On This Day: January 2

This is the 2nd day of the year.

Fact of the Day: Luna 1

In 1959, the Russian artificial satellite Luna 1 just missed the Moon and became the first spacecraft from Earth to orbit the Sun. Also, in 1959, Luna 2 and Luna 3 were the first probes to strike the Moon. The word lunar is from Latin lunaris, from luna 'moon'.

Holidays

Feast day of St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. Basil, St. Gregory Nazianzen, St. Munchin, St. Adalhard or Adelard, St. Caspar of Bufalo, St. Macarius of Alexandria, St. Vincentian, and the Holy Name of Jesus.

Japan: Kakizome.

Switzerland: Berchtoldstag.

Haiti: Ancestors' Day or Hero's Day.

Events

1492 - The last Arab/Moors stronghold in Spain, the kingdom of Granada, surrendered to Spanish forces loyal to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

1788 - Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the Constitution of the United State of America.

1811 - Senator Timothy Pickering, a Federalist from Massachusetts, became the first senator to be censured. Pickering was accused of violating congressional law by publicly revealing secret documents communicated by the president to the Senate.

1839 - French photographer Louis Daguerre took the first photograph of the Moon.

1900 - Secretary of State John Hay announced the "Open Door Policy" to facilitate trade with China.

1905 - After a six-month siege, Russians surrendered Port Arthur to the Japanese.

1929 - The United States and Canada reached an agreement to preserve Niagara Falls.

1942 - The Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II.

1960 - Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

1965 - The New York Jets signed University of Alabama quarterback Joe Namath for a reported $400,000.

1965 - Indonesia withdrew from the United Nations -- the first member to do so.

Births

1920 - Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American science fiction writer, author of almost 500 books.

1936 - Roger Miller, American singer, songwriter, and musician.

1938 - David Bailey, English photographer

1939 - Jim Bakker, disgraced American televangelist.

Deaths

1963 - Dick Powell, American singer, actor, producer, and director.

1974 - Tex Ritter, US stage and screen singing cowboy.