January 31
1606
Guy Fawkes, a co-conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot, was executed.
1865
Robert E. Lee was appointed commander-in-chief of the Confederate forces.
1940
The first social security check was issued to Ida Fuller for $22.54.
1958
The first U.S. earth satellite, Explorer I, was launched.
1990
The first McDonald’s opened in Russia.
Birthdays
Franz Schubert
1797–1828, Austrian Composer.
Zane Grey
author (1872)
Tallulah Bankhead
actress (1902)
John O’Hara
novelist and short-story writer, (1905)
Thomas Merton
religious writer and poet (1915)
Jackie Robinson
baseball player (1919)
Carol Channing
comedienne, singer (1921)
Norman Mailer
writer (1923)
Minnie Driver
actress (1970)
Justin Timberlake
pop musician (1981)