Today in History—January 2: “I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight.”: Quick Facts

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January 2, 1839: The Moon's first portrait that no one saw

Pope John Paul II in red and white papal robes and mitre, holding a silver staff and raising his hand in blessing during a public event in Coventry, England.

Cable suspension bridge

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Moon January Daguerreotype Today in History—January 24: How a Sparkling Riverbed Reshaped the American West Today in History—January 4: When the State of the Union Went Prime Time Today in History—January 3: Put Some Respect on Her Name Today in History—January 20: The Young President Spoke, and the Nation Listened Today in History—January 27: Dante’s Divine Justice Today in History—January 18: The Latest Sacrifice in the War Effort: Sliced Bread Today in History—January 30: The Impromptu Concert that Became the Beatles’ Last Today in History—January 11: The Day Milk Got Contained Today in History—January 21: When Supersonic Travel Took Off Today in History—January 16: “Thirty-Five New Guys”—Six of Whom Were Women