January 26

January 26 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2010: William Bell was sworn in as Mayor of Birmingham.
• 2009: Alabama Crimson Tide basketball coach Mark Gottfried was fired.
• 2008: Magic City Motor Scooters held its grand opening.
• 2005: Condoleezza Rice became Secretary of State after the departure of Colin Powell.
• 1999: The Furnace Master's Restaurant at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park burned down.
• 1995: Newberry's department store closed to make way for McWane Science Center's IMAX Dome Theater.
• 1964: New Hope Baptist Church held their first services in their new sanctuary at 1154 10th Avenue South.
• 1887: Woodward Furnace No. 2 was blown in.
• 1871: The organizers of the Elyton Land Company met in Josiah Morris' bank office to divide up shares in the venture that founded Birmingham.
• 1839: The Alabama Legislature established a penitentiary system.

Angela Davis, born January 26, 1944

Births

• 1982: Writer and filmmaker Billy Ray Brewton was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• 1967: Attorney Giles Perkins was born in Lufkin, Texas.
• 1944: Activist Angela Davis was born in Birmingham.
• 1927: Grocer and CEO Anthony Bruno was born.
• 1877: Birmingham Barons pitcher and manager Irvin Wilhelm was born in Wooster, Ohio.

Deaths

• 2012: Bo Smith was shot to death during a robbery at Torme Associated Foods in Bessemer.
• 2010: Art collector Paul R. Jones died in Atlanta, Georgia.
• 1983: Bear Bryant died in Tuscaloosa.
• 1934: Stenographer and railroad purchasing agent Zennie Tomlinson died.