Charlemagne dies in Aachen, the imperial capital city at the age of 72 on January 28, 814. His body was buried the same day in the Palatine Chapel, which is now a part of Aachen Cathedral. His son, Louis the Pious had been crowned co-emperor by his father a year before on September 11, 813, and succeeded him as the sole Holy Roman Emperor.
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On This Day in History: January 28
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 28th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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King Henry VIII of England dies on January 28, 1547 and is succeeded by his nine-year-old son Edward VI who was crowned on February 20, 1547.
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Henry Morgan, a Welsh pirate, attacks Panama City on January 28, 1671, looting it, causing destruction. and capturing the wealthy city from the Spanish. Morgan's attack, however, was technically illegal as it occurred after a peace treaty between England and Spain which he claimed he was not aware of.
Upon his return, he was arrested but was ultimately hailed as a hero, knighted by King Charles II, and appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.
The Grafton Estate in Virginia is established by the colonial governor, Sir William Gooch.
Sir Isaac Newton, renowned mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, dies in London at the age of 84.
The Spanish mission San Gabriel Arcángel is founded in California, becoming one of the oldest Catholic missions.
The British explorer and navigator John Ross reaches the North Magnetic Pole.
The Victoria Cross, the highest British military decoration, is established.
The U.S. Congress creates the Coast Guard by combining the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, and was officially renamed the Coast Guard. In 1939, the Lighthouse Service was folded in and the Commerce Department's Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation was added to the USCG in 1946.
A German cruiser sinks first American merchant ship, the William P. Frye, off the coast of Brazil. More
The first demonstration of television by John Logie Baird takes place in London.
Iceland becomes the first western country to legalize abortion under limited medical/social conditions on January 28, 1935. While not the absolute first globally (Soviet Russia was earlier).
A Soviet fighter shot down a U.S. T–39 training aircraft over East Germany. The three U.S. officers aboard were killed. More
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is ratified by 43 nations.
The six United States embassy hostages in Tehran, Iran, are released.
The charity single "We Are the World" is recorded by USA for Africa.
The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts aboard: Commander Michael J. Smith; Commander Francis R. 'Dick' Scobee; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Ellison Onizuka, mission specialist; S. Christa McAuliffe, payload specialist; Gregory B. Jarvis, payload specialist; Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist. More