Today in history: Jan. 20
Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan, and more events that happened on this day in history.
Video
1887: Pearl Harbor
In 1887, the U.S. Senate approved an agreement to lease Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as a naval base.
1937: Franklin D. Roosevelt
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 instead of March 4.
1942: The Wannsee Conference
In 1942, Nazi officials held the notorious Wannsee conference, during which they arrived at their “final solution” that called for exterminating Europe’s Jews.
1961: John F. Kennedy
In 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States.
1964: The Beatles
In 1964, Capitol Records released the album “Meet the Beatles!”
1981: Hostages Released
In 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan.
1986: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
In 1986, the United States observed the first federal holiday in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
2007: Hillary Rodham Clinton
In 2007, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., launched her first campaign for the White House, saying in a videotaped message on her website: “I’m in, and I’m in to win.”
2009: Barack Obama
In 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation’s 44th, as well as first African-American, president.
2011: Hu Jintao
Ten years ago: In a luncheon speech to American business executives in Washington, Chinese President Hu Jintao denied his country was a military threat despite its arms buildup and pressed the U.S. for closer cooperation between the global powers.
2011: Mafia Arrests
Ten years ago: Federal authorities orchestrated one of the biggest Mafia takedowns in FBI history, charging 127 suspected mobsters and associates in the Northeast with murders, extortion and other crimes spanning decades.
2016: Barack Obama
Five years ago: President Barack Obama hailed the revival of the nation’s auto industry during a visit to Detroit while acknowledging the water crisis in nearby Flint, Michigan.
2016: Kathryn Smith
Five years ago: Kathryn Smith was promoted by the Buffalo Bills to take over as special teams quality control coach, making her the NFL’s first full-time female coach.
2017: Donald Trump
In 2017, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, pledging emphatically to empower America’s “forgotten men and women.” Protesters registered their rage against the new president in a chaotic confrontation with police just blocks from the inaugural parade.
2020: Coco Gauff
One year ago: Fifteen-year-old Coco Gauff moved into the second round at the Australian Open by beating Venus Williams in straight sets.
2020: Coronavirus
One year ago: Chinese government experts confirmed human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus, saying two people caught the virus from family members and that some health workers had tested positive.
2020: Virginia
One year ago: Tens of thousands of gun-rights activists rallied at the Virginia Capitol to protest plans by the state’s Democratic leadership to pass gun-control legislation. (Lawmakers eventually approved seven of the eight measures in Gov. Ralph Northam’s gun-control package.)
Most Popular
Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Aziz Ansari, Dakota Fanning, Emily Blunt, Josh Gad, Niecy Nash and more.
Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Bonnie Somerville, Daniel Kaluuya, Edward James Olmos, Floyd Maywea…
Top photos of the day as selected by the Associated Press.
Top photos of the day as selected by the Associated Press.
Top photos of the day as selected by the Associated Press.
Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Drew Barrymore, James Blunt, James Hong, Julie Walters, Julius Ervi…
In 1965, minister and civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot to death inside Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom in New York, and more events tha…
Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Aunjanue Ellis, Elliot Page, Jordan Peele, Kelsey Grammer, Sophie T…
Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Benicio Del Toro, Jeff Daniels, Millie Bobby Brown, Roger Goodell, …
More than 25,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops launched Operation Junction City, aimed at smashing a Vietcong stronghold near the Cambodian…