January 28

January 28: This Day in History

• 1077— Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV stood barefoot in the snow at Canossa to seek absolution from Pope Gregory VII.
• 1547— King Henry VIII of England died at Whitehall Palace in London at age 55.
• 1878— The first commercial telephone exchange in the United States opened in New Haven, Connecticut.
• 1986— The Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members.

Famous Birthdays on January 28

• Jackson Pollock (1912) — Abstract Expressionist painter known for drip painting
• Alan Alda (1936) — actor and writer known for M*A*S*H
• Elijah Wood (1981) — actor known for playing Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings
• Nick Carter (1980) — pop singer and member of the Backstreet Boys
• Rick Ross (1976) — rapper and hip-hop mogul

What Happens on January 28?

Did You Know? January 28 Fun Facts

• The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, was watched live by millions of schoolchildren because teacher Christa McAuliffe was among the crew.
• Jackson Pollock, born January 28, 1912, revolutionized abstract art with his drip technique, pouring and dripping paint directly onto canvas on the floor.
• Henry VIII, who died on January 28, 1547, had six wives and broke England from the Catholic Church, founding the Church of England in the process.

Count Down to Events on January 28

• How many days until Big Bash League Final?
• How many days until Big Bash League Final?