Historical Events in January || Listed by Year

Discover the pivotal moments of January: Julius Caesar’s fateful crossing of the Rubicon that defied the Roman Senate, the Continental Congress ratifying the Treaty of Paris to secure American independence, and the first successful balloon flight in America lifting off from Philadelphia. This month also saw the League of Nations convene its first Council meeting and the United States step into the space age by launching its first satellite.

January carries triumphs and tragedies alike: “Bloody Sunday” reverberating through civil rights history, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploding in a national tragedy, and the first McDonald’s in the Soviet Union opening its doors in Moscow’s Pushkin Square. Even beyond Earth, the month marks exploration, as NASA’s six-wheeled rover Opportunity lands on Mars. See what happened in January, listed by year, and uncover the stories that reshaped nations and the world.

Explore major historical events from January or any day on Kudos 365.