January 15, 1929 – African American civil rights leader Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior is born in Atlanta, Georgia. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The third Monday in January is designated a legal holiday to celebrate his birth.
January 17, 1706 – Benjamin Franklin is born in Boston. Considered the Elder Statesman of the American Revolution , he displayed multiple talents as a printer, author, publisher, scientist, diplomat, and philanthropist. He signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution.
January 17, 1942 – Muhammad Ali is born in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1964, at age 22, he knocked out Sonny Liston to win the world heavyweight boxing championship. His title was taken away from him in a controversy over his conscientious objection status to the Viet Nam War that was later reversed and then he regained the title in 1974 by defeating George Foreman. In later life he struggled with Parkinson’s Disease and devoted himself to humanitarian causes.
January 18, 1782 – American orator and politician Daniel Webster is born in Salisbury, New Hampshire. He served in both chambers of Congress, served as Secretary of State to three Presidents, and argued more than 200 cases before the U. S. Supreme Court.