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Major Events of January 2021: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from January 2021 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of January 2021: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Jan 2021 US Senate Overrides Trump's Veto of Defense Bill: In a significant legislative moment, the United States Senate voted 81–13 to override President Donald Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This marked the first successful veto override during Trump's presidency, demonstrating a rare bipartisan consensus on national defense spending and legislative priorities.
  • 02 Jan 2021 Trump Pressures Georgia Secretary of State During Election Dispute: In a controversial phone call recorded and released by the Washington Post, then-US President Donald Trump directly pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' 11,780 votes, which would have been enough to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election results. The call, which raised significant legal and ethical concerns, highlighted the intense dispute surrounding the presidential election outcome.
  • 03 Jan 2021 Syrian Civil War: Islamic State Ambush Kills Nine: Islamic State insurgents conducted a deadly ambush on buses traveling along a highway in central Syria, killing nine people and wounding 16 others.
  • 04 Jan 2021 First COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in UK: 82-year-old Brian Pinker becomes the first person to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the general public rollout, marking a significant milestone in the United Kingdom's vaccination efforts.
  • 05 Jan 2021 Georgia Senate Runoff Eve Rallies: Biden and Trump Campaign: On the eve of the critical Georgia Senate runoff elections, President-elect Joe Biden and incumbent President Donald Trump held competing campaign rallies in the state. These runoff elections were pivotal in determining the balance of power in the United States Senate, with both Democratic candidates (Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff) challenging the Republican incumbents (Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue). The dueling rallies highlighted the intense political polarization and high stakes of these elections, which would ultimately decide the Senate's majority composition.
  • 06 Jan 2021 January 6 U.S. Capitol Insurrection: On January 6, 2021, a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., attempting to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. The unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy resulted in multiple deaths, numerous injuries, and significant damage to the Capitol building. Rioters breached security barriers, overwhelmed law enforcement, and temporarily halted the congressional proceedings to confirm Joe Biden's electoral victory.
  • 07 Jan 2021 Pro-Trump Mob Storms U.S. Capitol: On January 7, 2021, a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C., in an unprecedented attempt to disrupt the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. The insurrection represented a shocking breach of democratic processes, with rioters violently breaking into the Capitol, smashing windows, and forcing lawmakers to evacuate. Tragically, the chaos resulted in multiple deaths: one woman was fatally shot during the incident, and three others died from medical emergencies. Vice President Mike Pence was quickly moved to a secure location during the attack. Despite the violent interruption, Congress ultimately reconvened and certified Biden's electoral victory, and President Trump eventually committed to a peaceful transfer of power.
  • 08 Jan 2021 Twitter Permanently Bans Donald Trump: In an unprecedented move, Twitter permanently suspended US President Donald Trump's account due to concerns about potential further incitement of violence, marking a significant moment in social media platform governance and political communication.
  • 09 Jan 2021 COVID-19 Lockdown in China: Chinese authorities implement strict lockdown measures in the cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai after detecting over 130 COVID-19 cases, demonstrating China's continued aggressive approach to controlling virus transmission during the global pandemic.
  • 10 Jan 2021 Global COVID-19 Cases Exceed 90 Million: The worldwide confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed the 90 million mark, underscoring the global pandemic's continued spread and significant impact on public health.
  • 11 Jan 2021 US House Introduces Impeachment Article Against Trump: In an extraordinary political move following the January 6th Capitol riots, House Democrats introduce an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump, charging him with 'incitement of insurrection' for his role in encouraging supporters to storm the US Capitol, challenging the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
  • 12 Jan 2021 India Suspends Controversial Farm Laws After Massive Protests: In a significant legal and political development, India's Supreme Court intervened in the ongoing farmers' protest by putting three contentious agricultural reform laws on hold. These laws, which were intended to liberalize agricultural markets, had sparked widespread demonstrations by farmers across the country, particularly in the Delhi region. The court's decision came after weeks of intense protests, roadblocks, and public demonstrations by agricultural communities who argued that the laws would undermine their economic security and traditional farming practices.
  • 13 Jan 2021 Second Impeachment of Donald Trump: On January 13, 2021, the United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, charging him with 'incitement of insurrection' following the violent January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This historic event marked the first time in American history that a president was impeached twice, underscoring the unprecedented political tensions and constitutional challenges of the period.
  • 14 Jan 2021 Second Impeachment of Donald Trump: On January 14, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' following the violent January 6th Capitol riot. This historic event marked Trump as the first U.S. president to be impeached twice. The impeachment vote passed with 232 votes in favor and 197 against, with 10 Republican representatives joining the Democratic majority in holding Trump accountable for his role in the events leading to the assault on the U.S. Capitol. The impeachment was a direct response to Trump's actions that allegedly encouraged his supporters to disrupt the congressional certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.
  • 15 Jan 2021 Global COVID-19 Death Toll Exceeds 2 Million: The worldwide death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic surpassed 2 million, with experts suggesting the true number is likely much higher. This grim milestone underscored the global pandemic's devastating impact on human life.
  • 16 Jan 2021 India Launches Massive COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign: India initiated its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program, targeting its massive population of 1.3 billion people. This was a critical public health effort to combat the global pandemic, representing one of the largest vaccination campaigns in human history.
  • 17 Jan 2021 Alexey Navalny Arrested Upon Return to Russia: Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was immediately arrested upon his return to Moscow on January 17, 2021, after recovering from a near-fatal nerve agent poisoning attributed to Russian state actors. His arrest came shortly after surviving a suspected assassination attempt by chemical weapons, highlighting the ongoing political tensions and suppression of dissent in Russia.
  • 18 Jan 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Martin Luther King Jr. Day was commemorated on January 18, 2021, honoring the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. This federal holiday is uniquely designated as a national day of service, encouraging Americans to engage in community volunteer work and reflect on Dr. King's principles of equality, justice, and social progress. The day embodies the philosophy of 'a day on, not a day off,' motivating citizens to actively contribute to positive social change and continue Dr. King's mission of racial harmony and social justice.
  • 19 Jan 2021 Donald Trump's Presidential Farewell Address: On January 19, 2021, President Donald Trump delivered his official farewell address from the White House, marking the end of his tumultuous four-year presidential term. In a notable break from tradition, Trump became the first incumbent president since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to not attend his successor Joe Biden's inauguration. During his address, Trump reflected on his administration's key achievements, emphasizing economic recovery efforts, tax reforms, judicial appointments, and what he considered significant healthcare policy changes. The speech was delivered against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the January 6th Capitol riots and Trump's unprecedented second impeachment.
  • 20 Jan 2021 Biden Presidential Inauguration and Historic Milestones: Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021. At 78 years old, he became the oldest person ever to assume the presidency. In a groundbreaking moment, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first female Vice President of the United States, marking a significant milestone in American political history.
  • 21 Jan 2021 Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's First Press Briefing: On January 21, 2021, Press Secretary Jen Psaki conducted her inaugural press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, marking a significant moment in the new Biden administration. During this pivotal press conference, Psaki addressed critical issues including the administration's COVID-19 vaccination strategy and provided updates and context regarding policy transitions from the previous administration. Her briefing signaled a new approach to governmental communication, emphasizing transparency and direct engagement with the media.
  • 22 Jan 2021 Biden Launches Comprehensive COVID-19 Response: President Joe Biden signs 10 executive orders to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including establishing a national testing board, supporting school reopenings, mandating quarantine for international travelers, and requiring masks on interstate transportation. These actions represent a significant shift in the federal pandemic response strategy.
  • 23 Jan 2021 Death of Larry King, Iconic Talk Show Host: Larry King, the legendary television broadcaster and interviewer who became synonymous with late-night talk shows, passed away on January 23, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Known for his distinctive suspenders, conversational interview style, and long-running CNN show 'Larry King Live', he interviewed thousands of celebrities, politicians, and public figures over a career spanning more than six decades. King was 87 years old at the time of his death, and the cause was reported as complications from COVID-19.
  • 24 Jan 2021 US Accuses China of Genocide Against Uyghur Muslims: On the final day of the Trump Administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially accused China of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims. The United States confirmed that approximately 2 million Uyghur Muslims and other minority Muslim groups have been detained in internment camps in the Xinjiang region. Despite China's vehement denials, the US maintained its stance on human rights violations, bringing international attention to the systematic persecution of the Uyghur population.
  • 25 Jan 2021 Trump's Second Impeachment Trial Formally Initiated: The article of impeachment against former U.S. President Donald Trump was brought to the United States Senate, officially triggering the trial scheduled to begin on February 8.
  • 26 Jan 2021 Trump Impeachment Article Delivered to Senate: House impeachment managers formally delivered the article of impeachment charging former President Donald J. Trump with 'incitement of insurrection' to the Senate. The solemn procession through the Capitol followed the violent January 6th insurrection, where a mob of Trump supporters attacked police, invaded lawmakers' offices, and temporarily disrupted the certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. The event resulted in five fatalities and represented an unprecedented challenge to the peaceful transfer of power in the United States.
  • 27 Jan 2021 Biden Accelerates COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Amid Pandemic Surge: President Biden announced significant steps to enhance vaccine distribution during a critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration purchased an additional 200 million vaccine doses from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, acknowledging that widespread vaccination would take months. The U.S. recorded its deadliest pandemic month in January 2021, with over 80,000 lives lost and global cases exceeding 100 million. Biden emphasized that masks remain the primary defense against the virus in the near term. A notable incident involved a Canadian couple who were fined for fraudulently obtaining vaccines intended for Indigenous elders.
  • 28 Jan 2021 Biden Signs Climate Executive Orders: President Biden signed comprehensive executive orders addressing climate change, emphasizing job creation, environmental protection, and racial equity. These orders signaled a significant shift in U.S. environmental and economic policy following the Trump administration.
  • 29 Jan 2021 GameStop Stock Experiences Volatile Trading: GameStop shares experienced dramatic price fluctuations following trading restrictions, becoming a focal point of a significant retail investor-driven market event.
  • 30 Jan 2021 Johnson & Johnson Reveals COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy: Johnson & Johnson announced promising clinical trial results, demonstrating their COVID-19 vaccine was 85 percent effective in preventing severe disease, offering hope in the global pandemic response.
  • 31 Jan 2021 Tigray War: Debretsion Gebremichael Speaks Out: Debretsion Gebremichael, the former Tigray Region president who went into hiding after the fall of Mekelle to Ethiopian federal forces in November 2020, breaks his silence. He declares that while the federal government has 'temporary military dominance', the Tigray forces remain committed to an 'extended resistance'. His precise location remains unknown, highlighting the ongoing complexity and tension of the Tigray conflict.