January 31

On January 31, 1865, amid the closing stages of the American Civil War, the United States Congress approved the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. This landmark amendment outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the nation, except as punishment for crime. It represented the legislative culmination of the Emancipation Proclamation and decades of abolitionist struggle. The amendment was then sent to the states, requiring ratification by three-quarters to become law. It was ratified later that year, cementing a permanent end to chattel slavery in the United States and reshaping the country’s social and political landscape.

On January 31, 1919, over 60,000 Scottish workers gathered at George Square in Glasgow, demanding a 40-hour workweek. Tensions boiled over when police attempted to disperse the peaceful protesters, leading to violent skirmishes. Mounted police charges and baton-wielding officers confronted crowds chanting for labour reform. The chaos prompted the government to deploy troops to the city centre, heightening public alarm. Although the immediate goals were not achieved, the event galvanized the labour movement and spotlighted workers’ rights issues across Britain.

Organized by Vietnam Veterans Against the War, the Winter Soldier Investigation began on January 31, 1971, in Detroit. Returning servicemen and women presented personal accounts of combat operations, detailing alleged atrocities and civilian casualties. The hearings aimed to expose the human cost of the Vietnam War and challenge official military narratives. Held over four days, the event drew media attention and sparked debate across the United States. Though overshadowed by the Apollo 14 launch nearby, the testimonies intensified scrutiny of U.S. policy in Vietnam. The investigation remains a landmark moment in veterans' activism and war accountability.