This Day In History : January 14

1950 Russian Federation

First Prototype of the MiG-17 Makes Maiden Flight

On January 14, 1950, the first prototype of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighter jet took to the skies for its maiden flight. Designed as an improvement over its predecessor, the MiG-15, the MiG-17 featured advanced aerodynamics and became a key aircraft in various air forces around the world during the Cold War era.

Also on This Day in History January 14

Discover what happened on January 14 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, January 14
  • 1913 Gerald Ford

    American politician, 38th President of the United States

  • 1943 Shannon Lucid

    Chinese astronaut (STS 51G, 34, 43, 58, 76/79)

  • 1890 Rolla N. Harger

    American toxicologist and biochemist who invented Drunkometer

  • 1684 Johann Matthias Hase

    German mathematician and astronomer

  • 1907 Derek Richter

    British neuroscientist (learning & memory)

Deaths on This Day, January 14
  • 1920 John Francis Dodge

    American businessman who co-founded the Dodge Automobile Company

  • 1978 Kurt Gödel

    Austrian-American mathematician (Gödel's incompleteness theorems)

  • 1934 Paul Vieille

    French scientist who invented of smokeless powder

  • 1929 Fernand-Isidore Widal

    French physician and bacteriologist

  • 1874 Johann Philipp Reis

    German Physicist and Inventor who invented an early telephone before Bell

1794

First Successful Cesarean Section Performed in the U.S. by Elizabeth Hog Bennett

On January 14, 1794, Elizabeth Hog Bennett became the first woman in the United States to successfully give birth to a child by a Cesarean section. This historic medical achievement took place in the early years of the United States, marking a significant milestone in obstetric surgery.
1969

Soyuz 4 Launched; Successfully Rendezvous with Soyuz 5 Two Days Later

On January 14, 1969, the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 4 was launched, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. Two days later, it successfully rendezvoused and docked with Soyuz 5, allowing cosmonauts to transfer between the two spacecraft in space for the first time.
2005

Huygens Probe Lands on Saturn's Moon Titan

On January 14, 2005, the Huygens probe successfully landed on Saturn's moon Titan. This historic event marked the first time a spacecraft had landed on Titan, providing unprecedented data and images of its surface and atmosphere.
1639

1st Connecticut constitution (Fundamental Orders) adopted in Hartford

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were adopted on 14 January 1639, and the document has been referred to as the world's first written constitution. At the urging of influential preacher Thomas Hooker, the Connecticut legislative body (or General Court) began secret committee meetings to discuss drafting the orders in June 1638. The Council completed its efforts by the beginning of 1639, and the Fundamental Orders became the cornerstone of government in Connecticut soon after.
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