected regions. Huntsville, Alabama, recorded 9.6 inches of snow, marking it as the city's second-highest storm total accumulation. source: weather.gov
What famous birthdays are on January 6?
On January 6th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Rowan Atkinson]()
Rowan Atkinson (1955)Rowan Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and writer, best known for creating and portraying the much-loved character Mr. Bean, as well as starring in the sitcom Blackadder and the film series Johnny English. [bio]
![Kate McKinnon]()
Kate McKinnon (1984)Kate McKinnon is an American comedian, actress, writer, and impressionist best known for her work on Saturday Night Live (SNL), where she became celebrated for her wide range of impressions and comedic characters. [bio]
![Norman Reedus]()
Norman Reedus (1969)Norman Reedus is an American actor, model, and television host, best known for his role as Daryl Dixon on the hit AMC television series 'The Walking Dead.' He has also appeared in films such as 'The Boondock Saints' and its sequel, and has worked as a model for major fashion brands. [bio]
![Kahlil Gibran]()
Kahlil Gibran (1883)Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and visual artist whose most famous work, 'The Prophet' (1923), is a series of poetic essays that has achieved worldwide acclaim, translated into over 100 languages. Gibran's writings blend philosophy, spirituality, and mysticism, making him one of the most widely read poets of the early 20th century. [bio]
![Adriano Celentano]()
Adriano Celentano (1938)Adriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, actor, and filmmaker, widely considered one of the most influential figures in Italian music and entertainment since the late 1950s. Known for his charismatic stage presence, innovative style, and prolific career, Celentano has released multiple hit songs and albums, starring in numerous films and television programs throughout his extensive career. [bio]
![Kapil Dev]()
Kapil Dev (1959)Kapil Dev is a legendary Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport. He captained the Indian national cricket team to its first-ever Cricket World Cup victory in 1983, a milestone that transformed cricket in India and established him as a national icon. [bio]
![Danny Thomas]()
Danny Thomas (1914)Danny Thomas was an American comedian, actor, singer, and philanthropist, best known for creating and starring in the television sitcom 'Make Room for Daddy' (later retitled 'The Danny Thomas Show'). He was a prominent figure in entertainment during the mid-20th century and is also recognized as the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. [bio]
![Diljit Dosanjh]()
Diljit Dosanjh (1984)Diljit Dosanjh is an Indian singer, actor, and television presenter known primarily for his work in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. He is one of the leading artists in the Punjabi music industry and has garnered widespread acclaim for his acting roles and chart-topping songs. [bio]
![Lou Holtz]()
Lou Holtz (1937)Lou Holtz is an American former football player, coach, and analyst. He is best known for his tenure as the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988. Holtz has also coached at several other major universities and served as a sports analyst after his coaching career. [bio]
![Loretta Young]()
Loretta Young (1913)Loretta Young was an Academy Award-winning American actress acclaimed for her work in film and television from the silent film era through the golden age of Hollywood. She is renowned for her versatility, elegance, and longevity in the entertainment industry. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on January 6?
On January 6th the following celebrities died:
![Sidney Poitier]()
Sidney Poitier (2022)Sir Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, and ambassador who became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He is a pioneering figure in American cinema, renowned for breaking down racial barriers and for his roles in films that tackled social issues. [bio]
![Peter Bogdanovich]()
Peter Bogdanovich (2022)Peter Bogdanovich was an acclaimed American film director, writer, actor, producer, and film historian, best known for his influential work during the New Hollywood era, including classics such as 'The Last Picture Show', 'Paper Moon', and 'What's Up, Doc?'. He was also notable for his contributions to film criticism and scholarship. [bio]
![Pat Harrington]()
Pat Harrington (2016)Pat Harrington Jr. was an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Dwayne Schneider, the building superintendent, on the sitcom 'One Day at a Time' (1975–1984). He had a long television and stage career, also recognized for his voice work and for appearances on variety shows in the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]
![Om Puri]()
![Silvana Pampanini]()
Silvana Pampanini (2016)Silvana Pampanini was an Italian actress and singer, widely recognized as one of the most popular film stars in Italy during the 1950s and 1960s. She gained fame for her beauty, comedic talent, and extensive filmography spanning several decades. [bio]
![Dizzy Gillespie]()
Dizzy Gillespie (1993)Legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader who was a key innovator of bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz.
![Rudolph Nureyev]()
Rudolph Nureyev (1993)Legendary Russian ballet dancer renowned for his extraordinary technique and global impact.
![Ron Asheton]()
Ron Asheton (2009)Ron Asheton was a pioneering punk rock guitarist and founding member of The Stooges, a highly influential proto-punk band led by Iggy Pop.
![Michel Petrucciani]()
Michel Petrucciani (1999)Renowned French jazz pianist and composer who overcame physical challenges to become a celebrated musician, collaborating with jazz legends...
![Francesco Scavullo]()
Francesco Scavullo (2004)Francesco Scavullo was a renowned American fashion photographer who significantly influenced the visual aesthetics of fashion and celebrity...
What day of the year is January 6?
January 6th marks the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 359 days remaining until the end of the year (or 360 days in case of leap years).
January 6th is the 6th day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 6?
The zodiac sign associated with January 6th is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
