Thomas Carmichael Hindman, Jr. (January 28, 1828 – September 27, 1868) was a United States Representative from Arkansas before serving as a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. During the Mexican–American War, he became a captain of his company. He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1854 to 1856, and a Democratic representative in the Thirty-sixth Congress from 1859 to 1861. Despite being re-elected, he declined to serve after Arkansas seceded from the Union. Instead, Hindman joined the armed forces of the Confederacy. He was promoted to brigadier general in September 1861 and to major general the following April. He commanded the Trans-Mississippi Department, and later raised and commanded "Hindman's legion". After the war, he avoided surrender to the federal government by fleeing to Mexico City. He worked in Mexico as a coffee planter, and attempted to practice law. After returning to Arkansas, Hindman was murdered at his home by an unknown assailant in 1868. ( Full article...)

Sri Lankan Christmas tree

• ... that the Sri Lankan Christmas tree (pictured) is claimed to be the world’s tallest artificial Christmas tree?
• ... that Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter Arthur Daley wrote more than 10,000 columns for The New York Times?
• ... that a tick finds a potential host by detecting its breath and body odors, or by sensing its vibrations or changes in temperature?
• ... that Heinrich Parler and his son Peter Parler were among the most influential Gothic architects of the Middle Ages?
• ... that LifeRing Secular Recovery provides support and assistance to people trying to beat alcohol and drug addiction without religion?
• ... that on May 24, 1985, over 100 villagers in Oliveto Citra claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary?
• ... that to prepare for his role as surgeon Raf di Lucca in Holby City, actor Joe McFadden watched open-heart surgery?

Yokozuna Kisenosato Yutaka

• Scientists at Harvard University report the first creation of metallic hydrogen in a laboratory, using a diamond anvil cell.
• In sumo, Kisenosato Yutaka (pictured) is promoted as the 72nd yokozuna, becoming the first Japanese wrestler to earn the title in 19 years.
• The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom issues a ruling that an Act of Parliament is needed before the government can trigger Article 50 to leave the European Union.
• Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms kill at least twenty people across the Southeastern United States.

January 28: Chinese New Year and Korean New Year (2017)

Lego bricks

• 1393 – King Charles VI of France was nearly killed when several dancers' costumes caught fire during a masquerade ball.
• 1821 – Alexander Island, the largest island of Antarctica, was discovered by explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen of the Imperial Russian Navy.
• 1922 – Snowfall from the biggest recorded snowstorm in Washington, D.C., history caused the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre to collapse, killing 98 people.
• 1958 – The Lego Group, a Danish toy company, patented the design of Lego bricks (pictured).
• 1977 – A deadly blizzard hit upstate New York and Southern Ontario, creating snowdrifts of up to 30 ft (9 m) in affected areas.