This Day in History

January 21st


1789 – The first American novel, The Power of Sympathy or the Triumph of Nature Founded in Truth, is printed in Boston, Massachusetts.

1908 – New York City passes the Sullivan Ordinance, making it illegal for women to smoke in public, only to have the measure vetoed by the mayor.

1924 – Vladimir Lenin dies; a lengthy power struggle emerges between Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin begins, culminating to the latter's consolidation of power c. 1928.

1968 – Vietnam War: Battle of Khe Sanh – One of the most publicized and controversial battles of the war begins.

2008 – The Eyak language in Alaska becomes extinct as its last native speaker dies.

Information provided by: Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.