January 26 in History

• 1788

  January 26, 1788:

  The first group of Europeans made up of Captain Arthur Philips and British convicts, arrive in Australia.

• 1926

  January 26, 1926:

  Scottish inventor John Logie Baird publicly demonstrates the television for the first time.

• 1950

  January 26, 1950:

  India achieves a Republic status as a nation fully independent from British colonial rule.

• 1979

  January 26, 1979:

  The action-comedy television series, “The Dukes of Hazzard” makes its premiere on CBS.

• 1986

  January 26, 1986:

  The Chicago Bears defeat the New England Patriots to become Super Bowl XX champions.

• 1988

  January 26, 1988:

  “The Phantom of the Opera”, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber opens in New York City.

• 1998

  January 26, 1998:

  US President Bill Clinton denies having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky.

• 2001

  January 26, 2001:

  An earthquake hits the surrounding area of Bhuj, Gujarati in India and kills approximately 20,000 people.

• 2006

  January 26, 2006:

  TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey confronts author James Frey about inaccuracies and embellishments in his memoir, “A Million Little Pieces” during the latter’s appearance on her show.

• 2020

  January 26, 2020:

  A helicopter with eight people on board, including retired basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter crashes, killing all of them.