2006: An explosion in a coal mine in Sago, West Virginia traps and kills 12 miners, leaving only one survivor.
2004: Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples that are returned to Earth.
1999: A brutal snowstorm smashes into the Midwestern United States, causing 14 inches (359 mm) of snow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 19 inches (487 mm) in Chicago, where temperatures plunge to -13 °F (-25 °C); 68 deaths are reported.
1992: Leaders of armed opposition declare the President Zviad Gamsakhurdia deposed during a military coup in Georgia.
1981: One of the largest investigations by a British police force ends when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper", is arrested in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
1976: The Gale of January 1976 begins, which results in coastal flooding around the southern North Sea coasts, resulting in at least 82 deaths and US$1.3 billion in damage.
1974: United States President Richard Nixon signs a bill lowering the maximum U.S. speed limit to 55 MPH in order to conserve gasoline during an OPEC embargo.
1971: The second Ibrox disaster kills 66 fans at a Rangers-Celtic association football (soccer) match.
1920: The second Palmer Raid takes place with another 6,000 suspected communists and anarchists arrested and held without trial. These raids take place in several U.S. cities.
1905: Russo-Japanese War: The Russian garrison surrenders at Port Arthur, China.
1900: American statesman and diplomat John Hay announces the Open Door Policy to promote trade with China.
1863: American Civil War: The Battle of Stones River (a.k.a. Battle of Murfreesboro) resumes in central Tennessee after a day's respite, resulting in a significant Union victory.