Timeline January 1944

Events in January 1944 15

• 1857 – 1944 Ida Tarbell (1857-1944) Died 6 January 1944, aged 86 American investigative journalist and a leading muckraker. Her series The History of the Standard Oil Company helped bring about the 1911 break-up of John D. Rockefeller's monopoly. She also wrote widely read biographies of Abraham Lincoln.
• 1863 – 1944 Edvard Munch Expressionism · Norway Edvard Munch (December 12, 1863 – January 23, 1944) was a Norwegian Expressionist painter whose The Scream is one of the most iconic images in Western art. His emotionally raw work was a major influence on German Expressionism.
• 1869 – 1944 Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) Died 1 January 1944, aged 74 English architect who designed much of New Delhi, including the Viceroy's House. He also designed the Cenotaph in Whitehall and the Thiepval Memorial. He was known for his country houses in the Arts and Crafts tradition.
• 1882 – 1944 Jean Giraudoux (1882-1944) Died 31 January 1944, aged 61 French dramatist, novelist and diplomat. His plays include The Trojan War Will Not Take Place and The Madwoman of Chaillot. He was one of the leading French playwrights between the wars.
• 1903 – 1944 Galeazzo Ciano (1903-1944) Died 11 January 1944, aged 40 Italian foreign minister from 1936 to 1943 and son-in-law of Benito Mussolini. He voted to depose Mussolini at the Grand Council meeting of July 1943. He was tried for treason at Verona and shot by firing squad.
• 1941 – 1944 Siege of Leningrad begins 872-day siege — 1 million civilians die The German siege of Leningrad began on September 8, 1941, and lasted 872 days until January 27, 1944. Approximately one million Soviet civilians died from starvation, disease and bombardment.
• 1944 – 2025 Shibu Soren (1944-2025) Died 4 August 2025, aged 81 Indian politician who co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and served three terms as chief minister of Jharkhand.
• 1944 – 2011 Joe Frazier (1944-2011) Died 7 November 2011, aged 67 The American boxer was Olympic and undisputed heavyweight world champion, best remembered for his three fights against Muhammad Ali, including the "Thrilla in Manila." He died in Philadelphia of liver cancer. Frazier remains one of the sport's most celebrated champions.
• 1944 San Juan earthquake Deadliest earthquake in Argentine history A magnitude 7.0 earthquake destroyed most of the city of San Juan, killing around 10,000 people. Colonel Juan Perón led the relief effort, which raised his public profile. He met his future wife Eva Duarte at a fundraising event for the victims.
• 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino Four assaults break the Gustav Line Allied forces made four major assaults on the German defensive position anchored on Monte Cassino. The Allied bombing of the historic abbey in February remains controversial. Polish troops finally raised their flag over the ruins on 18 May.
• 1944 – present Alexander Van der Bellen Current President The current Federal President of Austria, serving since 2017.
• 1944 Anzio landings Allies land behind German lines in Italy Allied forces landed at Anzio, Italy on January 22, 1944, behind German lines in an attempt to outflank the Gustav Line. The beachhead became a costly stalemate for four months.
• 1944 Battle of Anzio Allied landing behind the Gustav Line Allied forces landed at Anzio to outflank German defences and open the road to Rome. The beachhead was quickly contained and endured four months of bitter fighting. The Allies broke out in late May and linked up with the main front.
• 1944 – 2019 Rutger Hauer (1944-2019) Died 19 July 2019, aged 75 Rutger Hauer was a Dutch actor best known for his role as the replicant Roy Batty in Blade Runner, including the film's celebrated "tears in rain" monologue. He appeared in numerous other films including The Hitcher and Ladyhawke. He died in the Netherlands.
• 1944 Siege of Leningrad lifted Soviet offensive ends the 872-day blockade The Leningrad-Novgorod offensive drove German forces away from the city, ending a siege that had begun in September 1941. Around a million civilians had died, mostly from starvation. The city celebrated the lifting of the siege with an artillery salute on 27 January.