This Day in History
January 25, 2026
2019
Brumadinho dam disaster
A mining company's dam collapses in Brumadinho, Brazil, a south-eastern city, killing 270 people.
2018
Ariane 5
An Ariane 5 rocket is launched carrying SES-14, Al Yah 3, and NASA's Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk, but the satellites end up in the wrong orbit.
2015
Mamasapano clash
A clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in the Philippines kills 44 members of Special Action Force (SAF), at least 18 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and five from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
2013
2013 Uribana prison riot
At least 50 people are killed and 120 people are injured in a prison riot in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
2011
Timeline of the Egyptian revolution of 2011
The first wave of the Egyptian revolution begins throughout the country, marked by street demonstrations, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, riots, labour strikes, and violent clashes.
2010
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Na'ameh, Lebanon, killing 90.
2006
Lucha libre
Mexican professional wrestler Juana Barraza is arrested in connection with the serial killing of at least ten elderly women.
2005
Mandher Devi temple stampede
A stampede at the Mandhradevi temple in Maharashtra, India kills at least 258.
2003
2003 invasion of Iraq
Invasion of Iraq: A group of people leave London, England, for Baghdad, Iraq, to serve as human shields, intending to prevent the U.S.-led coalition troops from bombing certain locations.
1999
Moment magnitude scale
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hits western Colombia killing at least 1,000.
1998
Pope John Paul II
During a historic visit to Cuba, Pope John Paul II demands political reforms and the release of political prisoners while condemning US attempts to isolate the country.
1998
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
A suicide attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on Sri Lanka's Temple of the Tooth kills eight and injures 25 others.
1995
Norwegian rocket incident
The Norwegian rocket incident: Russia almost launches a nuclear attack after it mistakes Black Brant XII, a Norwegian research rocket, for a US Trident missile.
1993
1993 CIA headquarters shooting
Five people are shot outside the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Two are killed and three wounded.
1986
National Resistance Movement
The National Resistance Movement topples the government of Tito Okello in Uganda.
1980
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa is honored with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
1979
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II starts his first official papal visits outside Italy to The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.