On this day: January 1

POSTED: 01:21 PM PST Dec 31, 2012    UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Dec 31, 2012 

Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, Ellis Island opens, the Rose Bowl becomes the first college bowl game, Hank Williams dies, and the Y2K panic fizzles out, all on this day.

OTD January 1 - Amazing Grace
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Public domain

1773: The hymn that became known as "Amazing Grace," then titled "1 Chronicles 17:16–17" is first used to accompany a sermon led by John Newton in the town of Olney, England.

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