Iranian Hostage Crisis - Hostages Released

January 20, 1981

The 52 American hostages held in the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran as a result of the Iranian Hostage Crisis are released minutes after the inauguration of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. They had been held 444 days.

You're In the Picture

January 20, 1961

Jackie Gleason's TV game show makes its first and only broadcast. It was so bad, the following week, instead of airing another episode, Gleason spent a half hour apologizing for how bad the show was. The show consisted of four celebrity contestants who would stick their faces through the holes of a large picture and try to guess what it was by asking Gleason questions.

Buzz Aldrin (Edwin Eugene, Jr.)

Born January 20, 1930

American astronaut. He is the second person to walk on the Moon (1969). He credits himself with being the first man to piss his pants on the Moon.

DeForest Kelley

Born January 20, 1920 d. 1999

American actor. Kelley was originally offered the role of Spock in the original Star Trek, but turned it down to play Dr. McCoy. TV: Star Trek (1966-69, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy). Film: Fear in the Night (1947) and Night of the Lepus (1972).

Designed the Peace Symbol

Gerald Herbert Holtom

Born January 20, 1914 d. 1985

British artist. He designed the familiar international peace symbol in 1958 for the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). It is composed of the flag alphabet letters N and D (standing for Nuclear Disarmament) inside of a circle.

George Burns (Nathan Birnbaum)

Born January 20, 1896 d. 1996

American actor, comedian. He partnered with his wife Gracie Allen.
Quote: "In my youth, they called me a rebel. When I was middle aged, they called me eccentric. Now that I'm old, I'm doing the same thing I've always done and they're calling me senile."
Film: The Sunshine Boys (1975) and Oh, God! (1977).
TV: The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950-58).
Radio: The Burns and Allen Show (1937-50).