January 28 stands as a date etched with significant historical moments. From royal successions to tragic disasters, this day has witnessed events that shaped nations and cultures. The death of a monarch, a catastrophic space mission, and cultural milestones all converge on this date. What specific incidents defined these moments, and how did they alter the course of history? Uncover the layers of January 28’s impactful legacy.
History
Major Historical Events
1547 – Henry VIII’s Death: On this day, King Henry VIII of England passed away at the age of 55 in the Palace of Whitehall, London.
His death marked the end of a tumultuous reign characterized by the English Reformation, the break with the Catholic Church, and the establishment of the Church of England.
His nine-year-old son, Edward VI, succeeded him as king.
1855 – First Locomotive Crosses Panama Isthmus: The first locomotive completed a journey across the Isthmus of Panama, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Panama Railroad.
This rail line, completed in its entirety later that year, became an essential link for travelers and goods moving between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans before the Panama Canal was built.
1915 – U.S. Coast Guard Established: The United States Coast Guard was officially created on January 28 by an act of Congress that merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
This new branch of the military became responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship along America’s coasts.
1986 – Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: Tragedy struck when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, killing all seven crew members on board, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, who was set to be the first civilian in space.
The disaster, caused by a failure of an O-ring seal in the shuttle’s solid rocket booster, led to major changes in NASA’s safety protocols.
2011 – Egyptian Revolution Intensifies: As part of the Arab Spring, massive protests erupted across Egypt on January 28, with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
Known as the “Day of Rage,” this event escalated the revolution that ultimately led to Mubarak’s ouster just weeks later.
Famous Birthdays
1833 – Charles George Gordon: British army officer and administrator Charles George Gordon, also known as “Chinese Gordon” for his role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, was born in London, England.
He later became famous for his defense of Khartoum during the Mahdist War in Sudan.
1912 – Jackson Pollock: American abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock was born in Cody, Wyoming.
Known for his unique drip painting technique, Pollock became a major figure in 20th-century art, with works like “No. 5, 1948” fetching record-breaking prices.
1955 – Nicolas Sarkozy: French politician Nicolas Sarkozy, who served as the President of France from 2007 to 2012, was born in Paris.
During his presidency, he focused on economic reforms and played a key role in international affairs, including during the European debt crisis.
1981 – Elijah Wood: American actor Elijah Wood was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Best known for portraying Frodo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, Wood has also starred in diverse roles across genres, from horror to drama.
Notable Deaths
1547 – Henry VIII: As mentioned earlier, King Henry VIII of England died on this day at the Palace of Whitehall in London.
His death concluded a transformative and often controversial reign that reshaped England’s religious and political landscape.
1939 – William Butler Yeats: Irish poet and playwright William Butler Yeats, a key figure in 20th-century literature and a Nobel Prize winner, passed away in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, at the age of 73.
His works, including “The Second Coming,” remain celebrated for their profound imagery and themes.
1986 – Christa McAuliffe: American teacher Christa McAuliffe tragically died in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on this day, along with six other crew members.
Selected as the first teacher to travel to space, her loss deeply impacted the nation and inspired future generations of educators.
Today in Music History
1956 – Elvis Presley’s First TV Appearance: Elvis Presley made his national television debut on “The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show” in New York City.
Performing “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and “Flip, Flop and Fly,” this appearance marked the beginning of his rise to superstardom.
1978 – Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” Hits No. 1: The iconic album “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac reached the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart on this day, staying there for 31 non-consecutive weeks.
Packed with hits like “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way,” it remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
1985 – “We Are the World” Recorded: The charity single “We Are the World,” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, was recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in Los Angeles on January 28.
Featuring stars like Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen, the song raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Today in Sports History
1922 – Decathlon Added to Olympics: On this day, the International Olympic Committee officially added the decathlon to the modern Olympic Games program.
This grueling 10-event competition, testing strength, speed, and endurance, debuted at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and became a staple of track and field.
1986 – Super Bowl XX Broadcast: While the game itself occurred on January 26, the official broadcast highlights and recaps dominated sports news on January 28, with the Chicago Bears’ dominating 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
The Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle” became an iconic cultural moment.
Today in Military and Naval History
1915 – U.S. Coast Guard Formation: As previously noted, the U.S. Coast Guard was established on this day through the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service, creating an essential military branch focused on maritime safety and law enforcement.
1945 – Battle of the Bulge Aftermath: On January 28, Allied forces officially declared the Battle of the Bulge over, following weeks of intense fighting against German troops in the Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxembourg.
This marked a turning point in World War II, weakening Germany’s ability to launch further offensives.
Today in Tech and Science History
1878 – First Commercial Telephone Exchange: The world’s first commercial telephone exchange opened in New Haven, Connecticut, on this day, under a license from Alexander Graham Bell’s company.
With just 21 subscribers initially, this marked the beginning of widespread telephone communication.
1958 – LEGO Patent Filed: The modern LEGO brick design, with its interlocking system, was patented by Danish carpenter Godtfred Kirk Christiansen on January 28.
This innovation revolutionized the toy industry, making LEGO one of the most enduring and creative brands in the world.
1986 – Challenger Disaster Investigation Begins: Following the tragic explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger on this day, immediate investigations began to uncover the cause of the disaster.
The findings, centered on the failure of an O-ring seal, reshaped space exploration safety standards.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1813 – Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Published: On this day, Jane Austen’s beloved novel “Pride and Prejudice” was first published in the United Kingdom.
Exploring themes of love, class, and societal expectations, it remains a cornerstone of classic literature.
1922 – Knickerbocker Theatre Disaster: A tragic event unfolded in Washington, D.C., when the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre collapsed under heavy snow during a film screening, killing 98 people and injuring 133.
This disaster highlighted the need for stricter building codes.
1977 – “Roots” Miniseries Concludes: The groundbreaking television miniseries “Roots,” based on Alex Haley’s novel, aired its final episode on January 28, drawing massive viewership.
It brought the horrors of slavery into American living rooms, sparking important conversations about race and history.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1878 – Yale’s Quirky Phone Line: When the first telephone exchange opened in New Haven, Connecticut, on this day, one of the earliest subscribers was Yale University.
Amusingly, some of the first calls were reportedly used to prank local businesses, showing that even early tech had its mischievous side.
1986 – Challenger Broadcast Oddity: During the live broadcast of the Challenger launch, some viewers initially thought the explosion was a planned separation of rocket stages due to unclear commentary, leading to momentary confusion before the tragic reality set in.
Today in History for Kids
1958 – LEGO Bricks Are Born: Kids, did you know that on January 28, the LEGO brick as we know it was officially patented?
That means the little blocks you love snapping together to build castles or spaceships got their start on this day, thanks to a clever idea from Denmark!
1986 – A Sad Day in Space: On this day, a space shuttle called Challenger had a terrible accident just after takeoff.
It taught everyone important lessons about safety, and we remember the brave astronauts, including a teacher named Christa McAuliffe, who wanted to inspire kids like you.
1813 – A Famous Book’s Birthday: A super famous story called “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen came out on January 28.
It’s about love and funny misunderstandings, and even though it’s old, lots of people still read it or watch movies based on it today!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1547 – Henry VIII’s Final Days: Did you know that Henry VIII, who died on this day, was so ill in his last years that he could barely walk and had to be carried in a special chair?
Despite his health, he remained a powerful and feared ruler until the end.
1855 – Panama Railroad’s Odd Cargo: When the first locomotive crossed the Panama Isthmus on January 28, it often carried unusual cargo, including gold rush prospectors heading to California, showing how essential this route was before airplanes or the Panama Canal existed.
1956 – Elvis Shocks the Nation: When Elvis Presley appeared on TV for the first time on this day, his hip-shaking dance moves were so controversial that later broadcasts only filmed him from the waist up to avoid offending viewers.
1985 – Star-Studded Recording Session: During the recording of “We Are the World” on January 28, over 40 music legends crowded into a single studio, and producers had to post a sign saying “Check Your Ego at the Door” to keep everyone focused on the charity cause.