JANUARY 26 | Birthdays and Events

Memorable Events for January 26

    1870 – Virginia is readmitted to the Union.

    1784 - Benjamin Franklin expresses his unhappiness over using an eagle as America's symbol.

    1838 - Tennessee enacts the first prohibition law in the U.S.

    1863 - Massachusetts Governor receives permission from Secretary of War to create a militia organization for men of African descent (becomes known as the 54th Massachusetts Regiment).

    1907 - The first federal corrupt election practices law passed in the U.S.

    1915 - The Rocky Mountain National Park is established in Colorado.

    1920 - Military engine manufacturing company, the Lincoln Motor Company, is sold to Ford Motor Company in 1922.

    1934 - The Apollo Theater reopens  in Harlem.

    1942 - The first U.S. forces arrive in Europe, landing in Northern Ireland.

    1945 - Audie Murphy displays valor and bravery in action for which he will later be awarded the Medal of Honor.

    1954 - Groundbreaking begins on Disneyland in California.

    1960 - Oakland Raiders enter the American Football League.

    1961 - Janet G. Travell becomes the first female personal physician to a U.S. President (John F. Kennedy).

    1979 - The Dukes of Hazzard premieres on CBS.

    2005 - Condoleezza Rice becomes the the first African American woman sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State.

    2020 - LA Lakers basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant dies in a helicopter crash in southern California.

    Notable Birthdays for January 26

    Julia Dent Grant (1826-1902) - First Lady and wife of President Ulysses S. Grant.

    Julius H. Hess (1876-1955) - Physician who is often considered the Father of American neonatology (pediatric subspecialty focused on treating premature or critically ill newborns).

    Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) - American general in World War II (Philippines and Korea).

    Frank Costello (1891-1973) - Italian-American gangster who was considered the "Prime Minister of the Underworld."

    Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) - The first African-American and Native American woman to hold a pilot license.

    Laurence Craigie (1902-1994) - Aviator and first 1st U.S. jet pilot.

    Ancel Keys (1904-2004) - Nutritionist and physiologist who established connection between diet and heart disease and strokes.

    Louis Zamperini (1917-2014) - World War II veteran whose story of capture by the Japanese inspired the movie Unbroken.

    Paul Newman (1925-2008) - American actor and charity food company founder of Newman's Own.

    Alison Steele (1937-1995) - Radio DJ known as "The Nightbird".

    Gene Siskel (1946-1999) - Movie critic for Siskel & Ebert.

    Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020) - Guitarist for the rock band Van Halen.

    Ellen DeGeneres (1958-Still Living) - Comedian and talk show host.

    Tom Keifer (1962-Still Living - Guitarist and vocalist for the 80s rock band Cinderella.