Avalanche Disaster: Remembering the 1998 Tragedy and Other Historical Events from This Day in History

CALGARY, Alberta – On January 3, 1661, female actors appeared on an English stage for the first time. This was a groundbreaking moment in the history of theater, marking a significant shift in the role of women in performing arts.

In 1777, the United States adopted the Stars and Stripes as its official flag, symbolizing the unity and identity of the newly-formed nation.

In 1793, slavery was abolished in Canada, marking a significant step towards equality and human rights in the country.

On the same day in 1800, a fatal duel took place between Upper Canada Attorney-General John White and John Small, the province’s top civil servant. The tragic event was the result of a heated conflict and led to the untimely death of John White.

In 1827, Letitia Youmans, the founder of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in Canada, was born near Hamilton. Her contributions to the women’s rights movement had a lasting impact on Canadian society.

In 1833, Britain seized control of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, marking a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the region.

Fast forward to December 2011, when former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was deported to Panama to face additional punishment after being convicted of drug money laundering.

On January 6, 2020, Australia launched one of the largest evacuations in its history as more than 200 wildfires burned across the country, prompting mass evacuations and a state of emergency.

As of 2021, Canada had surpassed 600,000 COVID-19 cases, with a death toll of 15,865 people, highlighting the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the country.

Ultimately, these historic events have shaped the course of history, leaving an indelible mark on the world as we know it today.