The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building is officially opened.

The 110th United States Congress convenes, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel suffers a second, apparently more serious stroke. His authority is transferred to acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Spirit, a NASA Mars Rover, lands successfully on Mars at 04:35 UTC.

Gunmen open fire on Shiite Muslims worshipping in an Islamabad mosque, killing 16 people and injuring 25.

Former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura is sworn in as governor of Minnesota.

A massive ice storm hits eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, continuing through January 10 and causing widespread destruction.

Wilaya of Relizane massacres in Algeria: over 170 are killed in three remote villages.

Second Gulf of Sidra incident: a pair of Libyan MiG-23 "Floggers" are shot down by a pair of US Navy F-14 Tomcats during an air-to-air confrontation.

The Chase, Maryland rail wreck: An Amtrak train en route to Boston, Massachusetts from Washington, D.C., collides with Conrail engines in Chase, Maryland, killing 16 people.

Elizabeth Ann Seton becomes the first American-born saint.

United States President Richard Nixon refuses to hand over materials subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee.

Rose Heilbron becomes the first female judge to sit at the Old Bailey in London.

Donald Campbell is killed on Coniston Water while attempting to break the world water speed record.

A military coup takes place in Upper Volta (later Burkina Faso), dissolving the National Parliament and leading to a new national constitution.

United States President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaims his "Great Society" during his State of the Union address.

New York City introduces a train that operates without a crew on-board.

Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon.

Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit.

Korean War: Chinese and North Korean forces capture Seoul.

Burma regains its independence from the United Kingdom.

World War II: Operation Carpetbagger, involving the dropping of arms and supplies to resistance fighters in Europe, begins.

The Scout Association is incorporated throughout the British Commonwealth by Royal Charter.

Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by Thomas Edison during the War of Currents campaign.

Utah is admitted as the 45th U.S. state.

The first successful appendectomy is performed by William W. Grant on Mary Gartside.

The Fabian Society is founded in London.

Sofia is emancipated from Ottoman rule.

The New York Stock Exchange opens its first permanent headquarters at 10-12 Broad near Wall Street in New York City.

The New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.

The McDonald Islands are discovered by Captain William McDonald aboard the ''Samarang''.

Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government.

Great Britain declares war on Spain and Naples.

The Netherlands, Great Britain, and France sign the Triple Alliance.

Most of the Palace of Whitehall in London, the main residence of the English monarchs, is destroyed by fire.

King Charles I of England sends soldiers to arrest members of Parliament, commencing England's slide into civil war.

Christopher Columbus leaves the New World, ending his first journey.

Anna of Brittany announces that all those who would ally with the king of France will be considered guilty of the crime of lèse majesté.

Battle of Reading: Ethelred of Wessex fights, and is defeated by, a Danish invasion army.