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On This Day · The 28th day of the year

January 28

A look at January 28 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Nicolas Sarkozy and Jessica Ennis-Hill, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♒ZodiacAquarius ◈BirthstoneGarnet ❀Birth flowerCarnation
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 1984

    Tropical Storm Domoina

    Tropical Storm Domoina makes landfall in southern Mozambique, eventually causing 214 deaths and some of the most severe flooding so far recorded in the region.

    South-West Indian tropical storm
  2. 1981

    Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan lifts remaining domestic petroleum price and allocation controls in the United States, helping to end the 1979 energy crisis and begin the 1980s oil glut.

    President of the United
  3. 1945

    World War II

    World War II: Supplies begin to reach the Republic of China over the newly reopened Burma Road.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  4. 1935

    Iceland

    Iceland becomes the first Western country to legalize therapeutic abortion.

    Island country in the
  5. 1922

    Knickerbocker storm

    Knickerbocker Storm: Washington, D.C.'s biggest snowfall, causes a disaster when the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre collapses, killing over 100 people.

    1922 blizzard on the
  6. 1916

    Manitoba

    The Canadian province of Manitoba grants women the right to vote and run for office in provincial elections (although still excluding women of Indigenous or Asian heritage), marking the first time women in Canada are granted voting rights.

    Province of Canada
  7. 1909

    Cuba

    United States troops leave Cuba, with the exception of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, after being there since the Spanish–American War.

    Country in the Caribbean
  8. 1547

    Edward VI

    Edward VI, the nine-year-old son of Henry VIII, becomes King of England on his father's death.

    King of England and
  9. 1393

    Charles VI of France

    King Charles VI of France is nearly killed when several other dancers' costumes catch fire during a masquerade ball in Paris.

    King of France from
  10. 1069

    Robert de Comines

    Robert de Comines, appointed Earl of Northumbria by William the Conqueror, rides into Durham, England, where he is defeated and killed by rebels. This incident leads to the Harrying of the North.

    11th-century Flemish noble in
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Famous birthday twins

Born on January 28

Nicolas Sarkozy

b. 1955

French lawyer and politician, 23rd President of France

Jessica Ennis-Hill

b. 1986

English heptathlete and hurdler

Kathleen Lonsdale

b. 1903

Irish crystallographer and 1st female FRS

Emperor Taizong of Tang

b. 598

emperor of the Tang dynasty

George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen

b. 1784

Scottish politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Raja Ramanna

b. 1925

Indian physicist and politician

Ariel Winter

b. 1998

American actress

Charles Marie de La Condamine

b. 1701

French mathematician and geographer

Deaths

  • 1996Joseph Brodsky, Russian-American poet and essayist, Nobel Prize laureate
  • 1986Michael J. Smith, American astronaut
  • 1953James Scullin, Australian journalist and politician, 9th Prime Minister of Australia
  • 1939W. B. Yeats, Irish poet and playwright, Nobel Prize laureate
  • 1547Henry VIII, king of England
  • 814Charlemagne, Holy Roman emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Joseph Freinademetz
  • —Christian feast day: Julian of Cuenca
  • —Christian feast day: Thomas Aquinas
  • —Christian feast day: January 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —Army Day (Armenia)
  • —Data Privacy Day

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