Welcome to Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 – the seventh day of the year with 358 days still ahead.
Historical Events on this Day:
Back in 1955, Marian Anderson made history as the first African American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, performing in Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.”
Other significant moments on Jan. 7:
In 1610, astronomer Galileo Galilei discovered three of Jupiter’s moons for the first time, with a fourth being observed days later.
In 1979, Vietnamese forces seized the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, toppling the brutal Khmer Rouge regime responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million people, including thousands of Vietnamese villagers.
Fast forward to 1999, President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial began, centered on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The trial ended with Clinton’s acquittal in February 1999.
In 2015, gunmen attacked the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French newspaper known for controversial caricatures, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 individuals, including the editor.
Jumping to 2022, three individuals were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, who was chased and killed while jogging in Georgia in 2020.
In 2023, Kevin McCarthy was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after a tumultuous week that tested the GOP majority’s ability to govern.
Celebrity Birthdays Today:
- Kenny Loggins (Musician) – 78
- David Caruso (Actor) – 70
- Katie Couric (TV journalist) – 69
- John Thune (Republican Senator) – 65
- Rand Paul (Republican Senator) – 63
- Nicolas Cage (Actor) – 62
- Jeremy Renner (Actor) – 55
- John Rich (Country singer-musician) – 52
- Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 driver) – 41
- Lamar Jackson (NFL quarterback) – 29
- Marcus Scribner (Actor) – 26
- Blue Ivy Carter (Daughter of Jay-Z and Beyoncé) – 14
