1. On January 31, 1865, Union forces commanded by Major General William T. Sherman arrived in Natchez, Mississippi, capturing the city and securing control of the Mississippi River for the Union army.

2. On January 31, 1956, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was named the first field secretary for the Mississippi chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

3. On January 31, 1961, the University of Mississippi admitted its first African American student, James Meredith, following a long legal battle and a federal court order.

4. On January 31, 1971, the Mississippi River flooded much of the state, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The flooding resulted in 44 deaths and over $500 million in damages.

5. On January 31, 1995, Tupelo, Mississippi native Elvis Presley was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd annual American Music Awards. Presley remains one of the most famous and influential musicians in American history.