The turn of the month from January to February marks a crossroads in American history, characterized by pivotal legal shifts, somber military milestones, and leaps into the unknown. This week encompasses everything from the birth of the American labor movement and the formal end of territorial wars to the tragic losses that defined the U.S. space program. It is a period that reflects the nation’s struggle with civil rights, its expansion across the continent, and its relentless pursuit of technological frontiers.
January 27
- 1967: The Apollo 1 Tragedy – During a pre-launch ground test at Cape Canaveral, a flash fire broke out inside the Apollo 1 command module, killing astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. The disaster led to major design overhauls that eventually made the moon landing possible.
- 1973: The Paris Peace Accords Signed – The United States and North Vietnam signed a cease-fire agreement in Paris, officially ending direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War and outlining the withdrawal of American troops.
January 28
- 1915: Creation of the U.S. Coast Guard – President Woodrow Wilson signed the Act to Create the Coast Guard, merging the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service into a single maritime military branch.
- 1986: The Challenger Explosion – Just 73 seconds after liftoff, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members, including Christa McAuliffe, who was set to be the first teacher in space.
January 29
- 1850: The Compromise of 1850 Proposed – Senator Henry Clay introduced a series of resolutions in an attempt to seek a compromise and avert a crisis between North and South regarding the expansion of slavery into territories acquired during the Mexican-American War.
- 1900: The American League is Founded – Originally the Western League, the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs was organized in Philadelphia, eventually becoming one of the two major leagues that comprise MLB today.
January 30
- 1835: First Presidential Assassination Attempt – Outside the U.S. Capitol, a house painter named Richard Lawrence attempted to shoot President Andrew Jackson. Both of Lawrence’s pistols misfired, and the nearly 68-year-old Jackson famously beat the assailant with his cane until help arrived.
- 1882: Birth of Franklin D. Roosevelt – The 32nd President of the United States was born in Hyde Park, New York. FDR would go on to lead the country through the Great Depression and World War II, becoming the only president elected to four terms.
January 31
- 1865: Approval of the 13th Amendment – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. It was sent to the states for ratification shortly thereafter.
- 1958: Explorer 1 Launches – The United States successfully launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, into orbit from Cape Canaveral. This event marked the official American entry into the Space Race against the Soviet Union.
February 1
- 1960: The Greensboro Sit-In – Four African American college students sat down at a “whites-only” lunch counter at a Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their peaceful protest sparked a massive wave of sit-ins across the South to protest racial segregation.
- 2003: The Columbia Disaster – The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board. The tragedy was caused by damage to the wing’s thermal protection system during launch.
February 2
- 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – This treaty was signed to end the Mexican-American War. Under its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory—including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona—to the United States.
- 1913: Grand Central Terminal Opens – After years of construction, the world’s largest train station opened in New York City. It became an architectural icon and a symbol of the American “Golden Age” of rail travel.
