On this day: January 4
Utah Grants Women the Right to Vote (Again)
On January 4, 1896, Utah entered the Union as the 45th U.S. state. Tucked into its new state constitution was a clause that quietly restored a right women there had already tasted—and lost: the right to vote.
The Day the United States Lost a Nuclear Bomb
It sounds like an urban legend, the kind of rumor born from Cold War paranoia. But it is historically true: the United States has lost nuclear weapons—multiple times.
Small Town Haunted by Unexplained Booming Sounds for Years
Residents of a small town have reported sudden, loud booming noises for years. Investigations by local authorities and scientists have failed to produce a definitive cause, leaving the phenomenon unresolved.
Controversial Non-Goal: Pedro Mendes' 2005 Shot Ruled Out Despite Ball Crossing Line
On 4 January 2005 Southampton’s Pedro Mendes struck a free kick that replays showed had crossed the goal line by about a yard before being cleared, but the referee did not award the goal, sparking debate about goal-line incidents and officiating protocols.
How the 'Finger Poke of Doom' Broke WCW's Main Event
On January 4, 1999, a staged fingertip push by Hulk Hogan that allowed Kevin Nash to pin and surrender the WCW World Heavyweight Championship—later dubbed the 'Finger Poke of Doom'—undermined the promotion's credibility and accelerated its decline.
First Use of the Electric Chair in an Execution, January 4, 1890
On January 4, 1890, New York carried out the first execution by electric chair, marking a controversial technological shift in capital punishment and igniting debates about humanity, legality, and the role of science in state death.
CIA Acknowledges Domestic Propaganda Efforts in 1982 Statement
On January 4, 1982, the Central Intelligence Agency publicly acknowledged that it had engaged in covert propaganda activities affecting U.S. public opinion and foreign audiences, a disclosure that reignited debate about intelligence boundaries and First Amendment implications.
Vince Young's Late Drive Lifts Texas to 2006 Rose Bowl Victory
On January 4, 2006, Texas quarterback Vince Young led a decisive fourth-quarter drive that secured a Rose Bowl win, capping a season that propelled the Longhorns to national prominence.
FBI Publishes Files Detailing J. Edgar Hoover Controversies
On January 4, 1972, the FBI released documents related to allegations and controversies surrounding longtime director J. Edgar Hoover, illuminating surveillance practices, political interventions, and internal disputes that had long attracted public scrutiny.