January 21 has witnessed a range of significant historical events that shaped the world. From the dramatic execution of King Louis XVI in 1793 during the French Revolution to pivotal papal decisions in the 15th century, this date holds intriguing stories. Notable births and deaths, along with cultural milestones, also mark its importance. Uncover the layers of history tied to this day and explore its lasting impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1493 – Pope Alexander VI Divides the New World: On this day, Pope Alexander VI issued a papal bull known as “Inter Caetera,” which divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal. This decree aimed to prevent conflict between the two Catholic powers by establishing a line of demarcation, granting Spain rights to lands west of the line and Portugal to those east of it, profoundly shaping colonial expansion.
1793 – Execution of Louis XVI: King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine during the French Revolution, marking a pivotal moment in the overthrow of the monarchy. Convicted of treason for his attempts to flee the country and seek foreign aid, his death intensified the revolutionary fervor and led to the Reign of Terror.
1861 – Jefferson Davis Resigns from the U.S. Senate: Jefferson Davis, who would later become the President of the Confederate States of America, resigned from the U.S. Senate on this day as Mississippi seceded from the Union. His resignation symbolized the deepening divide between the North and South ahead of the American Civil War.
1924 – Vladimir Lenin’s Death: The Soviet Union’s founder, Vladimir Lenin, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of revolutionary change and the establishment of a communist state. His death triggered a power struggle within the Bolshevik Party, ultimately leading to Joseph Stalin’s rise to power.
1950 – Alger Hiss Convicted of Perjury: Alger Hiss, a former U.S. State Department official, was convicted of perjury in connection with espionage charges during the Cold War. This high-profile case fueled anti-communist sentiment in the United States and became a flashpoint in the Red Scare.
1976 – Concorde’s First Commercial Flight: The supersonic passenger jet Concorde took off on its first commercial flights, with simultaneous departures from London to Bahrain and Paris to Rio de Janeiro. This marked a new era in aviation, though the aircraft’s high costs and environmental concerns later limited its success.
2009 – Barack Obama’s Inauguration: Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. His inauguration drew massive crowds to Washington, D.C., symbolizing hope and change for millions around the world.
Famous Birthdays
1338 – Charles V of France: Known as “the Wise,” Charles V was born on this day and later became a key figure in the Hundred Years’ War, strengthening France through military reforms and strategic diplomacy. His reign helped reclaim territories lost to England.
1824 – Stonewall Jackson: Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was born in what is now West Virginia. Renowned for his tactical brilliance during the American Civil War, Jackson earned his nickname for his steadfast defense at the First Battle of Bull Run.
1905 – Christian Dior: The iconic French fashion designer Christian Dior was born on this day. Founder of one of the world’s most famous fashion houses, Dior revolutionized women’s fashion with his “New Look” silhouette in 1947, emphasizing elegance and femininity.
1922 – Telly Savalas: American actor Telly Savalas, best known for his role as the bald, lollipop-loving detective in the TV series “Kojak,” was born on this day. His tough yet charismatic persona made him a pop culture icon in the 1970s.
1941 – Plácido Domingo: The world-renowned Spanish tenor and conductor Plácido Domingo was born in Madrid. With a career spanning over five decades, Domingo has performed in countless operas and is celebrated as one of the “Three Tenors” alongside Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras.
1956 – Geena Davis: Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis was born on this day in Massachusetts. Known for roles in films like “Thelma & Louise” and “A League of Their Own,” Davis has also been a vocal advocate for gender equality in media.
Notable Deaths
1793 – Louis XVI of France: As mentioned earlier, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on this day during the French Revolution. His death marked the end of absolute monarchy in France and intensified the radical phase of the revolution.
1924 – Vladimir Lenin: The leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and founder of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin, died on this day at the age of 53. His passing led to a power vacuum that reshaped the future of Soviet politics under Joseph Stalin.
1932 – Lytton Strachey: British writer and critic Lytton Strachey, a key member of the Bloomsbury Group, passed away on this day. Known for his biographical works like “Eminent Victorians,” Strachey influenced modern literary criticism with his sharp, witty style.
1950 – George Orwell: The English novelist and essayist George Orwell, author of classics like “1984” and “Animal Farm,” died on this day at age 46. His works remain powerful critiques of totalitarianism and continue to resonate in discussions of politics and freedom.
1997 – Colonel Tom Parker: The manager of Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, died on this day. Born in the Netherlands, Parker played a controversial yet pivotal role in shaping Presley’s career, managing everything from his music to his Hollywood ventures.
2017 – Maggie Roche: American singer-songwriter Maggie Roche, a member of the folk-rock trio The Roches, passed away on this day. Known for her harmonies and quirky lyrics, Roche contributed to a unique sound that influenced generations of musicians.
Today in Music History
1959 – Carl Switzer’s Tragic Death: Carl Switzer, who played Alfalfa in the “Our Gang” comedies, was killed on this day in a dispute over money. Though not directly tied to music, his cultural impact as a child star resonated with audiences who later connected to nostalgic soundtracks of the era.
1966 – George Harrison Marries Pattie Boyd: Beatles guitarist George Harrison married model Pattie Boyd on this day in a quiet ceremony. Their relationship inspired iconic songs like “Something,” though Boyd later became the muse for Eric Clapton’s “Layla” after their marriage ended.
1978 – “Saturday Night Fever” Soundtrack Hits No. 1: The Bee Gees-dominated soundtrack for “Saturday Night Fever” reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart on this day. Featuring hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” the album defined the disco era and remains one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.
1984 – Yes Tops the Charts with “Owner of a Lonely Heart”: The progressive rock band Yes achieved their first and only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Owner of a Lonely Heart” on this day. The song marked a shift to a more mainstream sound for the band.
1997 – Spice Girls Dominate UK Charts: The Spice Girls’ debut album “Spice” returned to No. 1 in the UK on this day, showcasing the peak of “Girl Power” mania. Their influence on pop music and culture during the late 1990s was undeniable.
2016 – Adele’s “25” Breaks Records: Adele’s album “25” continued its reign atop the charts on this day, becoming one of the fastest-selling albums in history. With emotional ballads like “Hello,” Adele solidified her status as a global music powerhouse.
Today in Sports History
1911 – First Monte Carlo Rally: The inaugural Monte Carlo Rally, one of the oldest and most prestigious motorsport events, began on this day. Drivers from across Europe converged in Monaco, setting the stage for a tradition of endurance and skill.
1952 – PGA Approves Black Golfers: The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America voted on this day to allow Black golfers to compete in tournaments, marking a notable, though overdue, step toward desegregation in professional sports.
1979 – Super Bowl XIII: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-31 in Super Bowl XIII on this day in Miami. This thrilling game solidified the Steelers’ dominance in the 1970s, with Terry Bradshaw earning MVP honors.
1986 – Tennis Star Boris Becker’s Rise: Boris Becker, at just 18 years old, was making headlines around this time, having recently become the youngest Wimbledon champion. On this day, his growing fame was celebrated as he prepared for the Australian Open.
1998 – Michael Jordan’s Iconic Performance: Michael Jordan scored 41 points for the Chicago Bulls against the Washington Wizards on this day, continuing his reign as one of basketball’s greatest players during the Bulls’ championship dynasty.
2010 – Usain Bolt’s Charity Efforts: On this day, Olympic sprinting legend Usain Bolt participated in charity events in Jamaica, using his global fame to raise funds for children’s education. His off-track impact matched his record-breaking speed.
Today in Military and Naval History
1793 – French Revolutionary Wars Intensify: Following the execution of Louis XVI on this day, European monarchies, fearing the spread of revolution, escalated military actions against France, leading to a broader coalition of anti-revolutionary forces.
1861 – Confederate Preparations Begin: With Jefferson Davis’s resignation from the U.S. Senate on this day, the Confederate States accelerated military organization, laying the groundwork for the Civil War as tensions with the Union reached a breaking point.
1919 – Irish War of Independence Sparks: The Irish War of Independence unofficially began with the Soloheadbeg Ambush on this day, where Irish Volunteers killed two Royal Irish Constabulary officers, igniting a guerrilla conflict against British rule.
1941 – British Forces in North Africa: During World War II, British forces launched an offensive against Italian-held Tobruk in Libya on this day, marking a key early victory in the North African Campaign and boosting Allied morale.
1977 – U.S. Pardons Vietnam Draft Evaders: President Jimmy Carter issued a blanket pardon on this day for Vietnam War draft evaders, a controversial move aimed at healing national divisions but sparking debate over military duty and forgiveness.
2003 – U.S. Military Buildup in Iraq: On this day, the U.S. continued its military buildup in the Persian Gulf ahead of the Iraq War, with naval and ground forces positioning for an invasion that would reshape geopolitics in the region.
Today in Tech and Science History
1911 – First Use of Fingerprint Evidence in U.S. Court: On this day, fingerprint evidence was used for the first time in a U.S. court to convict a criminal, marking a breakthrough in forensic science that revolutionized criminal investigations.
1954 – Launch of USS Nautilus: The world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched on this day in Connecticut. This technological marvel ushered in a new era of naval warfare and exploration under the sea.
1976 – Concorde Takes Flight: As previously mentioned, the Concorde made its first commercial flight on this day, showcasing cutting-edge aviation technology with its ability to travel at twice the speed of sound, though it faced challenges in sustainability.
1981 – DeLorean DMC-12 Production Begins: Production of the iconic DeLorean DMC-12, later famous from the “Back to the Future” films, started on this day in Northern Ireland. Its futuristic design captured imaginations, despite the company’s financial struggles.
2006 – NASA’s New Horizons Launched: NASA launched the New Horizons spacecraft on this day, setting out on a historic mission to study Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. It provided humanity’s first close-up images of the distant dwarf planet in 2015.
2019 – Total Lunar Eclipse Visible: A rare total lunar eclipse, often called a “Super Blood Wolf Moon,” occurred on this day, fascinating skywatchers across the Americas and parts of Europe with a stunning celestial display.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1829 – First Performance of Goethe’s “Faust”: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Faust, Part I” premiered on stage on this day in Germany, cementing its place as a cornerstone of Romantic literature with its exploration of human ambition and morality.
1921 – Premiere of “The Kid”: Charlie Chaplin’s silent film “The Kid” was released on this day, blending comedy and drama in a story about an abandoned child. This film marked a turning point in Chaplin’s career, showcasing deeper emotional storytelling.
1950 – George Orwell’s Death Impacts Literature: With George Orwell’s passing on this day, the literary world mourned the loss of a visionary whose works on surveillance and authoritarianism continue to influence culture and political discourse.
1972 – “American Pie” Cultural Phenomenon: Don McLean’s epic song “American Pie” was riding high in the charts on this day, becoming a cultural touchstone with its cryptic lyrics about the “day the music died,” referencing Buddy Holly’s death.
1983 – Jim Thorpe’s Olympic Medals Restored: On this day, the International Olympic Committee posthumously restored Jim Thorpe’s 1912 Olympic medals, stripped decades earlier due to amateurism rules, recognizing his cultural and athletic legacy.
2011 – Oprah’s Book Club Influence: On this day, Oprah Winfrey continued to shape literary culture by promoting new titles through her influential book club, driving millions of readers to explore diverse stories and authors.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1793 – Guillotine Mishaps: On the day of Louis XVI’s execution, reports suggest the guillotine initially malfunctioned, requiring multiple attempts, adding a grimly absurd note to an already tragic event in French history.
1908 – New York’s Odd Law: New York City passed an ordinance on this day banning women from smoking in public, a peculiar rule reflecting outdated gender norms. It was largely ignored and quickly repealed after public outcry.
1925 – Monkey Business in Court: Though not finalized until later, discussions around the infamous Scopes “Monkey Trial” began heating up on this day, pitting evolution against creationism in a bizarre legal spectacle that captured global attention.
1957 – Toy Slinger Controversy: On this day, reports surfaced of children using the newly popular Slinky toy as an impromptu weapon, leading to parental panic over a seemingly innocent plaything turned chaotic.
1979 – Disco Demolition Debacle: While not the exact date, planning for the infamous Disco Demolition Night at a Chicago baseball game was underway around this time, an event that saw fans destroy disco records in a hilariously chaotic protest.
2007 – Cat Mayor Election: In a small Alaskan town, a cat named Stubbs was “elected” mayor around this time as a write-in candidate, serving for nearly two decades and becoming a quirky tourist attraction.
Today in History for Kids
1493 – A Big World Split: Imagine two countries, Spain and Portugal, asking the Pope to split the new lands they found across the ocean. On this day, the Pope drew an invisible line, giving each country their own side to explore and settle.
1793 – A King Says Goodbye: A long time ago in France, a king named Louis XVI lost his crown and his life on this day. People were angry and wanted a new way to rule, so they said goodbye to kings forever.
1861 – A Country Divides: In America, a man named Jefferson Davis left his important job on this day because his state didn’t want to be part of the country anymore. This was a big step toward a huge fight called the Civil War.
1921 – Charlie Chaplin’s Funny Movie: A super funny movie called “The Kid” came out on this day, starring Charlie Chaplin. He played a man who finds a little boy and has lots of silly adventures with him.
1954 – A Boat Under the Sea: A special submarine called the USS Nautilus was launched on this day. It was the first to run on nuclear power, like a superhero boat that could stay underwater for a long time.
1976 – A Super-Fast Plane: A plane called Concorde flew for the first time with passengers on this day. It was so fast it could cross the ocean in just a few hours, faster than any other plane back then.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Oldest Rally Race: The Monte Carlo Rally, which started on this day in 1911, is still held annually and challenges drivers with icy roads and tough turns, making it one of the trickiest races in the world.
Did You Know? – Concorde’s Speed: When Concorde flew its first commercial flight on this day in 1976, it could travel at 1,350 miles per hour, meaning you could fly from London to New York in under three hours.
Did You Know? – Fingerprint First: The first time fingerprints solved a crime in the U.S. was on this day in 1911, when a man named Thomas Jennings was caught after leaving his prints at a murder scene in Chicago.
Did You Know? – Lenin’s Legacy: After Vladimir Lenin died on this day in 1924, his body was preserved and displayed in a tomb in Moscow, where people can still visit him today, almost like a time capsule.
Did You Know? – DeLorean’s Fame: The DeLorean car, which started production on this day in 1981, became a movie star in “Back to the Future,” but only about 9,000 were ever made before the company went bankrupt.
Did You Know? – Lunar Eclipse Rarity: The “Super Blood Wolf Moon” eclipse on this day in 2019 got its name because it happened during a full moon in January (Wolf Moon), looked red (Blood), and was extra close to Earth (Super).