On this day

4 January in history.

5 moments from 1936 to 2010: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Spirit (rover)

2004

Spirit lands on Mars. After a seven-month journey, NASA's rover Spirit bounced down safely on Mars, wrapped in airbags. It was the first of two rovers sent on the Mars Exploration Rover mission.

Wikipedia: Spirit (rover)

Photo: NASA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 4 January

  1. 1936

    Billboard's first hit parade

    The magazine Billboard printed its first chart of popular music, an early step towards the hit lists we follow today.

    Wikipedia: Billboard (magazine)Wikipedia: Billboard charts

  2. Old Bailey, London, from NW, photo by Nevilley 14/6/04

    1972

    A first at the Old Bailey

    Rose Heilbron became the first woman judge to sit at London's Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey.

    Wikipedia: Rose HeilbronWikipedia: Old Bailey

    Photo: Nevilley at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  3. 1973

    Last of the Summer Wine begins

    The BBC showed the first episode of Last of the Summer Wine. It went on to run for 37 years, longer than any other sitcom in the world.

    Wikipedia: Last of the Summer Wine

  4. Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline

    2010

    The tallest building opens

    The Burj Khalifa in Dubai officially opened. At over 800 metres, it became the tallest structure people had ever built.

    Wikipedia: Burj KhalifaWikipedia: Dubai

    Photo: imran shahabuddin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.