January 26th Major News Events

1965 India Hindi

Hindi becomes the official language of India.

1968 Switzerland Avalanche

1968 : Millions of tons of ice and wet snow tumbled rapidly down from the peaks of Swiss Alps. Casualties and damage occurred in an area of over 120 miles right in the midst of central Europe. At least 15 people had died as a result, as reported two days later, and at least 13 more people were yet to be found.

The fear as of this report was that there were actually hundreds more that were dead or missing than those confirmed. Roads and railways were blocked, and it was speculated that thousands of visitors and tourists were isolated in villages and resorts.

1969 Czechoslovakia Student Unrest

Violence erupts after police using truncheons and tear gas to disperse crowds gathered at the foot of the Wenceslas Statue, to pay tribute to Jan Palach, the student who burned himself to death in protest at the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia.

1972 Vietnam War

A recap was printed in a U.S. newspaper which revealed a summary of Nixon's Eight-Point plan to end the Vietnam War. One of the actions revealed in this recount of Nixon's plan was that of an action proposed eight months prior to this time.

The plan presented eight months prior was a plea for the release of all prisoners of war in exchange for U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. In addition to U.S. withdrawal, this plan also included an agreement that South Vietnam's Nguyen would step down come time for a new election.

It was also recorded in print on this day that Nixon had dispatched Henry Kissinger, his security advisor, to Paris at least a dozen times since August 4 , 1969. The reason for these attempted contacts was to make negotiations with North Vietnam.

In one news source, a quote by Nixon revealed what Nixon has said was the original withdrawal date from Vietnam-May 31, 1971. This plan was rejected by North Vietnam at the next private meeting which had taken plan on June 26th , only less than a month later.

Instead, North Vietnam made a counter nine-point offer that insisted that the U.S. overthrow the government of North Vietnam. If North Vietnam had accepted the United State's original

eight-point plan presented by Nixon, the U.S. troops would have withdrawn within six months and Indo-China cease-fire would have taken place.

1974 Australia Cyclone Wanda

Following unusualy high amounts of Rainfall in Queensland Australia causing rivers to be at maximum, and when Cyclone Wanda came ashore bringing even more rain significant portions of Brisbane covered by two feet of water.

1982 England Unemployment

Unemployment in the UK has risen above three million for the first time since the Thirties.

1995 Norway Missile Launch

Unexpected missile launch was detected near Norway by Russians early-warning defense radar system. This sudden missile launch occurred must a few minutes away from Moscow.

As it turns out, the missile was launched in Spitzbergen, Norway. The purpose of this launch was to carry out scientific measurements. Norway had actually notified 35 countries including Russia of this launch, but the Russian Defense Ministry had failed to report that information to early-warning defense personnel.

1998 Clinton / Lewinsky

1998: President Bill Clinton appears on American Television and denies having "sexual relations" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky

2001 India Earthquake

An earthquake that registered 7.9 on the Richter scale destroyed the city of Bhuj, India claiming the lives of 20,000 people and could be felt as far away as 1,200 miles from the epicenter.

2005 Condoleezza Rice

President George W. Bush appoints Condoleezza Rice to the post of secretary of state, making her the highest ranking African-American woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet

2009 Iceland Banking System Collapses

All three of the Iceland's major banks collapse ( Glitnir bank, Landsbankinn and Kaupthing ) following their difficulties in refinancing their short-term debt and a run on deposits in the United Kingdom. The first signs of problems came in 2008 when Icesave the online arm of the Reykjavik-based Landsbankian that attracted deposits from thousands of British and Dutch consumers collapsed. The Collapse forces the Prime Minister to Resign and the new Prime Minister Johanna Siguroardottir is appointed on February 1st

2010 France’s partial ban on the burqa

2010: A French parliamentary committee's report on a partial ban of the burqa, or full Islamic veil, has been made public. The report proposes to ban the burqa from public schools, hospitals, government offices and transport systems. It said that the veil was an affront to French values: 'The wearing of the full veil is a challenge to our republic. This is unacceptable.' President Sarkozy had already said that the veil was 'not welcome in France' and was a symbol of the 'subservience of women.' The public agree that it is not in line with the French Republic’s core value of equality.

2011 Toyota Recalls 1,700,000 Cars

Nearly two million cars are recalled by the Japanese carmaker Toyota. The recall was initiated after reports that cracks may develop on fuel pipes leading to fuel leaks. Toyota recalled nearly twelve million cars in less than two years, tarnishing its reputation, especially in the United States.

 

2013 Zeman Wins Czech Republic Presidential Race

Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman won the Presidential election in the country. The vote was decided by direct popular vote for the first time in the country.

2014 Pope's Doves Attacked

2014 : Two white "Peace" doves released by Pope Francis were attacked by a seagull and crow shortly after being set free. Thousands of people witnessed the attacks as they had been observing the Pope's Angelus prayer.