Epiphany is celebrated annually on this day. It is a major feast that commemorates, for Western Christians, the coming of the Magi and, for Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jesus' birth, baptism in the Jordan River by John, and first miracle. Churches commemorate this with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, typically on the Sunday after Epiphany (January 6) in Western traditions, or on January 19 (Julian calendar equivalent) in Eastern Orthodoxy.
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On This Day in History: January 6
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 6th. 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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Harold Godwineson, head of the most powerful noble family in England, is crowned King Harold II on January 6, 1066, following the death of Edward the Confessor, leading to a war of succession involving Tostig, brother of Harold, King Harald III Hardraade of Norway and William, duke of Normandy.
King Harold managed to fight and kill Tostig and King Harald III at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York but was himself soon defeated and killed by William at the Battle of Hastings. Almost a year after Edward the Confessor's death, on Christmas Day, 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned the first Norman king of England. More
King Henry VIII of England marries Anne of Cleves, his fourth wife on January 6, 1540,. The marriage was declared unconsummated and was annulled after a few months. Anne was not crowned queen consort.
It is believed that the marriage took place because Henry VIII thought he needed to form a political alliance with her brother, William, a leader of the Protestants of Western Germany, to strengthen his position against potential attacks from Catholic France and the Holy Roman Empire. Following the annulment, Henry gave her a generous settlement and Anne was thereafter known as the King's Beloved Sister. Remaining in England, she lived to see the reigns of Henry's children, Edward VI and Mary I, and attended Mary's coronation in 1553. Anne outlived the rest of Henry's wives.
The Union of Arras is signed on January 6, 1579, reconciling the Catholic southern provinces of the Netherlands with King Philip II of Spain.
George Washington marries Martha Dandridge Custis in Virginia on January 6, 1759 at her home in New Kent County. More
Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail publicly demonstrate their telegraph system for the first time at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey, by sending a telegram across two miles of wire. Morse continued to improve the system as well as invented the Morse Code while trying to get financial backing.
New Mexico is admitted into the United States becoming the 47th State of the Union.
The first all-glass windowless building, the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, is completed in Toledo, Ohio, c. January 6, 1936,
U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his "Four Freedoms" speech during the State of the Union Address on January 6, 1941, outlining his vision for a world based on, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
The speech was given to rally support for Allied nations against growing Axis threats before the U.S. entered World War II. The Four Freedoms:
- Freedom of Speech and Expression: Everywhere in the world.
- Freedom of Worship: For every person, in their own way, everywhere in the world.
- Freedom from Want: Economic understandings to ensure healthy, peaceful lives for all nations.
- Freedom from Fear: Worldwide reduction of armaments so no nation can commit aggression.
Pro-Trump supporters storm the United States Capitol in a violent insurrection, disrupting the certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory forcing lawmakers into hiding.