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Historical events & facts — January 31
What happened on January 31?
On January 31, 1958, the United States launched Explorer 1, its first artificial satellite, in response to the Soviet Sputnik launched four months earlier. Explorer 1 discovered the Van Allen radiation belts — the first major scientific findings of the space age. The launch marked the true beginning of American participation in the space race.
On January 31, 1943, Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered with the German 6th Army to the Red Army at Stalingrad, ending a six-month battle that was the turning point of World War II on the Eastern Front. More than 800,000 Axis soldiers died in the battle — the greatest military disaster in German history.
On January 31, 1797, Austrian composer Franz Schubert was born in Vienna — one of the greatest exponents of musical Romanticism. In his mere 31 years of life he composed more than 600 lieder (songs for voice and piano), 9 symphonies, 15 string quartets and a vast body of piano works. His Unfinished Symphony and the Trout quintet rank among the most beloved works in the classical repertoire.
Notable birthdays — January 31
Famous people born on January 31
Shastriji Maharaj
Shastriji Maharaj, born Dungar Patel and ordained Shastri Yagnapurushdas, was a swami of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and founder of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). Several branches accept him as the third spiritual successor of Swaminarayan in the lineage of Aksharbrahma Gurus through whom Swaminarayan manifests, which began with Gunatitanand Swami.
Alan Lomax
Alan Lomax was an American ethnomusicologist, best known for his numerous field recordings of folk music during the 20th century. He was a musician, folklorist, archivist, writer, scholar, political activist, oral historian, filmmaker and son of folklorist John Lomax. Lomax produced recordings, concerts, and radio shows in the U.S.
Julian Wojtkowski
Julian Andrzej Antoni Wojtkowski was a Polish Roman Catholic prelate and theologian, who served as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Warmia from 1969 until his resignation in 2004. He also held the titular see of Murustaga.
Franz Ceska
Franz Ceska was an Austrian diplomat. He was the ambassador to Belgium from 1982 to 1988, permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva from 1988 to 1991, secretary general of the Federation of Austrian Industry from 1992 to 1997, and ambassador to France from 1997 to 2001.
James G. Watt
James Gaius Watt was an American lawyer, lobbyist, and civil servant who served as Secretary of the Interior in the Ronald Reagan administration from 1981 to 1983. He was described as "anti-environmentalist" and was one of Ronald Reagan's most controversial cabinet appointments.
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