January 31 in History
January 31 is the birthday of Sára Bejlek (2006) and the anniversary of the death of Rasual Butler (2018). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for January 31, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Henry, King of Portugal was born in 1512, while Máedóc of Ferns, Irish bishop and saint died in 632.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.
Famous people born on January 31
Famous people who died on January 31
2017
Rob Stewart (filmmaker) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Canadian photographer, filmmaker and shark conservationist
2016
Terry Wogan (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Irish-British radio and television broadcaster (1938–2016)
2014
Miklós Jancsó (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Hungarian film director and screenwriter (1921–2014)
2012
Dorothea Tanning (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American painter, printmaker and sculptor (1910–2012)
2007
Adelaide Tambo (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
South African anti-apartheid activist and political exile
What happened on January 31
- 2025
Med Jets Flight 056 crashes near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, killing 8 people and injuring 23.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2023
The last Boeing 747, the first wide-body airliner, is delivered to Atlas Air and operated for ApexLogistics. The aircraft was registered as N863GT and named "Empower".
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2022
Sue Gray, a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, publishes an initial version of her report on the Downing Street Partygate controversy.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2020
The United Kingdom's membership within the European Union ceases in accordance with Article 50, after 47 years of being a member state.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
Abdullah of Pahang is sworn in as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2009
At least 113 people are killed in Kenya and over 200 injured following an oil spillage ignition in Molo, days after a massive fire at a Nakumatt supermarket in Nairobi killed at least 25 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
Emergency officials in Boston mistakenly identify battery-powered LED placards depicting characters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force as Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), causing a panic.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2003
The Waterfall rail accident occurs near Waterfall, New South Wales, Australia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
In the Netherlands, a Scottish court convicts Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and acquits another Libyan citizen for their part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
Two Japan Airlines planes nearly collide over Suruga Bay in Japan.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crash: An MD-83, experiencing horizontal stabilizer problems, crashes in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Point Mugu, California, killing all 88 aboard.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
An explosives-filled truck rams into the gates of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Colombo, killing at least 86 people and injuring 1,400.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1988
Doug Williams becomes the first African American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl and leads the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
The Crown of St. Stephen (also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary) goes on public display after being returned to Hungary from the United States, where it was held after World War II.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1971
Apollo program: Apollo 14: Astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell, aboard a Saturn V, lift off for a mission to the Fra Mauro Highlands on the Moon.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on January 31
- 1512 — Henry, King of Portugal (died 1580)
- 1543 — Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japanese shōgun (died 1616)
- 1583 — Peter Bulkley, English and later American Puritan (died 1659)
Died on January 31
- 632 — Máedóc of Ferns, Irish bishop and saint (born 550)
- 876 — Hemma of Altdorf, Frankish queen
- 985 — Ryōgen, Japanese monk and abbot (born 912)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for January 31
Quick answers
Who was born on January 31? Sára Bejlek (2006), Hong Ye-ji (2002), Beñat Turrientes (2002).
Who died on January 31? Rasual Butler (2018), Leah LaBelle (2018), Rob Stewart (filmmaker) (2017).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in January? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the January 31 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.