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28 fun facts for January, 21

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
January 21st is a day of diverse events and milestones, from the invention of life-changing medical treatments to groundbreaking space missions. It is also a day for promoting love, support, and appreciation through National Hugging Day and celebrating comfort with International Sweatpants Day.
28 Fun facts
  1. January 21st is National Hugging Day in the United States, which was first celebrated in 1986. This day encourages people to hug their friends, family, and community members to express love, support, and appreciation.
  2. On January 21st, 1968, the Battle of Khe Sanh began during the Vietnam War. US Marines engaged with North Vietnamese in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war. Over 20,000 soldiers on both sides were killed or wounded.
  3. The first successful Insulin treatment of Diabetes happened on January 21, 1922. Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best administered insulin to a patient named Leonard Thompson in Toronto, forever changing the lives of people with diabetes.
  4. On January 21st, 1976, the iconic Concorde Supersonic Transport (SST) airplane made its first commercial flights, marking a significant advancement in the world of aviation. The Concorde could fly at twice the speed of sound and reduce a transatlantic flight's duration by half.
  5. January 21st is celebrated as National Granola Bar Day in the United States. This snack has gained popularity in recent decades as a healthy alternative to traditional candy bars, considering its nutritional benefits and convenience.
  6. On January 21st, 1960, Little Joe 1B, a Mercury spacecraft, was successfully launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, as part of the United States' preparation for manned spaceflight. The mission carried a female rhesus monkey named Miss Sam, who survived the flight and was recovered safely.
  7. January 21st is National New England Clam Chowder Day in the United States. This hearty soup is traditionally made with chowder clams, potatoes, onions, and bacon, offering a delicious and comforting taste of New England.
  8. On January 21, 1971, the unmanned Apollo 14 lunar module was launched toward the Moon. It was the eighth manned mission in NASA's Apollo program and the third to land on the lunar surface.
  9. January 21st marks the death of the famous writer George Orwell in 1950. Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, is best known for his critically acclaimed dystopian novels 1984 and Animal Farm.
  10. January 21, 1793, Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine during the French Revolution. His death marked the end of the Bourbon monarchy in France and the beginning of a new era of political turmoil.
  11. On January 21, 1954, the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, was launched in the United States. This technological marvel was named after the submarine in Jules Verne's famous novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and revolutionized naval warfare.
  12. On January 21, 1846, the first edition of the daily newspaper, The Daily News, was published by Charles Dickens in London. This publication laid the foundation for the modern concept of daily news reporting and journalistic integrity.
  13. January 21, 1968, saw the premiere of the famous musical fantasy film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Dick Van Dyke. The film was based on a novel by James Bond creator, Ian Fleming.
  14. On January 21, 1911, the first Monte Carlo Rally took place. This iconic automobile rally event held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, remains a significant race in the world of motorsports and is still held annually.
  15. January 21, 1949 marks the first appearance of television's longest-running animation series, The Adventures of Tintin, based on a Belgian comic strip series created by Hergé.
  16. On January 21, 2003, the Galileo spacecraft, a NASA mission to study Jupiter and its moons, was intentionally crashed into the planet to prevent contamination of nearby satellites.
  17. On January 21, 1964, the Beatles' second album, With the Beatles," reached #1 on the UK Albums Chart, establishing the band's place in the British rock scene with successful hits like "All My Loving."
  18. On January 21, 1969, the 21st edition of the Winter Olympic Games was held in Grenoble, France, and more than 1,000 athletes from around the world participated in various winter sports.
  19. On January 21, 1990, tennis champion John McEnroe became the first player in over 30 years to be disqualified from the Australian Open after repeated incidents of poor conduct on the court.
  20. January 21st is International Sweatpants Day, which promotes the appreciation and wearing of comfortable, casual clothing both indoors and outdoors.
  21. On January 21, 1983, popular American sitcom Mama's Family premiered on TV. The show starred Vicki Lawrence, originating from a skit on The Carol Burnett Show, as the strong-willed Thelma Harper.
  22. January 21, 2004, saw the launch of the Mars rover Opportunity, which went on to uncover valuable information about the planet's past, including the existence of water on the surface.
  23. On January 21, 1972, Apollo 16, the tenth manned mission in NASA's Apollo program, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was successful, with astronauts Charles Duke and John Young walking on the lunar surface.
  24. January 21, 1997, Madeline Albright became the first woman to serve as United States Secretary of State, breaking barriers for women in American politics.
  25. January 21, 2016, saw the world experience its largest snowstorm in decades, affecting the United States' East Coast and several countries around the globe.
  26. January 21, 2015, marked the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill's death, a prominent British politician and statesman who served as Prime Minister during World War II.
  27. On January 21, 1977, President Jimmy Carter granted an unconditional pardon to those who evaded the Vietnam War draft in the United States, allowing them to be free from legal consequences for their actions.
  28. January 21, 2018, marked the first anniversary of the Women's March, a global protest advocating women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and environmental justice.

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