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Today in History: January 21

1189
Philip Augustus, Henry II of England and Frederick Barbarossa assemble the troops for the Third Crusade.

1648
In Maryland, the first woman lawyer in the colonies, Margaret Brent, is denied a vote in the Maryland Assembly.

1785
Chippewa, Delaware, Ottawa and Wyandot Indians sign the treaty of Fort McIntosh, ceding present-day Ohio to the United States.

1790
Joseph Guillotine proposes a new, more humane method of execution: a machine designed to cut off the condemned person's head as painlessly as possible.

1793
The French King Louis XVI is guillotined for treason.

1921
J.D. Rockefeller pledges $1 million for the relief of Europe's destitute.

1941
The United States lifts the ban on selling arms to the Soviet Union.

1968
In Vietnam, the Siege of Khe Sanh begins as North Vietnamese units surround U.S. Marines based on the hilltop headquarters.

1974
The U.S. Supreme Court decides that pregnant teachers can no longer be forced to take long leaves of absence.

1976
The Concorde supersonic jet begins commercial flights With two scheduled routes, London-Bahrain and Paris-Rio, the Concorde begins ferrying commercial customers at 1,350 miles per hour, breaking the sound barrier and reducing transcontinental travel time by roughly half.

1977
President Carter urges 65 degrees as the maximum heat in homes to ease the energy crisis.

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

2020
Revival of Charles Fuller's stage drama "A Soldier's Play, starring David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood at the American Airlines Theatre, NYC; run suspended dut to Covid-19 closures, wins 3 Tony Awards

2024
A 'deep freeze' - nearly two weeks of frigid winter storms across the US claim the lives of at least 70 people, with Oregon, Tennessee and Kentucky declaring states of emergency


Born on January 21

1824
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Confederate General.

1925
Benny Hill, British comedian.

JOTD

An Irish daughter had not been to the house for over five years. Upon her return, her father cussed her out, "Where have you been all this time, you ingrate! Why didn't you write us, not even a line to let us know how you were doing? Why didn't you call? You little tramp! Don't you know what you put your Mum through??!!"
The girl, crying, replied, "Sniff, sniff... Dad... I became a prostitute..."
The father was furious. "WHAT!!? Out of here, you shameless harlot! Sinner! You're a disgrace to this family - I don't ever want to see you again!"
"OK Dad, as you wish." the daughter replied. "I just came back to give Mum this luxury fur coat, title deeds to a ten bed-roomed mansion, plus a savings account certificate for £5 million. For my little brother, this gold Rolex, and for you Daddy the spanking new Mercedes limited edition convertible that's parked outside plus a lifetime membership to the Country Club. And I have an invitation for you all to spend New Years' Eve on board my new yacht in the Riviera, and...."
The father stopped her, "Now what was it you said you had become?"
Girl, crying again, "Sniff, sniff... A prostitute Dad!"
"Oh! Sweet Jesus!" he replied, "You scared me half to death, girl! I thought you said 'a Protestant.' Come here and give your old man a hug!"