Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
On today’s episode of Old News Daily, Michael Thomas takes you back through the significant events of January 31st. From powerful testimonies to groundbreaking moments in history, this episode highlights the stories that shaped our world.
Main Story:
- 1971: The Winter Soldier Investigation Begins – Vietnam Veterans Against the War gather in Detroit to expose alleged war crimes in Vietnam, revealing the deep scars of the conflict and fueling the anti-war movement.
Other Stories:
- 1606: The Execution of Guy Fawkes and Conspirators – The infamous Gunpowder Plot ends in a gruesome public execution, forever remembered in history and verse.
- 1846: Milwaukee is Born – The unification of Juneautown and Kilbourntown after the Milwaukee Bridge War creates the City of Milwaukee.
- 1865: A Day of Dual Significance in the Civil War – Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery, while General Robert E. Lee is appointed general-in-chief of all Confederate armies.
- 1928: Leon Trotsky is Exiled – The revolutionary leader is banished to Alma-Ata as Stalin tightens his grip on the Soviet Union.
- 1988: Doug Williams Breaks Barriers – The first African American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl leads the Washington Redskins to an emphatic victory, shattering stereotypes in sports history.
Birthdays:
- Jackie Robinson (1919) – Baseball legend and civil rights trailblazer who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier.
- Theodor Heuss (1884) – The first President of the Federal Republic of Germany, a key figure in post-WWII reconstruction.
- Beatrix of the Netherlands (1938) – Former Queen of the Netherlands, admired for her decades of dedicated public service.
Explore stories of courage, unity, and resilience that define January 31st. Whether it’s the anti-war efforts of the Winter Soldier Investigation or the inspirational legacy of Jackie Robinson, this episode is packed with history that continues to echo today. Subscribe to Old News Daily for your daily dose of history, and share this episode with fellow history enthusiasts!