Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, January 21, 2025. I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> January 21, 1976: First Commercial Concorde flight.

The Concorde, a supersonic commercial aircraft developed with British and French government funding, began regular service on this day in 1976, producing a sonic boom as it pierced the atmosphere.

Why this matters: The Concorde’s entry into regular service in 1976 marked a groundbreaking achievement in aviation, demonstrating the potential of supersonic travel for commercial use. With its unmatched speed, the Concorde significantly reduced transatlantic flight times, symbolizing a leap forward in technological innovation and international collaboration. Although its high operating costs and environmental concerns limited its accessibility and longevity, the Concorde set a benchmark for luxury and efficiency in air travel. 

Find out how much you know about the Concorde with this special quiz.

Notable Events

• January 21, 1977 - U.S. President Jimmy Carter unconditionally pardons hundreds of thousands of men who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War.

• January 21, 1846 - The first edition of Charles Dickens' newspaper, The Daily News, is published.

• January 21, 1903 - Harry Houdini escapes from the Halvemaansteeg police station in Amsterdam.

• January 21, 1921 - Agatha Christie debuts Hercule Poirot in her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

In partnership with Masters of Trivia
Knowledge Gamified

Masters of Trivia is gearing up to launch its utility token soon. Register for a FREE player account now so as not to miss out!

A recent New York Weekly article featured Dom Einhorn’s attempt to “Revolutionize Quizzing and Hyper-Targeted Advertising.” For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. An excerpt of the article reads:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from January 21 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: January 21, 1793 - A day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in Paris’s Place de la Révolution.

Lasting Significance: The execution of King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793, marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and the abolition of absolute monarchy in France. His death symbolized the end of centuries of divine-right rule and the assertion of popular sovereignty. It shocked monarchies across Europe, leading to heightened tensions and coalitions against revolutionary France. Domestically, it deepened divisions within France, fueling the Reign of Terror that followed. The king’s execution remains a powerful symbol of revolutionary fervor and the radical transformation of French society, laying the groundwork for modern concepts of citizenship, democracy, and governance.

2. Event: January 21, 2017 - Women’s March.

Lasting Significance: The Women’s March marked a watershed moment in modern activism, as millions worldwide rallied for gender equality, civil rights, and social justice. Sparked by concerns over policies anticipated under Donald Trump’s presidency, it highlighted widespread resistance to perceived threats to marginalized groups. The event galvanized a new era of grassroots movements, fostering political engagement and solidarity across diverse communities. Its legacy endures as a symbol of collective action and a reminder of the enduring fight for equality and representation in the political and social spheres.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• January 21, 1924 - Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and the Soviet Union's first head of state, dies of a brain hemorrhage at 54.

• January 21, 1905 - Fashion designer Christian Dior, founder of a globally renowned label, was born in Granville, France.

• January 21, 1996 - Cleanup of 1.8 million gallons of oil began near Block Island Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island, after the barge North Cape ran aground, creating a 12-mile oil slick.

Science & Discovery

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• January 21, 1677 - America’s first medical publication, a pamphlet on smallpox, was published in Boston.

• January 21, 1941 - The first commercial magnesium extraction from seawater takes place in Freeport, Texas.

• January 21, 1954 - The first gas turbine automobile is exhibited in New York City.

• January 21, 1954 - The USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, launches on the Thames River in Connecticut.

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• January 21, 1953 - Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, and visionary technologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist is born.

• January 21, 1934 - Gold reaches a record $161.31, and silver hits $3.97 an ounce in London.

• January 21, 1987 - B.B. King donates his 7,000-record collection to the University of Mississippi.

• January 21, 2008- Recession fears trigger Black Monday, with European stocks at their worst since 9/11 and Asian markets dropping up to 15%.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• January 21, 1990 - John McEnroe disqualified from the Australian Open for misconduct.

• January 21, 1963- Hakeem Olajuwon, a legendary Nigerian-American basketball player, is born.

• January 21, 1940 - Jack Nicklaus is born. Known as the "Golden Bear," a legendary golfer and a record 18-time major championship winner, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time.

In the Arts Today

• January 21, 1941 - Spanish operatic tenor Plácido Domingo, celebrated for his voice, stature, and dramatic talent, was born in Madrid.

• January 21, 1789 - America’s first novel, The Power of Sympathy by William Hill Brown, was published by Isaiah Thomas.

• January 21, 1941 - Spanish-born singer, Plácido Domingo, is born.

The Rest of the Story

• January 21, 1959 - Carl Dean Switzer, former child actor, dies at 31 during a fight, reportedly over money, in a Mission Hills, California home.

• January 21, 2009 - Toyota officially surpasses GM to become the world’s largest automaker.

• January 21, 1910 - Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West," opened in San Francisco Bay as a key entry point for Asian immigrants.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.