Ma Barker – Today In Southern History

Jan 16, 2026

FBI agents killed Missouri gangsters Fred and Ma Barker at their hideout in Lake Weir, Florida.

1825 – Confederate General George Pickett was born in Richmond, Virginia.
1831 – Mushulatubbe declared he would resign as Chief of the Choctaw when removal to Indian Territory started. He recommended that Peter Pitchlynn as his replacement.
1871 – Jefferson Long of Georgia was sworn in as the second black U.S. Congressman during reconstruction.
1919 – The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages, was ratified.
1920 – Prohibition went into effect in the U.S.
1991 – The White House announced the start of Operation Desert Storm to drive invading Iraqi forces from Kuwait during the undeclared First Persian Gulf War.
1998 – The first woman to enroll at Virginia Military Institute withdrew from school.
1998 – It was announced that Texas would receive $15.3 billion in a tobacco industry settlement with payouts planned over 25 years.

Today In Southern History