January 31, 1863 - An infantry regiment is mustered into the U.S. Army, officially becoming the first African-American regiment.

January 31, 1865 - The 13th Amendment to the Constitution is passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. It forbid slavery in the U.S. and all places subject to its jurisdiction.

January 31, 1919 - Jackie Robinson, first African-American professional baseball player, is born.

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January 31, 1944 - Allied forces invade the Marshall Islands, held by Japanese troops during most of World War II.

January 31, 1950 - U.S. scientists are ordered by President Truman to develop a hydrogen bomb based on nuclear fusion.

January 31, 1968 - The U.S. embassy in Saigon is occupied and controlled by Vietcong soldiers for six hours during the Tet Offensive.

January 31, 1971 - Apollo 14 is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Alan Shepard was making a return trip to the moon.

"A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works." -