January 28
Serena Williams Wins 23rd Grand Slam Title
On January 28, 2017, Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus Williams to win the Australian Open and her Open Era-record 23rd Grand Slam singles title. Remarkably, she was eight weeks pregnant at the time. Her career total surpassed Steffi Graf's record of 22 major titles.
Cicely Tyson Dies
On January 28, 2021, Cicely Tyson died at age 96, just two days after publishing her memoir "Just As I Am." Over a career spanning seven decades, she refused roles that stereotyped Black women. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 and an honorary Oscar in 2018.
Tuskegee Airmen Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
On March 29, 2007, approximately 300 surviving Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The medal honored their service and sacrifice during World War II, when they overcame racial discrimination to become one of the most decorated fighter groups.