January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 334 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about January 31st, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about January 31st in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Backwards Day
- Inspire Your Heart With Art Day
- National Gorilla Suit Day
- Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – January 31
2011: Myanmar’s first elected parliament in half a century convenes
The event underlined a general move towards democracy in the country.
2000: Alaska Airlines flight 261 crashes into the sea
The MD-83 experienced horizontal stabilizer problems before descending into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 88 on board.
1996: A suicide bombing in Sri Lanka kills 91 people
Separatist Tamil Tigers detonated a truck loaded with explosives in front of the central bank in Colombo.
1961: Ham the Chimp travels into outer space
The chimpanzee survived the US Mercury Program test flight with just a bruised nose.
1865: The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is passed
The Amendment, which officially abolished slavery, was adopted on December 6, 1865.
1939: View of Midtown Manhattan, 1939 by Alfred Eisenstaedt
1935: Miss Idaho, bizarre potato photoshoot, 1935.
Nicole Kidman in the 80’s.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, January 31
1982: Elena Paparizou, Greek/Swedish singer-songwriter
1975: Preity Zinta, Indian actress
1937: Philip Glass, American composer
1919: Jackie Robinson, American baseball player
1797: Franz Schubert, Austrian composer
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, January 31
1969: Meher Baba, Indian mystic
1956: A. A. Milne, English author
1954: Edwin Armstrong, American engineer, invented FM radio
1888: John Bosco, Italian priest, educator
1606: Guy Fawkes, English soldier, planned the Gunpowder Plot