🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on January 24:

2003 — Tom Ridge was sworn in as the US Department of Homeland Security’s first secretary. The DHS was founded in response to September 11th and is responsible for anti-terrorist measures, border security, and more. 

1989 — American serial killer Ted Bundy was executed in Florida. He confessed to 30 murders and sexual assaults but may have been guilty of many more. 

1940 — The movie The Grapes of Wrath had its world premiere. Directed by John Ford, the adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel is considered one of the greatest movies ever made. 

1908 — Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell published the book Scouting for Boys, which sold over 100 million copies and led to the foundation of the Boy Scouts and other scouting organizations.  

1848 — James Wilson Marshall found nuggets of gold at Sutter’s Mill in California. The subsequent gold rush brought in 300,000 new residents and forever changed the state of California.

1556 — An earthquake in Shaanxi province in China was one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history. An estimated 800,000 people died as a result of the quake and subsequent fires and floods.  

41 CE — The Roman emperor Caligula was assassinated by Cassius Chaerea and several co-conspirators after ruling for four chaotic, bloody years.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On January 24, we’re singing to:

Hadrian (76) — Roman emperor for more than 20 years, responsible for the construction of the Temple of Venus and Roma, and Hadrian’s Wall, a 73-mile wall marking the edge of Roman territory in Britain. 

Henry King (1886) — American director and one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Directed more than 100 films over six decades. 

Ray Stevens (1939) — Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and comedian best known for his country music hits, such as “Everything is Beautiful.”

Neil Diamond (1941) — Singer-songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member who has sold more than 128 million albums. Perhaps best known for the song “Sweet Caroline.” 

Sharon Tate (1943) — American actress who appeared on her way to stardom before being tragically murdered by the Manson Family at age 26.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On January 24, we’re saying goodbye to:

Winston Churchill (1965) — Prime minister of the United Kingdom for two terms and a member of Parliament for nearly 60 years. Most famous for his wartime leadership during World War II, when he refused to seek a peaceful resolution with Nazi Germany.  

L. Ron Hubbard (1986) — American science fiction and fantasy writer who founded the Church of Scientology, which adheres to theories found in his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

Thurgood Marshall (1993) — Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court and a champion of civil rights, who successfully argued for the end of segregation in public education in the Brown vs. Board of Education case. 

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