In History, Today on January 19

Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard for around $68.7 billion, marking one of the largest tech acquisitions.

The World Health Organization reported that the global death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 2 million people.

A severe snowstorm strikes the Midwest of the United States, resulting in widespread travel chaos and power outages across several states, affecting thousands of households and businesses.

The United States lifted economic sanctions on Sudan, citing improvements in the country's human rights record and cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.

The Taiwanese Kuomintang Party elected their first female leader, Hung Hsiu-chu, marking a significant moment in the party's history during an extraordinary party congress.

ISIL released a video claiming to have killed two Japanese hostages, Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa, demanding a ransom of $200 million from the Japanese government. The incident drew significant international condemnation.

The file-sharing website Megaupload was shut down by the United States Department of Justice, and its founder Kim Dotcom was arrested in New Zealand, sparking debates over internet freedom and copyright laws.

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft was launched on a mission to study Pluto and its moons, marking the beginning of a historic journey to the outer reaches of our solar system.

Yasser Arafat returned to Hebron after more than 30 years and joined celebrations over the signing of the Hebron Protocol, which called for the redeployment of Israeli troops in Hebron.

The Apple Lisa, the first personal computer to offer a graphical user interface, was announced by Apple Computer, Inc.

Snow fell in Miami, Florida, for the only time in recorded history.

Indira Gandhi was elected as the first female Prime Minister of India.

The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan was signed in Washington, D.C. This treaty expanded the asymmetric collaborative military relationship between the United States and Japan, allowing extended American military presence in Japan.

General Douglas MacArthur established the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo to try Japanese war criminals.

The Soviet Union invaded Kraków, Poland, liberating it from Nazi German occupation during World War II.

During World War II, Japanese forces invaded Burma's Southern Shan States, advancing further into Southeast Asia.

Coopers Inc., now known as Jockey International, sold the world's first men's briefs that were developed in Chicago.

The United States Senate voted against joining the League of Nations.

The first Zeppelin raid on the United Kingdom took place during World War I.

Auguste and Louis Lumière, considered among the earliest filmmakers in history, patent their color photography process, which they called Autochrome Lumière.

The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires goes into service at the Roselle, New Jersey, demonstrating the efficiency of the incandescent light bulb.

Georgia secedes from the Union, becoming the fifth state to join the Confederate States of America.

The British East India Company captured Aden, laying the groundwork for its strategic importance as a coaling station in their trade routes.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 'Faust Part 1' premiered in Braunschweig, Germany.

The British Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval, survived an assassination attempt by John Bellingham, a merchant with a grievance against the government.

Robert E. Lee, who would become a prominent Confederate general in the American Civil War, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

The United Kingdom occupied the Cape Colony in South Africa, marking the beginning of British rule.

John Wilkes is expelled from the British House of Commons for seditious libel.

James Watt, the Scottish inventor known for improvements to the steam engine, was born.

Sten Sture the Younger, the Regent of Sweden, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bogesund, a key conflict in Sweden's independence struggle against the Danish-dominated Kalmar Union.

Rouen surrendered to Henry V of England, completing his conquest of Normandy.

Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor, died in the castle of Paterno near Civita Castellana of malaria.

Dagobert I, King of the Franks, dies and is succeeded by his son Clovis II in Neustria and Burgundy, while his other son, Sigebert III, continues to rule in Austrasia.

Theodosius I is proclaimed co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire by Emperor Gratian.