January 31 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

January 31st marks a day filled with remarkable events, historical milestones, and the birthdays of notable personalities across the globe. On this date, important political, scientific, and cultural developments have taken place, shaping the course of world history. It is a day that reminds us of human achievements, artistic brilliance, and significant turning points that continue to influence modern life. From groundbreaking discoveries to influential leaders and artists, January 31st has left its mark on the timeline of history.

Famous People Born on January 31

1797 Franz Schubert: Austrian composer known for his symphonies, songs, and chamber works.

1915 Thomas Merton: American writer, theologian, and Trappist monk known for his spiritual writings.

1919 Jackie Robinson: American baseball player who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier.

1921 Carol Channing: American actress and singer, best known for her role in "Hello, Dolly!"

1937 Philip Glass: American composer known for his influential minimalist music style.

1947 Nolan Ryan: American baseball pitcher and MLB Hall of Famer.

1950 Richard Dean Anderson: American actor best known for playing "MacGyver" in the hit TV series.

1956 Johnny Rotten (John Lydon): British musician and lead singer of the punk band "Sex Pistols."

1977 Kerry Washington: American actress known for her role in the TV series "Scandal."

1981 Justin Timberlake: American singer, songwriter, and actor, former member of *NSYNC.

1988 Marcus Mumford: British musician and lead singer of the folk-rock band "Mumford & Sons."

1990 Tyler Seguin: Canadian professional ice hockey player.

1994 Jake Weary: American actor and musician known for his role in the series "Animal Kingdom."

Famous Events that Happened on January 31

1606: Guy Fawkes was executed for his role in the Gunpowder Plot against the English Parliament.

1747: The first venereal disease clinic opened at London Lock Hospital, England.

1865: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery.

1917: Germany announced the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare during World War I.

1943: The Battle of Stalingrad ended with the surrender of German forces, marking a major turning point in World War II.

1950: U.S. President Harry S. Truman announced the development of the hydrogen bomb.

1958: The United States launched its first successful satellite, Explorer 1, entering the Space Age.

1961: Ham the chimpanzee was launched into space aboard Mercury-Redstone 2, paving the way for human spaceflight.

1968: The Viet Cong launched the Tet Offensive against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

1971: Apollo 14 was launched to the moon with astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell.

1990: The first McDonald's restaurant opened in the Soviet Union, located in Moscow.

2000: An Alaska Airlines MD-83 crashed into the Pacific Ocean near California, killing all 88 people aboard.

2020: The United Kingdom officially left the European Union, completing Brexit.

Famous People Who Died on January 31

1606 Guy Fawkes: English conspirator executed for the Gunpowder Plot against Parliament.

1795 Josiah Wedgwood: English potter and founder of the Wedgwood pottery company.

1854 Allan Cunningham: Scottish poet and author known for his historical writings and ballads.

1956 A. A. Milne: English author and playwright, best known for creating “Winnie-the-Pooh.”

1972 Fritz Kreisler: Austrian-born violinist and composer celebrated for his expressive playing.

1974 Samuel Goldwyn: Polish-American film producer and one of the founders of Hollywood’s movie industry.

1990 Lewis Mumford: American historian, sociologist, and philosopher of technology.

2000 Gil Kane: Latvian-born American comic book artist known for his work on “Green Lantern” and “Spider-Man.”

2012 Don Cornelius: American television host and creator of the iconic music show “Soul Train.”

2015 Richard von Weizsäcker: German politician and former President of Germany (1984–1994).

2019 Emiliano Sala: Argentine professional footballer who died in a plane crash over the English Channel.

2022 Howard Hesseman: American actor best known for his role in the TV sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati.”

January 31st stands as a day rich with historical importance, remarkable achievements, and memorable lives. From the abolition of slavery to milestones in space exploration, this date highlights humanity’s enduring pursuit of progress and freedom. The individuals born and those who passed away on this day have each contributed in unique ways to the world’s cultural, political, and scientific legacy, making January 31st a true reflection of human history and inspiration.