January, not only the beginning of the calendar year, is also a time that many historical events happened that changed our history. From revolutionary firsts to events that changed the trajectory of our nation, January proves that every new year begins with a story worth remembering.
Day By Day
January 1st, 1863 – Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves in the U.S. Confederation States in an issue called “The Emancipation Proclamation.”
January 2nd, 1776 – George Washington’s army raised the Grand Union Flag at Prospect Hill, Charleston
January 3rd, 1987 – Aretha Franklin became the first female artist to become inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
January 4th, 1725 – Benjamin Franklin arrives in London
January 5th, 1850 – The Daily Mail became the world’s first transoceanic newspaper
January 6th, 1931 – Thomas Edison submitted his final patent for the lightbulb… two days before he died
January 7th, 1608 – A fire destroys Jamestown, Virginia
January 8th, 1790 – George Washington, as the President, delivers the first State of the Union address
January 9th, 1793 – First hot-air balloon takes off in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lands 15 miles away in Deptford, New Jersey
January 10th, 1776 – Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense,” a pamphlet advocating for American Independence
January 11th, 1838 – First public demonstration of morse code in Morristown, New Jersey at Speedwell Ironworks
January 12th, 1803 – U.S. Senate approves Thomas Jefferson’s nomination for James Monroe and Robert Livingstone to negotiate purchase of New Orleans from France
January 13th, 1794 – Congress changed U.S. flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes
January 14th, 1699 – Massachusetts hold a day of fasting for wrongly persecuted “witches”
January 15th, 1863 – First U.S. newspaper printed on wood-pulp paper; Boston Morning Journal
January 16th, 1493 – Christopher Columbus leaves the New World to set sail for Spain
January 17th, 1920 – First day of the prohibition of alcohol in U.S. because of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution
January 18th, 1733 – First polar bear exhibited in America in Boston
January 19th, 1883 – The first electric lighting system, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey
January 20th, 1809 – First U.S. geology book published by William Maclure
January 21st, 1846 – First edition of Charles Dickens’ newspaper “The Daily News” is published
January 22nd, 1953 – Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible” premiers in New York City at the Martin Beck Theater
January 23rd, 1845 – U.S. uniform election day for President and Vice President is authorized
January 24th, 1848 – James Marshall finds gold in Coloma, California at Sutter’s Mill
January 25th, 1819 – University of Virginia is chartered, with Thomas Jefferson as a founder
January 26th, 1784 – Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the eagle as America’s symbol
January 27th, 1870 – First sorority is started (Kappa Alpha Theta)
January 28th, 1813 – Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is published by Thomas Egerton
January 29th, 1920 – Walt Disney begins to work as an artist with KC Slide Co for $40 a week
January 30th, 1815 – U.S. Library of Congress re-established after fire with Thomas Jefferson’s 6,500 books
January 31st, 1865 – The 13th Amendment is passed by Congress, abolishing slavery unless it’s punishment for a crime
Wrapping It All Up
January is only the beginning. Every month has it’s own set of moments that helped change our world. This article only marks the first chapter in a year-long series exploring the events behind each month. No matter the season, history is always being made.
Sources
On This Day – Today in History, Film, Music and Sport, http://onthisday.com.
