The Treaty of Westminster ends England's involvement in the Franco-Dutch War.
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On This Day in History: January 4
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 4th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Fire destroys most of the Palace of Whitehall in London on on January 4, 1698. The fire was caused by a maidservant drying linen over a charcoal brazier.
It destroyed most of the royal complex leaving only the Banqueting House standing This event marked the end of Whitehall as the primary royal residence, with subsequent royal residences moving to St. James's Palace and Kensington Palace.
Britain occupies the island of Hong Kong in January 1841 as a result of the First Opium War and takes formal possession of the Island on January 26, 1841 raising the Union Jack at Possession Point. China went on to formally cede the Island of Hong Kong to the British under the Treaty of Nanking (or Nanjing), signed on August 29, 1842, formally making it a British colony.
The treaty was followed 56 years later in 1898 by a 99-year lease that allowed Britain to control even more land with the lease ending in 1997.
Solomon Northrup, who was born a free person of color in what is now Minerva, New York, legally regains his freedom on January 4, 1853, after being kidnapped, sold into slavery and spending 12 years as a slave. Northrup was a farmer, laborer, and musician. He later wrote about his experiences in "Twelve Years a Slave." More
The first successful appendectomy is performed by Dr. William Grant in Iowa; saving the life of 22-year-old Mary Gartside. The event was a major turning point in treating appendicitis.
Dreyfus Affair: French army officer Alfred Dreyfus is stripped of his rank and sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island.
Utah is admitted into the United States becoming the 45th State.
The first American college football bowl game, the Rose Bowl, is held in Pasadena, California.
Burma (Myanmar) formally achieves independence from Britain after the negotiations between Burmese leader Aung San and British Prime Minister Clement Attlee were completed.
An uprising against Portuguese colonial rule in Angola, begins on January 4, 1961 in Baixa do Cassange. It was a labor strike by cotton workers that is considered the first political movement that would trigger the Angolan War of Independence a month later.
The strike is also called Mariano's revolt and Maria's war. January 4 is now a national holiday in Angola.
Patsy Mink (Patsy Matsu Takemoto) becomes the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the State of Hawaii. More
President Lyndon B. Johnson unveils his "Great Society" vision in his State of the Union address calling for legislation for major investments in social welfare programs. More
Nancy Pelosi, Congress Woman for the State of California becomes first female Speaker of the House.