January 29th

Today is the 29th day of the year. It is the birth anniversary (1880) of American vaudeville and movie comedian W.C. Fields. Although he made several silent movies, he became a star with the advent of sound films. Among his best-known films are Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, The Bank Dick, and My Little Chickadee with Mae West. Fields’ onscreen character was somewhat dishonest and fond of alcohol and tended to have an absurd-sounding name like “Edgar Souse” or “The Great McGonigle.” He originally broke into show business as a juggler, and his comic physical routines, such as his pool-table and golf stunts, sometimes made their way into his movies. \

Well-known people who were born today include actor John Forsythe, actress Katherine Ross, feminist author Germaine Greer, actor Tom Selleck and TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

January 28th

Today is the 28th day of the year. It is the anniversary of the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion. As millions watched on television, the Challenger exploded only about a minute into its flight, killing all seven people aboard. The U.S. space shuttle program was temporarily halted.

Well-known people who were born today include actor Alan Alda, actor John Beck, singer Sarah McLachlan, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and actor Elijah Wood.

January 27th

Today is the 27th day of the year. On this day in 1973, the U.S. and North Vietnam, along with representatives of South Vietnam and the Viet Cong, signed an agreement to end the Vietnam War. The war was responsible for more than one million combat deaths on all sides. However, within weeks of the departure of American troops, the war resumed. For the Vietnamese, the war didn’t end until April 30, 1975, when Communist troops conquered Saigon.

Well-known people who were born today include ballet dancer and actor Mikhail Baryshnikov (White Nights), actress Bridget Fonda (Single White Female) and U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts.