January 29

Scott Winters January 29, 2026 1 Comment

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:

1845 – Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Raven”, was published for the first time. It appeared in the “New York Evening Mirror”.

1861 – Kansas became the 34th state of the Union.

1886 – Karl Benz patented the first successful gasoline-driven automobile.

1900 – The American Baseball League was organized in Philadelphia. PA. It consisted of eight teams.

1919 – Michigan ratified the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in the U.S.

1924 – R. Taylor patented the ice cream cone rolling machine.

1936 – The first members of Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, NY.

1959 – Walt Disney’s animated movie “Sleeping Beauty” premiered in theaters.

1963 – The first members to the NFL’s Hall of Fame were named in Canton, OH.

1969 – The “Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” debuted on CBS. His first guests on the television show included The Smothers Brothers, comedian Pat Paulsen and singer Bobbie Gentry.

1988 – The NBA’s Detroit Pistons set an attendance record with just under 62,000 fans at the Silverdome. They beat the Boston Celtics 125-108.

1990 – Joseph Hazelwood, the former skipper of the Exxon Valdez, went on trial in Anchorage, AK, on charges that stemmed from America’s worst oil spill. He was later acquitted of all the major charges and was convicted of a misdemeanor.

1995 – The San Francisco 49ers became the first team in National Football League history to win five Super Bowl titles. The 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers 49-26.

1997 – America Online agreed to give refunds to frustrated customers under threat of lawsuits across the country. Customers were unable to log on after AOL offered a flat $19.95 a month rate.

1999 – Paris prosecutors announce the end of the investigation into the accident that killed Britain’s Princess Diana.

1999 – The U.S. Senate delivered subpoenas for Monica Lewinsky and two presidential advisers for private, videotaped testimony in the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.

2001 – At a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, DC, Steven Spielberg was named an honorary knight of the United Kingdom for his contribution to film in the UK.

2009 – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was removed from office following his conviction of several corruption charges, including the alleged solicitation of personal benefit in exchange for an appointment to the U.S. Senate as a replacement for then President-elect Barak Obama.

2020 – The Trump administration established the White House Coronavirus Task Force under Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022 – Canadian truck drivers and pedestrians gathered to rally and protest on Parliament Hill against Canadian COVID-19 restrictions, which caused traffic and closures around the city.

2025 – American Eagle Flight 5342 collided mid-air with a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk operated by the United States Army and crashed into the Potomac River, killing all 67 people onboard both aircraft.

BIRTHDAYS:

Robin Morgan – 85 years old (1941) – Actress, journalist, and author

Bettye LaVette – 80 years old (1946) – Singer-songwriter

Linda B. Buck – 79 years old (1947) – Biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Cristina Saralegui – 78 years old (1948) – Cuban-American journalist, actress and talk show host

Marc Singer – 78 years old (1948) – Canadian-American actor

Doris Davenport – 77 years old (1949) – Poet and teacher

Ann Jillian – 76 years old (1950) – Actress and singer

Pete Geren – 74 years old (1952) – Attorney and politician

Charlie Wilson – 73 years old (1953) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Terry Kinney – 72 years old (1954) – Actor and director

Oprah Winfrey – 72 years old (1954) – Talk show host, actress, and producer, founded Harpo Productions

Irlene Mandrell – 70 years old (1956) – Musician, actress, and model

Amii Stewart – 70 years old (1956) – Singer and dancer

Ron Franscell – 69 years old (1957) – Author and journalist

Judy Norton – 68 years old (1958) – Actress and theater director

Cho-liang Lin – 66 years old (1960) – Taiwanese-American musician

Greg Louganis – 66 years old (1960) – Diver and author

Steve Sax – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player

Lee Terry – 64 years old (1962) – Politician and lawyer

Nicholas Turturro – 64 years old (1962) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Andre Reed – 62 years old (1964) – Football player

David Agus – 61 years old (1965) – Physician and author

Stacey King – 59 years old (1967) – Basketball player, coach, and sportscaster

Edward Burns – 58 years old (1968) – Actor, director, writer, and producer

Monte Cook – 58 years old (1968) – Game designer and writer

Aeneas Williams – 58 years old (1968) – Football player

Sam Trammell – 57 years old (1969) – Actor

Heather meador – 56 years old (1970) – Actress

Paul Ryan – 56 years old (1970) – Politician, 62nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

Brian Wood – 54 years old (1972) – Writer, illustrator and graphic designer

Megan McArdle – 53 years old (1973) – Journalist

Jason Schmidt – 53 years old (1973) – Baseball player

C W Meador – 51 years old (1975) – Actor

Sam Jaeger – 49 years old (1977) – Actor and screenwriter

Andrew Keegan – 47 years old (1979) – Actor

Christina Koch – 47 years old (1979) – Engineer and astronaut

Jason James Richter – 46 years old (1980) – Actor and musician

Jonny L mead – 45 years old (1981) – Singer, songwriter and guitarist

Adam Lambert – 44 years old (1982) – Singer, songwriter and actor

Alex Avila – 39 years old (1987) – Baseball player

Kevin Shattenkirk – 37 years old (1989) – Ice hockey player

Markel Brown – 34 years old (1992) – Basketball player

Jack mead – 29 years old (1997) – Ice hockey player

TODAY IS:

National Puzzle Day: From jigsaws to Rubik’s Cubes, crosswords to riddles, give your brain a rewarding workout or try inventing a brand new puzzle of your own.
National Corn Chip Day: Corn chips have long been a beloved snack, satisfying cravings with their distinctive crunch and bold corn flavor. Typically crafted from ground cornmeal, shaped and then fried or baked, these bite-sized morsels have made their mark as one of the most versatile and accessible snack foods on the market. National...
Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary: The Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary recognizes and celebrates the remarkable partnership between expertly trained guide dogs and their handlers, who are blind or visually impaired. This special day shines a spotlight on the essential role these dogs play in providing greater independence, safety, and confidence to their human partners. It...
Kansas Day: Kansas Day marks the anniversary of Kansas becoming part of the United States—a moment that not only shaped the identity of the state, but also played a pivotal role in the nation's ongoing story. This spirited day is embraced by Kansans and admirers alike as an opportunity to reflect on...
RNLI SOS Day: RNLI SOS Day is a lively and vital event celebrated annually to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). This day focuses on raising funds and awareness for the RNLI, which provides essential lifesaving services around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Communities come together to celebrate and contribute to...
Curmudgeons Day: Raise a cheer for the lovable grumps who add a dash of comedy to our lives by honoring their cantankerous charm and embracing the laughter they bring!
Freethinkers Day: Exploring ideas with open minds, embracing the art of independent thought and challenging norms, paving the way for unique perspectives.
National Carnation Day: Symbolizing deep love and admiration, their stunning hue and sweet fragrance make them a perfect gift for someone special.
Catholic Schools Week: Catholic Schools Week is a national event that highlights the work of Catholic schools. These schools combine academics with faith, helping students grow in both knowledge and character. The week gives school communities a chance to share what they do and why it matters. Each classroom, hallway, and gathering space...
National School Choice Week: Each year, families across the nation are learning about and considering the different educational options they have for their children. From kindergarten through high school, children have unique needs that might require an alternative look at the way they learn. National School Choice Week facilitates the relationship between educational options and...