First Observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On January 20, 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed as a federal holiday after a decades-long battle.
Famous Americans
Birth of Oveta Culp Hobby
Oveta Culp Hobby was born on January 19, 1905, in Killeen, Texas.
First Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate
On January 12, 1932, Hattie Caraway became the first women elected to serve in the United States Senate.
Birth of Everett Dirksen
Statesman Everett McKinley Dirksen was born on January 4, 1896, in Pekin, Illinois.
Birth of Oscar Micheaux
Author, director, and producer Oscar Devereaux Micheaux was born on January 2, 1884, in Metropolis, Illinois.
Birth of Thomas Macdonough
Thomas Macdonough (born McDonough) Jr. was born on December 31, 1783, in New Castle County, Delaware. The town in which he was born was later named McDonough in his honor.
Birth of Lady Bird Johnson
First Lady Lady Bird Johnson was born on December 22, 1912, in Karnack, Texas.
Birth of Edwin Stanton
Edwin McMasters Stanton was born on December 19, 1814, Steubenville, Ohio.
Happy Birthday to Margaret Mead
Anthropologist Margaret Mead was born on December 16, 1901, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.