- Historical events shape the course of civilization and provide insights into our past. January 31st has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history, as well as the birth and death anniversaries of famous personalities. In this article, we will about the Important Events of 31 January in World History, highlighting their impact on the world, and also acknowledge the notable individuals associated with this date.
Famous People Born on 31 January
People born on January 31st possess a remarkable ability to think logically and creatively simultaneously, setting them apart from others. They approach life with determination and remain mentally alert. However, this is simply a reflection of their high motivation and multifaceted talents. They often pursue careers that allow them to juggle multiple occupations and challenge their creativity. Ruled by Uranus, they possess an intuitive nature combined with an enthusiastic spirit. Here is the List of Famous People Born On 31 January:
- Justin Timberlake (31/01/1981): American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He gained fame as a member of the boy band NSYNC before establishing a successful solo career. Timberlake has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the music industry.
- Tokugawa Ieyasu (31/01/1543): Japanese daimyo and military leader who played a crucial role in the unification of Japan during the late 16th century. He became the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate and laid the foundation for over 250 years of peace and stability in Japan.
- Philip Glass (31/01/1937): American composer known for his minimalist music style. His works often feature repetitive structures and have had a significant influence on contemporary classical music. Glass has composed numerous operas, symphonies, and film scores, including the soundtrack for the movie “Koyaanisqatsi.”
- Jackie Robinson (31/01/1919): American professional baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. He became the first African American to play in the modern era of the MLB when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Robinson’s achievements on and off the field paved the way for racial integration in professional sports.
- Beatrix of the Netherlands (31/01/1938): Former Queen of the Netherlands from 1980 to 2013. She succeeded her mother, Queen Juliana, and abdicated the throne in favor of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander. Queen Beatrix is known for her dedicated service to the Dutch people and her efforts in promoting the welfare and unity of the nation.
- Norman Mailer (31/01/1923): American novelist, journalist, and playwright. Mailer is considered one of the major figures in 20th-century American literature, known for his unique writing style and provocative themes. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice for his novels “The Executioner’s Song” and “The Armies of the Night.”
- Lachlan Macquarie (31/01/1762): Scottish soldier and colonial administrator who served as the fifth Governor of New South Wales, Australia, from 1810 to 1821. Macquarie is known for his progressive policies, including the expansion of infrastructure, education, and social welfare in the early days of the colony.
- Kenzaburō Ōe (31/01/1935): Japanese writer and Nobel laureate in Literature. Ōe is known for his novels, which often explore philosophical and social themes. His works have been translated into multiple languages and have had a significant impact on contemporary Japanese literature.
- Traianos Dellas (31/01/1976): Greek former professional footballer and football coach. Dellas achieved fame as a central defender and is best known for his performances during the UEFA Euro 2004, where he played a crucial role in Greece’s surprising victory in the tournament.
- James G. Blaine (31/01/1830): American statesman and politician who served as the U.S. Secretary of State and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Blaine was known for his strong influence on foreign policy and his involvement in the expansion of American power and influence during the late 19th century.
- Irving Langmuir (31/01/1881): American chemist and physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1932 for his work in surface chemistry. Langmuir made significant contributions to the understanding of atomic and molecular processes and is credited with the development of the Langmuir-Blodgett film, a technique used in thin-film technology.
- Nolan Ryan (31/01/1947): American former professional baseball pitcher and Hall of Famer. Ryan is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. He holds numerous records, including the most career strikeouts and no-hitters, and was known for his exceptional fastball and longevity in the game.
- John Lydon (31/01/1956): English musician, singer, and songwriter, also known by his stage name “Johnny Rotten.” Lydon gained fame as the lead singer of the punk rock band Sex Pistols and later formed the band Public Image Ltd (PiL). He is recognized as an influential figure in punk music and has continued to create music across various genres.
- Henry, King of Portugal (31/01/1512): Portuguese monarch who ruled as King Henry II from 1578 until his death in 1580. He played a significant role in the Age of Discoveries and oversaw Portugal’s expansion of territories and influence during the period.
- Alan Lomax (31/01/1915): American ethnomusicologist, folklorist, and musicologist. Lomax dedicated his life to collecting, preserving, and promoting traditional folk music from around the world. His field recordings and research have had a profound impact on the study and appreciation of folk music.
- Zane Grey (31/01/1872): American author and dentist, best known for his popular adventure novels and stories set in the American West. Grey’s works often portrayed the Wild West with vivid descriptions and memorable characters, making him one of the most successful and influential Western authors of his time.
Read More: 30 January in World History
- Tallulah Bankhead (31/01/1902): American actress of stage and screen. Bankhead was known for her distinctive voice, larger-than-life personality, and witty demeanor. She had a successful career in both theater and film, with notable performances in plays such as “The Little Foxes” and films like “Lifeboat.”
- Gouverneur Morris (31/01/1752): American statesman and Founding Father who played a key role in the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution. Morris was also an influential writer and diplomat, known for his eloquent speeches and contributions to the development of American political and legal systems.
- Thomas Merton (31/01/1915): American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, and poet. Merton’s writings explored spirituality, contemplative life, and social justice issues. His autobiography, “The Seven Storey Mountain,” became a bestseller and introduced many readers to the monastic life.
- Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow (31/01/1865): Russian Orthodox bishop who served as the 11th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia from 1917 until his death in 1925. Tikhon faced immense challenges during his patriarchate, including the Russian Revolution and subsequent persecution of the Church.
- Louis de Montfort (31/01/1673): French Roman Catholic priest and theologian known for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Montfort is best remembered for his book “True Devotion to Mary,” which outlines a spiritual path focused on total consecration to Jesus through Mary.
- Christian Settipani (31/01/1961): French genealogist and historian known for his research on medieval and ancient genealogy. Settipani has written numerous works exploring the genealogies and interconnections of European noble families.
- Theodor Heuss (31/01/1884): German liberal politician who served as the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1959. Heuss played a significant role in the post-World War II reconstruction of Germany and was known for his commitment to democracy and civil liberties.
- Derek Jarman (31/01/1942): English film director, stage designer, artist, and writer. Jarman was known for his avant-garde approach to filmmaking and his contributions to queer cinema. His films often explored themes of sexuality, politics, and personal identity.
Famous People Died on 31 January
Honoring the memory of renowned individuals, we commemorate the lives of Famous People Died on 31 January:
- A.A. Milne (1882-1956) – Children’s Author
- Terry Wogan (1938-2016) – Radio Host
- Ayelet Galena (2009-2012)
- Rasual Butler (1979-2018) – Basketball Player
- Leah LaBelle (1986-2018) – Pop Singer
- Rob Stewart (1979-2017) – Director
- Leslie Carter (1986-2012) – Family Member
- Lizabeth Scott (1922-2015) – Movie Actress
- Christopher Jones (1941-2014) – Movie Actor
- Mary Higgins Clark (1927-2020) – Novelist
- Charlie Thomas (1937-2023) – Blues Singer
- Lizbeth González Ruiz (1996-2015) – World Music Singer
- Pauly Fuemana (1969-2010) – Pop Singer
- Anne Cox Chambers (1919-2020) – Entrepreneur
- John Wetton (1949-2017) – Rock Singer
- Meher Baba (1894-1969) – Religious Leader
- Caleb Moore (1987-2013) – Snowmobile Racer
- John Bosco (1815-1888) – Religious Leader
- Carleton Carpenter (1926-2022) – Stage Actor
- James Beaver (1837-1914) – Politician
- Mel Hein (1909-1992) – Football Player
- Gabby Gabreski (1919-2002) – War Hero
- Ann Gillis (1927-2018) – Movie Actress
- Moira Shearer (1926-2006) – Dancer
- Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) – Film Producer
- Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788) – Prince
- Anna Gordy Gaye (1922-2014) – Business Executive
- Jacob Roggeveen (1659-1729) – Explorer
- Jack Collins (1918-2005) – TV Actor
- George Abbott (1887-1995) – Director
- Mike Kelley (1954-2012) – Multimedia Artist
- Louis Allen (1919-1964) – Civil Rights Leader
- Miklos Jancso (1921-2014) – Director
- Oskar Fischinger (1900-1967) – Animator
- John Mott (1865-1955) – Religious Leader
- Charles I Du pont (1797-1869) – Politician
- Grant Green (1935-1979) – Guitarist
- Molly Ivins (1944-2007) – Journalist
- Francis M Fesmire (1959-2014) – Doctor
- Edwin Howard Armstrong (1890-1954) – Engineer
- Hannah Hauxwell (1926-2018) – Reality Star
- Leonid Kadeniuk (1951-2018) – Astronaut
- Alexander Joseph Brunett (1934-2020) – Religious Leader
- Florence Bates (1888-1954) – Movie Actress
- Anthony Bevilacqua (1923-2012) – Religious Leader
- George Arthur Knowland (1922-1945) – War Hero
- Johnny Klein (1918-1997) – Drummer
- Glenn Morris (1912-1974) – Decathlete
Notable Events of 31 January in World History
- 1578: In the Battle of Gembloux, Spain achieved a crushing victory, hastening the disintegration of the rebel provinces’ unity and bringing an end to the Union of Brussels during the Eighty Years’ War.
- 1747: The London Lock Hospital, the first clinic specializing in the treatment of venereal diseases, opened.
- 1747: The Bangalore Disease Clinic opened for the first time at the London Lock Hospital.
- 1801: John Marshall became the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, and his court opinions would help lay the foundation for American Constitutional law, making the Supreme Court a coequal branch of government.
- 1814: Gervacio Antonio de Posadas was elected the chief director of Argentina.
- 1846: After a conflict over the construction of a bridge, the citizens of two neighboring towns united to form the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- 1850: The largest mass movement in China began under the name Tae Pingha, which means “public determination” in Chinese.
- 1862: American astronomer Alvan Graham Clark first observed the faint white dwarf companion of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
- 1897: The Kajekoslav Trade Union Association was established in Prague.
- 1900: Datu Muhammad Salleh, leader of a series of major disturbances in North Borneo, was shot dead in Tambunan, but his followers did not give up for five more years.
- 1915: During World War I, Germany used poisonous gas against Russia.
- 1919: Intense rioting over labor conditions broke out in Glasgow, Scotland, and only ended when the British government sent tanks to restore order.
- 1942: During World War II, Allied forces retreated from British Malaya to Singapore, ceding control of the country to Japan.
- 1946: Yugoslavia disintegrated into six countries modeled after the Soviet Union: Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia.
- 1951: The United States terminated the last narrow gauge passenger train service, the “San Juan Express.”
- Read More: 29 January in World History
- 1953: A ferry accident in the Irish Sea resulted in the death of 130 passengers and sailors. The British ferry Princess Victoria was heading to Northern Ireland when the accident occurred.
- 1958: The United States launched Explorer 1, its first satellite, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It became the first spacecraft to detect the Van Allen radiation belt.
- 1958: The first American satellite, Explorer I, was placed into Earth’s orbit.
- 1961: Aboard NASA’s Mercury-Redstone 2, Ham the Chimp became the first hominid launched into outer space.
- 1971: The Vietnam Veterans Against the War opened the Winter Soldier Investigation, a three-day media event aimed at publicizing war crimes and other atrocities committed by American forces and their allies during the Vietnam War.
- 1971: Telephone service was re-established after a 19-year gap between East and West Berlin.
- 1972: Birendra Bir Bikram Shah became the 12th king of Nepal.
- 1983: Seatbelt use was made compulsory for drivers and front seat passengers in the United Kingdom.
- 1987: Ohrbach’s department store closed in New York City after 64 years of operation.
- 1990: The world’s largest McDonald’s store opened in Moscow, the capital of Russia.
- 1991: The shortest NBA player, Michael Adams of the Nuggets, achieved a triple-double.
- 1993: In the 81st Australian Men’s tennis tournament, Jim Courier defeated S. Edberg by a score of (62 61 26 75).
- 1994: The grand theater “Gran Teatro del Liceu” burned down due to technical problems.
- 1994: The Dow Jones hit a record of 3,978.36, achieved by one of the famous players.
- 1996: Japanese amateur astronomer Yuji Hyakutake discovered Comet Hyakutake, which made one of the closest cometary approaches in the previous 200 years.
- 1996: A suicide attack in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, killed 91 people and injured more than 1,400.
- 2000: Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed in the Pacific Ocean off California, resulting in the death of 88 people.
- 2001: Scottish judges sitting in court in the Netherlands convicted Libyan national Abdelbaset al-Megrahi of 270 counts of murder in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
- 2004: Famous playback singer and actress Suraiya Jamal Sheikh died.
- 2007: Suspects were arrested in Birmingham, UK, accused of plotting to kidnap and behead a Muslim British soldier serving in Iraq.
- 2010: Avatar became the first film to earn over $2 billion worldwide.
- 2011: A new record was set when Burma opened its new parliament, garnering global attention.
- 2011: The people of Egypt vowed to continue demonstrating until the Mubarak regime fell.
- 2012: The Chinese government tightened its control of monasteries following deadly protests in Tibet.
- 2013: A court granted Iceland’s Blaer Bjarkardottir the right to use her own name, overturning a previous ruling that stated “Blaer” was only a man’s name.
- 2013: NASA revealed the Regolith Advanced Surface System Robot, a lunar mining robot that could be used to produce fuel and water directly on the moon.
- 2013: Approximately 300 people were injured in a train accident in Pretoria, South Africa.
