2005 - Condoleezza Rice is sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State, becoming the first African American woman to hold the post.
1926 - Television first demonstrated (John L Baird, London)
1802 - President Thomas Jefferson establishes the Library of Congress, currently the world's largest library
1788 - First European settlers land in Australia; this date eventually became "Australia Day"
1340 - English King Edward III proclaimed King of France
This Day In Business
2006 - Western Union discontinues the use of its telegram service, a service made useless with the invention of the telephone, fax machine, and internet.
1988 - The Phantom of the Opera has its first performance on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre.
1654 - The last Dutch base on Recife is conquered by Portuguese troops.
1986 - The Chicago Bears dominate the Pats in Super Bowl XX.
January 26th Holiday
Republic Day (India) - Celebrates the Independence of India, when the Constitution of India became the governing document, in 1950.
Today's Birthday Trivia
He played the character Nick Van Owen in the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Who is he?
Today's Birthday Horoscope
Learn about people born on this day by reading the January 26 Birthday Horoscope.
Famous Birthdays iPhone App
Are you an iPhone user? Get the fun and free Famous Birthdays iPhone app.