Today In History
Today is Tuesday, Jan. 19, the 19th day of 2021. There are 346 days left in the year.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT
› 1981: The United States and Iran signed an accord paving the way for the release of 52 Americans held hostage for more than 14 months.
ON THIS DATE
› 1861: Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union.
› 1915: Germany carried out its first air raid on Britain during World War I as a pair of Zeppelins dropped bombs onto Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn in England.
› 1937: Millionaire Howard Hughes set a transcontinental air record by flying his monoplane from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.
› 1955: A presidential news conference was filmed for television and newsreels for the first time, with the permission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
› 1987: Guy Hunt became Alabama’s first Republican governor since 1874 as he was sworn into office, succeeding George C. Wallace.
› 2005: The American Cancer Society reported that cancer had passed heart disease as the top killer of Americans age 85 and younger.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
Actor Tippi Hedren is 91. Former PBS newsman Robert MacNeil is 90. Movie director Richard Lester is 89. Actor-singer Michael Crawford is 79. Actor Shelley Fabares is 77. Country singer Dolly Parton is 75. Former ABC newswoman Ann Compton is 74. Actor Desi Arnaz Jr. is 68. Actor Katey Sagal is 67. Comedian Paul Rodriguez is 66. Conductor Sir Simon Rattle is 66. Reggae musician Mickey Virtue (formerly with UB40) is 64. Rock musician Jeff Pilson (Foreigner) is 63. Actor Paul McCrane is 60. Rock singer Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe) is 53. Singer Trey Lorenz is
52. Actor Shawn Wayans is 50. Rock singer-musician John Wozniak (Marcy Playground) is 50. Comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo is 47. Actor Drew Powell is 45. Actor Marsha Thomason is 45. Actor Bitsie Tulloch is 40. Actor Jodie Sweetin is 39. xActor Shaunette Renee Wilson is 31. Actor Briana Henry is 29. Actor Logan Lerman is 29. Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson is 29. Rapper Taylor Bennett is 25. Actor Lidya Jewett is 14.