Historical Events
- "Flying Karamzov Brothers" closes at Helen Hayes NYC after 50 performances
- "Grand Night after Singing" closes at Criterion NYC after 52 performances
- 23rd Fiesta Bowl: #16 Arizona beats #10 Miami, 29-0
- 60th Orange Bowl: #1 Florida State beats #2 Nebraska, 18-16
- 60th Sugar Bowl: #8 Florida beats #3 West Virginia, 41-7
- 80th Rose Bowl: #9 Wisconsin beats #14 UCLA, 21-16
- Aleksandr Popov swims world record 100m free style (47.83)
- Carquest Bowl 4: Boston College beats Virginia, 32-13
Film & TV History
Howard Stern's New Year's Eve Beauty Pageant
- International Year of Family
- Jacobs Field opens with "Gateway's New Year's Eve Countdown to '94"
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect
- The Zapatista Army of National Liberation initiates twelve days of armed conflict in the Mexican State of Chiapas.
Famous Birthdays
- He Kexin, Chinese gymnast (Olympic gold uneven bars, team 2008; World C'ship gold uneven bars 2009), born in Beijing, China
Famous Weddings
Melinda & Bill Gates
Microsoft CEO Bill Gates (38) marries Melinda French (29)
Famous Deaths
- Arthur Porritt, New Zealand athlete (Olympic bronze 100m 1924) and 11th governor-general of New Zealand 1967-72, dies at 93
Cesar Romero (1907-1994)
American actor (Batman, Ocean's 11), dies at 86
- Werner Schwab, Austrian playwright (Female Presidents) & artist, dies at 35
About January 1, 1994
Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 29 years, 8 months and 23 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Capricorn
Holidays: New Year's Day (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States)
Music Charts
#1 Song: Hero - Mariah Carey
#1 Song: Mr Blobby - Mr Blobby