Today in History: January 20, FBI orchestrates massive Mafia takedown

"Today in history: On Jan. 20, 2011, authorities orchestrated one of the biggest Mafia takedowns in FBI history, charging 127 suspected mobsters and associates in the Northeast with murders, extortion and other crimes spanning decades. Also on this date: In 1841, the island of Hong Kong was ceded by China to Great Britain. It returned to Chinese control in July 1997."

"In 1936, Britain's King George V died after his physician injected the mortally ill monarch with morphine and cocaine to hasten his death. The king was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne 11 months later to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in for his second of four terms as president, becoming the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20."

"In 1961, in his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy urged Americans, ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. In 1986, the United States observed the first federal holiday in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. In 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States, succeeding Jimmy Carter."

January 20 is associated with a range of historical events across centuries. On Jan. 20, 2011, authorities charged 127 suspected mobsters and associates in the Northeast in one of the biggest Mafia takedowns, accusing them of murders, extortion and other decades-spanning crimes. In 1841, China ceded Hong Kong to Great Britain; Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in July 1997. In 1936 King George V died after his physician injected morphine and cocaine; his son Edward VIII succeeded him and abdicated 11 months later to marry Wallis Simpson. In 1937 Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president inaugurated on Jan. 20, following the 20th Amendment.

Read at www.mercurynews.com