The second week of January has often served as a stage for pivotal transitions in American governance and civil rights. From the founding of the Grand Canyon National Monument to the first shots of the Civil War, these seven days reflect the nation’s constant evolution in its values, its territory, and its internal conflicts.
January 6
- 1941: FDR’s “Four Freedoms” Speech President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his State of the Union address, proposing four fundamental freedoms that people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
- 2021: The Capitol Riot A mob of supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol. It was the first time the U.S. Capitol had been breached since the War of 1812.
January 7
- 1789: First U.S. Presidential Election The first national presidential election was held under the new Constitution. While states had different methods for choosing electors, this day marked the formal start of the process that would lead to George Washington being unanimously elected as the nation’s first president.
- 1999: Impeachment Trial of Bill Clinton Begins The Senate formally opened the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Rehnquist, was sworn in to preside over the trial, which centered on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
January 8
- 1815: Battle of New Orleans In the final major battle of the War of 1812, Major General Andrew Jackson led American forces to a decisive victory over a much larger British army. Ironically, the battle took place two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent was signed, though news of the peace had not yet reached Louisiana.
- 1964: “War on Poverty” Declaration During his State of the Union address, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America.” This led to the creation of landmark programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Head Start as part of his “Great Society” domestic agenda.
January 9
- 1861: First Shots of the Civil War The steamer Star of the West, sent to resupply the federal garrison at Fort Sumter, was fired upon by South Carolina Academy of Fine Arts cadets at Morris Island. These are considered by many historians to be the first shots fired against a federal vessel in the events leading to the Civil War.
- 1788: Connecticut Ratifies the Constitution Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, with a vote of 128 to 40. This move helped build the necessary momentum to reach the nine-state requirement for the Constitution to take effect.
January 10
- 1776: Publication of “Common Sense” Thomas Paine published his influential pamphlet Common Sense anonymously. Its clear, persuasive arguments for independence from Great Britain helped galvanize public support for the American Revolution among colonists who were still undecided.
- 1870: Incorporation of Standard Oil John D. Rockefeller and his partners incorporated Standard Oil of Ohio. The company would go on to become the largest oil refinery in the world, eventually sparking the first major antitrust cases in American history and leading to the Supreme Court’s decision to break up the monopoly.
January 11
- 1908: Grand Canyon National Monument Created President Theodore Roosevelt used his authority under the Antiquities Act to declare the Grand Canyon a National Monument. This was a critical step in preserving the landmark from private development before it was officially designated a National Park in 1919.
- 1964: Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry released the first federal government report linking cigarette smoking to lung cancer and heart disease. The report fundamentally changed public health policy and led to the first mandatory warning labels on cigarette packs.
January 12
- 1932: Hattie Caraway Becomes First Woman Elected to the Senate After being appointed to fill her late husband’s seat, Hattie Caraway of Arkansas won a special election to become the first woman ever elected to the United States Senate. She eventually served two full terms, breaking significant barriers for women in federal government.
- 1991: Authorization for the Gulf War The U.S. Congress passed a resolution authorizing President George H.W. Bush to use military force to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. This led to the start of “Operation Desert Storm” just a few days later.
