What Happened on January 19?

January 19 is a date rich with historical milestones, notable births, and cultural observances. Below is a concise overview of the most significant events.

Major Historical Events

• 1966 – Indira Gandhi becomes Prime Minister of India
  Following the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi was sworn in as India’s first female Prime Minister².

• 2007 – Assassination of Hrant Dink
  Turkish‑Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was murdered by a 17‑year‑old nationalist, sparking worldwide condemnation⁴.

• 2009 – Barack Obama’s Inauguration
  Barack Obama took the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the nation’s first African‑American president¹.

• 1915 – Patent of the Neon Discharge Tube
  Inventor Georges Claude secured a patent for the neon discharge tube, later popularized in advertising signage².

• 1829 – Premiere of Goethe’s Faust: The First Part of the Tragedy
  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s celebrated drama debuted, cementing its place in German literature².

• Additional events include the surrender of Rouen to Henry V (1419), the Battle of Mill Springs (1862), and the invention of the Scrabble board game (1955)².

Notable Births

• James Watt (1736) – Pioneering Scottish engineer and inventor of the modern steam engine³.
• Edgar Allan Poe (1809) – Influential American poet and author of gothic fiction³.
• Janis Joplin (1943) – Iconic American rock singer known for her powerful vocals³.
• Dolly Parton (1946) – Celebrated American singer‑songwriter and actress³.

Observances

• Tin Can Day and Popcorn Day are both celebrated on January 19⁵.

For more detailed timelines and additional events, consult the listed sources.