US spy Nathan Hale executed in New York

US spy Nathan Hale was executed on September 22, 1776 after he was captured by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Hale went to British-occupied New York City to gather intelligence on military operations. He was captured and executed within a month, purportedly declaring “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” before his death at the age of 21.

Learn more from the American Battlefield Trust.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Sweden becomes first nation to ban aerosols

On January 29, 1978, Sweden became the first country to outlaw aerosol sprays. The ban was enacted to address the harmful effects of aerosols on the Earth's ozone layer. Read about aerosol sprays and the ozone layer of Earth's atmosphere from NASA.

Patty Hearst's prison sentence commuted by President Carter

On January 29, 1979, kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst's seven-year prison sentence for bank robbery as a member of the Symbianese Liberation Army was commuted by President Jimmy Carter. Hearst was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton.

US Army kills 250 Native Americans in Bear River Massacre

250 Northern Shoshone men, women, and children were killed on January 29, 1863 by the US Army in what is now the state of Idaho. The army attacked a Shoshone camp after meeting resistance to westward expansion, and the army fired indiscriminately during the attack. Learn more about the Bear River Massacre.