This Day In History : January 28

1986 United States

Space Shuttle Challenger Explodes During STS-51-L Mission

On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart shortly after liftoff during the STS-51-L mission, resulting in the tragic deaths of all seven astronauts on board. This disaster led to a reevaluation of space shuttle safety and had a profound impact on the Space Shuttle program.

Also on This Day in History January 28

Discover what happened on January 28 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, January 28
  • 1925 Raja Ramanna

    Indian nuclear physicist who was picked by Homi Nhabha to help shape India’s nuclear physics and energy programs.

  • 1903 Dame Kathleen Lonsdale

    British crystallographer (née Yardley) who developed several X-ray techniques for the study of crystal structure.

  • 1884 Auguste Piccard

    Swiss-Belgian physicist who explored both the upper stratosphere and the depths of the sea in ships of his own design.

  • 1858 Eugène Dubois

    Dutch anatomist and geologist who discovered the remains of Java man, the first known fossil of Homo erectus.

  • 1608 Giovanni Alfonso Borelli

    Italian mathematician, physiologist and physicist sometimes called “father of biomechanics.”

Deaths on This Day, January 28
  • 1986 Ronald E. McNair

    Ronald E(rwin) McNair was an American physicist and astronaut who was the second African American to fly in space.

  • 1963 Jean-Felix Piccard

    Swiss-American chemical engineer and balloonist who conducted stratospheric flights for the purpose of cosmic-ray research.

  • 1864 Benoit Clapeyron

    French engineer who expressed Sadi Carnot's ideas on heat analytically, with the help of graphical representations.

  • 1859 Carl Adolph Agardh

    Swedish botanist and mathematician whose Synopsis alagarum Scandinaviae of 1817 presented a new systematic survey of all algae.

  • 1993 Helen Hogg

    Helen Battles Sawyer Hogg was an American-Canadian astronomer who pioneered research into globular clusters and variable stars.

1613

Neptune

In 1613, Galileo may have unknowingly viewed the undiscovered planet of Neptune. His observing records show a "star" that doesn't appear in modern star catalogues.
1807

Street gas lights

In 1807, London Pall Mall became the first street of any city to be illuminated by gaslight. By 1823 nearly 40,000 lamps had been installed in 215 miles of London streets.
1624

Sir Thomas Warner Founds First British Colony in Caribbean

On January 28, 1624, Sir Thomas Warner founded the first British colony in the Caribbean on the island of Saint Kitts. This marked the beginning of British colonial presence in the region, influencing the cultural, economic, and political landscape of the Caribbean islands.
1935

Iceland Legalizes Therapeutic Abortion

On January 28, 1935, Iceland became the first Western country to legalize therapeutic abortion, marking a significant step in women's reproductive rights and healthcare. This decision allowed for abortion under medical supervision in cases where the mother's health or life was at risk.
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