On This Day for January 28 - Explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, Mikhail Baryshnikov is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. January 28 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Mikhail Baryshnikov READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1986 Explosion of the space shuttle Challenger READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2002: Swedish children's writer Astrid Lindgren—who was best known for her works involving Pippi Longstocking, a freckle-faced red-haired nine-year-old who incarnates every child's dream of freedom and power—died in Stockholm. [Take our classic children's books quiz.] 1958: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, whose father founded the company LEGO in Denmark, filed for a Danish patent (later granted) for a toy building block that became hugely popular around the world. [ Test your knowledge of pop culture.] 1955: French politician Nicolas Sarkozy, who served as president of France (2007–12), was born in Paris. [How much do you know about France?] 1912: American painter Jackson Pollock, a leading exponent of Abstract Expressionism who received widespread publicity and serious recognition for the radical poured, or "drip," technique he used to create his major works, was born. [ Sort fact from fiction in our artists and painters quiz.] 1871: The French capital, Paris, fell following a four-month siege during the Franco-German War. [Take our quiz about warfare.] 1813: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was published anonymously and enjoyed immediate success, thanks in part to the popularity of the central character, Elizabeth Bennet, who was reportedly Austen's own favourite among all her heroines. [ Test your knowledge of Jane Austen.] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1940 Carlos Slim Helú Mexican businessman 1936 Alan Alda American actor, director, and screenwriter 1457 Henry VII king of England 1912 Jackson Pollock American artist 1955 Nicolas Sarkozy president of France 1949 Gregg Popovich American basketball coach SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2021 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help