What Happened on January 22?

January 22 is National Polka Dot Day, celebrating the world's most playful pattern. It's also the day a queen's 63-year reign ended, a president died, and one TV commercial changed advertising forever!

• 1901 — Queen Victoria dies after a 63-year reign

  Britain's longest-reigning queen (at that time) died at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight at age 81, ending the Victorian era. Read the full story →

• 1973 — President Lyndon B. Johnson dies at his Texas ranch

  The 36th U.S. president, who pushed landmark civil rights and education laws through Congress, died in Johnson City, Texas, at age 64 — exactly two days after his term would have ended. Read the full story →

• 1973 — Supreme Court rules in Roe v. Wade

  In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a constitutional right of privacy protected a woman's decision about abortion — a ruling that stood nearly 50 years until 2022. Read the full story →

• 1984 — Apple's '1984' Super Bowl commercial stuns America

  During Super Bowl XVIII, a 60-second ad directed by Ridley Scott aired once — and is now considered one of the greatest commercials ever made. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) · Lord Byron (1788–1824) · Sam Cooke (1931–1964) · Willa Ford (1981)

Days & observances

National Polka Dot Day · Celebration of Life Day · National Blonde Brownie Day