Fact 1: A Birthdate of Royalty
January 28th, 1841, saw the birth of Henry Morton Stanley, the Welsh-American journalist, and explorer best known for his exploration of central Africa. Stanley was the one who famously located the missing Dr. David Livingstone and reputedly asked, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"
Fact 2: The Woolworths Tragedy
This date in 1979 was a tragic one in the city of Manchester, England. A fire broke out at Woolworths Department Store, resulting in a horrific loss of 10 lives and injuring many others.
Fact 3: The Day of Sputnik's Demise
The first-ever artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, tragically met its end on January 28, 1958. On this day, it burned up on re-entering the Earth's atmosphere after 92 days of flight.
Fact 4: An Author is Born
Renowned author Colette was born on this day in 1873. Especially known for her novel "Gigi", which later became a film and a stage production, she was a pioneering feminist and an influential figure in literature.
Fact 5: A Baseball Legend's Birthdate
Legendary baseball player Jackson "Shoeless Joe" was also born on January 28, 1889. He was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history and was infamously banned due to his association with the Black Sox Scandal.
Fact 6: The Launch of Apollo 1
Tragically, January 28 also marks the anniversary of the Apollo 1 fire. On this day in 1967, a fire broke out during a pre-flight test, resulting in the deaths of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee.
Fact 7: Vibes of Artistic Creativity
Prolific painter Peter Paul Rubens was knighted by King Charles I of England on this day in 1630. The renowned Flemish Baroque artist was equally successful as a diplomat, and his knighthood was a recognition of his contributions.
Fact 8: The Challenger Disaster
Sadly, January 28 is again marked by a space tragedy. On this day in 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members on board.
Fact 9: British Invasion of the Music Charts
The British Invasion of the American music charts began when The Beatles' 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' hit No.1 in the US charts on January 28, 1964.
Fact 10: Lights, Camera, Action!
On this day in 2006, the Pixar movie 'Cars' premiered, further cementing Pixar's dominance in the animated film industry.
Fact 11: A Marvelous Comic Debut
Back in 1966, the comic book Black Panther first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 on January 28. The character went on to be a pivotal part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fact 12: A Date Etched in Ice Hockey
The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) was founded on January 28, 2015. It became the first professional women's hockey league in North America to pay its players.
Fact 13: A Delightful Cartoon Crash Landing
On January 28, 1958, the animated television program "Huckleberry Hound" was first broadcasted. The iconic canine character had an unforgettably charming Southern drawl.
Fact 14: An Artistic Farewell
On this day in 1983, world-famous painter and sculptor, Louis Archambault, passed away. His work, inspired by the human form, has significantly influenced Canadian visual art.
Fact 15: Commemoration of a Hero's Ascension
In India, January 28 is celebrated as the death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent leader in the Indian Independence movement.
Fact 16: The Rise of YouTube Star
Filmmaker and YouTube personality Casey Neistat launched his daily vlog on this day in 2015. His energetic, creative content has since drawn millions of dedicated viewers from around the world.
Fact 17: Renaissance Man’s Final Day
On the 28th of January 814, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks and Lombards in Western Europe, died. He was a crucial figure during the Early Middle Ages and has since been referred to as the "Father of Europe."
Fact 18: Birth of Immigration Policy
The Immigration Act of 1986 was passed into law on this day, radically changing the US immigration policy. The act made it illegal to knowingly hire or recruit undocumented immigrants and legalized certain seasonal agricultural illegal immigrants.
Fact 19: Yamaha’s Inception Day
The well-known multinational corporation, Yamaha Corporation, was established on this day in 1887. They initially started as a piano and reed organ manufacturer and later moved onto producing a vast array of products.
Fact 20: Canada’s Heritage Day
Every year on January 28, Alberta, Canada, celebrates "Community League Day." The day recognises and encourages the dedication of residents who make their communities a better place to live.