1978day.year
The last Volkswagen Beetle made in Germany leaves VW's plant in Emden. Beetle production in Latin America continues until 2003.
The last Volkswagen Beetle produced in Germany rolls off the assembly line in Emden.
On January 19, 1978, the final Volkswagen Beetle built at VW’s Emden plant in Germany marked the end of an era. The Beetle had been in production for over four decades, becoming an automotive icon worldwide. While German manufacturing ceased, Beetle production continued in Latin America for another 25 years. The car’s simple design, affordability, and durability made it one of the best-selling vehicles of all time. The end of German production reflected shifting market demands and modernization of VW’s lineup. Enthusiasts celebrated the Beetle’s legacy at farewell ceremonies and car shows. The model remains a symbol of postwar recovery, counterculture, and automotive history.
1978
Volkswagen Beetle
Emden
1999day.year
British Aerospace agrees to acquire the defence subsidiary of the General Electric Company, forming BAE Systems in November 1999.
In 1999, British Aerospace announced its acquisition of GEC’s defence arm, paving the way for the creation of BAE Systems.
In January 1999, British Aerospace agreed to acquire the defence subsidiary of the General Electric Company in a £7 billion deal. The merger, announced on January 19, paved the way for the creation of BAE Systems later that year. The consolidation formed one of the world’s largest defence contractors, combining advanced aerospace, naval, and land systems capabilities. Industry analysts saw the merger as a strategic response to global defense spending cuts. Employees and investors anticipated synergies but also feared job redundancies. The new entity became a cornerstone of the UK’s defense industry.
1999
British Aerospace
General Electric Company
BAE Systems
2012day.year
The Hong Kong-based file-sharing website Megaupload is shut down by the FBI.
On January 19, 2012, the FBI seized and shut down Megaupload, a major Hong Kong-based file-sharing service, in a high-profile piracy crackdown.
On January 19, 2012, the FBI executed raids in the United States and abroad to shut down Megaupload. The Hong Kong-based file-sharing site faced allegations of massive copyright infringement and money laundering. Authorities seized servers, arrested executives, and froze assets across multiple countries. The takedown sparked debates over digital rights, online privacy, and the power of law enforcement. Users worldwide lost access to vast libraries of content stored on the platform. Megaupload’s closure marked a defining moment in the battle against internet piracy.
2012
Megaupload
FBI
2025day.year
Bytedance and sister companies were banned from the United States for "security concerns".
On January 19, 2025, the United States banned Bytedance and its affiliate companies over national security concerns.
On January 19, 2025, the United States government imposed a ban on Bytedance and its affiliate companies over national security concerns.
Citing potential risks to data privacy and geopolitical influence, the decree prohibits financial transactions and app distribution within U.S. jurisdictions.
Popular platforms such as TikTok were directly impacted, affecting millions of American users.
Bytedance condemned the decision as politically motivated and announced plans to challenge the ban through legal channels.
The move escalated U.S.-China tensions in the technology sector and sparked global debate on digital sovereignty.
Analysts predict significant repercussions for the social media landscape and future regulatory actions.
2025
Bytedance