Good Morning! It’s Friday, January 3, 2025.  I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> Martin Luther is excommunicated by the Pope on January 3, 1521.

On this day in 1521, Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, excommunicating Martin Luther, the German priest whose challenges to Catholic practices sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Why this matters: Martin Luther’s excommunication marked a defining moment in the Protestant Reformation, solidifying his break from the Roman Catholic Church. By formally denouncing Luther, Pope Leo X inadvertently amplified his ideas, which questioned church practices like indulgences and emphasized salvation by faith alone. This event led to widespread religious, social, and political upheaval, ultimately fragmenting Christendom into competing denominations. The Reformation reshaped Europe’s religious landscape, empowering individuals to challenge authority and paving the way for modern notions of freedom of conscience and religious diversity.

Notable Events

• January 3, 1961 - Amid escalating tensions with Fidel Castro’s Cuban government, President Dwight D. Eisenhower closed the U.S. embassy in Havana and cut diplomatic ties.

• January 3, 1925 - Benito Mussolini proclaims himself the dictator of Italy.

• January 3, 1944 - U.S. flying ace Major Pappy Boyington is shot down during World War II by Japanese Captain Masajiro Kawato in a Zero. Boyington survives and is taken as a POW.

In partnership with Masters of Trivia
Knowledge Gamified

A recent MSN article titled “Top 10 Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Turned Vision into Reality” featured Dom Einhorn, founder of Intelligent Games, in the #3 spot. For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. Additionally, the November 2024 issue of New York Weekly Magazine describes Masters of Trivia as follows:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from January 3 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: January 3, 1990 - Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega surrenders to the United States.

Lasting Significance: Manuel Noriega’s surrender to the U.S. marked the end of a tumultuous era in Panamanian history and U.S.-Latin American relations. His capture followed the U.S. invasion of Panama, aimed at removing his regime and combating drug trafficking. The event highlighted the complexities of American intervention in foreign nations and its long-term impact on Panama's political stability. Noriega’s removal paved the way for democratic reforms in Panama but also sparked ongoing debates about the use of military force in international politics.

2. Event: January 3, 1969 - Michael Schumacher, a legendary Formula 1 driver who won seven World Championships, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest in motorsport history, was born on this day.

Lasting Significance: Michael Schumacher’s lasting legacy lies in his unparalleled success in Formula 1, where he revolutionized racing with his precision, work ethic, and dominance, inspiring future generations and elevating the global popularity of motorsport.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• January 3, 1956 - Mel Gibson is born in Peekskill, New York. The American-born Australian actor rose to international fame in 1980s action-adventure films and later gained recognition as a director and producer.

• January 3, 1892 - English author and scholar J.R.R. Tolkien, best known for his epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings (1954–55), was born in South Africa.

• January 3, 1793 - American reformer Lucretia Mott, co-founder of the women’s rights movement in the U.S. alongside Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was born.

Science & Discovery

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• January 3, 2004 - The Mars rover Spirit lands, followed by its twin, Opportunity, 21 days later. Spirit operated for seven years, while Opportunity’s mission lasted until 2018, marking one of NASA’s most successful explorations.

• January 3, 1593 - Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, known as the "discoverer" of California, passed away.

• January 3, 1496 - Leonardo da Vinci conducts an unsuccessful test of his flying machine.

• January 3, 1870 - Construction begins on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, which is completed on May 24, 1883.

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• January 3, 1977 - Apple is founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

• January 3, 2022 - Apple becomes the first U.S. company valued at $3 trillion, having tripled its worth in less than four years.

• January 3, 2009 - The Bitcoin network is launched with the mining of its first block by an individual or group operating under the name Satoshi Nakamoto.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• January 3, 1973 - George Steinbrenner and his 12-member group purchase the New York Yankees for $10 million from the Columbia Broadcasting System, which had owned the team since 1964.

• January 3, 1993 - Backup quarterback Frank Reich leads the Buffalo Bills to a 41-38 overtime win against the Houston Oilers in an AFC wild card game, famously dubbed “The Comeback.”

• January 3, 1981 - Eli Manning, a former NFL quarterback who led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories, earning MVP honors in both games, was born.

In the Arts Today

• January 3, 1841 - Writer Herman Melville set sail for the South Seas aboard the whaler Acushnet.

• January 3, 1929 - Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone, renowned for popularizing the "spaghetti western," was born.

• January 3, 1842 - Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine depart Liverpool, England, for America aboard the RMS Britannia.

The Rest of the Story

• January 3, 1962 - Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro after he transformed Cuba into a communist state, reflecting the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to communism.

• January 3, 1959 - Alaska becomes the 49th U.S. state.

• January 3, 2001 - Hillary Clinton was sworn in as a U.S. senator from New York, becoming the first former first lady in U.S. history to hold elective office.

• January 3, 1431- Joan of Arc is handed over to Bishop Pierre Cauchon for trial.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.