On January 30, 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched a surprise attack on South Vietnam during the Tet (New Year) holiday truce. The offensive was largely considered a failure for the North Vietnamese as they didn’t meet any of their objectives.
On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp, marking the beginning of the end of the Holocaust. The United Nations later designated this date International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737, in Braintree, Massachusetts. He was the longest-serving president of the Continental Congress, governor of Massachusetts, and famous signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was one of the first Americans to make a living solely as a writer.
On January 17, 1991, the United States led coalition of 42 countries in Operation Desert Storm, the aerial bombardment of Iraq in the Gulf War. It was the largest air campaign since World War II.
On January 12, 1962, American forces participated in their first major combat of the Vietnam War – Operation Chopper.
On January 8, 1815, future president Andrew Jackson began the Battle of New Orleans, two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent was signed. It was the last major battle of the war – and the most one-sided.
On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state admitted to the Union.
Paul Revere was born on January 1, 1735, according to the modern calendar in the North End of Boston. In 1775, he went on a famous ride to warn of the arrival of British troops. After the war, he earned a name for himself as a silversmith.