Peterborough

 I wrote a brief history of the English city of Peterborough 

Hortensia

 Today's useless info: Hortensia was a famous Roman orator of the 1st century BC. She once gave a speech against a proposed tax. The rulers of Rome proposed to tax the property of 1,400 rich women (as a wartime measure). Hortensia gave a public speech saying women should not be taxed without representation. The rulers of Rome partly backed down and agreed to tax only 400 women.

Alaska Becomes a State

 On 3 January 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the USA. Congratulations Alaska.

Perihelion Day

 3 January 2024 is Perihelion Day. On this day the Earth is closer to the Sun than on any other day in the year. The Earth orbits the Sun in an ellipse, not a circle so sometimes it is slightly closer to the Sun than at others. The point when the Sun is farthest away from the Sun is called the Aphelion. It is usually on 4 July.

Laos

 I wrote a brief history of the Asian nation of Laos 

Plymouth

 I wrote a brief history of the great English port of Plymouth, in Devon 

Iron Bridge

 On 1 January 1781, the world's first iron bridge opened to the public. When John Wesley saw it he compared it to the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Today we take it for granted that large structures are made of metal but before the Industrial Revolution, it would have been unthinkable.