Month: January 2024

January 21st: 23 Cars Raced In First Rallye Monte Carlo

What Happened On January 21st? In the glamorous Monte Carlo over the French Riviera, a different kind of excitement buzzed in the air - not the usual hum of high rollers and luxury yachts, but rather the roar of loud engines. On this day in 1911, the first-ever Rallye Monte-Carlo was held, an epic automotive adventure that was not seen before! Poster - First Rallye MonteCarlo (1911) Twenty-three brave competitors lined up at the starting point, driving vintage cars: Turcat-Mérys, De Dion-Boutons, Delage, and even a Panhard-Levassor. New automobile companies and manufacturers were testing their vehicles, inspired by Ford's Model T…

Jan

2024

January 20th: Barack Obama Sworn In As President

U.S. History

What Happened On January 20th? On January 20th, 2009, America gathered on the West Front of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. This wasn't just any Inauguration Day; it was a day etched in history, a day where the first black man became the president of the country. Barack Obama's First Inauguration (2009) Barack Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and an American mother, stood poised to become the first African-American president of the United States. His election had shattered racial barriers and ignited a spark of hope across the nation. Over 1.8 million people, a record-breaking crowd,…

Jan

2024

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

January 19th: How “El Chapo” Escaped From Jail

What Happened On January 19th? In the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico, the Puente Grande prison was thought to be one of the most secure prisons in the world... But on January 19, 2001, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, notorious drug lord who made roughly $1 billion in drug money, made his move during in his 20-year sentence. Within the seemingly rigid walls, a meticulously orchestrated escape plan unfolded, and the prison was unexpectedly run by the Jalisco cartel. Puente Grande Prison, Mexico Guzmán, known for his cunning and ruthlessness, had allegedly spent millions bribing prison guards and officials. His meticulously…

Jan

2024

January 18th: Modern Hockey Was Born

Sports History

What Happened On January 18th? In Victorian England (19th century) cricket reigned as the most supreme sport. However, around the country in public schools, Eton and Harrow, another game was being played. A chaotic melee known as "hockey" was still around for centuries, with its roots dating back to ancient Egyptian stick-and-ball games and medieval hurling. Before the game was officially formalized by The Hockey Association, hockey lacked standardized rules. Different regions had their own variations, and the sport was often played in open spaces with informal guidelines. Now, hockey pucks are kept frozen at 14 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit,…

Jan

2024

By Professor Mei X. Chen, M.A., Literature Scholar

January 17th: How 6,434 Lost Their Lives In Japan Earthquake

What Happened On January 17th? Unfortunately for Japan, as beautiful it is, four of the Earth's tectonic plates meet in the country, leaving Japan as a vulnerable for earthquakes, tsunamis, and natural disasters. The early dawn of January 17, 1995, arrived in Kobe, Japan. But at 5:46 am, everything changed with a horrifying crescendo. The ground lurched, buildings swayed, and screams ripped through the air as the Great Hanshin earthquake (measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale) slammed into the region. For 20 agonizing seconds, the earth convulsed. Concrete giants crumbled, highways buckled, and fires erupted across the cityscape. The bustling…

Jan

2024

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

January 16th: “Ivan The Terrible” Crowned Tsar Of Russia

What Happened On January 16th? On January 16th in the year 1547, Ivan IV, commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was crowned tsar and grand prince of all Russia. At the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Moscow Kremlin, Ivan IV was coronated, establishing a centralized and autocratic rule. Living up to his "nickname," Ivan IV was indeed terrible, as he attacked his pregnant daughter-in-law for wearing unstandardized clothing, leading to her miscarriage. As a result, his son confronted Ivan IV, but Ivan IV lashed out, bashing his son's skull to death with his staff. Ivan, crowned at the age of…

Jan

2024

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

January 15th: Wikipedia First Went Online

Science & Industry

What Happened On January 15th? Today in the year 2001, the game-changing site, Wikipedia was launched. Created as an online encyclopedia, Wikipedia revolutionized the way information is created, shared, and accessed, even today! Still, Wikipedia stands as one of the most visited websites globally, with over a billion edits across 17.6 million articles! It has become a necessary part of digital information today, as it embodies open collaboration, accessibility, and the democratization of knowledge. Who Founded It? Wikipedia was co-founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional encyclopedias and inspired by the potential of collaborative…

Jan

2024

January 14th: Jimmy Carter Championed MLK Jr.’s Birthday As A Holiday

U.S. History

What Happened On January 14th? In the year 1979, on this very date, President Jimmy Carter etched his name in America's historical narrative by ardently recognizing the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday. This singular act transcended the political arena, resonating deeply with the timely ideals of justice. President Carter's declaration on that consequential day carried a weight and authenticity that surpassed mere political rhetoric. "We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. King—a man whose tireless pursuit of equality left an indelible mark on our nation. It is only fitting that we honor…

Jan

2024

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January 13th: Horrible Earthquake In Avezzano Buried 30,000

What Happened On January 13th? Not to be the bearer of bad news following yesterdays's blog (January 12th), but on January 13, 1915, Italy faced a devastating natural disaster—the Avezzano Earthquake. On this tragic day, a cataclysmic event struck central Italy, leaving a death toll of approximately 30,000 lives. “An earthquake achieves what the law promises but does not in practice maintain. The equality of all men,” said one of the survivors. At 7:52 AM local time, the heart of Italy was violently shaken by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, near the town of Avezzano in the Abruzzo region. The tremors…

Jan

2024

By HistoricNews

January 12th: Haiti Earthquake Claimed 316,000 Lives