Alger Hiss, a former State Department official, is convicted of perjury for lying about being a Soviet spy on January 21, 1950. The case remains one of the most significant legal battles of the early Cold War era It went on to serve as a catalyst for the rise of McCarthyism and the political career of Richard Nixon.
Browse Historical Events by Month:
What Happened in January?
Tragic deaths, ravaged cities, and great acts of heroism. Discover what happened this month in history and the defining moments that shaped the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
We do our best to provide accurate information but would appreciate being notified if any incorrect information is found. You may do so by using our Feedback link.
India declares itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution. Although India had become a free nation on August 15, 1947 (independence day), it officially became a republic on 26 January 1950, (Republic Day) when the Constitution was adopted. Republic Day and Independence Day are national holidays.
U.S. President Harry Truman publicly announces on January 31, 1950, his decision to continue and intensify research and production of thermonuclear weapons.(Hydrogen Bomb).
The weapon, theorized at that time to be hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. Five months earlier, the Soviet Union successfully detonated an atomic bomb. Then, several weeks after that, British and U.S. intelligence came to the staggering conclusion that German-born Klaus Fuchs, a top-ranking scientist in the U.S. nuclear program, was a spy for the Soviet Union. More
The United Nations headquarters officially opens in New York City. More
The Nevada Test Site (NTS), 65 miles north of Las Vegas, detonates the first of several nuclear bombs, Shot Able, a 1-kiloton bomb, on January 27, 1951. Between 1951 and 1992, the U.S. government conducted a total of 928 nuclear tests here. Out of these tests 100 were atmospheric, and 828 were underground. More
President Harry S. Truman announced in his last State of the Union message to Congress that the United States had developed a hydrogen bomb. More
Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated as the 34th President of the United States on January 20, 1953 marking the start of his two terms, with Richard Nixon as Vice President.
The Hudson Motor Car Company merges with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, forming American Motors Corporation (AMC).
Marian Anderson, made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York Cityas Ulrica in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera. She was the first African American to perform with the company.
The USSR ends its state of war with Germany.
The Republic of India's first election commences, making Jawaharlal Nehru the country's first Prime Minister.
%20PD-R.jpg?auto=format,compress&fit=clip&max-w=1600)
The Eisenhower Doctrine was announced on January 5, 1957; "To provide military and economic aid to Middle Eastern countries threatened by communism".
It was a U.S. Cold War policy securing pro-Western alignment to prevent Soviet expansion in the crucial region, with the U.S. promising to protect these nations' independence and territorial integrity.
The United States enters the space age on January 31, 1958, by launching its first satellite, Explorer 1.
Cuban President Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba in the early morning of January 1, 1959, as Fidel Castro's revolutionary forces gained control during the Cuban Revolution and flies to the Dominican Republic with his chief military aides. Leaving behind a junta which the rebels refused to recognize. His eldest son and over 50 other military leaders also left on a plane to Jacksonville, Florida.
Alaska is admitted into the Union, becoming the 49th U.S. State. The United States had purchased the Alaska territory from Russia and formally taken possession of it on October 18, 1867. The purchase, ended Russia’s presence in North America and ensured U.S. access to the Pacific northern rim.
The United States recognizes the new Cuban government headed by Manuel Urrutia Lleó after a general strike in early January forced the military Junta Government, left by Batista, to relinquish power to the 26th of July Movement. Fidel Castro arrived in Havana on January 8.
The following month, on February 16, 1959, Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba, and accepted the position on the condition that the Prime Minister's powers be increased. In later July, Urrutia tendered his resignation as President. More
The Aswan High Dam in Egypt construction officially begins o January 9, 1960, with President Gamal Abdel Nasser detonating dynamite to mark the start of the massive project.
The rock-fill dam across the Nile River at Aswān, Egypt, was completed in 1970 and inaugurated in 1971. It now generates large amounts of electric power and allows for the control of the annual Nile flood providing major benefits to the Egyptian economy. More
The United States severs diplomatic relations with Cuba as Fidel Castro solidifies his socialist government.
An uprising against Portuguese colonial rule in Angola, begins on January 4, 1961 in Baixa do Cassange. It was a labor strike by cotton workers that is considered the first political movement that would trigger the Angolan War of Independence a month later.
The strike is also called Mariano's revolt and Maria's war. January 4 is now a national holiday in Angola.
Shortly before his 90th birthday, on January 22, 1962, Bertrand Russell responds to a letter from British Fascist, Sir Oswald Mosley, inviting Russell to lunch and to engage in a debate on the merits of fascism. Russell declined, stating his opposition to fascism's repugnant cruelty and violent nature. Read Russell's response at the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation/ Spokesman Books