January 31 has long been a day of historic sports achievements. On this date in 1920, Joe Malone stunned the hockey world with a staggering seven-goal performance. Decades later, in 1988, Doug Williams shattered barriers as the first black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl. These moments — and many more — have cemented January 31 as a day of unforgettable games and remarkable records.
Unforgettable Games & Remarkable Records
January 31 has been the backdrop for unforgettable games and groundbreaking athletic accomplishments.
- 1920: Quebec Bulldogs center Joe Malone made NHL history by scoring seven goals in a single game in a 10-6 win against the Toronto St. Patricks.
- 1924: Austrians Helene Engelmann and Alfred Berger narrowly clinched gold at the Chamonix Winter Olympics. Their artistry prevailed by just 0.39 points over their Finnish rivals.
- 1941: In his 13th title defense, heavyweight champion Joe Louis defeated Red Burman with a fifth-round KO at Madison Square Garden.
- 1959: Former player Joe Cronin signed a seven-year deal to lead as American League President, guiding MLB through a modernizing era.
- 1988: Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams became the first Black QB to start and win a Super Bowl. With four touchdown passes, he led his team to a 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos and earned MVP honors.
- 1991: Denver Nuggets guard Michael Adams became the shortest NBA player to record a triple-double.
- 1998: Tennis great Martina Hingis captures a Grand Slam victory with a 6 - 3 and 6 - 3 defeat of Conchita Martinez.
- 2009: Serena Williams wins her 10th Grand Slam title overcoming Dinara Safina 6-0 and 6-3.
- 2024: Iowa star Caitlin Clark set the Big Ten all-time scoring record with an unforgettable game. She had a 35-points and 10-assists against Northwestern.
- 2015: At just 17 years old, Lydia Ko became the youngest golfer in history — male or female —to top the world rankings. Her achievement redefined age expectations in professional golf.
Cultural Milestones
January 31 has also marked moments that transcended sports to shape broader cultural and societal narratives.
- 1927: Rogers Hornsby was barred from holding stock in the St. Louis Cardinals while playing for the New York Giants.
- 1990: The debut of the first all-sports daily newspaper revolutionized sports journalism. The National Sports Daily, or The National, began in New York City.
January 31 definitely marks pivotal milestones in sports history. Check back to learn about other important historical moments in sports.
