Highlights of Today in History: Soviet Union breaks WWII Leningrad siege; Robert F. Scott reaches South Pole; Boston Strangler suspect Albert de Salvo convicted. (Jan. 18).
The Soviets managed to open a narrow land corridor to Leningrad on Jan. 18, 1943, the siege was only lifted on Jan. 27, 1944, 872 days after it began. It was one of the longest and most destructive sieges in history and possibly the costliest in terms of casualties. Leningrad's capture was one of three strategic goals in the German Operation Barbarossa and the main target of Army Group North. The strategy was motivated by Leningrad's political status as the former capital of Russia and the symbolic capital of the Russian Revolution, its military importance as a main base of the Soviet Baltic Fleet and its industrial strength, housing numerous arms factories. Source: Wikipedia
Birthdays on Jan. 18
1954 Ted DiBiase, Retired Professional Wrestler
1963 Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
1974 Princess Claire of Belgium
1980 Jason Segel, American actor
1984 Kristy Lee Cook, American Idol 7 cast member