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On This Day

January 31

YEAR 2025

Med Jets Flight 056 crashes near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, killing 8 people and injuring 23.

Med Jets Flight 056 crashes near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, killing 8 people and injuring 23.

YEAR 2023

The last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and...

The last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and named "Empower".

YEAR 2022

Sue Gray, a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, publishes an initial version of her report on the Downing Street Partygate controversy.

Sue Gray, a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, publishes an initial version of her report on the Downing Street Partygate controversy.

YEAR 2020

The United Kingdom's membership within the European Union ceases in accordance with Article 50, after 47 years of being a member state.

The United Kingdom's membership within the European Union ceases in accordance with Article 50, after 47 years of being a member state.

YEAR 2019

Abdullah of Pahang is sworn in as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

Abdullah of Pahang is sworn in as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

YEAR 2009

At least 113 people are killed in Kenya and over 200 injured following an oil spillage ignition in Molo, days after a massive fire at a Nakumatt super...

At least 113 people are killed in Kenya and over 200 injured following an oil spillage ignition in Molo, days after a massive fire at a Nakumatt supermarket in Nairobi killed at least 25 people.

YEAR 2007

Emergency officials in Boston mistakenly identify battery-powered LED placards depicting characters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force as Improvised explosiv...

Emergency officials in Boston mistakenly identify battery-powered LED placards depicting characters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force as Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), causing a panic.

YEAR 2003

The Waterfall rail accident occurs near Waterfall, New South Wales, Australia.

The Waterfall rail accident occurs near Waterfall, New South Wales, Australia.

YEAR 2001

In the Netherlands, a Scottish court convicts Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and acquits another Libyan citizen for their part in the bombing of Pan Am...

In the Netherlands, a Scottish court convicts Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and acquits another Libyan citizen for their part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.

YEAR 2001

Two Japan Airlines planes nearly collide over Suruga Bay in Japan.

Two Japan Airlines planes nearly collide over Suruga Bay in Japan.

YEAR 2000

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crash: An MD-83, experiencing horizontal stabilizer problems, crashes in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Point Mugu, Cal...

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crash: An MD-83, experiencing horizontal stabilizer problems, crashes in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Point Mugu, California, killing all 88 aboard.

YEAR 1996

An explosives-filled truck rams into the gates of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Colombo, killing at least 86 people and injuring 1,400.

An explosives-filled truck rams into the gates of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Colombo, killing at least 86 people and injuring 1,400.

YEAR 1988

Doug Williams becomes the first African American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl and leads the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII.

Doug Williams becomes the first African American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl and leads the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII.

YEAR 1978

The Crown of St. Stephen (also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary) goes on public display after being returned to Hungary from the United States, wher...

The Crown of St. Stephen (also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary) goes on public display after being returned to Hungary from the United States, where it was held after World War II.

YEAR 1971

Apollo program: Apollo 14: Astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell, aboard a Saturn V, lift off for a mission to the Fra Mauro Highl...

Apollo program: Apollo 14: Astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell, aboard a Saturn V, lift off for a mission to the Fra Mauro Highlands on the Moon.

YEAR 1971

The Winter Soldier Investigation, organized by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War to publicize alleged war crimes and atrocities by Americans and al...

The Winter Soldier Investigation, organized by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War to publicize alleged war crimes and atrocities by Americans and allies in Vietnam, begins in Detroit.

YEAR 1968

Vietnam War: Viet Cong guerrillas attack the United States embassy in Saigon, and other attacks, in the early morning hours, later grouped together as...

Vietnam War: Viet Cong guerrillas attack the United States embassy in Saigon, and other attacks, in the early morning hours, later grouped together as the Tet Offensive.

YEAR 1966

The Soviet Union launches the unmanned Luna 9 spacecraft as part of the Luna program.

The Soviet Union launches the unmanned Luna 9 spacecraft as part of the Luna program.

YEAR 1961

Project Mercury: Mercury-Redstone 2: The chimpanzee Ham travels into outer space.

Project Mercury: Mercury-Redstone 2: The chimpanzee Ham travels into outer space.

YEAR 1958

Cold War: Space Race: The Explorer 1, the first successful American satellite, detects the Van Allen radiation belt.

Cold War: Space Race: The Explorer 1, the first successful American satellite, detects the Van Allen radiation belt.