January 25 in history — What Happened Today in History
January 25 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on January 25 in history, who was born on January 25 and who passed away on January 25, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, January 25 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about January 25 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on January 25 in History 40
- 2019
A mining company's dam collapses in Brumadinho, Brazil, a south-eastern city, killing 270 people.
- 2018
An Ariane 5 rocket is launched carrying SES-14, Al Yah 3, and NASA's Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk, but the satellites end up in the wrong orbit.
- 2015
A clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in the Philippines kills 44 members of Special Action Force (SAF), at least 18 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and five from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
- 2013
At least 50 people are killed and 120 people are injured in a prison riot in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
- 2011
The first wave of the Egyptian revolution begins throughout the country, marked by street demonstrations, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, riots, labour strikes, and violent clashes.
- 2010
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Na'ameh, Lebanon, killing 90.
- 2006
Mexican professional wrestler Juana Barraza is arrested in connection with the serial killing of at least ten elderly women.
- 2005
A stampede at the Mandhradevi temple in Maharashtra, India kills at least 258.
- 2003
Invasion of Iraq: A group of people leave London, England, for Baghdad, Iraq, to serve as human shields, intending to prevent the U.S.-led coalition troops from bombing certain locations.
- 1999
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hits western Colombia killing at least 1,000.
- 1998
During a historic visit to Cuba, Pope John Paul II demands political reforms and the release of political prisoners while condemning US attempts to isolate the country.
- 1998
A suicide attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on Sri Lanka's Temple of the Tooth kills eight and injures 25 others.
All entries for January 25(+28)
- 1996
Billy Bailey becomes the last person to be hanged in the United States.
- 1995
The Norwegian rocket incident: Russia almost launches a nuclear attack after it mistakes Black Brant XII, a Norwegian research rocket, for a US Trident missile.
- 1994
The spacecraft Clementine by BMDO and NASA is launched.
- 1993
Five people are shot outside the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Two are killed and three wounded.
- 1990
Avianca Flight 052 crashes in Cove Neck, New York, killing 73.
- 1986
The National Resistance Movement topples the government of Tito Okello in Uganda.
- 1980
Mother Teresa is honored with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
- 1979
Pope John Paul II starts his first official papal visits outside Italy to The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
- 1971
Charles Manson and four "Family" members (three of them female) are found guilty of the 1969 Tate–LaBianca murders.
- 1971
Idi Amin leads a coup deposing Milton Obote and becomes Uganda's president.
- 1969
Brazilian Army captain Carlos Lamarca deserts in order to fight against the military dictatorship, taking with him ten machine guns and 63 rifles.
- 1967
South Vietnamese junta leader and Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky fires rival, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Nguyen Huu Co, while the latter is overseas on a diplomatic visit.
- 1964
Blue Ribbon Sports, which would later become Nike, is founded by University of Oregon track and field athletes.
- 1961
In Washington, D.C., US President John F. Kennedy delivers the first live presidential television news conference.
- 1961
Walt Disney Productions released the animated feature One Hundred and One Dalmatians, based on Dodie Smith's 1956 children's novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians.
- 1960
The National Association of Broadcasters in the United States reacts to the "payola" scandal by threatening fines for any disc jockeys who accept money for playing particular records.
- 1949
The first Emmy Awards are presented in the United States; the venue is the Hollywood Athletic Club.
- 1947
Thomas Goldsmith Jr. files a patent for a "Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device", the first ever electronic game.
- 1946
The United Mine Workers rejoins the American Federation of Labor.
- 1946
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1 relating to Military Staff Committee is adopted.
- 1945
World War II: The Battle of the Bulge ends.
- 1942
World War II: Thailand declares war on the United States and United Kingdom.
- 1941
Pope Pius XII elevates the Apostolic Vicariate of the Hawaiian Islands to the dignity of a diocese. It becomes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.
- 1937
The Guiding Light debuts on NBC radio from Chicago. In 1952 it moves to CBS television, where it remains until September 18, 2009.
- 1932
Second Sino-Japanese War: The Chinese National Revolutionary Army begins the defense of Harbin.
- 1932
Alt Llobregat insurrection suppressed in Central Catalonia, Spain.
- 1924
The 1924 Winter Olympics opens in Chamonix, in the French Alps, inaugurating the Winter Olympic Games.
- 1918
The Ukrainian People's Republic declares independence from Soviet Russia.
Famous Birthdays on January 25 in History 25
- 2004
Laila Edwards, American ice hockey player
- 2002
Lil Mosey, American rapper
- 2001
Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Italian tennis player
- 1997
Noah Hanifin, American ice hockey player
- 1996
Mohamed Hany, Egyptian footballer
- 1996
Seunghee, South Korean singer and television personality
- 1996
Adama Traoré, Spanish footballer
- 1991
Ariana DeBose, American actress, singer, and dancer
- 1991
Ahmed Hegazi, Egyptian footballer
- 1990
Apostolos Giannou, Greek-Australian footballer
- 1990
Lee Jun-ho, South Korean singer and actor
- 1988
Tatiana Golovin, French tennis player
All entries for January 25(+13)
- 1988
Ryota Ozawa, Japanese actor
- 1987
Maria Kirilenko, Russian tennis player
- 1986
Chris O'Grady, English footballer
- 1985
Brent Celek, American football player
- 1985
Hwang Jung-eum, South Korean actress
- 1985
Tina Karol, Ukrainian singer and Eurovision Song Contest 2006 contestant
- 1985
Acie Law, American basketball player
- 1985
Hartley Sawyer, American actor
- 1985
Michael Trevino, American actor
- 1985
Patrick Willis, American football player
- 1984
Jay Briscoe, American wrestler (died 2023)
- 1984
Stefan Kießling, German footballer
- 1984
Robinho, Brazilian footballer
Notable Deaths on January 25 in History 25
- 2025
Gloria Romero, Filipino actress (born 1933)
- 2024
Sanath Nishantha, Sri Lankan politician (born 1975)
- 2018
Neagu Djuvara, Romanian historian, essayist, philosopher, journalist, novelist and diplomat (born 1916)
- 2017
Stephen P. Cohen, Canadian academic (born 1945)
- 2017
Robert Garcia, American politician (born 1933)
- 2017
John Hurt, English actor (born 1940)
- 2017
Harry Mathews, American novelist and poet (born 1930)
- 2017
Marcel Prud'homme, Canadian politician (born 1934)
- 2017
Mary Tyler Moore, American actress and producer (born 1936)
- 2015
John Leggett, American author and academic (born 1917)
- 2015
Richard McBrien, American priest, theologian, and academic (born 1936)
- 2015
Bill Monbouquette, American baseball player and coach (born 1936)
All entries for January 25(+13)
- 2015
Demis Roussos, Egyptian-Greek singer (born 1946)
- 2014
Arthur Doyle, American singer-songwriter, saxophonist, and flute player (born 1944)
- 2014
Heini Halberstam, Czech-English mathematician and academic (born 1926)
- 2014
Dave Strack, American basketball player and coach (born 1923)
- 2014
Morrie Turner, American cartoonist (born 1923)
- 2013
Martial Asselin, Canadian lawyer and politician, 25th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (born 1924)
- 2013
Kevin Heffernan, Irish footballer and manager (born 1929)
- 2013
Aase Nordmo Løvberg, Norwegian soprano and actress (born 1923)
- 2012
Paavo Berglund, Finnish violinist and conductor (born 1929)
- 2012
Jacques Maisonrouge, French businessman (born 1924)
- 2012
Franco Pacini, Italian astrophysicist and academic (born 1939)
- 2012
Robert Sheran, American lawyer, judge, and politician (born 1916)
- 2011
Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos Greek captain and businessman (born 1935)
That is the story of January 25 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on January 25 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on January 25 in history?
The biggest event on January 25 in history is: 2019 — A mining company's dam collapses in Brumadinho, Brazil, a south-eastern city, killing 270 people.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on January 25?
25 famous people were born on January 25 in history, the best known being 2004 — Laila Edwards, American ice hockey player.
Who died on January 25?
25 notable people died on January 25 in history, including 2025 — Gloria Romero, Filipino actress (born 1933).
Why should I read about January 25 in history?
Exploring January 25 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
Browse the January calendar
Take a random trip through time
What happened on your birthday?
Enter your date of birth and travel back to the day you were born.