January 16: An Empire Born, A Stage Transformed, and A Final Flight

January 16 captures three defining moments that remind us how ambition, art, and exploration shape civilizations. On this day, a Roman senator became the first emperor and launched centuries of imperial rule, a jazz bandleader broke barriers in America's most prestigious concert hall, and seven astronauts embarked on a mission to expand human understanding of the cosmos. Each story speaks to humanity's drive to reach beyond what is—to create new orders, break down old walls, and venture into the unknown.