January 4

What happened on January 4 in history

4 events fall on January 4, from 1643 to 2010. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

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Events on January 4

  1. 1643

    Isaac Newton is born

    By the Gregorian calendar, the man who would write the Principia is born at Woolsthorpe Manor.

    Play the Exploration & revolution round

  2. 1948

    Burma gains independence

    British rule ends at an hour chosen by astrologers: 4.20 in the morning.

    Play the 20th century round

  3. 1958

    Sputnik 1 falls back to Earth

    The first artificial satellite burns up after three months and some 1,400 orbits.

    Play the 20th century round

  4. 2010

    The Burj Khalifa opens

    Dubai unveils the tallest building ever constructed, 828 metres from base to tip.