Today in history for Jan. 23

Today in history for Jan. 23.

January 23 is a heavyweight date in history, particularly for American milestones, music legends, and even the “father of modern firearms.”

🏛️ Major Historical Events

• 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree, graduating from Geneva Medical College in New York.
• 1960: The bathyscaphe USS Trieste reaches the bottom of the Mariana Trench (Challenger Deep), setting a world record for the deepest ocean descent at roughly 35,800 feet.
• 1964: The 24th Amendment is ratified, prohibiting poll taxes in federal elections—a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement.
• 1968: The USS Pueblo is seized by North Korean forces in the Sea of Japan, leading to a year-long international crisis.
• 1973: President Richard Nixon announces that a peace accord has been reached to end American involvement in the Vietnam War.
• 1986: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts its very first class, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Ray Charles.
• 1997: Madeleine Albright is sworn in as the first female U.S. Secretary of State.

🎂 Notable Births

• John Hancock (1737): American Founding Father and first Governor of Massachusetts, famous for his large signature on the Declaration of Independence. (Today is National Handwriting Day because of him!)
• Édouard Manet (1832): Renowned French painter who transitioned from Realism to Impressionism.
• John Browning (1855): The legendary weapons designer whose designs founded the Browning Arms Company and many Winchester and Colt classics.
• Ernie Kovacs (1919): A pioneer of television comedy and visual effects.
• Mariska Hargitay (1964): Award-winning actress best known as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.
• Tito Ortiz (1975): Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and MMA pioneer.

🕯️ Notable Deaths

• Anna Pavlova (1931): One of the most famous Russian prima ballerinas in history.
• Edvard Munch (1944): Norwegian painter, famous for his iconic work The Scream.
• Salvador Dalí (1989): The eccentric Spanish Surrealist artist.
• Johnny Carson (2005): The longtime “King of Late Night” and host of The Tonight Show.
• Larry King (2021): Legendary broadcaster and talk show host.

🥧 Fun Fact for Today

Today is also National Pie Day!

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