Historical events for
Wednesday, 1 January 2025

Jean-Antoine Lépine, French watchmaker, known for the invention of Lépine platinum, which revolutionized watchmaking.

António Rosa Casaco, former PIDE inspector, controversial figure in Portuguese history.

Jacques Le Goff (born January 1, 1924, and died April 1, 2014) was a notable French historian. Considered one of the world's leading experts on the medieval period, he fundamentally altered the academic perception of the Middle Ages through his approach focused on mentalities and historical anthropology.

Chinese writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012

Norwegian writer, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2023

Kumba Yala (born January 1, 1953, and died April 1, 2014) was a Guinean politician and President of Guinea-Bissau between 2000 and 2003. His political career was marked by periods of severe instability in the country, having been deposed by a military coup.

Jean-Benoît Dunckel (b. 1969) is a sophisticated French musician and producer. As half of the duo Air, his mastery of analog synthesizers helped create the masterpiece "Moon Safari", redefining electronic pop and the "French Touch" movement.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and leader of the Patriotic Alliance, Gayton McKenzie (b. 1974) is one of the GNU’s most mediated figures. With a background of personal rehabilitation and business success, he uses his office to promote social cohesion and support for disadvantaged communities through entertainment and sport.

Eiichiro Oda, creator of One Piece, the best-selling manga series in history.

Third Vice President and Minister for the Ecological Transition of Spain in Pedro Sánchez's government (1976- ). An engineer by training, she took the lead in transforming the country's environmental and energy policies.

Haitian Independence Day celebration, commemorating independence from France on January 1, 1804. Celebrations include parades, official ceremonies and cultural events.

Fourth President of the First Portuguese Republic. Military and political. Mandate: 1918.

Anniversary of the launch of the Montblanc Meisterstück pen.

General Motors has acquired a significant stake in Opel, expanding its presence in Europe.

The Rolex Submariner, one of the most iconic dive watches known for its durability and classic design, was launched in September 1953.

Hans Furler of Germany served as President of the European Parliament from 1954 to 1956 and again from 1960 to 1962. He is known for his work in strengthening parliamentary cooperation in Europe.

Robert Schuman of France was President of the European Parliament from 1958 to 1960. He is one of the founders of the European Union and known for the Schuman Plan, which laid the foundation for the European Coal and Steel Community.

Cuban Independence Day celebration, commemorating Batista's independence on January 1, 1959. Celebrations include parades, official ceremonies and cultural activities throughout the country.

Gaetano Martino of Italy served as President of the European Parliament from 1962 to 1964. He is remembered for his role in signing the Treaties of Rome, which established the EEC and EURATOM.

Jean Duvieusart of Belgium served as President of the European Parliament from 1964 to 1965. He is known for promoting European integration and transnational cooperation.

Volkswagen acquired a majority stake in Audi, creating one of the largest automotive conglomerates in the world.

Victor Leemans of Belgium was President of the European Parliament from 1965 to 1966. He focused on strengthening the legislative function of the European Parliament.

Alain Poher of France served as President of the European Parliament from 1966 to 1969. He was also acting president of France on two occasions.

Toyota acquired a stake in Daihatsu, expanding its product range with small and compact vehicles.

Mario Scelba of Italy was President of the European Parliament from 1969 to 1971. He is remembered for his political career in Italy, including a period as Prime Minister.

Fiat acquired a majority stake in Ferrari, which allowed Fiat to expand its presence in the luxury automobile market.

Walter Behrendt of Germany served as President of the European Parliament from 1971 to 1973. He worked to increase transparency and public participation in Parliament's activities.

Kurt Waldheim of Austria was the fourth Secretary General, serving from 1972 to 1981, known for his travels to conflict regions.

Cornelis Berkhouwer of the Netherlands was President of the European Parliament from 1973 to 1975. He is known for his defense of human rights and civil liberties.

Georges Spénale of France served as President of the European Parliament from 1975 to 1977. He focused on cultural and educational cooperation between member states.

Emilio Colombo of Italy was President of the European Parliament from 1977 to 1979. He had a distinguished political career, including a period as Prime Minister of Italy.

Simone Veil of France was the first woman to be elected President of the European Parliament, serving from 1979 to 1982. She is remembered for her work in human rights and public health.

Piet Dankert of the Netherlands served as President of the European Parliament from 1982 to 1984. He promoted transparency and citizen participation in European decision-making.

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru served as Secretary General from 1982 to 1991, mediating important conflicts such as the Falklands War.

Pierre Pflimlin of France was President of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1987. He had a distinguished political career, including a period as Prime Minister of France.

Henry Plumb of the United Kingdom served as President of the European Parliament from 1987 to 1989. He is known for his work on agricultural and rural development policy.

Ford acquired Jaguar, integrating it into its luxury division.

Enrique Barón Crespo of Spain was President of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1992. He promoted European integration and interparliamentary cooperation.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt served from 1992 to 1996, facing global crises such as the Rwandan genocide.

Egon Klepsch of Germany was President of the European Parliament from 1992 to 1994. He is known for his work on human rights and civil liberties.

BMW purchased the Mini brand, revitalizing it and launching a new generation of vehicles under the Mini brand.

Klaus Hänsch of Germany was President of the European Parliament from 1994 to 1997. He promoted transparency and citizen participation in European decisions.

Kofi Annan of Ghana was Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for his work revitalizing the UN.

José María Gil-Robles of Spain was President of the European Parliament from 1997 to 1999. He promoted European integration and interparliamentary cooperation.

Hyundai acquired a significant stake in Kia Motors, forming a larger and more integrated automotive group.

Daimler-Benz and Chrysler merged to form DaimlerChrysler.

Nicole Fontaine of France was President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2002. She is known for her work on human rights and civil liberties.

Swatch Beat, launched in 1999, introduced the concept of "Internet time", a new way of measuring time based on global time.

Pat Cox of Ireland was President of the European Parliament from 2002 to 2004. He promoted European integration and interparliamentary cooperation.

The Garmin Forerunner, known for its advanced GPS and fitness tracking features, was released in 2003 and has become a favorite among runners and athletes.

Josep Borrell of Spain was President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007. He is known for his work on human rights and civil liberties.

Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg was the first president of the Eurogroup, serving from 2005 to 2013.

South Korea's Ban Ki-moon served as Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016, known for his climate change initiatives.

Hans-Gert Pöttering of Germany was President of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009. He promoted European integration and interparliamentary cooperation.

Tata Motors purchased Land Rover and Jaguar from Ford, creating a consolidated automotive group under Tata.

Jerzy Buzek of Poland was President of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2012. He promoted European integration and interparliamentary cooperation.

Martin Schulz of Germany was President of the European Parliament from 2012 to 2017. He promoted transparency and citizen participation in European decisions.

António Guterres (b. 1949) is the Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Prime Minister of Portugal. His global leadership focuses on conflict mediation, human rights defense, and the urgent fight against climate change, being one of the most influential voices in international diplomacy.

Antonio Tajani of Italy was President of the European Parliament from 2017 to 2019. He promoted European integration and interparliamentary cooperation.

David Sassoli of Italy was President of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2022. He is known for his work on human rights and civil liberties.

Roberta Metsola, from Malta, is the current President of the European Parliament, taking office in 2022. She promotes transparency and citizen participation in European decisions.

Celebration of Sudan's National Day, commemorating independence from the United Kingdom and Egypt on January 1, 1956.

Popular saying: "Good days in January fool those in February". A traditional expression reflecting popular wisdom about the inconstancy and illusion of the weather at the beginning of the year.