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The last known gladiatorial competition took place on this day in 404 AD. Where?

Rome. The word "gladiator" has it's origins in Latin, meaning "swordsman" taken from the Latin word "gladius" meaning "sword". Gladiators were slaves, criminals and professional fighters who fought against other gladiators, wild animals and condemned criminals for the entertainment of Roman crowds. The best known former venue for gladiatorial competitions is the Colosseum in Rome.

Lorenzo de' Medici was born on this day in 1449. What area did the Medici family rule for almost five centuries?

Florence. Three popes came from the Medici family, Leo X, Clement VII and Leo XI. The double-entry book-keeping system in accounting was first used by accountants working for the Medici family. The family were patrons of Galileo Galilei who named the four largest moons of Jupiter after four of the Medici children, whom he had tutored.

In what year was the first ball dropped in New York City's Times Square to signify the start of the new year?

1908. The tradition of the Times Square New Years Eve Ball originated when the publisher of The "Times", Adolph Ochs, asked the newspapers chief electrician, Walter F. Palmer, to create some kind of spectacular midnight show that would draw attention to the Square. The first ball dropped at one second past midnight. The spectacle is watched by millions of people worldwide.

The first British mobile phone call was made on this day by Ernie Wise. Which company did he call?

Vodafone. Vodafone is the second largest telecom group in the world. It was founded in 1983 as Racal Telecom. Vodafone had an estimated 260 million customers worldwide in 2006. Ernie Wise was an English comedian who was very active the "Keep Britain Tidy" campaign.

Which famous American novelist was born on this day in 1919?

J.D. Salinger. J.D. Salinger's most notable work is the novel "Catcher in the Rye". He was born on this day in Manhatten, New York. The initials J.D. stand for Jerome David. Salinger fought in WWII as part of the 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, and saw action at Utah Beach on D-Day and at the Battle of the Bulge.

In what year did Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation become law on this day?

1863. The Proclamation was issued in two parts. The first part was issued in September 1862, outlining the intent of the second part. On the first of January 1863, all slaves (estimated at 4 million) within the Confederate states were declared free. Unfortunately, because of the Civil War, the law could not be widely implemented. Finally, in January 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment ensured that slavery was banned throughout the United States.

Which director of the FBI was born today in 1895?

J. Edgar Hoover. J. Edgar Hoover was the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which was preceded by the Bureau of Investigation. He held this office from 1935 until his death in 1972. He received many accolades, including an honorary knighthood of the Order of the British Empire, however he was not entitled "Sir".

Which American actress's sister, Dedee, was born on this day in 1964?

Michelle Pfeiffer. Michelle and Dedee have another sister, Lori. All three are actresses. They have an older brother, Rick. The four Pfeiffer children grew up in California. Their parents are Richard and Donna Pfeiffer.

King Louis XII of France died today in 1515. Who succeded him as king of France?

Francis I. Although Louis XII had married three times, he did not have a son to name heir (he had two daughters but women were not allowed on the throne in France), which meant that his first-cousin's son and his son-in-law Francis I became the new king of France. Francis I is considered to be France's first Renaissance monarch.

January 1st is the feast day of which saint?

St Basil of Caesarea. St Basil was born around 330AD and died in 375AD. He is the patron saint of Cappadocia, hospital administrators, reformers, monks, education, exorcism, and liturgists.