On This Day for January 3 - Martin Luther excommunicated by pope, Father Damien is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. January 03 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Father Damien READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1521 Martin Luther excommunicated by pope READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2004: NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit landed on Mars to study the chemical and physical composition of the planet's surface. [ Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about Mars.] 2001: Hillary Clinton was sworn in as a U.S. senator from New York, having become the first first lady in U.S. history to win elective office. [ Take our first ladies of the United States quiz.] 1990: After undergoing 10 days of psychological warfare—which included U.S. forces blasting rock music at the Vatican embassy, where he had sought refuge—Panamanian military leader Manuel Noriega surrendered to the United States. [ Test your knowledge of Latin American history.] 1977: Apple was incorporated by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and it later became one of the most valuable companies in the world, known for innovative computer and electronic products. [How much do you know about tech companies?] 1959: Alaska became the 49th U.S. state. [Take our quiz about U.S. state mottoes.] 1939: Canadian professional ice hockey player Bobby Hull, the "Golden Jet," was born. [Read our list of the 10 best hockey players of all time.] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1956 Mel Gibson American-born Australian actor, director, and producer 1892 J.R.R. Tolkien English author 1969 Michael Schumacher German race–car driver 1981 Eli Manning American football player 1975 Danica McKellar American actress and author 1929 Sergio Leone Italian director SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2021 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help