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JANUARY 19 | Birthdays and Events

3 min. read
January 19, 2025 2:22 pm CST

Notable Birthdays for January 19

James Morris III (1752-1820) - Founder of the Morris Academy and a pioneer of co-education higher education.

Sarah Helen Whitman (1803-1878) - Poet and romantic interest of Edgar Allan Poe.

Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) - General of the Confederate Army.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) - Short story writer and considered one of the greatest poets of all time.

Rudolf Wanderone (1913-1996) - Professional pocket billiards player. 

John H. Johnson (1918-2005) - Founder of the Johnson Publishing Company.

Guy Madison (1922-1996) - Actor best remembered for his role as Wild Bill in The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.

Jean Stapleton (1923-2013) - Actress known for her award-winning role as Edith Bunker in All In the Family.

Nicholas Colasanto (1924-1985) - Actor fondly remembered for his funny role as Ernie in Cheers.

Tippi Hedren (1930-Still Living) - Model who graced the covers for Life and Glamour magazines.

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (1936-2011) - Musician who made the harmonica a part of mainstream music.

Janis Joplin (1943-1970) - Singer of Me and Bobby McGee and Piece of My Heart.

Thom Mayne (1944-Still Living) - Architect who designed the San Francisco Federal Building.

Dolly Parton (1946-Still Living) - Famous country singer.

Paula Deen (1947-Still Living) - Chef well-recognized from the Food Network.

Bruce Jay Nelson (1952-1999) - Computer scientist who invented the remote Procedure Call Concept for computer network communications.

Desi Arnaz Jr. (1953-Still Living) - Actor and son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Thomas Kinkade (1958-2012) - One of the first artists who successfully mass marketed his works as  of his work as printed reproductions. 

Whitfield Crane (1968-Still Living) - Singer-songwriter and founder founding member of the rock band Ugly Kid Joe.

Memorable Events for January 19

1871 - The first "Negro" lodge of Masons is approved in NJ.

1883 - The first electric lighting system begins service in NJ.

1886 - The Ski club in the U.S. is founded in MN.

1920 - The U.S. Senate votes against joining the League of Nations.

1920 - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is founded.

1922 - A geological survey says the oil supply in the U.S. will be depleted within 20 years.

1935 - The first men's brief called the Jockey sells in Chicago.

1937 - Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from LA to NY City (7 hours and 28 minutes).

1953 - More than 72% of people in the U.S. tune in to watch Lucy give birth on I Love Lucy.

1955 - The first Presidential news conference filmed is for television.

1981 - Muhammad Ali talks a 21-year-old out of committing suicide.