This Day in History
January 11

What happened in history on this day: January 11? On January 11 in ... 314 - Saint Militiades ends his reign as Catholic Pope. 532 - Nika-revolt against Justianus and Theodora in Hippodrome Constantinople. 705 - John VI dies, ending his reign as Catholic Pope. 1055 - Constantine IX Monomachos emperor of Byzantium, dies. 1158 - Vladislav II of Bohemia becomes king. 1403 - Birth of Jan IV Duke of Brabant/Limburg. 1449 - Birth of Domenico Ghirlandajo Italy, renaissance painter. 1503 - Birth of Francesco Parmigianino Italian artist (Madonna with the Long Neck). 1552 - Johannes Cochlaeus [Dobeneck], German humanist/theologist, dies. 1558 - Westmunster Church in Middelburg destroyed by heavy storm. 1569 - First recorded lottery in England is drawn at Saint Paul's Cathedral. 1571 - Emperor Maximilian II grants Austrian adel freedom of religion. 1599 - Jacob van Necks fleet leaves Bantam Java with pepper, clove and muskaat. 1641 - Franciscus Gomarus [François Gomaer], French theologist, dies. 1650 - Paul Hallman composer, dies at age 49. 1672 - Isaac Newton is elected a member of Royal Society. 1674 - Jan Zoet actor/playwright/poet (Brutal-Roffel), dies at age 58. 1693 - In Sicily, Italy, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurs, causing over 60,000 deaths and the total destruction of several villages and towns in the districts of Siracusa, Ragusa, and Catania. The earthquake was followed by a tsunami that struck the Ionian coasts of Sicily and the Messina Strait. 1693 - Mt Etna erupts, Sicily. 1703 - Birth of Columban Praelisauer composer. 1709 - Colley Cibber's "Rival Fools" premieres in London. 1720 - Birth of Gijsbert John van Hardenbroeck Utrechts regent. 1727 - Birth of Franz Sebastian Haindl composer. 1732 - Birth of Pehr Forskåhl Finish botanist. 1746 - Birth of Frantisek Adam Mica composer. 1746 - Birth of William Curtis English botanist/publisher (Botanical Magazine). 1750 - Birth of Johann Jakob Walder composer. 1753 - Ferdinand VI of Spain and Pope Benedictus XIV sign concord. 1753 - Charlotte Buff born in Wetzlar, Germany. She was a close friend of the poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in their youth. 1753 - Hans Sloane English physician (British Museum), dies at age 92. 1757 - Birth of Alexander Hamilton West Indies, first US Secretary of Treasury ($10 face). 1758 - Russian troops occupy Königsberg, East-Prussia. 1759 - First American life insurance company incorporated, Philadelphia. 1765 - Frisia bans Voltaires "Traité sur la tolérance". 1771 - Jean-Baptiste de Boyer marquis d'Argens, French author, dies at age 66. 1774 - Messier adds M51 (spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici) to his catalog. 1775 - Francis Salvador becomes first Jew elected to office in America (South Carolina). 1775 - Yemelyan Pugachov Don Cossack rebel, executed by tsarist Russia. 1784 - Ferdinand Philipp Joseph Lobkowitz composer, dies at age 59. 1785 - Continental Congress convenes in New York City, New York. 1787 - William Herschel discovers Titania and Oberon, two moons of Uranus. 1790 - Statisten and Vonckisten unite as Belgium. 1797 - Francis Lightfoot Lee US farmer (signer Declaration of Independence), dies at age 62. 1801 - Birth of John Lodge Ellerton composer. 1801 - Domenico Cimarosa Italian composer (Matrimonio segreto), dies at age 51. 1803 - Monroe and Livingston sail for Paris to buy New Orleans; they buy Louisiana. 1805 - Michigan Territory is organized. 1807 - Birth of Alfred Eugene "Mudwall" Jackson Brigadier General (Confederate Army). 1807 - Birth of Ezra Cornell founder (Western Union Telegraph, Cornell University). 1808 - Birth of Antoine GB Schayes Belgian historian/archaeologist. 1813 - First pineapples planted in Hawaii. 1814 - Birth of James Paget English surgeon (disease of Paget). 1814 - Birth of Richard Griffith Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1862. 1815 - Birth of Sir John A MacDonald (Conservative) first Prime Minister of Canada (1867-73). 1816 - Birth of Fitz-Henry Warren Brevet Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1878. 1818 - Birth of John Reese Kenly Brevet Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1891. 1831 - Birth of James Ronald Chalmers Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1898. 1837 - François Gérard French baron/painter, dies at age 66. 1837 - John Field Irish pianist/composer (Nocturnes), dies at age 54. 1839 - Birth of Eugenio Maria de Hostos Puerto Rico, patriot/scholar. 1839 - Earthquake at Martinique destroys half of Port Royal-700 die. 1841 - Birth of Otto von Gierke in Settin, Germany; professor of legal philosophy. 1842 - Birth of William James US, psychologist/philosopher. 1843 - Francis Scott Key composer (Star Spangled Banner), dies at age 63. 1847 - Caroline von Wolzogen [von Lengefeld] German author, dies at age 83. 1849 - Birth of Oskar Lassar German dermatologist (bath house). 1850 - Birth of J C Arthur Lowville New York, botanist (studied rusts). 1850 - Birth of Philipp la Renotiere von Ferrary famous philatelist. 1852 - Birth of Konstantin Fehrenbach in Wellendingen, Germany; member of the Catholic Center Party, president of the Reichstag in 1918, chancellor of the Weimar Republic 1920-21. 1853 - Birth of Gustav Falke in Luebeck, Germany; author/poet (Der Mann im Nebel). 1856 - Birth of Christian August Sinding Kongsberg Norway, composer. 1856 - Nikolai I Nadezjdin Russian archaeologist, dies. 1857 - Birth of Fred[erick J] Archer English jockey (won five Derbys). 1859 - Birth of [Gerard] Jan Ligthart Dutch educator (Nog bij mother, Ot and Sien). 1860 - Birth of Marie Bashkirtseff Russian/French painter/author (Journal). 1861 - Mexico City captured by Juárez (Liberal) in War of the Reform. 1861 - Alabama becomes fourth state to secede. 1863 - Naval engagement near Galveston between CSS Alabama and USS Hatteras. 1863 - Union forces capture Arkansas Post, or Fort Hindman, Arkansas. 1864 - Birth of Thomas Dixon US attorney/playwright (Flaming Sword). 1864 - Charing Cross Station opens in London. 1865 - Battle of Beverly, West Virginia. 1866 - Steamship London sinks in storm off Land's End England, kills 220. 1870 - Adolf Ganz composer, dies at age 73. 1872 - Birth of Paul Graener composer. 1873 - First livestock market newspaper published, Drover's Journal, Chicago. 1873 - Birth of Joaquín Alvarez Quintéro Spanish dramatist/playwright (Los Galeotes). 1875 - Birth of Reinhold Gliere Kiev Ukraine, composer. 1877 - Pietro Romani composer, dies at age 85. 1878 - Birth of Theodorus Pangalos Greek General /dictator (1926). 1879 - Birth of Antonio Beltramelli writer. 1879 - Zulu war against British colonial rule in South Africa begins. 1880 - Birth of Rudolf T Palm Curaçao, pianist/composer. 1885 - Birth of Alice Paul ERA advocate/founder (National Woman's Party). 1885 - Henrik Ibsen's "Vildauden" premieres in Oslo. 1886 - Birth of George Zucco England; actor (Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Captain Fury). 1887 - Birth of Aldo Leopold founder (Wilderness Society). 1888 - Birth of Chester Conklin Oskaloosa Iowa; actor (Every Day's a Holiday, Greed). 1890 - Birth of Monte Blue Indianapolis Indiana, silent film actor (Montana, Oh Boy). 1891 - Georges-Eugène Haussmann French senator/baron, dies at age 81. 1892 - Hawaiian Historical Society founded. 1892 - Paul Gauguin marries a 13-year-old Tahitian girl. 1892 - William D McCoy of Indiana appointed US minister to Liberia. 1893 - Benjamin F Butler US General /presidential candidate (anti-monopoly), dies at age 74. 1893 - Jaap Eden skates world record 1500m (2 35). 1894 - Birth of Jaroslav Vogel composer. 1896 - Birth of Paddy Driscoll NFL quarterback/coach (Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears). 1897 - M H Cannon becomes first woman state senator in US (Utah). 1898 - Birth of Hans Rudolf Krik Danish writer/critic (Fiskerne, Slaven). 1898 - Gaetano Capocci composer, dies at age 86. 1899 - Birth of Eva LeGallienne actress/director (Resurrection). 1901 - Birth of Andries D Copier Dutch glass manufacturer (Gildeglass). 1901 - Vasily Sergeyevich Kalinnikov composer, dies at age 34. 1902 - Popular Mechanics magazine is first published. 1902 - Birth of Maurice Durufle French organist/composer. 1902 - Johnny Briggs cricketer (118 wickets for England), dies in an asylum. 1903 - Birth of Alan Paton in South Africa; writer (Cry, the Beloved Country). 1904 - Birth of Frederick Boland Irish diplomat/President (UN General Assembly). 1904 - Herero people of South West Africa, now Namibia, begin uprising. 1905 - Birth of John Henry Jacques co-operative retailer. 1905 - Birth of Manfred Bonnington Lee detective writer (half of Ellery Queen). 1905 - Birth of Pierre Mendes-France French Premier (1954-55). 1906 - Birth of Albert Hofmann in Switzerland; chemist (discovered LSD). 1906 - Birth of Johannes Paul Thilman composer. 1906 - Birth of Robert Nesbitt impresario. 1908 - Birth of Lionel Stander New York City, New York; actor (Max-Hart to Hart, Unfaithfully Yours). 1909 - Birth of Gunnar Johnsen Berg composer. 1909 - Birth of Marguerite Kelsey English model/painter (Haunting). 1910 - Birth of Izler Solomon Saint Paul Minnesota, conductor. 1910 - Birth of Trygve Martin Bratteli Norwegian Prime Minister (Labour) (1971-72, 1973-76). 1912 - Birth of Donald Barry Houston Texas; actor (Mr Gallo-Mr Novak). 1912 - Birth of Roger Lewis aviation exec (Lockheed, Curtiss Wright, Pan Am). 1912 - Birth of Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe Waco Texas, pitcher (Detroit Tigers). 1913 - First sedan-type car (Hudson) goes on display at 13th Auto Show (New York City, New York). 1913 - Bread and Roses Strike begins. 1914 - Ambrose Bierce writer, dies at age 71. 1914 - Birth of Dorothy Jeakins costume designer. 1915 - Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Colonel Tillinghast Huston purchase New York Yankees for $460,000. 1916 - Birth of Bernard Blier Buenos Aires Argentina; actor (Les Miserables). 1916 - Birth of James H [Jimmy] Quillen (Representative-Republican-TN, 1963-). 1916 - French troops capture/Serbian army flees to Corfu. 1917 - Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse's "Have a Heart" premieres in New York City, New York. 1918 - Birth of Albert Weisser composer. 1919 - Three-year-old German communist party (Spartacus) crushed. 1919 - Birth of Veda Ann Borg Boston Massachusetts, actress (Avalanche, Accomplice). 1919 - Romania annexes Transylvania. 1920 - Birth of John Powell campaigner. 1920 - French passenger ship Afrique sinks near La Rochelle; 553 die. 1922 - Birth of Kathleen Byron London England, actress (Abdication, Profile, Four Days). 1922 - Birth of Neville Duke English test pilot. 1922 - Birth of Tony Charmoli Minnesota, choreographer (Cher, Julie Andrew). 1922 - Insulin first used in a human patient to treat diabetes (Leonard Thompson, 14, of Canada). 1923 - First Dutch Dada-evening (Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters). 1923 - Constantine I king of Greece (1913-17, 20-22), dies at age 54. 1923 - French and Belgian troops occupy Ruhr to collect reparations. In protest, Berlin ceases payment of all reparations. 1924 - Birth of Don Cherry Wichita Texas, singer (Dean Martin Summer Show). 1924 - Birth of Slim Harpo musician. 1925 - Franc B Kellogg replaces Charles Hughes on as US Secretary of State. 1926 - Birth of Alexander Gibson conductor. 1926 - Birth of Elisabeth M J "Elly" Bakker Dutch actress (The Miser). 1926 - Birth of Grant Tinker broadcasting executive (NBC-TV). 1926 - Birth of Lev Stepanovich Demin Russia, cosmonaut (Soyuz 15). 1926 - Birth of Phil Sidey broadcaster. 1927 - Birth of John Hayes cricketer (New Zealand fast bowler in 15 Tests 1951-58). 1927 - Birth of Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair saxophonist. 1927 - Royale Theater (Golden, CBS Radio Playhouse) opens at 242 W 45th New York City, New York. 1928 - Birth of David L Wolper producer (Devil's Brigade). 1928 - Birth of Mitchell Ryan Cincinnati Ohio; actor (Chase, Executive Suite). 1928 - Thomas Hardy novelist (Maddening Crowd), dies at his home near Dorchester at age 87. 1929 - Birth of Nicoletta Orsomando. 1929 - Birth of Rod Taylor Sydney Australia; actor (Bearcats, Time Machine). 1929 - Birth of Wanda Wilkomirska Warsaw, Poland, violinist. 1929 - Julio Antonio Mella Cuban revolutionary, murdered at about age 28. 1930 - At 12:00 PM, the first official theater-based Mickey Mouse Club begins, at the Fox Dome Theater in Ocean Park, California. 1931 - Birth of Ed Hall Roxbury Massachusetts; actor (Dr Bicker-Medical Center). 1931 - Oscar Fetras composer, dies at age 76. 1933 - Birth of Goldie Hill Karnes County Texas, country singer (Grand Ole Opry). 1934 - Birth of Jean Chrétien Canada Prime Minister (Liberal, 1993-). 1935 - Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly solo from Hawaii to California. 1935 - Birth of Chuck Barksdale US singer (Dells-I Can Sing a Rainbow). 1936 - Birth of Linda Lawson Ann Arbor Michigan, actress (Don't Call Me Charlie). 1936 - Birth of Meindert Leerling Dutch TV director/Member of Parliament (RPF). 1936 - Charles Anderson enters Kentucky House of Representatives. 1938 - Birth of Fischer S Black Jr financial theorist. 1938 - Birth of Michael Fenn docker/socialist. 1938 - Birth of Narvel Felts country singer. 1938 - Bradman scores a second inning 113 vs Queensland after a ton in the first. 1938 - Frances Moulton elected first woman president of a US national bank. 1939 - Birth of Anne Heggtveigt Canada, slalom (Olympics-gold-1960). 1940 - Birth of Mark DeVoto composer. 1940 - Sergei Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet premieres in Leningrad. 1941 - Princess Irene Brigade established in Congleton. 1942 - -23 degrees F (-31 degrees C), Kingston RI (state record). 1942 - Birth of Clarence Clemons rock saxophonist (Bruce Springsteen's E Steet Band). 1942 - Japanese forces invade the Netherlands East Indies on Borneo. 1942 - Japan conquers Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. 1943 - Birth of William Albert Pennsylvania composer. 1943 - Carlo Tresca New York's Italian newspaper editor/anti-fascist, murdered. 1943 - US and Britain relinquish extraterritorial rights in China. 1944 - Birth of Henry Cecil British organizer. 1944 - Birth of York Georg Holler composer. 1944 - Crakow-Plaszow Concentration Camp established. 1944 - Galeazzo count of Cortellazzo Ciano Italian politician, dies. 1945 - Ada Negri Italian poet/author (Fatalità), dies at age 74. 1945 - Birth of Christine Kaufmann Austria, actress (Town Without Pity, Red Lips). 1946 - Bert Bell becomes second NFL commissioner, moves Chicago Illinois headquarters to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. 1946 - Birth of Ludmila Poradnik USSR, team handball (Olympics-gold-1976, 80). 1946 - Birth of Naomi Judd [Diana Ellen], Ashland, Kentucky; singer (Judds-Why Not Me). 1946 - Birth of Tony Kaye rocker (Yes). 1946 - Enver Hoxha declares People's Republic of Albania with himself dictator. 1946 - People's Republic of Albania established. 1947 - Birth of Anna Calder-Marshall Kensington England, actress (Zulu Dawn). 1948 - Birth of Madeline Manning-Jackson-Mimms US 800m runner (Olympics-gold-1968). 1949 - Birth of Caskey Swaim Lexington North Carolina; actor (Sergeant Fitz-Project UFO, Friday the 13th Part V). 1949 - Birth of Tom Netherton Munich Germany, singer (Lawrence Welk Show). 1949 - Birth of [Frederick] Dennis Greene rocker (Sha Na Na-Shannon). 1949 - The first case of snowfall in Los Angeles, California is recorded. 1950 - Karin Michaelis writer, dies at age 77. 1952 - Birth of Ben Daniel Crenshaw in Austin, Texas, USA; PGA golfer (1974 Rookie of Year, 1976 Bing Crosby). 1952 - Birth of Lee Ritenour Los Angeles California, jazz musician. 1952 - Birth of Massimo Lopez Italian comedian. 1952 - Bollingen Prize for poetry awarded to Marianne Moore. 1952 - Jean de Lattre de Tassigny General (North-Africa/Indo-China), dies at age 61. 1953 - Birth of Anna Marchesini Italian entertainer. 1953 - Ernst H Ridder Rappard Dutch Nazi founder (NSNAP), dies at age 53. 1953 - J Edgar Hoover declines six figure offer to become president of the International Boxing Club. 1953 - Marcel Canneel Flemish painter, dies at age 58. 1953 - Noach Zjordanija Georgian Premier (1918-21), dies at age 84. 1954 - Two ton locomotive swept into ravine by avalanche - 10 die (Austria). 1954 - Birth of Saskia ten Batenburg Dutch actress (Factory, Hunk). 1954 - Edgar Tytgat Flemish painter/etcher/drawer, dies at age 77. 1954 - Emmy Arbous Dutch actress/cabaret performer (Boefje), dies at age 56. 1954 - Death of Oscar Straus in Vienna, Austria; composer, Der tapfere Soldat (1908), Ein Walzertraum (1907) Rund um die Liebe (1914). 1955 - Rodolfo Graziani Italian East-Africa Minister of Defense, dies at age 72. 1956 - Birth of Kuniaki Kobayashi wrestler (WAR/NJPW). 1957 - Birth of Bryan Robson English international soccer star. 1957 - Birth of Darryl Dawkins NBA center (Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets). 1958 - Alec Rowley, composer, dies at age 65. 1958 - Birth of Vicki Peterson in Los Angeles, California, USA; rock guitarist/vocalist (Bangles). 1959 - Birth of Brett Bodine; auto racer. 1959 - Bollingen Prize for poetry awarded to Theodore Roethke. 1959 - Dr Mohammed Zakaria Ghonein, discoverer of 6,000-year-old pyramid, dies. 1959 - Hanif Mohammad completes 499 for Karachi, first class world record. 1959 - Marlene Hagge wins LPGA Mayfair Golf Open. 1959 - NFL Pro Bowl: East beats West 28-21. 1960 - Birth of Vicki Peterson in Los Angeles, California, USA; rocker (Bangles - "Walk Like an Egyptian"). 1960 - Johan E Elias, Dutch historian (Elias Family), dies at age 84. 1960 - Lamar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts. 1961 - Birth of Paul Skansi; NFL wide receiver (Seattle Seahawks). 1961 - Racial riot at University of Georgia, USA. 1962 - Birth of Donn Pall in Evergreen Park, Illinois, USA; pitcher (Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins). 1962 - Birth of Julie Moran; TV hostess (Entertainment Tonight, Independence Day). 1962 - Birth of Kim Coles in Brooklyn, New York, USA; actress (Synclaire - Living Single). 1963 - First discotheque opens, The Whiskey-a-go-go in Los Angeles, California, USA. 1963 - Arthur D Nock, English/American historian (Saint Paul), dies at age 60. 1963 - Birth of Jason Connery in London, England; actor (Robin Hood). 1963 - Birth of Kate Gompert in Ames, Iowa, USA; tennis star. 1963 - Birth of Petra Schneider; East German swimming star (world record 400m). 1963 - Birth of Tracy Caulkins in Winona, Minnesota, USA; swimmer (Olympics-3 gold-1984). 1964 - Panamá ends diplomatic relations with US. 1964 - US Surgeon General Luther Terry reports that smoking may be hazardous. 1965 - Birth of Barbara Belding in San Diego, California, USA; WPVA volleyballer (US Open-17th-1994). 1965 - Birth of Joely Richardson in London, England; actress (Body Contact, Wetherby). 1965 - Birth of Karl Van Calcar in Torrance, California, USA; 3k steeplechase. 1965 - Birth of Loredana Romito in Benevento, Italy; model/actress (Fatal Temptation). 1965 - Birth of Olivia Barash in Miami, Florida, USA; actress (Laura - Out of the Blue). 1965 - Birth of Steve Vancil in Oregon City, Oregon, USA; golfer (1989 City of Portland). 1966 - Daktari African adventure series premieres on CBS TV. 1966 - 550 die in landslides in mountains behind Rio de Janeiro after rain. 1966 - Albert Giacometti, Swiss/French painter/sculptor, dies at age 64. 1966 - Birth of Christian Pouget; hockey forward (Team France 1998). 1966 - Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indian premier (1964-66), dies at age 61. 1967 - Birth of Jeff Bankett in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; actor (Tyler - One Life to Live). 1967 - Birth of Richmond Webb; NFL tackle (Miami Dolphins). 1967 - Birth of Ronnie Stern in St-Agathe, Quebec, Canada; NHL right wing (Calgary Flames). 1967 - Romeinse Curie installs Council for Pontifical Study commission. 1968 - Birth of Ben Rivera; Dominican/US baseball pitcher (Philadelphia Phillies). 1968 - Birth of Sharon Brown in New York City, New York, USA; actress (Chantal - Generations). 1968 - Explorer 36 (GEOS-B) launched into earth orbit (1080/1570 km). 1969 - Birth of Darren Anderson; NFL cornerback (Kansas City Chiefs). 1969 - Birth of Dave Cruikshank in Northbrook, Illinois, USA; speed skater (Olympics-1994). 1969 - Birth of Frank Robinson; WLAF defensive back (Scottish Claymores). 1969 - Birth of Reemt Pyka; hockey forward (Team Germany 1998). 1970 - Birth of Franco Davin in Argentina; tennis star. 1970 - Super Bowl IV: Kansas City Chiefs beat Minnesota Vikings, 23-7 in New Orleans; Most Valuable Player: Len Dawson, Quarterback. 1971 - First "Quickie" Divorce granted in United Kingdom. 1971 - Birth of Alexander Delgado in Palmerejo, Venezuela; catcher (Boston Red Sox). 1971 - Birth of Karmeeleyah McGill; WLAF linebacker (Scottish Claymores). 1971 - Birth of Mary J Blige; singer. 1971 - Birth of Noah Cantor; Canadian Football League defensive tackle (Toronto Argonauts). 1971 - Birth of Stephen Smith in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; high jumper. 1971 - Detroit Tigers' ace reliever John Hiller, 27, suffers a heart attack, and misses the 1971 season. 1972 - Abu Sayeed Chudhury becomes president and sheik Mujib ur-Rahman premier. 1972 - Birth of Amber Medlin in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA; Miss Virginia-America (1995). 1972 - Birth of Dexter Seigler; NFL cornerback (Seattle Seahawks). 1972 - Birth of Huub Loeffen; Dutch soccer player (Vitesse). 1972 - Birth of Rey Ordonez in Havana, Cuba; infielder (New York Mets). 1972 - Birth of Yang Wenyi; Chinese swim star (World Record/Olympic Record 50m freestyle). 1972 - East-Pakistan becomes independent state of Bangladesh. 1973 - American League adopts designated hitter rule. 1973 - Birth of Dave Dickenson; Canadian Football League quarterback (Calgary Stampeders). 1973 - Birth of Rahul Dravid; cricket batter (prolific Karnataka, Tests for India 96). 1973 - Famous victory at the SCG Pakistan chasing 158 all out 106. 1973 - Isabel Randolph, actress (Missing Corpse), dies at age 83. 1973 - Rudolf Kubin, composer, dies a day after 64th birthday. 1973 - Trial of the Watergate burglars begins in Washington DC. 1974 - ABC airs final episode of Love, American Style. 1974 - Birth of Goran Lozanovski; Australian soccer midfielder (Olyroos, Olympics-1996). 1974 - Birth of Rod Jones; NFL guard (Cincinnati Bengals). 1974 - Birth of Rosenkowitz sextuplets in Cape Town, South Africa (first known to survive infancy). 1974 - Birth of Toderick Malone; WLAF wide receiver (London Monarchs). 1974 - Birth of Warren Morris in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA; baseball infielder (Olympics-bronze-1996). 1975 - Birth of Brad Badger; guard (Washington Redskins). 1975 - Birth of Jacky Verbeek; Dutch soccer player (RKC). 1975 - Birth of Rory Fitzpatrick Rochester; NHL defenseman (Montreal Canadiens). 1975 - Soyuz 17 carries two cosmonauts to space station Salyut 4. 1976 - Mervyn Grell, cricketer (Test West Indies vs England 1930, 21 and 13, 0-17), dies. 1976 - Military coup in Ecuador, President Guillermo Lara leaves. 1976 - US female Figure Skating championship won by Dorothy Hamill. 1976 - US male Figure Skating championship won by Terry Kubicka. 1977 - Bollingen Prize awarded to David Ignatow. 1977 - Chicago Cubs trade outfielder Rick Monday to Los Angeles Dodgers for Bill Buckner. 1977 - France releases Abu Daoud, a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. 1978 - Governor Askew dedicates the RCUC solar office building. 1978 - Michael Bates, actor (Clockwork Orange, Salt and Pepper), dies at age 57. 1978 - Soyuz 27 links with Salyut 6 and Soyuz 26 (first time three spacecraft link). 1979 - Jack Soo, actor (Nick Yemana - Barney Miller, Green Berets), dies at age 63. 1980 - Debut of The Pretenders rock music group. 1980 - Nigel Short, 14, becomes the youngest chess player to be awarded the degree of International Master. 1981 - British team led by Ranulph Fiennes completes longest and fastest crossing of Antarctica, reaching Scott base after 75 days (2,500 miles). 1981 - Palau adopts constitution. 1981 - Birth of Jamelia; British singer. 1982 - Atlanta, Georgia's temperature goes below zero degrees F. 1982 - Honduras adopts constitution. 1982 - (to January 17) A brutal cold snap sends temperatures to all-time record lows in dozens of cities throughout the Midwestern United States. 1982 - Birth of Ashley Taylor Dawson; British actor. 1982 - Mark Thatcher, son of the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappears in the Sahara during the Paris-Dakar rally. He is rescued January 14. 1982 - In Luzon, Philippine Islands, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurs. 1983 - Death of Shri Ghanshyam Das Birla, Indian industrialist and educator (born 1894). 1983 - Billy Martin named New York Yankees' manager for third time. 1983 - Nikolaj V Podgorny, president USSR, dies at age 79. 1983 - Billy Martin becomes the New York Yankees' manager for the third time, replacing Clyde King. 1984 - STS 41-B vehicle moves to launch pad. 1984 - US Supreme Court reinstates US$10 million award to Karen Silkwood's family. 1984 - Denver Nuggets 163, San Antonio Spurs 155-highest-scoring NBA game. 1984 - Fritz Geissler, composer, dies at age 62. 1984 - Jack La Rue, TV narrator (Lights Out), dies at age 84. 1985 - Birth of Rie fu; Japanese singer and songwriter. 1986 - The Gateway Bridge, Brisbane officially opens in Queensland, Australia. 1986 - First US black Lieutenant-Governor since reconstruction sworn in (Douglas Wilder of Virginia). 1987 - Birth of David Allen; American actor/comedian/writer. 1987 - Largest crowd (76,633) at NFL New York Giants Stadium (beat Washington Redskins 17-0). 1988 - Birth of L'Esperance quintuplets: Alexandria, Danielle, Erica, Raymond, and Veronica. 1988 - Gregory (Pappy) Boyington, American ace WWII pilot, dies at age 75 of cancer (born 1912). 1988 - Isidor Isaac Rabi, nuclear physicist (Nobel Prize-1944), dies at age 89. 1988 - Test debut of Phil Simmons, West Indies vs India, Madras. 1988 - USSR announces it will participate in the Seoul Summer Olympics. 1989 - 140 nations agree to ban chemical weapons (poison gas, etc.). 1989 - Denver Nuggets' rookie Jerome Lane misses seven free throws in a game against Milwaukee Bucks, one missed by two feet. 1989 - Kindergarten student caught with loaded handgun at Bronx school, New York. 1989 - Birth of Chris Perry-Metcalf, British actor. 1989 - Death of August Koern, Estonian statesman and diplomat (born 1900). 1990 - In Lithuania, 300,000 demonstrate for independence. 1990 - Actor Joseph Cotten undergoes vocal-chord cancer operation at age 84. 1990 - Bobby Knight becomes basketball's Big 10 winningest coach (229). 1990 - Mary Jane Carr, actress (Forbidden Trail, Second Wife), dies. 1990 - Pat Lafontaine sets New York Islanders record of scoring goals in 11 straight. 1991 - Ben Johnson run first race after being stripped of his 1988 Olympic Gold medal for steroid use; he finishes second. 1991 - US Congress empowers President George Bush to order attack on Iraq. 1991 - Jason Christmas dies of gunshot wound during robbery in New York at age 49. 1991 - Ric Flair wins NWA/WCW wrestling title. 1991 - Disney generally releases the film Green Card to theaters. 1991 - Soviet forces storm buildings in Vilnius to block Lithuania independence. 1991 - Death of Carl David Anderson, American physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1905). 1992 - Algeria's President Chadli announces his resignation. 1992 - Singer Paul Simon is the first major artist to tour South Africa after the end of the cultural boycott. 1992 - US female Figure Skating championship won by Kristi Yamaguchi. 1993 - Howard Stern's radio show begins transmitting to Buffalo New York (WKBW). 1993 - Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot publicly returns to politics. 1993 - Lacey Fosburgh, author (Closing Time), dies of breast cancer at age 50. 1993 - Birth of Flora Cross, American actress. 1994 - Hyderabad score 6 for 944 against Andhra Pradesh in Ranji Trophy. 1994 - Irish government announces end of a 20-year broadcasting ban on Irish Republican Army. 1994 - John Bradley, raised US flag at Iwo Jima, dies at age 70. 1994 - The Fox TV network debuts the Monty show. 1994 - Roger "Ram" Ramirez, jazz piano player/composer, dies at age 80. 1994 - The Superhighway Summit is held in Los Angeles, California. It is the first conference to discuss the growing information superhighway and is presided over by U.S. Vice President Al Gore. 1995 - 5th TV network (WB) Warner Brothers begins (WPIX-TV in New York City, New York). 1995 - Adrian J "Ad" Kaland, Dutch Member of Parliament (CDA 1977-93), dies at age 72. 1995 - Birmingham Barracudas granted Canadian Football League franchise. 1995 - DC-9 crashes near Maria La Baya, Colombia: 51 die, 9-year-old girl lives. 1995 - John AG Gere, English art historian (Raphael and his Circle), dies at age 73. 1995 - NHL Players Association and team owners agree to end NHL strike. 1995 - Onat Kutlar, Turkish screenplay/producer (Hazal), murdered at age 59. 1995 - Willem N "Pim" Koot, pianist (Concert Building), dies at age 76. 1995 - The WB TV network debuts the Disney series Unhappily Ever After. 1996 - Harold Walter Bailey, philologist, dies at age 96. 1996 - Hubert Nicholson, poet/novelist, dies at age 87. 1996 - Ike Isaacs, guitarist, dies at age 76. 1996 - Space Shuttle STS 72 (Endeavour 10), launches into space. 1997 - 23rd People's Choice Awards: Bill Cosby wins. 1997 - Cavan O'Connor, singer, dies at age 97. 1997 - Duncan Wood, television director/producer, dies at age 71. 1997 - Helen Foster Snow, writer, dies at age 89. 1997 - Joshua William Steward, polymath, dies at age 83. 1997 - Martina Hingis beats Jennifer Capriati at Sydney Tennis International. 1997 - Telstar 401 Satellite fails. 1997 - In Michoacan, Mexico, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurs. One person killed and extensive damage in the Arteaga area, Michoacan. 1998 - "Proposals" closes at Broadhurst Theater in New York City, New York after 76 performances. 1998 - 24th Annual People's Choice Awards: Seinfeld, Tim Allen win. 1998 - AFC Championship: Denver Broncos beat Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. 1998 - Death of Klaus Tennstedt, German conductor, at age 71 (born 1926). 1998 - NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers beat San Francisco 49ers 23-10. 1998 - US female Figure Skating championship won by Michelle Kwan. 1998 - US male Figure Skating championship won by Todd Eldredge. 1998 - Sidi-Hamed massacre in Algeria: over 100 people are killed. 1999 - Death of Brian Moore, Irish-born writer (born 1921). 1999 - Death of Fabrizio de André, Italian singer and songwriter (born 1940). 1999 - Disney and Infoseek formally launch the Go Network (go.com) Internet Web portal. The portal combines content from Disney-owned Web sites, including ABC News, ESPN, Family.com, and Mr. Showbiz. 2000 - The armed wing of Islamic Salvation Front concludes its negotiations with the government for an amnesty and disbands in Algeria. 2000 - The trawler Solway Harvester sinks off the Isle of Man. 2000 - Carlton Fisk and Tony Perez are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 2001 - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission approves the merger of America Online and Time Warner to form AOL Time Warner. 2003 - Death of Maurice Pialat, French actor and director (born 1925). 2003 - Death of Richard Simmons, American actor (born 1913). 2004 - Death of Mairtín Crawford, Irish poet (born 1967). 2005 - Apple Computer releases the Mac mini computer, for $500. 2005 - Apple Computer releases the iPod shuffle music player. It features 512 MB RAM and USB 2.0 port. Weight is under one ounce. Battery life is about 12 hours. Price is US$99. 2006 - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays make their first agreement with a Japanese player as relief pitcher Shinji Mori signs a US$1.4 million, two-year contract. 2006 - The Augustine Volcano in Alaska erupts twice, marking its first major eruption since 1986. 2007 - Vietnam joins the World Trade Organization as its 150th member. 2007 - China successfully destroys one of its old weather satellite orbiting 850 km above the Earth by a mobile ground-based ballistic missile. 2007 - In Bangladesh, a state of emergency is declared by caretaker President Iajuddin Ahmed, following weeks of violent protests preceding upcoming parliamentary elections. 2007 - Death of Robert Anton Wilson, American author and conspiracy researcher (born 1932). 2008 - In Auckland, New Zealand, Sir Edmund Hillary dies of heart attack in hospital at age 88. He was the first man to climb to the peak of Mount Everest, in 1953, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and made an honorary Nepali citizen. You can pick a particular day to view that day's events in history. Bookmark this URL:   http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/thisday/   and revisit each day. (this URL will automatically re-direct to the file containing the current day's events) Or, visit my Timelines of History page. Other web pages of interest: Chronology of World History