On January 19

The Hong Kong–based file-sharing website Megaupload was shut down by the FBI.

A four-man team, using only skis and kites, completed a 1,093-mile (1,759 km) trek to reach the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility, the first people to get there since 1967, and the first to do so on foot.

Turkish-Armenian journalist and human-rights activist Hrant Dink was assassinated by a Turkish nationalist in Istanbul.

In the deadliest aviation accident in Slovak history, an Antonov An-24 operated by the Slovak Air Force crashed in northern Hungary, killing 42 of the 43 people on board.

A tank barge and a tug grounded on a beach in Rhode Island, causing a spill of an estimated 828,000 U.S. gallons (3.13 million litres) of home heating oil.

Iva Toguri (pictured), convicted of treason for broadcasting Japanese propaganda, was granted a full pardon by U.S. president Gerald Ford.

An earthquake registering 6.8 Ms struck northern Himachal Pradesh in India, causing extensive damage to the region.

The French newspaper L'Aurore revealed that the former Nazi SS officer Klaus Barbie, the "Butcher of Lyon", had been found to be living in Peru.

The American Civil Liberties Union was founded by the directors of the National Civil Liberties Bureau.

World War I: The first major attack of the German bombing campaign against Britain took place when Zeppelins bombed several towns in Norfolk.

A deed was recorded for David Hanbury to sell Island No. 2 in northern California to his brother John for $10 ($358.33 in 2025 ).

A deed was recorded for David Hanbury to sell Island No. 2 in northern California to his brother John for $10 ($358.33 in .mw-parser-output .tooltip-dotted{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}2025).

The Batavian Republic was established the day after William V fled the Dutch Republic as a result of the Batavian Revolution in Amsterdam.

War of the League of Cambrai: Troops led by Pope Julius II captured Mirandola (depicted) after a brief siege.

Hundred Years' War: The siege of Rouen ended with English troops capturing the city from Norman French forces.