Today in History: Jan. 1

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Times-Dispatch
Published: January 01, 2012

Jan. 1, 1912 The Republic of China was established under its first president, Sun Yat-sen.

1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves in rebel states were free.

1890 The first Tournament of Roses was held in Pasadena, Calif.

1892 The Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York formally opened.

1913 The U.S. Parcel Post system went into operation.

1942 Twenty-six countries, including the United States, signed the Declaration of the United Nations, pledging "not to make a separate armistice or peace" with members of the Axis.

1953 Country singer Hank Williams Sr., 29, was discovered dead in the back seat of his car during a stop in Oak Hill, W.Va., while he was being driven to a concert date in Canton, Ohio.

1959 Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries overthrew Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista, who fled to the Dominican Republic.

1962 The Beatles (with Pete Best) auditioned in London for Decca Records, which opted to sign Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead.

1972 Kurt Waldheim became secretary-general of the United Nations.

1984 The breakup of AT&T took place as the telecommunications giant was divested of its 22 Bell System companies under terms of an antitrust agreement.

1992 Boutros Boutros-Ghali succeeded Javier Perez de Cuellar as secretary-general of the United Nations. President George H.W. Bush became the first American leader to address the Australian Parliament.

1994 The North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect.

Ten years ago The euro became legal tender in 12 European nations.

Five years ago Ban Ki-moon became the eighth U.N. secretary-general. Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams, 24, was slain in a drive-by shooting; gang member Willie Clark was later convicted of killing Williams and was sentenced to life in prison.

One year ago Oprah Winfrey launched her OWN cable network.

Thought for today "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." — author unknown

The Associated Press