January 26 - The Day in History

January 26 : General Interest 1788: Australia Day On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia... read more American Revolution 1779 : Engagement at Burke County Jail http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/engagement-at-burke-county-jail Automotive 1979 : "The Dukes of Hazzard" premieres http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-dukes-of-hazzard-premieres Civil War 1863 : Joseph Hooker takes over the Army of the Potomac http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/joseph-hooker-takes-over-the-army-of-the-potomac Cold War 1980 : U.S. Olympic Committee votes against Moscow games http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-olympic-committee-votes-against-moscow-games Crime 1788 : First Australian penal colony established http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-australian-penal-colony-established 1936 : So-called Mad Butcher terrorizes Cleveland http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/so-called-mad-butcher-terrorizes-cleveland Disaster 1974 : Cyclone Wanda causes flooding in Australia http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cyclone-wanda-causes-flooding-in-australia General Interest 1500 : Pinzon discovers Brazil http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pinzon-discovers-brazil 1838 : Tennessee passes nation's first prohibition law http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tennessee-passes-nations-first-prohibition-law 1939 : Franco captures Barcelona http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/franco-captures-barcelona 1950 : Republic of India born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/republic-of-india-born Hollywood 1934 : Sam Goldwyn buys rights to The Wizard of Oz http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sam-goldwyn-buys-rights-to-the-wizard-of-oz Literary 2006 : Oprah Winfrey takes James Frey to task for lying http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/oprah-winfrey-takes-james-frey-to-task-for-lying Music 1962 : "The Twist" ends record-setting run http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/quotthe-twistquot-ends-record-setting-run Old West 1875 : Pinkertons maim Frank and Jesse James' mother http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pinkertons-maim-frank-and-jesse-james-mother Presidential 1961 : Kennedy appoints first female presidential physician http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kennedy-appoints-first-female-presidential-physician 2005 : Bush appoints Rice as secretary of state http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bush-appoints-rice-as-secretary-of-state Sports 1986 : Bears beat Patriots in Super Bowl XX http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bears-beat-patriots-in-super-bowl-xx Vietnam War 1970 : POW spends 2,000th day in captivity http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pow-spends-2000th-day-in-captivity 1972 : North Vietnam rejects U.S. peace proposal http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/north-vietnam-rejects-us-peace-proposal World War I 1918 : Ukraine declares its independence http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ukraine-declares-its-independence World War II 1945 : Audie Murphy wounded http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/audie-murphy-wounded 1945 : Soviets liberate Auschwitz http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-liberate-auschwitz

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Shop ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find your favorite shows from HISTORY on DVD Shop our store today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Magazine ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you enjoy American History? If so, please consider subscribing to The History Channel Magazine. Learn insights into the significant events that helped shape America's past. Try the club today!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From our A+E Networks Family ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIO.com has made big changes! Check out our On This Day site for exclusive, new videos about the famous people who have made history in politics, sports, entertainment and more. BIO has also added brand new content, including more than 1,500 groups, over 300 new biographies, and dozens of new photo galleries. Plus, see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons, from Barack Obama to Lady Gaga, when you sign in to BIO.com via Facebook! See all these great features and more when you visit the all-new BIO.com.