1958Discovery
Explorer 1 launched
US launched first satellite Explorer 1, discovering Van Allen radiation belts.
Tuesday 13 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Jackie Robinson born (1919) and Portia de Rossi born (1973), 54 years apart.
2 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin CaseHall of Fame◆
- 1887THE PORT DEPOSIT FLOOD.The New York Times◆
- 2020Coronavirus: first human transmission in Thailand as death toll hits 258The Guardian◆
- 2015Labour takes narrow lead over Tories as Lib Dems sink to 5%The Guardian◆
- 2023The last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and named "Empower".Wikipedia◆
- 1747The London Lock Hospital, the first voluntary hospital specialising in the treatment of venereal diseases, opened.Wikipedia◆
- 314Sylvester I (bust depicted), during whose pontificate many churches in Rome were constructed by Constantine the Great, began his reign as pope.Wikipedia◆
- 1891History of Portugal: The first attempt at a Portuguese republican revolution breaks out in the northern city of Porto.Wikipedia◆
- 1747The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Lock Hospital.Wikipedia◆
- 1606Gunpowder Plot: Four of the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, are executed for treason by hanging, drawing and quartering, for plotting against Parliament and King James.Wikipedia◆
- 1266The Mudéjar of Murcia, who had rebelled against the Crown of Castile during the Mudéjar revolt of 1264–1266, surrender the city to James I of Aragon after a siege lasting a month.Wikipedia◆
- 314Pope Sylvester I is consecrated, as successor to the late Pope Miltiades.Wikipedia◆
- 1997Final Fantasy VII, the first video game in the Final Fantasy franchise to use 3-D computer graphics, was released.Wikipedia◆
- 1988Doug Williams became the first African-American quarterback to play in the Super Bowl, leading the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII.Wikipedia◆
- Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin CaseHall of Fame◆
- 1887THE PORT DEPOSIT FLOOD.The New York Times◆
- 2020Coronavirus: first human transmission in Thailand as death toll hits 258The Guardian◆
- 2015Labour takes narrow lead over Tories as Lib Dems sink to 5%The Guardian◆
- 2023The last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and named "Empower".Wikipedia◆
- 1747The London Lock Hospital, the first voluntary hospital specialising in the treatment of venereal diseases, opened.Wikipedia◆
- 314Sylvester I (bust depicted), during whose pontificate many churches in Rome were constructed by Constantine the Great, began his reign as pope.Wikipedia◆
- 1891History of Portugal: The first attempt at a Portuguese republican revolution breaks out in the northern city of Porto.Wikipedia◆
- 1747The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Lock Hospital.Wikipedia◆
- 1606Gunpowder Plot: Four of the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, are executed for treason by hanging, drawing and quartering, for plotting against Parliament and King James.Wikipedia◆
- 1266The Mudéjar of Murcia, who had rebelled against the Crown of Castile during the Mudéjar revolt of 1264–1266, surrender the city to James I of Aragon after a siege lasting a month.Wikipedia◆
- 314Pope Sylvester I is consecrated, as successor to the late Pope Miltiades.Wikipedia◆
- 1997Final Fantasy VII, the first video game in the Final Fantasy franchise to use 3-D computer graphics, was released.Wikipedia◆
- 1988Doug Williams became the first African-American quarterback to play in the Super Bowl, leading the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Justin Timberlake1981- Portia de Rossi1973
- Jackie Robinson1919
31 January in history
1 eventEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
Showing 1 event
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineDrunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “The last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and named "Empower".” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
???? First everThe last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and named "Empower".
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1747 First everThe London Lock Hospital, the first voluntary hospital specialising in the treatment of venereal diseases, opened.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
314 Oddly trueSylvester I (bust depicted), during whose pontificate many churches in Rome were constructed by Constantine the Great, began his reign as pope.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 31 January — today is 13 October.
Born on this day
3
1919Birth
Jackie Robinson born
Baseball legend Jackie Robinson was born, first African American to play in Major League Baseball.
1973Birth
Portia de Rossi born
Portia de Rossi was born. Australian actress.
1981Birth
Justin Timberlake born
Justin Timberlake was born. American singer.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Accident
2012Death
Whitney Houston dies
Whitney Houston, singer and actress, died on this day in 2012. Accidental drowning. Remembered as: One of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Famous birthdays
28 this weekToday · 31 January
- Justin TimberlakeAmerican singer, songwriter, and actor (born 1981)Born 1981 · 45 years ago today
- Portia de RossiAustralian-American actress (born 1973)Born 1973 · 53 years ago today
- Jackie RobinsonAmerican baseball player (1919–1972)Born 1919 · 107 years ago today
Coming up this week
Ronda RouseyAmerican mixed martial artist (born 1987)1 February · born 1987
Brandon LeeAmerican actor and martial artist (1965–1993)1 February · born 1965- BEBirth event - February 1Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1901, noted in1 February · born 1901
Clark GableAmerican actor (1901–1960)1 February · born 1901
Gemma ArtertonEnglish actress (born 1986)2 February · born 1986
ShakiraColombian singer-songwriter (born 1977)2 February · born 1977
Day of Recognition31 January
International Zebra Day
Raises awareness about the conservation of wild zebras and their natural habitats.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 31 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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