January 31

What happened on January 31 in history

4 events fall on January 31, from 1865 to 1990. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

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Events on January 31

  1. 1865

    Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment

    The House votes to abolish slavery and sends the amendment to the states.

    Play the 19th century round

  2. 1958

    Explorer 1 is launched

    America's first satellite discovers the Van Allen radiation belts.

    Play the 20th century round

  3. 1971

    Apollo 14 launches

    Alan Shepard's return to space will end with a golf shot on the Moon.

    Play the 20th century round

  4. 1990

    The first McDonald's opens in Moscow

    Queues stretch around Pushkin Square on the day fast food reaches the USSR.

    Play the 20th century round