Jan. 31, 1940 - The first Social Security check was issued by the U.S. Government.

Jan. 30, 1933 - "The Lone Ranger" was heard on radio for the first time. The program ran for 2,956 episodes and ended in 1955.

Jan. 29, 1936 - The first members of baseball's Hall of Fame were named in Cooperstown, NY.

Jan. 28, 1956 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on national television on "The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show" on CBS.

Jan. 27, 1888 - The National Geographic Society was founded in Washington, DC.

Jan. 26, 1934 - The Apollo Theatre opened in New York City.

Jan. 25, 1981 - The 52 Americans held hostage by Iran for 444 days arrived in the United States.

Jan. 24, 1848-James W. Marshall discovered a gold nugget at Sutter's Mill in northern California. The discovery led to the gold rush of '49.
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Jan. 23, 1986 - The first annual induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was held.

Jan. 22, 1983 - Juice Newton performed "Heart of the Night" and "Queen of Hearts" on "American Bandstand."

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Jan. 21, 1954 - The Nautilus was launched in Groton, CT. It was the first atomic-powered submarine.

Jan. 20, Jan. 20, 1964 - The album "Meet the Beatles" was released in the U.S. on Capitol Records.

Jan. 19, 1883 - Thomas Edison's first village electric lighting system using overhead wires began operation in Roselle, NJ.
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Jan. 18, 1911 - An aircraft landed on a ship for the first time. Eugene B. Ely landed on the USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco harbor.

Jan. 17, Jan. 17, 1946 - The United Nations Security Council held its first meeting.
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Jan. 16, 1919 - The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It prohibited the sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages.
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Jan. 15, 1967 - The first Super Bowl was played. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.
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Jan. 14, 1784 - The United States ratified a peace treaty with England ending the Revolutionary War.

Jan. 13, 1794 - President Washington approved adding two stars and two stripes to the U.S. flag for Vermont and Kentucky joining the union.

Jan. 12, 1896 - At Davidson College, several students took x-ray photographs. They were the first to be made in America.
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Jan. 11, 1902 - "Popular Mechanics" magazine was published for the first time.

Jan. 10, 1964 - The Beatles' first U.S. album, "Introducing The Beatles," was released.
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Jan. 9, 1929 - The Seeing Eye was incorporated in Nashville, TN. The company's purpose was to train dogs to guide the blind.

Jan. 7, 1953 - U.S. President Harry Truman announced the development of the hydrogen bomb.

Jan. 6, 1968 - Gibson patented its Flying V electric guitar.

1925 - Mrs. Nellie Taylor Ross was sworn in as the governor of Wyoming She was the first female governor in the U.S.
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Jan. 4, 1850 - The first American ice-skating club was organized in Philadelphia, PA.

Jan. 3, 1888 - The drinking straw was patented by Marvin C. Stone.

Jan 2, 1879 - Thomas Edison began construction on his first generator.

Jan. 1, 1772 - The first traveler's checks were issued in London.