Jan. 26, 1938

Tennessee passes nation’s
first prohibition law

1979

Dukes of Hazzard premiers

Jan. 27, 1888

National Geographic Society founded

1862

Lincoln orders armies

to advance

Jan. 28, 1959

Vince Lombardi hired as
Packers coach

1917

US ends search for

Poncho Villa

Jan. 29, 1936

Baseball Hall of Fame
elects first members

1915

German lieutenant

Erwin Rommel leads daring
mission in France

Jan. 30, 1948

Gandhi assassinated in

New Delhi

1835

Shots fired in the

House of Representatives

1994

Dan Jansen skates world record 500 meters

Jan. 31, 1950

Truman announces development of H-bomb

1990

First McDonald’s opens in Soviet Union

1971

Apollo 14 departs for

the moon

1995

Clinton authorizes loan

to Mexico

1917

Germans unleash

U-boats

On this day in 1965, the Shelby GT 350, a version of a Ford Mustang sports car developed by the American auto racer and car designer Carroll Shelby, is launched. The Shelby GT 350, which featured a 306 horsepower V8 engine, remained in production through the end of the 1960s and today is a valuable collector’s item.

The first Ford Mustang was officially unveiled at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York on April 17, 1964 by Henry Ford II. In its first year, 400,000 Mustangs were sold, far exceeding sales expectations. Over the ensuing decades, the Mustang has undergone numerous evolutions, but remains in production today with more than 9 million sold.

Shelby GT350 debutes

January 27, 1965

On this day in 1865, the US House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in America. The amendment read, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

In 1864, an amendment abolishing slavery passed the US Senate, but died in the House as Democrats rallied in the name of states’ rights. It appeared the amendment was sure to pass when the new Congress convened in March 1865. Lincoln preferred the amendment receive bipartisan support, but many Democrats still resisted. The amendment passed 119 to 56 and was sent to the states for ratification, which came in December 1865. With passage, the institution that had indelibly shaped American history was eradicated.

House passes the 13th Amendment

January 31, 1865

Challenger explodes as millions watch

January 28, 1986

AT 11:38 a.m. EST on this day, the space shuttle Challenger lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida and Christa McAuliffe is on her way to becoming the first ordinary US civilian to travel into space, McAuliffe, a 37 year old high school social studies teacher from New Hampshire, won a competition that earned her a place among the seven member crew. She underwent months of training, but was forced to wait six long days as the Challenger’s launch countdown was repeatedly delayed because of weather and technical problems. Finally, on January 28, the shuttle lifted off.

Seventy three seconds later, hundreds on the ground stared in disbelief as the shuttle exploded in a forking plume of smoke and fire. Millions more watched the tragedy unfold on live television. There were no survivors.

Clinton County Headlines: January 26, 1950 – Volume 1, #13

In Frankfort Monday in interest of new school building

Superintendent L. H. Robinson, along with school board members Tommy Tucker and Willard Conner, were in Frankfort Monday in the interest of a new school for Albany. They conferred with Cordie Young, Asst. Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Mr. Chilton of the Department of Finance.

Their plans were approved by the Department of Finance for a six-room, graded building.

Present plans call for a six-room, one story brick building to be built facing the Burkesville Highway if approved by the department of public instruction.

Allie Thrasher wins spelling bee

The Clinton County Spelling Bee held at the high school Friday was won by Miss Allie Thrasher, seventh grade student of the Lettered Oak school. Her teacher is Miss Elizabeth Mullins. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Thrasher. Miss Thrasher will receive $10 for her accomplishment.

Runner-up was Miss Eva Marcum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Marcum. She is an eighth grade student at Davis school and her teacher is Mrs. Wanda Vitatoe.

Miss Marcum misspelled the word ‘certainty’, Miss Thrasher correctly spelled the word ‘certainty’ and the next word ‘practice’ to win the Clinton County Spelling Bee.

Announcer was Miss Mary Ina Smith, a teacher at Clinton County High School. Judges were Mrs. Bessie Kennedy, Miss Emogene Mullins, and Mr. Otha Sidwell.