Welcome to Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. It is the 26th day of the year, with 339 days remaining.
Historical Highlights:
On this day in 2020, tragedy struck as NBA icon Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others perished in a helicopter crash in Southern California due to dense fog; Bryant was 41 years old.
Other notable events on this date:
In 1887, construction of the iconic Eiffel Tower commenced, completing just over two years later.
In 1905, the massive Cullinan Diamond, the largest ever discovered at 3,106 carats, was found in South Africa.
In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act establishing Rocky Mountain National Park.
In 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, making the country the world’s largest democratic republic.
In 1993, VĂĄclav Havel was elected president of the newly formed Czech Republic.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton denied allegations of an affair with a former White House intern, famously stating, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
In 2023, Israeli forces conducted a deadly raid in the Jenin refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians and numerous injuries.
Birthdays Today:
- Cartoonist Jules Feiffer turns 96.
- Activist Angela Davis celebrates her 81st birthday.
- Actor David Strathairn (streh-THEHRN’) is 76.
- Football Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood is 75.
- Singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams is 72.
- Singer Anita Baker turns 67.
- Actor-comedian Ellen DeGeneres is 67.
- Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky celebrates his 64th birthday.
- Musician Andrew Ridgeley (Wham!) is 62.
- Gospel singer Kirk Franklin turns 55.
- Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter is 48.
- Actor Joseph Quinn is 31.
