1556day.year
The deadliest earthquake in history, the Shaanxi earthquake, hits Shaanxi province, China. The death toll may have been as high as 830,000.
On January 23, 1556, the Shaanxi earthquake struck China, becoming the deadliest quake ever recorded with an estimated 830,000 fatalities.
In the early hours, a massive earthquake devastated Shaanxi and neighboring provinces, collapsing the prevalent loess cave dwellings.
Contemporary reports estimate the magnitude around 8, though precise measures are unavailable.
Entire villages were buried, and infrastructure was obliterated over a vast area.
Survivors faced extreme hardship, with famine and disease following the initial destruction.
The staggering death toll remains the highest in seismic history.
In response, later Chinese governments encouraged sturdier construction methods and better disaster preparedness.
1556
earthquake
Shaanxi earthquake
Shaanxi
1904day.year
Ålesund Fire: The Norwegian coastal town Ålesund is devastated by fire, leaving 10,000 people homeless and one person dead. Kaiser Wilhelm II funds the rebuilding of the town in Jugendstil style.
A massive fire razes the Norwegian town of Ålesund, prompting an international relief effort.
In the early hours of January 23, 1904, a devastating fire broke out in Ålesund, Norway, sweeping through the wooden buildings of the coastal town. Fierce winds fueled the flames, leaving around 10,000 residents homeless and claiming one life. The disaster drew sympathy across Europe, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany contributed funds to help rebuild Ålesund. Reconstruction embraced the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architectural style, giving the town its distinctive, uniform appearance that endures today. Ålesund’s recovery became a model of early 20th-century disaster response and urban renewal.
1904
Ålesund Fire
Ålesund
Kaiser
Wilhelm II
Jugendstil
1909day.year
RMS Republic, a passenger ship of the White Star Line, becomes the first ship to use the CQD distress signal after colliding with another ship, the SS Florida, off the Massachusetts coastline, an event that kills six people. The Republic sinks the next day.
The liner RMS Republic sends the first CQD distress call after a fatal collision off Massachusetts.
On January 23, 1909, the White Star Line’s RMS Republic collided with the outbound steamship SS Florida in dense fog off the coast of Massachusetts. Six people lost their lives in the impact. The Republic’s radio operator sent the first official CQD distress signal—predecessor to SOS—marking a milestone in maritime safety. Nearby ships, including the RMS Baltic, responded and rescued over 1,500 passengers and crew. Despite the successful evacuation, the Republic sank the following day, highlighting both the bravery of rescuers and the limitations of early wireless communication at sea.
1909
RMS Republic
White Star Line
CQD
SS Florida
1982day.year
World Airways Flight 30 overshoots the runway at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, and crashes into Boston Harbor. Two people are missing and presumed dead.
World Airways Flight 30 overruns the runway and crashes into Boston Harbor.
On January 23, 1982, World Airways Flight 30 landed at Boston's Logan International Airport in poor weather conditions. The aircraft overshot the runway at high speed, breaking through a barrier and plunging into Boston Harbor. Emergency responders quickly reached the crash site, rescuing most passengers and crew. Two individuals remained missing and were later presumed dead. The accident prompted investigations into runway safety measures, inclement weather procedures, and improvements to airport approach systems. The crash stands as a landmark event in the history of Boston aviation safety.
1982
World Airways Flight 30
Logan International Airport
Boston
Massachusetts
Boston Harbor
2018day.year
A 7.9 Mw earthquake occurs in the Gulf of Alaska. It is tied as the sixth-largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States, but there are no reports of significant damage or fatalities.
On January 23, 2018, a powerful magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the Gulf of Alaska, tying for the sixth-largest ever recorded in the United States.
On January 23, 2018, a potent 7.9 Mw earthquake ruptured beneath the Gulf of Alaska, generating strong tremors felt as far as Anchorage. The quake tied the record as the sixth-largest in United States history since modern seismographic records began. Despite its strength, the underwater epicenter and depth prevented significant damage on shore and no casualties were reported. Seismologists studied the event to better understand Alaska’s complex tectonic setting along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The lack of major harm highlighted how offshore seismic events can be powerful yet minimally destructive to coastal communities.
2018
earthquake
Gulf of Alaska
sixth-largest earthquake
2024day.year
Northwestern Air Flight 738 crashes after takeoff from Fort Smith Airport, Northwest Territories, Canada, killing six people.
On January 23, 2024, Northwestern Air Flight 738 crashed shortly after takeoff from Fort Smith Airport in Canada, killing all six people on board.
On January 23, 2024, Northwestern Air Flight 738, a De Havilland Twin Otter, departed Fort Smith Airport in the Northwest Territories, Canada, en route to Yellowknife. Minutes after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a remote area near the runway. All six individuals on board—passengers and crew—were killed in the accident. Local search and rescue teams recovered the wreckage, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada launched a formal investigation into the cause. The harsh winter conditions and challenging remoteness of the crash site complicated recovery efforts. This tragedy prompted scrutiny of regional aviation safety and emergency response protocols.
2024
Northwestern Air Flight 738
Fort Smith Airport