This Month in History: January’s Defining Moments • Page 16

1928 CE, January 10

The Soviet Union orders the exile of Leon Trotsky internally to Alma-Ata, a remote region in Central Asia on January 10, 1928. He had previously been expelled from the Communist Party in November 1927.

1932 CE, January 12

Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway becomes first woman elected to U.S. Senate on January 12, 1932, when she defeated two male opponents in a special race in Arkansas. More

1932 CE, January 22

President Hoover signs the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) Act ,on January 22, 1932, establishing the Independent government Agency, to aid the struggling U.S. economy during the Great Depression.

1933 CE, January 5

The Golden Gate Bridge construction starts on January 5, 1933. Joseph B. Strauss led the way as Chief Engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. He is is also credited as being the leading force behind seeing the Golden Gate Bridge become a reality. The bridge was completed on May May 28, 1937. More

1933 CE, January 30

Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933 by President Paul von Hindenburg, marking the end of the Weimar Republic and the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship.

1934 CE, January 30

The U.S. dollar is significantly devalued on January 30 and 31,1934 when the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, is signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and officially sets the price of gold at $35 per ounce, reducing the dollar's gold content by about 41% from its previous value.

1935 CE, January 12

Amelia Earhart lands her Lockheed 5C Vega at Oakland Airport, California on January 12,1935 becoming the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California. She had departed from Wheeler Field, Honolulu, Hawaii the day before on her record setting 18 hour solo flight. More

1935 CE, January 28

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).

1936 CE, January 6

The first all-glass windowless building, the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, is completed in Toledo, Ohio, c. January 6, 1936,

1938 CE, January 3

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis is founded by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, an adult victim of polio. The foundation was renamed later "The March of Dimes Foundation."

1939 CE, January 1

The Hewlett-Packard Company is officially founded as a Partnership in a one-car garage in Palo Alto, California on January 1, 1939. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard had began their part-time operations in the garage in 1938. Incorporation took place later on August 18, 1947.

1940 CE, January 3

The British Royal Air Force bombs a German seaplane base, marking the first British raid of World War II.

1941 CE, January 6

U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his "Four Freedoms" speech during the State of the Union Address on January 6, 1941, outlining his vision for a world based on, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

1942 CE, January 14

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues Presidential Proclamation 2537 , requiring."All alien enemies" within the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to obtain a certificate of identification and carry it "at all times". Along with travel and access restrictions. More

1942 CE, January 22

The Japanese 55th Division launched a major invasion into Burma during World War II on January 22, 1942 across the Kawkareik Pass, following its initial attacks in late December 1941.

1943 CE, January 14

The Casablanca Conference begins between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to plan Allied strategy during World War II.

1943 CE, January 27

The first US raid was conducted on Germany proper on January 27, 1943 as 91 US bombers were sent on a day light raid on the submarine bases at Wilhelmshaven. 53 bombers successfully bombed the target and 3 were lost. The US daylight bombing of Germany continued as the British continue their night bombing raids. More

1944 CE, January 27

The 900 day siege of Leningrad is broken on January 27, 1944, when the Soviet Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive expels the German forces from the southern outskirts of the city.

1945 CE, January 7

American troops land on the main Philippine Island of Luzon, after the capture the Philippine islands of Leyte and Mindoro to the south in late December 1944, where two airfields were established to assist in the landings on Luzon.

1945 CE, January 16

Hitler moves his headquarters to his underground bunker (Führerbunker) on January 16, 1945 as the Soviet Army approaches and Berlin is under bombardment.