What Happened On This Day – January 1
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1999 The Euro becomes the official currency in 11 countries
While the Euro was already valid for bank transfers, notes and coins were introduced on January 1, 2002.
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1993 Czechoslovakia is dissolved
The country was peacefully divided into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
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1992 Russia is formed
The formation of the Russian Federation followed the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
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1958 The European Economic Community is founded
The EEC was a predecessor of today's European Union (EU)
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1912 Republic of China is founded
It was succeeded by the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Births On This Day,
January 1
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1977 Bobby Roode
Canadian wrestler
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1895 J. Edgar Hoover
American 1st Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
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1864 Alfred Stieglitz
American photographer
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1863 Pierre de Coubertin
French historian, educator, founded the International Olympic Committee
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1735 Paul Revere
American military officer
Deaths On This Day,
January 1
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1997 Townes Van Zandt
American singer-songwriter, guitarist
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1958 Edward Weston
American photographer
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1953 Hank Williams
American singer-songwriter, guitarist
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1894 Heinrich Hertz
German physicist
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1782 Johann Christian Bach
German composer