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Today marks Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the 20th day of the year, leaving 345 days remaining.
Today in history:
On this day in 2011, authorities executed one of the largest Mafia crackdowns in FBI history. A total of 127 alleged mobsters and associates were charged in the Northeast, with accusations ranging from murder to extortion and other crimes that spanned decades.
Also on this date:
In a historical event dating back to 1841, the island of Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain by China. This territory would remain under British control until it was returned to China in July 1997.
The year 1936 saw the death of Britain’s King George V. His physician administered a fatal dose of morphine and cocaine to hasten the ailing monarch’s passing. His successor was his eldest son, Edward VIII, who famously abdicated the throne 11 months later to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson.
On January 20, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the oath of office for his second of four terms. This event marked the first time a U.S. president was inaugurated on January 20, following the adoption of the 20th Amendment in 1933, which shifted the start of presidential terms from March 4.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy, during his inaugural address, inspired Americans with his memorable words: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
In 1986, the United States observed the first federal holiday in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States, succeeding Jimmy Carter.
In 2009, Democrat Barack Obama was sworn in as the first Black president of the United States.
In 2017, Republican Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States as protesters clashed with police blocks from the inaugural parade.
Today’s birthdays:
- Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin is 96.
- Olympic figure skating gold medalist Carol Heiss Jenkins is 86.
- Rock musician Paul Stanley (KISS) is 74.
- Comedian Bill Maher is 70.
- Olympic swimming gold medalist John Naber is 70.
- Country singer John Michael Montgomery is 61.
- Actor Rainn Wilson is 60. Actor Skeet Ulrich is 56.
- Musician Questlove (The Roots) is 55.
- Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and ex-governor of South Carolina, is 54.
- Country singer Brantley Gilbert is 41.
- Actor and singer Joshua Colley is 24.
- Singer-songwriter Glaive is 21.
