Shimla, Jan. 21
2017
Demonstrations, known collectively as the Women’s March, were held throughout the world to support gender equality, civil rights, and other issues that were expected to face challenges under newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump; it was widely believed to be the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
2010
In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (5–4) that laws preventing corporations and unions from using general treasury funds for independent electioneering communications violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech.
1997
American politician Newt Gingrich became the first speaker in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives to be given a formal reprimand for ethics violations after the House voted 395–28 in favour of the measure.
1996
Cleanup of 1.8 million gallons (6.8 million litres) of oil began near Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island, two days after the barge North Cape ran aground and created a 12-mile (19-km) oil slick.
1941
Spanish-born singer Plácido Domingo—an operatic tenor whose voice, physical stature, and dramatic ability made him one of the most popular tenors of the late 20th and early 21st centuries—was born in Madrid.
1924
Vladimir Lenin, who led the Russian Revolution (1917) and later served as the first head (1917–24) of the Soviet state, died.
1905
Fashion designer Christian Dior, whose label became an enduring worldwide success, was born in Granville, France.
1885
Lead Belly—an African American folk-blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose ability to perform a vast repertoire of songs, in conjunction with his notoriously violent life, made him a legend—is believed to have been born this day.
1793
Louis XVI, the last Bourbon king of France, was executed by guillotine in Paris during the French Revolution.
1506
Swiss Guards first arrived at the Vatican as watchmen for the pope.
