On January 20, 1783, Great Britain signed the Declarations for Suspension of Arms and Cessation of Hostilities with France and Spain, ending European hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.

On January 20, 1801, outgoing President John Adams nominated John Marshall to be Chief Justice of the United States. Learn more about the life of John Marshall

King Charles I of England and Scotland was put on trial for treason by the specially established High Court of Justice on January 20, 1649 amid the English Civil War between supporters of Parliament and the Crown. While the Roundheads (Parliament supporters) accused Charles of being a tyrant, the king questioned the authority of the court to bring him to trial. Ultimately, the court convicted Charles, and the king was executed on January 30, 1649. Read Charles' words spoken in his defense.