January 7: The Assembly of the State of New York refuses to accept the entry of five socialist legally elected in 1920.

On January 7, 1920, five deputies to the Assembly of the State of New York who belonged to the Socialist Party were expelled from the precincts of the Assembly in Albany, the state capital. The Socialist Party membership was a disloyalty to the United States, in accordance with the explanations given.

During the period known as the "Red Scare" during which they were carried out raids, arrests and deportations of immigrants identified to have radical views, and socialists, between 1919 and 1920, the federal government of the United States considered that any liberal socialist point of view could be dangerous to the interests of the American nation. The deputies expelled were: August Claessens, Samuel A. De Witt, Samuel Orr, Charles Solomon and Louis Waldman.

January 6: Catholic Kings, Ferdinand of Aragon, and Isabella of Castile invade Granada, completing the Spanish Reconquista of the Iberian Península, and form Spain as a joint Kindom, in 1492.

Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile married and united the two kingdoms to form what is now known as the Kingdom of Spain. However, each independently ruled his kingdom, and regional laws retained their governments. The title of "Catholic Kings" is the title Pope Alexander VI granted the Spanish monarchs in 1496, for defending the Catholic dogmas within their realms.

The Surrender of Granada by Francisco Pradilla Ortiz

The Catholic Monarchs set out to reconquer the Iberian Peninsula which was invaded by Muslim Arab Umayyad Caliphate, originating in Damascus. The Arab conquest lasted 15 years between 711 and 726 when they took over the Iberian Peninsula and southern part of France. Nevertheless the whole territory was conquered from the year 720, until 1492. That is, Spain and Portugal were held by Muslims 772 years or eight centuries, with the capital called al-Andalus, in Cordoba, Spain.

Moros and Christians  celebrated in many towns and cities of Spain, to commemorate the battles of Reconquista.

January 5: Today is the anniversary when Elvis Presley presents his single disc: “Hound Dog” which made a scandal in The Milton Berle Show in 1956, with his suggestive hip movements.

Elvis was born as Elvis Aaron Presley in January 8, 1935 and died in august 16 of 1977. He was an American singer and actor, much better known as “The King of Rock n’ Roll” or simply “The King”.

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. However, when he was 13 years old, his family relocated in Memphis, Tennessee, where he started singing in 1954.

Elvis Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century and of the rock and Roll music. The Beatles started their career by impersonating Elvis Presley.

January 4: Today is the anniversary of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange in 1865, near Wall Street in New York City.

The New York Stock Exchange at Wall Street.

The largest stock exchange in the world, by market capitalization, is also known as “Big Board”, located at 11 Wall Street, in lower Manhattan, New York, United States of America.

The New York Stock Exchange in a business day!

The New York Stock Exchange (NYES) has been the subject of several lawsuits regarding fraud or breach of duty and was sued by its former CEO for breach of contract and defamation.

The New York Stock Exchange from out side.

The NYSE is owned by Intercontinental Exchange, an American holding company and network of exchanges and clearing houses for financial and commodity markets.

January 3: Today is the anniversary of the excommunication of Martin Luther by Pope Leo X in 1521 through the Papal Bull “Decret Romanum Pontificem”.

Portrait of Leo X by Raphael.

The Papal Bull known as “Decret Romanum Pontificem”, which means “It Pleases the Roman Pontif”, was promulgated in January third, 1521 to effect the excommunication of Martin Luther for rejecting several teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.

Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach the elder in 1533.

Martin Luther strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. 

He confronted Johann Tetzel for selling indulgences and nailed 95 theses in the chapel of Wittenberg in 1917.

January 2: The Alemanni were suebian germanic tribes who invaded Rome in the year 366, after crossing the frozen Rhine river.

A barbarian alemanni enters Rome

In 260, the Alemanni tribe captured the Upper Germania, also known as “Agri Decumates”. In addition, they expanded into present-day Alsace and the north of Switzerland which led to the establishment of the Old High German Language.

Area settled by the Alemanni, and sites of Roman-Alemannic battles, 3rd to 6th centuries.

During the year 496 the Alemanni were conquered by the Frankish leader Clovis.

The Roman Empire in CE 120 and Germania, with some Germanic tribes mentioned by Tacitus in CE 98

Alemanni means “All Men” which really indicates that they were a conglomeration drawn from various Germanic tribes.

January 1: The Catholic Church influenced many countries in western Europe, during the Middle Ages in order to move the start of the year.

The most important Christian festivals were: December 25 (the Nativity of Jesus), March 1, March 25 (the Annunciation), or even Easter. Eastern European countries (most of them with populations showing allegiance to the Orthodox Church) began their numbered year on September 1 from about 988.

In England, January 1 was celebrated as the New Year festival, but from the 12th century to 1752 the year in England began on March 25 (Lady Day). So, for example, the Parliamentary record notes the execution of Charles I as occurring on January 30, 1648, (as the year did not end until March 24), although modern histories adjust the start of the year to January 1 and record the execution as occurring in 1649.

Most western European countries changed the start of the year to January 1 before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. For example, Scotland changed the start of the Scottish New Year to January 1 in 1600. England, Ireland and the British colonies changed the start of the year to January 1 in 1752. Later that year in September, the Gregorian calendar was introduced throughout Britain and the British colonies. These two reforms were implemented by the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750.

January 1 became the official start of the year as follows:

· 1362 Grand Duchy of Lithuania

· 1522 Republic of Venice

· 1544 Holy Roman Empire (Germany)

· 1556 Spain, Portugal

· 1559 Prussia, Sweden

· 1564 France

· 1576 Southern Netherlands

· 1579 Duchy of Lorraine

· 1583 Dutch Republic (northern)

· 1600 Scotland

· 1700 Russia

· 1721 Tuscany

· 1752 Great Britain (excluding Scotland) and its colonies.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_1