The Vietnam War Paris Peace Accords are signed, effectively ending direct U.S. involvement in the war. More
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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.
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The 10 millionth Volkswagen Beetle is produced.
OPEC ends its oil embargo against the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Sara Jane Moore is sentenced to life for attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford on September 22 1975. She was released on Parole on December 31, 2007
Jimmy Carter is inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States.
President Jimmy Carter Issues Proclamation 4483 and Executive Order 11967, granting a pardon to those who evaded the draft in the Vietnam War by violating the Military Selective Service Act from August 4, 1964, to March 28, 1973. It is estimated that the Pardon applied to over 500,000 people, of which 100,000 had left the country. About half of those who left returned. More
After almost 40 years of ruling, the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi flees Iran amidst growing unrest, paving the way for the Islamic Revolution. More
The six United States embassy hostages in Tehran, Iran, are released.
Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States.
The Iran Hostage Crisis finally came to an end within hours from President Ronald Reagan inauguration and the hostages were brought to Germany for family reunions. More
The International Olympic Committee restores Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals 70 years after they were taken away due to his playing semi-professional baseball.
Apple Computer Inc. unveils its Macintosh personal computer.
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
Delta Air Lines Flight 191 crashes in Dallas, Texas, killing 137 people.
The Phantom of the Opera, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, opens in London's West End.
George H. W. Bush is inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States.
The first McDonald's restaurant in the Soviet Union opens in Moscow's Pushkin Square.
Operation Desert Storm, the subsequent offensive combat phase begins with an aerial and naval bombardment on January 17, 1991, continuing for five weeks. This was followed by a ground assault on 24 February. This was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition ceased its advance, and declared a ceasefire 100 hours after the ground campaign started. . More
Czechoslovakia peacefully splits into two nations, the Czech Republic and Slovakia The event is known as the "Velvet Divorce"