George Wallace is inaugurated as Governor of Alabama and delivers his infamous "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" speech.
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Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material.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.
Patsy Mink (Patsy Matsu Takemoto) becomes the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the State of Hawaii. More
The United States Surgeon General Luther Terry announces on January 11, 1964, that cigarette smoking may be hazardous to health and it is linked to serious health effects, including lung cancer and heart disease. More
A Soviet fighter shot down a U.S. T–39 training aircraft over East Germany. The three U.S. officers aboard were killed. More
President Lyndon B. Johnson unveils his "Great Society" vision in his State of the Union address calling for legislation for major investments in social welfare programs. More
A US B-52 bomber loaded with nuclear weapons collides with a tanker plane on January 17, 1966 during a midair refueling operation off the coast of Almeria, Spain. Seven of the total 11 crew members were killed. The crash caused four hydrogen bombs to tumble from the B-52.
One of the hydrogen bombs was later recovered intact in the Mediterranean while the other three crashed on land near the coastal village of Palomares. The bombs did not explode but two cracked open and dispersed 7 pounds of radioactive plutonium with the wind. More
This image or file is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain in the United States.
This image or file is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain in the United States.
Indira Gandhi becomes the first female Prime Minister of India on January 19, 1966, following the sudden death of Indian Premier Lal Bahadur Shastri. She became known for her centralized power and political resolve. She led India to victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. She was assassinated in 1984.
Jack Leon Ruby dies of cancer in a Dallas hospital. Born Jacob Leon Rubenstein, he had been convicted and sentenced to death for murdering Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963, two days after Oswald was accused of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The conviction was appealed, and he was to be granted a new trial, but Ruby became ill, was diagnosed with cancer, and died of a pulmonary embolism at a Dallas hospital. More
The Apollo I Tragedy; a fire swept through the Apollo 1 Command Module during a launch rehearsal test on January 27, 1967, tragically killing astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. A long investigation concluded that a faulty electrical wire inside the Apollo 1 command module was the probable cause of the fire. More
The United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union sign the Outer Space Treaty on January 27, 1967, banning the militarization of space by prohibiting placing nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in orbit or on celestial bodies, and dedicating outer space and celestial bodies to peaceful use.
Alexander Dubček comes to power in Czechoslovakia on January 5, 1968, replacing hardliner Antonín Novotný and beginning the short period known as the Prague Spring of major political liberalization, economic reform, and increased freedom of speech and the press. It quickly came to an end when the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact troops invaded on August 21, 1968, to crush the reforms.
North Korea, using three torpedo boats, two sub chasers and a couple of MiG fighters attacks and captures the USS Pueblo (AGER-2) on January 23, 1968 in international waters off North Korea’s east coast in the Sea of Japan. The U.S.ship was virtually unarmed and outfitted as an electronic surveillance platform. More
The Viet Cong launches the Tet Offensive on January 30, 1968, marking a turning point in the the Vietnam War.
The Beatles perform their last public concert on January 30, 1969, on the rooftop of Apple Records in London.
The Song "Instant Karma" was written by John Lennon on January 27, 1970. As he told the story later... “I wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch and we’re putting it out for dinner.” The evening session included George Harrison, Klaus Voormann, Billy Preston and Alan White.
The song was actually released 10 days later on February 6, 1970 by Apple. It was the third Lennon single to appear before the official breakup of the Beatles. Instant Karma, went on to become the fastest-released songs in pop history, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is ratified by 43 nations.
Apollo 14 lifts off for the moon on January 31, 1971 with astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell. On February 5, 1971, Shepard and Mitchell touched down at the Fra Mauro highlands, spending two days on the Moon performing two extravehicular activities.
President Richard Nixon signs a bill on January 5, 1972, authorizing $5.5 billion for the development of a reusable winged space transportation system commonly known as the space shuttle.
The reusability of the shuttle’s components was expected to provide regular access to space to many customers, while at the same time reducing costs. The spacecraft was to be designed to carry seven astronauts and up to 50,000 pounds of cargo into orbits a few hundred miles from Earth. NASA launched Columbia, the first space shuttle, in 1981. More
Japanese Army Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi is discovered by local farmers on Guam. Yokoi, who fought in World War II. He had been hiding in the jungle for almost 28 years.
The return of the American forces to Guam and the bloody battle for possession of the island, created a breakdown of the Japanese command on Guam and soldiers like Yokoi were left to fend for themselves and told “to prefer death to the disgrace of getting captured alive”. More
British Paratroopers open fire on Roman Catholic civil rights supporters in Derry, Northern Ireland, on January 30, 1972, killing 13 in what became known as Bloody Sunday.
The demonstration began as a peaceful, but illegal, demonstration by some 10,000 people organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association in opposition to the British government’s policy of interning suspected members of the IRA without trial. The incident remained a source of controversy for decades, with competing accounts of the events. In 2010 the Saville Report, the final pronouncement of a government inquiry initiated by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1998, concluded that none of the victims had posed any threat to the soldiers and that their shooting was without justification.