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Today in History: January 15

588 BC
Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah's reign. The siege lasts until July 23, 586 BC.

69
Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaiming himself Emperor, only rules for three months before committing suicide

1811
In a secret session, Congress plans to annex Spanish East Florida.

1920
The Dry Law goes into effect in the United States. Selling liquor and beer becomes illegal.

1967
Some 462 Yale faculty members call for an end to the bombing in North Vietnam.

1973 Four of six remaining Watergate defendants plead guilty.

1973
US President Richard Nixon announces the suspension of offensive action by US troops in Vietnam.

1976 Sara Jane Moore sentenced to life in prison for her failed attempt to assassinate US President Gerald Ford.

1991
UN deadline for Iraq to withdraw its forces from occupied Kuwait passes, setting the stage for Operation Desert Storm.

2001
Wikipedia goes online.

2009
Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. All passengers and crew members survive in what becomes known as the "Miracle on the Hudson"

2018
US Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Simone Biles says she is one of more than 130 women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar

2019
LGBTQ activists accuse the Russian republic of Chechnya of a new gay purge with 40 detained and two killed

2021
Global death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic passes 2 million (true total likely much higher)

2023
Mexico brings into force world's strictest anti-smoking laws, banning smoking in public places such as beaches and parks


Born on January 15

1906
Aristotle Onassis, Greek tycoon.

1929
Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

1948
Ronnie Van Zant, singer, songwriter; founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd band.


JOTD
A blond, brunette and red head are all in the delivery room ready to give birth.

The doctor walks in and goes the the brunette and asks how she prefers to have sex.
When she replies "missionary" he guesses she'll have a boy. A few minutes later, the baby is born and it's a boy.
Then the doctor steps up to the red head and asks how she prefers to have sex.
When she replies "cowboy" he guesses she'll have a girl. A few minutes later, the baby is born and it's a girl.
The doctor then steps over to the blond who's crying uncontrollably. The doctor, all concerned asked her what's wrong.
After a few minutes she collects herself long enough to explain she's afraid she's going to have puppies.