This Day in History: January 20

DJ Day (20 January)

20th January is observed every year as National Disc Jockeys (DJ) Day in the United States. The pioneering 1950s radio and disc jockey Alan Freed popularised Rock and Roll music on his radio shows along with disc jockeying. The National DJ Day is celebrated in his honour.

Ratanji Tata’s Birth Anniversary (20 January 1871)

Today is the birthday of Ratanji Tata, one of the founders of the Tata Group of companies. Born on this day in 1871, Ratanji Tata died in 1918. The Tata Steel Company founded by was founded by him. Later, the Tata Group became one of the largest companies in the world.

Also Read: This Day in History: January 19

Launch of Mobile Number Portability (20 January 2011)

Mobile phone users were given a new ‘number portability’ option on this day in 2011. On January 20, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched mobile portability services. Portability makes it possible to change the same number from one telecom network to another telecom service.

Rebel Star Krishnam Raju’s Birth Anniversary (20 January 1940)

Today is Telugu cinema’s Rebel Star Krishnam Raju’s birth anniversary. Born in a royal family on 20 January 1940, Krishnamraju’s original name was Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju. He moved to Chennai from Mogalthur and did films. He made his film debut in 1966 with his first film Chilaka Gorinka. Krishnam Raju, who has done almost two films, also worked in politics. Krishnam Raju, who was elected MP twice (1998, 1999) from BJP, once took charge as Union Minister. He joined Praja Rajyam in 2009 and rejoined BJP in 2014. On 11th September 2022, Krishna Raju breathed his last.

Also Read: This Day in History: January 18

A few more important events on January 20

• Film actress and director Vijaya Nirmala’s son, actor Naresh’s birthday is today (1960).
• Indian youth cricketer Axar Patel’s birthday is today (1994).
• India’s nuclear reactor ‘Apsara’ was commissioned in 1957 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram were formed as states in 1971 from union territories.
• Bill Clinton (1993) and Barack Obama (2009) took office as US presidents.
• Today is Sikh idol Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary.