In History, Today on January 8

Lotario de' Conti di Segni was elected as Pope Innocent III, one of the most influential popes of the Middle Ages, known for his role in the Fourth Crusade and the Albigensian Crusade.

Francesco Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, led his men to capture the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco, marking the beginning of Grimaldi rule over Monaco.

Galileo Galilei, the renowned Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, died in Arcetri, near Florence, Italy. He is known for his contributions to modern science, including improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations.

George Washington delivered the first State of the Union address in New York City, then the provisional capital of the United States.

The Battle of New Orleans was fought, marking the last major battle of the War of 1812. American forces under General Andrew Jackson defeated the British Army, despite the war having officially ended with the Treaty of Ghent.

The United States national debt was reduced to zero for the only time in history under President Andrew Jackson.

African American men were granted the right to vote in Washington, D.C.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points speech, outlining his vision for a post-World War I world that included the establishment of the League of Nations.

Charles de Gaulle was inaugurated as the first President of the French Fifth Republic, marking a significant shift in French politics and governance.

President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a 'War on Poverty' in the United States during his State of the Union address, leading to significant social welfare legislation.

The trial of seven men accused of illegal entry into Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate complex began, marking a significant event in the Watergate scandal.

Kegworth air disaster: A British Midland Boeing 737 crashed on the M1 motorway in Leicestershire, England, killing 47 people.

The No Child Left Behind Act is signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush, aiming to improve student performance and change the culture of America's schools.

A mass shooting occurs in Tucson, Arizona, where U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords is shot and six people are killed, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl.

Mexican drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán is recaptured by Mexican authorities after escaping from prison six months earlier.

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by the Iranian military shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.