MOMENTS IN TIME - Jan. 14, 2010

The History Channel

* On Jan. 30, 1835, Andrew Jackson becomes the first American president to experience an assassination attempt. Richard Lawrence, an unemployed house painter, shot at Jackson, but his gun misfired. A furious 67-year-old Jackson confronted his attacker, clubbing Lawrence several times with his walking cane. A second shot also misfired.

* On Jan. 27, 1888, the National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., for “the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” Readership of the magazine did not grow, however, until it changed the format to articles of general interest accompanied by photographs.

* On Jan. 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympics takes off in style at Chamonix in the French Alps. Spectators were thrilled by the ski jump and bobsled, as well as 12 other events involving a total of six sports. The United States came in third, winning its only gold medal in the 500-meter speedskating event.

* On Jan. 26, 1934, producer Samuel Goldwyn buys the film rights to “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum. Goldwyn had intended for Shirley Temple to play Dorothy in the film, but 17-year-old Judy Garland got the part instead.

* On Jan. 31, 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik becomes the first American soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion — and the only one who suffered such a fate during World War II. Slovik claimed he was “too scared and too nervous” to be a rifleman, and threatened to run away if forced into combat. He deserted the next day.

* On Jan. 29, 1964, Stanley Kubrick’s black comic masterpiece, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” opens in theaters. The movie’s popularity was evidence of changing attitudes toward atomic weapons and the concept of nuclear deterrence.

* On Jan. 28, 1978, “Fantasy Island” is created as a follow-up to “The Love Boat” TV series. “Fantasy Island” became a hit and ran for six years. Screen actor Ricardo Montalban played the mysterious host Mr. Roarke, and his diminutive sidekick, Tattoo, was played by dwarf Herve Villechaize.

(c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.