This Day in History: January 20, 2024
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1801
John Marshall was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
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1841
As a result of the First Opium War, Hong Kong was ceded to the British.
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1885
LaMarcus A. Thompson of Coney Island patented the roller coaster.
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1942
The Nazis formulated their "Final Solution" regarding the Jews at the Wannsee Conference.
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1964
The Beatles released their first album in the United States, Meet the Beatles.
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1981
President Reagan became the oldest president to take office (69 years and 349 days).
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1986
Martin Luther King, Jr., day was celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time.
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2009
Hundreds of thousands of people watched in front of the Capitol as President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are sworn into office. Obama makes history as the first African-American U.S. president.
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2012
Singer Etta James died less than a week before her 74th birthday.
