Since 1986, the third Monday in January has been a federal holiday in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and civil rights leader dedicated to nonviolence. This is a day to honor King’s principles, perhaps best exemplified by his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’” Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and how to celebrate.
Born
Philip Livingston(patriot, and signer of the Declaration of Independence)–
The Earl of Derby, Lord Stanley(Canadian Governor General 1888 - 1893)–
Goodman Ace(radio performer)–
Gene Krupa(drummer)–
Lloyd Bridges(actor)–
Martin Luther King, Jr.(civil rights leader)–
Ernest J. Gaines(novelist)–
André Alexis(writer)–
Chad Lowe(actor)–
Regina King(actress)–
Howie Day(singer)–
Dove Cameron(actress)–
Died
Mathew Brady(photographer)–
Ray Bolger(actor)–
Ruth Warrick(actress)–
Percy Saltzman(first meteorologist to appear on Canadian television)–
Events
Elizabeth I of England was crowned in Westminster Abbey–
Dramatist Molière was baptized–
Vermont declares its independence from Great Britain and the colony of New York as a republic originally called New Connecticut–
The University of N.C., the first state university in the US, opens–
E. G. Otis received a patent for an elevator safety brake–
Great Molasses Flood, Boston, Massachusetts–
Ford Foundation is incorporated to administer funds for scientific, educational and charitable purposes–
First U.S. all-glass windowless structure completed, in Toledo, Ohio–
First Pro Bowl game in NFL history is played in Los Angeles, California–
The Pentagon Building in Virginia was completed–
First nonstop trans-Canada flight completed–
The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I–
Happy Days made its television debut–
First transpacific hot air balloon flight began, Japan to Canada–
Online encyclopedia Wikipedia launched–
Stardust capsule landed in Utah, after record re-entry speed of 28,860 mph–
Weather
New York harbor froze over completely and was sealed for five weeks–
Los Angeles, California, received 2” of snow–
7.8 inches of snow at Forth Worth, Texas–
Loma, Montana, set a record for the greatest temperature change in a 24 hour period. Temperatures went from -54 degrees F on January 14 to 49 degrees F on January 15–
It was so cold in Kapuskasing, Ontario, that tires fell off the rims of cars. (it was -45F or -42.8C)–
