A Look Back: In 2017, Donald Trump Takes Oath as 45th President of the United States

Today’s Historical Highlights: A Glimpse into January 20

In the year 1937, something unique unfolded in American history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt broke tradition, becoming the first president to be inaugurated on January 20, departing from the customary March 4 date.

Now, let's take a closer look at some notable events that happened on this day throughout history:

In 1801, President John Adams nominated John Marshall, then Secretary of State, to become the chief justice of the United States.

Fast forward to 1841, and we witness a significant geopolitical event. China ceded the island of Hong Kong to Great Britain, which only returned to Chinese control in July 1997.

In 1936, Britain faced a royal transition. King George V passed away after receiving a controversial injection from his physician. His son, Edward VIII, succeeded him but abdicated the throne just 11 months later to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.

In 1961, a big day happened when John F. Kennedy raised his hand and promised to do his best for the country. This made him the 35th President of the United States.

A cultural milestone occurred in 1964 when Capitol Records released the iconic album "Meet the Beatles!"

In 1981, Iran released 52 Americans held hostage for a staggering 444 days, coinciding with the transition from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan's presidency.

The fight for civil rights was officially honored in the United States in 1986 with the observation of the first federal holiday dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.

January 20, 2009, marked another significant moment as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President and the first African American to hold the office.

A decade later, in 2017, Donald Trump took the oath as the 45th President, emphasizing his commitment to empower America's "forgotten men and women."

In 2020, Chinese experts confirmed human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus, marking a critical point in the unfolding global health crisis.

Tragically, in 2022, the world bid farewell to Meat Loaf, the rock superstar known for his iconic "Bat Out of Hell" album and anthems like "Paradise By the Dashboard Light."

Now, let's celebrate some birthdays:

Buzz Aldrin, the former astronaut, turns 94 today.

Jumping to a different scene, imagine gliding on the ice and winning a gold medal. That's exactly what figure skater Carol Heiss did. She's celebrating her 84th birthday, and we can imagine her still gracefully gliding through life.

Rock musician Paul Stanley (KISS) celebrates his 72nd birthday.

Comedian Bill Maher turns 68.

Actor Rainn Wilson marks his 58th birthday.

Now, let's turn our attention to another person making an impact but in the world of diplomacy. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is hitting a milestone, turning 52. That's a noteworthy achievement in a career focused on international relations.

These are just a few glimpses into the rich tapestry of history and the lives of those who have left a lasting impact on this date, January 20.