On this day in history
January 28
American
1986The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts aboard.
The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts aboard.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
1922The Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C. collapses under heavy snow, killing 98 people in one of the city…
The Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C. collapses under heavy snow, killing 98 people in one of the city's worst disasters.
Source: NHPBS
1887Giant snowflakes are reported during a storm at Fort Keogh, Montana, some measured at 15 inches wide.
Giant snowflakes are reported during a storm at Fort Keogh, Montana, some measured at 15 inches wide.
Source: Guinness World Records
1915The U.S. Coast Guard is created by merging the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service.
The U.S. Coast Guard is created by merging the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
1916President Woodrow Wilson nominates Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court; confirmed months later, he becomes the…
President Woodrow Wilson nominates Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court; confirmed months later, he becomes the court's first Jewish justice.
Source: Federal Judicial Center
1985The charity single We Are the World is recorded in Hollywood, raising tens of millions of dollars for famine r…
The charity single We Are the World is recorded in Hollywood, raising tens of millions of dollars for famine relief in Africa.
Source: timeanddate
World
814Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, dies in Aachen after a reign of more than four decades.
Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, dies in Aachen after a reign of more than four decades.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
1547Henry VIII of England dies at Whitehall, ending a 38 year reign; his nine year old son Edward VI succeeds him.
Henry VIII of England dies at Whitehall, ending a 38 year reign; his nine year old son Edward VI succeeds him.
Source: timeanddate
1521The Diet of Worms opens, the imperial assembly where Martin Luther is later called to recant his teachings.
The Diet of Worms opens, the imperial assembly where Martin Luther is later called to recant his teachings.
Source: On This Day
1788Lord George Gordon, leader of London's Gordon Riots, loses a libel case brought by Marie Antoinette.
Lord George Gordon, leader of London's Gordon Riots, loses a libel case brought by Marie Antoinette.
Source: On This Day
1807London's Pall Mall becomes the first street in the world lit by gaslight.
London's Pall Mall becomes the first street in the world lit by gaslight.
Source: On This Day
1813Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is first published in London.
Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is first published in London.
Source: On This Day
1820Fabian von Bellingshausen sights the Antarctic continent, traditionally dated to this day; Russia's calendar t…
Fabian von Bellingshausen sights the Antarctic continent, traditionally dated to this day; Russia's calendar then placed the sighting on January 16 Old Style.
Source: timeanddate
1933The name Pakistan is coined for a proposed Muslim homeland in India by the activist Choudhry Rahmat Ali.
The name Pakistan is coined for a proposed Muslim homeland in India by the activist Choudhry Rahmat Ali.
Source: On This Day
1958The modern Lego brick is patented in Denmark, the interlocking design still used today.
The modern Lego brick is patented in Denmark, the interlocking design still used today.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica