Today in history
A crew of observers on the Empire State Building is shown during the air defense tests begun January 21, 1941 in New York by the U.S. Army.
Their job is to spot "invading enemy" bombers and flash information to centers which order interceptor plane. The four day tests covered an 18,000-square-mile area in northeastern states.
Princess Elizabethe christens plane
Princess Elizabeth pours empire champagne over the nose of the British Overseas Airways Corporation flagship, "Elizabeth of England" during christening ceremonies at London Airport on January 21, 1947. The flagship is to fly the London-Montreal route.
Alger Hiss
Former State Department official Alger Hiss (L) and his wife, Priscilla, walk toward the entrance to the U.S. Courthouse in Foley Square, New York City as the jury deliberates on January 21, 1950. Hiss was found guilty on two perjury counts and sentenced to two concurrent five-year sentences.
In 1948, Hiss was accused by the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) of having been a member of the Communist party and of having handed official documents to the Soviet Union. Hiss couldn't be charged with espionage because the statute of limitations had expired.
Bonzo the movie star chimp
Bonzo, the movie star chimpanzee, makes like a director, sun glasses and all on January 21, 1951.
The educated simian is starring in a film entitled, appropriately, "Bedtime for Bonzo" in Hollywood.
Elvis Presley becomes a corporal
Elvis Presley, promoted to corporal on January 20, 1960 in Friedberg, Germany, where he leads a Jeep company in the 32nd American tank division, shows off his stripes on January 21 in his apartment in Bad Nauheim.
"Robert Q" computer
"Robert Q", a computer programmed to play chess, was beaten in its first competition with a human in the monthly Boylston Chess Club Tournament in Boston, January 21, 1967.
The computer was at MIT in Cambridge, Mass., while Carl Wagner, its opponent, made his moves at the YMCU, several miles away in Boston. The moves were relayed into the computer by teletype. Operating "Robert Q" is Allen Moulton, seated foreground, of Cumberland, Md., and R. William Gosper, right rear, of Pennsauken, N.J.
Colonel Sanders
Col. Harlan Sanders, who operates Kentucky Fried Chicken stands across the country, meets employees on a visit to the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, January 21, 1969. Sanders was in town for the company's convention.
First Boeing 747 commercial flight
A Pan Am Boeing 747 is seen just after landing at London's Heathrow airport, on January 21, 1970 after the first commercial flight for a 747. The Boeing 747, also called a "Jumbo Jet", entered service on January 21, 1970 on Pan Am's New York-London route.
On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the Everett assembly building before the world's press and representatives of the 26 airlines that had ordered the plane.
Gary Glitter
British glam rock star Gary Glitter on January 21, 1973 in London.
The disgraced rocker faced numerous charges for sex offenses, primarily paedophilia, starting in 1997 both in the UK and abroad, serving time in several cases.
Concorde maiden flight
Air France French-British supersonic jet-liner Concorde takes off on January 21, 1976 at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport for its first commercial flight to Rio de Janeiro.
Concorde maiden passenger flights took place on January 21, 1976, with British Airways flying from London Heathrow to Bahrain and Air France from Paris to Rio.
Hostages released
David Roeder shouts and waves as he arrives at Rhein-Main U.S. Air Force base in Frankfurt, West Germany from Algeria on January 21, 1981. He was among 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days after their capture at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The hostages were all released on January 20.
The Beach Boys at Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame
The Beach Boys hold their trophies after being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in New York, January 21, 1988. From left are Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson and Mike Love.
Al & Tipper Gore rock out
Vice President Al Gore plays the guitar as his wife Tipper dances during their visit to the Tennessee Inaugural Ball in Washington, January 21, 1993.
Northridge earthquake
A home in Pacific Palisades that fell down the side of a hill above Pacific Coast Highway is seen on January 21, 1994.
The Northridge earthquake struck January 17, killing 57 people and injuring more than 5,000.
Lorena Bobbitt
Lorena Bobbitt confers with her attorney, James Lowe, after the jury asked two questions as they deliberated in her malicious wounding trial at the Prince William County Courthouse in Manassa, VA, January 21, 1994.
Bobbitt faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted for cutting off her husband John's penis, which was later surgically re-attached. Lorena Bobbitt was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The couple divorced in 1995.
Kobe earthquake
A woman searches through the ashes of what once was her community January 21, 1995, in the Nagata area of Kobe, Japan.
Nearly two-square blocks burnt to the ground in this single fire on the morning the earthquake struck January 17.
The Kobe earthquake, the worst earthquake catastrophe in years, occurred on western Honshu Island. Up to 6,434 people lost their lives.
Pinochet extradition demand
Anti-Pinochet supporters demonstrate outside the House of Lords January 21, 1999 in London, as Amnesty International was due back in the House of Lords to restate its case for the extradition of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet to Spain to answer charges of crimes against humanity after his arrest British detention.
Seven Law Lords were re-hearing arguments for and against Pinochet's claim of sovereign immunity to prosecution for crimes committed during the time he was in office -- 1973-1990.
Pinochet's detention in London was the first time a former head of state was arrested based on universal jurisdiction. Though extradition was decided upon, Pinochet ended up released on health grounds.
Patty Hearst pardoned
President Bill Clinton pardoned Patty Hearst hours before he left office January 21, 2001.
Hearst, who was kidnapped February 4, 1974 by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army, claimed she was brainwashed by her kidnappers into helping them rob a bank.
This photo released by the FBI, taken from a security camera, shows Hearst, granddaughter of American tycoon Randolph Hearst, during a bank robbery in San Francisco April 17, 1974.