| 1786 |
|
The
Council of Virginia guarantees religious freedom. |
| 1847 |
|
John
C. Fremont, the famed "Pathfinder" of Western
exploration, is appointed governor of California. |
| 1865 |
|
General
William T. Sherman begins a march through the Carolinas.
Kill
Cavalry's Nasty Surprise. |
| 1900 |
|
The
U.S. Senate recognizes the Anglo-German Treaty of 1899
by which the UK renounced its rights to the Samoan
Islands. |
| 1909 |
|
One
of Ernest Shackleton's polar exploration teams reaches
the Magnetic South Pole.Polar
dreams, polar disappointments. |
| 1914 |
|
Maxim
Gorky is authorized to return to Russia after an eight
year exile for political dissidence. |
| 1920 |
|
The
League of Nations holds its first meeting in Paris.Joseph
Avenol, secretary-general of the League of Nations. |
| 1920 |
|
Allies
lift the blockade on trade with Russia. |
| 1939 |
|
Franklin
D. Roosevelt asks for an extension of the Social
Security Act to include more women and children. |
| 1940 |
|
Hitler
cancels an attack in the West due to bad weather and the
capture of German attack plans in Belgium. |
| 1942 |
|
Japan's
advance into Burma begins. |
| 1944 |
|
Eisenhower
assumes supreme command of the Allied Expeditionary
Force in Europe. |
| 1944 |
|
The
U.S. First and Third armies link up at Houffalize,
effectively ending the Battle of the Bulge.Army
Surgeon at the Bulge. |
| 1956 |
|
The
Egyptian government makes Islam the state religion. |
| 1965 |
|
Eighteen
are arrested in Mississippi for the murder of three
civil rights workers. |
| 1975 |
|
The
Irish Republican Army calls an end to a 25-day cease
fire in Belfast. |
| 1979 |
|
The
Shah leaves Iran. |
Born on January 16 |
| 1757 |
|
Samuel
McIntire, architect of Salem, Massachusetts. |
| 1749 |
|
Vittorio
Alfieri, Italian tragic poet (Cleopatra, Parigi
shastigliata). |
| 1909 |
|
Ethel
Merman, U.S. singer and actress, the "Queen of
Broadway." |
