January 1944

Tuesday 04:

World War II: The Battle of Monte Cassino begins.

Wednesday 05:

The Daily Mail becomes the first transoceanic newspaper.

Tuesday 18:

The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City for the first time hosts a jazz concert; the performers are Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Roy Eldridge and Jack Teagarden.

Thursday 20:

World War II: The Royal Air Force drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin.

Saturday 22:

World War II: Allies begin Operation Shingle (an assault on Anzio, Italy).

Thursday 27:

World War II: The two year Siege of Leningrad is lifted.

Saturday 29:

World War II: About 300 men, women, and children die in the Massacre in Koniuchy in Poland.

Sunday 30:

United States troops invade Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Monday 31:

World War II: American forces land on Kwajalein Atoll and other islands in the Japanese-held Marshall Islands.