On January 3

The United States launches a military operation in Venezuela, capturing president Nicolás Maduro (pictured) and his wife.

The cryptocurrency network of bitcoin was created when Satoshi Nakamoto mined the first block of the chain.

Flash Airlines Flight 604 crashed shortly after departure from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport which killed all 148 occupants on board.

Second Intifada: Israeli forces seized MV Karine A, which was carrying 50 tons of smuggled weapons on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

United States invasion of Panama: Manuel Noriega, the deposed strongman of Panama, surrendered to American forces outside the apostolic nunciature in Panama City.

CBS announced the sale of the New York Yankees professional baseball team to a group of investors headed by American businessman George Steinbrenner.

All 25 people on board Aero Flight 311 died in Finland's worst civilian air accident when the aircraft crashed near Kvevlax.

Second World War: As part of Operation Compass, Australian and United Kingdom forces attacked Italian forces at the Battle of Bardia in Egypt.

The American health charity March of Dimes was founded as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to help raise money for polio research.

A gun battle in the East End of London left two dead and sparked a political row over the operational involvement of Winston Churchill, then Home Secretary.

An earthquake registering 7.7 Mw destroyed Almaty in Russian Turkestan.

American Revolutionary War: American forces commanded by George Washington defeated British troops at the Battle of Princeton (depicted).

The first issue of Berlingske, Denmark's oldest continually operating newspaper, was published.

Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, excommunicating Martin Luther for refusing to retract 41 alleged errors found in his 95 Theses and other writings.

Decius ordered all people in the Roman Empire (except Jews) to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods, resulting in widespread persecution of Christians.