Europa
- 1793: Execution of Louis XVI
The former King of France, Louis XVI, was executed by guillotine in Paris after being convicted of high treason by the National Convention during the French Revolution. This event marked a pivotal turning point in French and European history, symbolizing the end of monarchy in France and the radicalization of the Revolution. - 1720: Treaty of Stockholm
Sweden and Prussia signed the Treaty of Stockholm, an important diplomatic event in early 18th-century European politics. - 1749: Teatro Filarmonico Fire in Verona
The Teatro Filarmonico, a major opera house in Verona, Italy, was destroyed by fire but later rebuilt. - 1535: French King’s Anti-Protestant Procession
Following the Affair of the Placards, the French king led an anti-Protestant procession through Paris, highlighting the intense religious conflicts of the era. - 1525: Founding of the Swiss Anabaptist Movement
In Zürich, the Anabaptist movement was founded, breaking with the tradition of church-state union and shaping the course of the Reformation in Switzerland and beyond. - 1941: Legionnaires’ Rebellion and Bucharest Pogrom
In Romania, the Iron Guard (Legionnaires) staged a violent rebellion in Bucharest, which included a pogrom against the Jewish population. On the same day, Bulgaria passed antisemitic legislation modeled after Nazi Germany’s Nuremberg Laws. - 1976: First Commercial Concorde Flight
The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet developed by Britain and France, began regular commercial service, marking a milestone in European aviation. - 1911: First Rally Monte Carlo
The inaugural Rally Monte Carlo began, with participants starting from multiple European cities.
America
- 1977: President Jimmy Carter Pardons Vietnam War Draft Evaders
On his first full day in office, President Carter issued a pardon for almost all Americans who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War, a significant gesture of reconciliation after years of national division. - 1954: Launch of the USS Nautilus
The USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was launched in Groton, Connecticut. This marked a major advancement in naval technology and U.S. military capability. - 1861: Jefferson Davis Resigns from the U.S. Senate
Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, along with four other Southern senators, resigned after their states seceded from the Union. Davis would soon become the President of the Confederate States of America, signaling the deepening crisis that led to the Civil War. - 1801: John Marshall Appointed Chief Justice
John Marshall was appointed Chief Justice of the United States, a role in which he would profoundly shape the American legal system and the interpretation of the Constitution. - 1915: Founding of Kiwanis International
Kiwanis International, a major community service organization, was founded in Detroit, Michigan. - 1908: New York City Passes Sullivan Ordinance
The city passed a law making it illegal for women to smoke in public. Although quickly vetoed, it reflected social attitudes and gender norms of the era. - 2020: First Confirmed U.S. Case of COVID-19
The United States reported its first known case of the novel coronavirus, marking the start of the pandemic’s impact in America.
Asia
- 1972: Foundation Day of Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya
On this day, the northeastern states of Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya were granted full statehood within the Indian Union under the North Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971. This is a major milestone in India’s federal history and is celebrated as the foundation day in these states. - 1945: Death of Rash Behari Bose
Rash Behari Bose, a prominent Indian revolutionary and key figure in the Indian independence movement, died on this day. - 1908: Birth of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, renowned Malayalam writer and freedom fighter.
- 1952: Jawaharlal Nehru’s Congress Party won the general elections, strengthening India’s democratic foundation.
- 2016: Death of Mrinalini Sarabhai, eminent Indian classical dancer.
- 1996: Indonesia Ferry Disaster
Nearly 400 people died when a boat sank off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. - 2000: Medical Milestone in Hong Kong
Asia’s first ‘slit liver’ transplant was performed in Hong Kong. - 1981: Iran Hostage Crisis Ends
All hostages held at the US Embassy in Tehran were released, ending a 444-day standoff. - 2021: Baghdad Bombings
A suicide attack at an open market in Baghdad, Iraq, killed at least 32 people and injured 110, marking one of the deadliest attacks since the defeat of ISIL in 2017. - 2008: India Launches Israeli Spy Satellite
India successfully launched an Israeli spy satellite into polar orbit, marking a significant achievement in space cooperation.
Africa
- 1960: Coalbrook Mining Disaster, South Africa
The worst mining disaster in African history took place at the Clydesdale Collieries near Coalbrook, Free State Province, South Africa. A catastrophic collapse trapped and killed 437 miners (431 black and 6 white), highlighting the harsh conditions and risks faced by miners, especially black workers under apartheid. - 1987: KwaMakhuta Massacre, South Africa
At least 12 people were killed when the home of United Democratic Front (UDF) activist Bheki Ntuli was attacked in KwaMakhuta, KwaZulu-Natal. This was one of several violent incidents during South Africa’s turbulent struggle against apartheid. - 1824: Ashanti Defeat British Forces in Gold Coast (now Ghana)
During the First Anglo-Ashanti War, Ashanti forces defeated the British in the Gold Coast, a key episode in West African resistance to colonial rule. - 1893: Tati Concessions Land Annexed to Bechuanaland (now Botswana)
The Tati Concessions Land, formerly part of Matabeleland, was formally annexed to the Bechuanaland Protectorate, shaping modern Botswana’s borders. - 2011: Darfur Clashes, Sudan
Twenty-one people were killed in a clash between the Sudanese army and two rebel factions in Darfur, reflecting the ongoing instability in the region.
This day in history: 21 january