January 30th, 1968

 

A turning point for America’s role in the Vietnam War as the Tet offensive begins. Communist forces launch surprise attacks to Khe Sanh, Vietnam shattering U.S. government claims about the war’s progress.

 

1933

 

Nazi leader Adolf Hitler becomes Germany’s Chancellor and before long its dictator. Hitler’s dozen years in power bring World War II and the Holocaust.

 

1882

 

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt is born in Hyde Park, New York. FDR led Americans through the Great Depression and World War II, serving a record 12 years in the White House.

 

1948

 

In India, a Hindu extremist assassinates Mohandas Gandhi, the spiritual and political leader.

 

1972

 

In Northern Ireland, what becomes known as bloody Sunday. British soldiers shoot to death 13 Catholic civil rights marchers at event that claims the terrain violence in the troubled province.

 

And 1933

 

Just “who was that masked man”, the first episode of the Fox radio program “the lone ranger” airs on station WXYZ in Detroit.

 

Today in History, January 30th, Mike Gracia, the Associated Press.