On this day in American historyJanuary
31 dates, 248 cited events. Every entry links to the day’s full story.
- 1Jan
The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect in Confederate…
8 moments from the American record, 1776 to 1932 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 1st day of the year.
Paul Revere, b. 1735★ The last day of Kwanzaa
- 2Jan
American forces under the command of George Washington repulsed a…
8 moments from the American record, 1777 to 1991 · 5 births. The 2nd day of the year.
Nathaniel Bacon, b. 1647
- 3Jan
American forces commanded by George Washington defeated British…
8 moments from the American record, 1777 to 2026 · 5 births. The 3rd day of the year.
Richard Gridley, b. 1710
- 4Jan
The Maryland train collision
8 moments from the American record, 1896 to 2007 · 5 births. The 4th day of the year.
General Tom Thumb, b. 1838
- 5Jan
In a speech given to the United States Congress
8 moments from the American record, 1781 to 2008 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 5th day of the year.
Stephen Decatur, b. 1779★ National Bird Day
- 6Jan
Supporters of then-outgoing U.S. president Donald Trump attack…
8 moments from the American record, 1912 to 2021 · 5 births. The 6th day of the year.
James Madison Porter, b. 1793
- 7Jan
The longest U.S. House of Representatives speaker election since…
8 moments from the American record, 1782 to 2023 · 5 births. The 7th day of the year.
Israel Putnam, b. 1718
- 8Jan
The United States Congress passes the bill to allow African…
8 moments from the American record, 1790 to 2011 · 5 births. The 8th day of the year.
John Carroll, b. 1735
- 9Jan
NASA announces plans to build the C-5 rocket launch vehicle
8 moments from the American record, 1788 to 1991 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 9th day of the year.
Caleb Strong, b. 1745★ Day of Republika Srpska
- 10Jan
Holy See–United States relations
8 moments from the American record, 1776 to 2019 · 5 births. The 10th day of the year.
Jeremiah S. Black, b. 1810
- 11Jan
The Battle of Arkansas Post concluded with the Union Army…
8 moments from the American record, 1759 to 2003 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 11th day of the year.
John Rogers, b. 1630★ National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
- 12Jan
World War II
8 moments from the American record, 1915 to 1991 · 5 births. The 12th day of the year.
Samuel Langdon, b. 1723
- 13Jan
United States President Andrew Jackson writes to Vice President…
8 moments from the American record, 1833 to 2021 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 13th day of the year.
John Davis, b. 1787★ Stephen Foster Memorial Day
- 14Jan
Ratification Day, United States: Congress ratifies the Treaty of…
8 moments from the American record, 1784 to 2018 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 14th day of the year.
Benedict Arnold, b. 1741★ Ratification Day
- 15Jan
The Union Army captured Fort Fisher
8 moments from the American record, 1777 to 1973 · 5 births. The 15th day of the year.
Philip Livingston, b. 1716
- 16Jan
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
8 moments from the American record, 1780 to 2001 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 16th day of the year.
Charles Henry Davis, b. 1807★ National Religious Freedom Day
- 17Jan
Three days before leaving office
8 moments from the American record, 1873 to 1977 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 17th day of the year.
Jonathan Singletary Dunham, b. 1640★ National Day
- 18Jan
In a sting operation conducted by the FBI
8 moments from the American record, 1911 to 2025 · 5 births. The 18th day of the year.
Daniel Webster, b. 1782
- 19Jan
Georgia joins South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama…
8 moments from the American record, 1861 to 2025 · 5 births. The 19th day of the year.
James Morris III, b. 1752
- 20Jan
Twenty minutes after Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th…
8 moments from the American record, 1783 to 2009 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 20th day of the year.
Richard Henry Lee, b. 1732★ Presidential inaugurations
- 21Jan
War on drugs
8 moments from the American record, 1919 to 2017 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 21st day of the year.
Ethan Allen, b. 1738★ National Hugging Day
- 22Jan
The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Roe v. Wade struck…
8 moments from the American record, 1917 to 2009 · 5 births. The 22nd day of the year.
Noah Phelps, b. 1740
- 23Jan
Charles Lindbergh testifies before the U.S. Congress and…
8 moments from the American record, 1789 to 2018 · 5 births. The 23rd day of the year.
John Hancock, b. 1737
- 24Jan
About 20,000 protestors marched in a civil rights demonstration…
8 moments from the American record, 1835 to 2003 · 5 births. The 24th day of the year.
Andrew Ellicott, b. 1754
- 25Jan
In Washington, D.C., US President John F. Kennedy delivers the…
8 moments from the American record, 1819 to 2018 · 5 births. The 25th day of the year.
William Colgate, b. 1783
- 26Jan
Lewinsky scandal
8 moments from the American record, 1837 to 1998 · 5 births. The 26th day of the year.
George Shiras Jr., b. 1832
- 27Jan
The U.S. Congress approves Indian Territory (in what is…
8 moments from the American record, 1776 to 2003 · 5 births. The 27th day of the year.
Eli Whitney Blake, b. 1795
- 28Jan
An act of the U.S. Congress creates the United States Coast Guard…
8 moments from the American record, 1878 to 2023 · 5 births. The 28th day of the year.
George S. Boutwell, b. 1818
- 29Jan
Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich is removed from office…
8 moments from the American record, 1850 to 2025 · 5 births · 1 observance. The 29th day of the year.
Thomas Paine, b. 1737★ Kansas Day
- 30Jan
In the United States, Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther…
8 moments from the American record, 1806 to 1989 · 5 births. The 30th day of the year.
John Lansing Jr., b. 1754
- 31Jan
The United States Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to the…
8 moments from the American record, 1865 to 1988 · 5 births. The 31st day of the year.
Gouverneur Morris, b. 1752