January 21

Scott Winters January 21, 2026 0 Comments

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1846 – The first issue of the “Daily News,” edited by Charles Dickens, was published.

1853 – Dr. Russell L. Hawes patented the envelope folding machine.

1865 – An oil well was drilled by torpedoes for the first time.

1908 – In New York, NY, the Sullivan Ordinance was passed. It made smoking in public places by women illegal. Two weeks later, the measure was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr.

1915 – Kiwanis International was founded in Detroit, MI.

1953 – Arthur Summerfield of Pinconning, MI, became the U.S. Postmaster General in President Eisenhower’s cabinet.

1954 – The Nautilus was launched in Groton, CT. It was the first atomic-powered submarine. U.S. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow.

1954 – The gas turbine automobile was introduced in New York, NY.

1960 – Little Joe 1B, a Mercury spacecraft, lifted off from Wallops Island, VA, with Miss Sam, a female rhesus monkey on board.

1970 – The Boeing 747 made its first commercial flight from New York, NY to London for Pan American.

1970 – “The Johnny Cash Show”, which began airing on ABC during the summer of 1969, returned to primetime television for the first of what would be just six more shows.

1976 – Air France and British Airways begin regular Concorde SST commercial service. The jets could travel at twice the speed of sound.

1977 – President Jimmy Carter pardoned almost all Vietnam War draft dodgers who had emigrated to Canada.

1980 – Gold was valued at $850 an ounce.

1981 – Production of the DeLorean DMC-12 sports car began in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. Only 9,000 DeLoreans would be manufactured.

1987 – Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. She was the first woman to be inducted.

1990 – MTV’s “Unplugged” made its debut with Squeeze as the first performers.

1991 – CBS News reporter Bob Simon was captured by Iraqis while covering the Persian Gulf.

1994 – A jury in Manassas, VA, acquitted Lorena Bobbitt by reason of temporary insanity of maliciously wounding her husband John, whose penis she cut off with a pair of scissors. She accused him of sexually assaulting her.

1997 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 395-28 to reprimand Newt Gingrich for ethics violations, making him the first Speaker of the House to be so disciplined.

1998 – A former White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, said on tape that she had an affair with President Bill Clinton. On TV, the President angrily denied that he had sex with “that woman”.

1999 – The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a ship headed for Houston, TX, that had over 9,500 pounds of cocaine aboard. It was one of the largest drug busts in U.S. history.

2004 – NASA’s MER-A (the Mars Rover Spirit) ceased communication with mission control. The problem was in the management of its flash memory and the problem was fixed remotely from Earth on February 6th.

2009 – The TV show “Lost” premiered on ABC.

2010 – Season one of “Jersey Shore” ended with 4.8 million viewers tuning in.

2013 – Barack Obama took the oath of office and was inaugurated for his second term as President.

2017 – On the first full day of Donald Trump’s presidency, over 400 cities across the U.S., and more than 160 countries worldwide, participated in a large-scale women’s march.

2020 – The very first case of COVID-19 was confirmed. A Washington State man who had travelled from the city of Wuhan in China, where is all started tested positive.

BIRTHDAYS:

Jack Nicklaus – 86 years old (1940) – Golfer and sportscaster

Mike Medavoy – 85 years old (1941) – Chinese-born American film producer, co-founded Orion Pictures

Ivan Putski – 85 years old (1941) – Polish-American wrestler and bodybuilder

Elaine Showalter – 85 years old (1941) – Author and critic

Michael G. Wilson – 84 years old (1942) – Producer and screenwriter

Jill Eikenberry – 79 years old (1947) – Actress

Dorian M. Goldfeld – 79 years old (1947) – Mathematician

Clifford Ray – 77 years old (1949) – Basketball coach and player

Gary Locke – 76 years old (1950) – Politician and diplomat, 36th United States Secretary of Commerce

Eric Holder – 75 years old (1951) – Lawyer, judge, and politician, 82nd United States Attorney General

Peter Fleming – 71 years old (1955) – Tennis player

Jeff Koons – 71 years old (1955) – Painter and sculptor

Robby Benson – 70 years old (1956) – Actor and director

Geena Davis – 70 years old (1956) – Actress and producer

Matt Salmon – 68 years old (1958) – Politician

Sidney Lowe – 66 years old (1960) – Basketball player

Mike Terrana – 66 years old (1960) – Hard rock and heavy metal drummer

Kevin Cramer – 65 years old (1961) – Politician

Tyler Cowen – 64 years old (1962) – Economist and academic

Hakeem Olajuwon – 63 years old (1963) – Nigerian-American basketball player

Charlotte Ross – 58 years old (1968) – Actress

John Ducey – 57 years old (1969) – Actor

Karina Lombard – 57 years old (1969) – French-American actress and singer

Ken Leung – 56 years old (1970) – Actor

Oren Peli – 56 years old (1970) – Israeli-American director, producer and screenwriter

Doug Edwards – 55 years old (1971) – Basketball player

Dylan Kussman – 55 years old (1971) – Actor

Doug Weight – 55 years old (1971) – Ice hockey player and coach

Cat Power – 54 years old (1972) – Singer, musician and actress

Shawn Rojeski – 54 years old (1972) – Curler

Chris Kilmore – 53 years old (1973) – Musician and DJ

Maxwell Atoms – 52 years old (1974) – Animator, screenwriter and voice actor

Vincent Laresca – 52 years old (1974) – Actor

Casey FitzRandolph – 51 years old (1975) – Speedskater

Jason Moran – 51 years old (1975) – Jazz pianist, composer and educator

Michael Ruffin – 49 years old (1977) – Basketball player

Jerry Trainor – 49 years old (1977) – Actor, director, and producer

Alex Acker – 43 years old (1983) – American-Italian basketball player

Maryse Mizanin – 43 years old (1983) – Canadian-American wrestler

Luke Grimes – 42 years old (1984) – Actor

Haloti Ngata – 42 years old (1984) – Football player

Ryan Suter – 41 years old (1985) – Ice hockey player

Peyton Hillis – 40 years old (1986) – Football player

Jonathan Quick – 40 years old (1986) – Ice hockey player

Brandon Crawford – 39 years old (1987) – Baseball player

Ashton Eaton – 38 years old (1988) – Decathlete

Vanessa Hessler – 38 years old (1988) – Italian-American model and actress

Kayla Banwarth – 37 years old (1989) – Indoor volleyball player

Justin Houston – 37 years old (1989) – Football player

Kelly Rohrbach – 36 years old (1990) – Model and actress

Ronald Blair – 33 years old (1993) – former professional American football player

Booboo Stewart – 32 years old (1994) – Actor

Jake Elliott – 31 years old (1995) – Football player

Jeremy Shada – 29 years old (1997) – Actor, musician and singer

IShowSpeed – 21 years old (2005) – YouTuber

TODAY IS:

National Hugging Day: Have a heartfelt cuddle with loved ones, try out different embraces like the bear hug or raise awareness of affection's health benefits.
National Cheesy Socks Day: Transform your sock game with outrageously hilarious novelty socks! They'll make your feet feel fancy and your friends laugh out loud.
Museum Selfie Day: Museums weave together history, art, and knowledge into living stories that invite exploration and reflection. Far from being static spaces, they are dynamic environments where the past meets the present and helps shape the future. Standing before a painting, artifact, or installation can spark curiosity, ignite creativity, and open doors...
International Playdate Day: A cherished occasion when the youngest among us gather, fostering friendships, sharing laughter, and building the bonds that shape their world.
International Sweatpants Day: The ultimate comfort wear for lazy days, these cozy bottoms make relaxation an art form, inviting you to unwind in style.
National Squirrel Appreciation Day: With their bushy tails and quick movements, these little creatures are a joy to watch as they scamper through the trees and hunt for nuts.
National Granola Bar Day: Unleash your snack time superhero with these power-packed, on-the-go bites. Energize your day with a tasty blend of wholesome ingredients and unstoppable deliciousness!
National Hyaluronic Acid Day: Revitalize your skincare routine with a moisture-boosting element, offering a rejuvenating touch for radiant and supple skin.
National Angel Island Day: National Angel Island Day honors a place where thousands once stood, waiting to enter a new life. The island’s quiet hills and old barracks still hold whispers of voices from across the ocean. Families remember the names, languages, and hopes that traveled with them. It’s a day that brings people...
National Bakers-Crafters-Makers Day: National Bakers-Crafters-Makers Day celebrates the creative individuals who bring unique, handmade items into our lives. These creators pour their time, energy, and passion into crafting goods that stand apart from mass-produced products. Their dedication often means working through holidays and personal time to fulfill orders and bring joy to others...
One-Liners Day: Dad jokes, puns, groaners and one-liners all seem to have their own place in the world of humor and comedy that can cause a huge guffaw, a little chuckle or perhaps an eye roll. In any case, the one-liner is delivered quickly and easily, with a side of wit and...
National Hug Your Puppy Day: National Hug Your Puppy Day is a heartwarming celebration that invites dog lovers to express their affection for their furry companions. It's a day dedicated to acknowledging the joy and companionship that puppies bring into our lives. Whether it's a gentle cuddle or a playful nuzzle, this occasion emphasizes the...
Thank Your Mentor Day: Thank Your Mentor Day is all about saying thanks to the people who’ve helped guide us through life. These are the folks who offered advice when we were stuck, listened when we needed to talk, and believed in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. They might be teachers, coaches...
Mariachi Day: Mariachi Day is all about bold music, bright costumes, and powerful voices that fill the air with emotion. It celebrates the colorful world of mariachi, a traditional Mexican music style with deep roots in storytelling. The bands often include violins, trumpets, and guitars, blending rhythm and culture in every song...
Surva Mummers Festival: Surva Mummers Festival is a lively and colorful event held in the small town of Pernik, Bulgaria. This annual celebration is known for its dramatic parades featuring people dressed in elaborate, often intimidating, costumes. Participants, known as mummers, wear masks depicting various mythical creatures and wear costumes adorned with bells...
Cancer Talk Week: Cancer Talk Week is a vital event that brings communities together to focus on cancer awareness and support. This week-long observance encourages open conversations about cancer, dispels myths, and provides valuable resources to those affected. The Purpose of Cancer Talk Week The main reasons for celebrating Cancer Talk Week include promoting awareness...
No Name Calling Week: Bullying is a serious issue in today’s world, resulting in significant harm to individuals and sometimes even contributing to death by suicide. While some people might consider name calling to be ‘all in good fun’, the reality is that words can harm. Name calling at schools in the United States...
World Kiwanis Week: A global organization of volunteers who work to make their communities a better place, Kiwanis International is dedicated to improving the lives of children all around the world. With the vision of being a positive influence in neighborhoods recognizing that kids need adults who care, the Kiwanis hope is that...
Hunt for Happiness Week: While many people believe that happiness is a fleeting thing, Hunt for Happiness Week acts as a reminder that while happiness can take place under almost any circumstances, it might take a little bit of effort to get there! How to Celebrate Hunt for Happiness Week Take a look at some interesting...