This day in history: 28 january

Europa

• 98 AD: Following the death of Emperor Nerva, Trajan is declared Roman Emperor in Cologne (in present-day Germany), marking the start of one of the Roman Empire’s most celebrated reigns.
• 814: Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor and a central figure in European history, dies in Aachen (now in Germany). His son, Louis the Pious, succeeds him as ruler of the Frankish Empire.
• 1077: The Walk to Canossa: After a dramatic journey, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV’s excommunication is lifted by Pope Gregory VII at Canossa in Italy, a pivotal moment in the Investiture Controversy between church and state.
• 1393: During a masquerade ball in Paris, King Charles VI of France narrowly escapes death when several dancers’ costumes catch fire, an incident known as the “Bal des Ardents”.
• 1547: King Henry VIII of England dies; his nine-year-old son Edward VI becomes king, ushering in the first Protestant reign in England.
• 1521: The Diet of Worms begins in the Holy Roman Empire, a crucial event in the Protestant Reformation, involving Martin Luther’s defense of his beliefs.
• 1573: The Warsaw Confederation is signed in Poland, guaranteeing religious freedom and marking a milestone in European tolerance.
• 1935: Iceland becomes the first Western country to legalize therapeutic abortion, a significant step in European social policy.
• 1939: W.B. Yeats, the renowned Irish poet and Nobel laureate, dies.
• 1955: Nicolas Sarkozy, future President of France, is born.
• 2002: Astrid Lindgren, beloved Swedish author of the “Pippi Longstocking” series, dies.

America

• 1986: Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
  The U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after liftoff from Florida, killing all seven astronauts on board, including Christa McAuliffe, who was to be the first civilian teacher in space. This tragedy was broadcast live and had a profound impact on the nation and the space program.
• 1915: Creation of the U.S. Coast Guard
  The United States Coast Guard was established by combining the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service, becoming a key branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for maritime safety, security, and stewardship.
• 1861: Kansas Becomes a State
  Kansas was admitted as the 34th state of the United States, an important milestone in the expansion and political development of the country.
• 1878: First Independent Daily College Newspaper
  The Yale Daily News began publication, becoming the first independent daily college newspaper in the United States.
• 1922: Knickerbocker Theatre Disaster
  In Washington, D.C., the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre collapsed during a blizzard, killing over 100 people in one of the city’s worst disasters.

Asia

• January 28 holds particular significance in Asian history, especially due to the outbreak of the January 28 Incident—also known as the Shanghai Incident of 1932. On this day, conflict erupted between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan in Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cities at the time. Japanese troops, responding to anti-Japanese demonstrations and violence, launched a sudden attack on Chinese forces in the Zhabei district, leading to intense urban warfare that lasted more than a month.
• 1933: The name “Pakistan” was coined by Choudhry Rahmat Ali, marking an important moment in the movement for an independent Muslim state in South Asia.
• 1960: China and Burma (now Myanmar) signed an agreement defining their mutual border, a key diplomatic milestone.

Africa

• 1927: Achimota School Established
  Achimota School, originally called Achimota College, was founded on this day in the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana). It became the first British mixed-gender school in the colony and played a significant role in the education of many future African leaders and intellectuals.
• 1881: Battle of Laing’s Nek
  During the First Anglo-Boer War, Boer forces defeated the larger British army at the Battle of Laing’s Nek in South Africa, marking a key moment in the struggle against British colonial rule.
• 1846: Battle of Aliwal
  British troops under Sir Harry Smith won the Battle of Aliwal in India. Both Smith and his wife later had several South African towns named after them, including Harrismith, Ladysmith, and Aliwal North.
• 1984: Tropical Storm Domoina
  Tropical Storm Domoina made landfall in southern Africa, causing widespread flooding and damage, particularly in Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa.