On this day: January 31
POSTED: 10:08 PM PST Jan 30, 2013
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Jan 30, 2013
The first Social Security check is issued, America launches its first satellite into orbit, McDonald's comes to Moscow, and "Avatar" hits the $2 billion mark, all on this day.
Chuck Andersen/Wikimedia Commons
1947: Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan, an eight-time All-Star who holds the MLB record for career strikeouts with 5,714, is born in Refugio, Texas. Ryan, who played for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers over his 27-year career, is the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven, three more than any other pitcher.
