- Jan 5 Central America proclaims annexation to Mexican Empire
- Jan 7 1st printing in Hawaii
- Jan 7 Liberia colonized by Americans
- Jan 13 The design of the Greek flag is adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus
- Jan 14 Greek War of Independence: Acrocorinth is captured by Theodoros Kolokotronis and Demetrius Ypsilanti
- Jan 15 Greek War of Independence: Demetrius Ypsilanti is elected president of the legislative assembly.