- Jan 5 Central America proclaims annexation to Mexican Empire
- Jan 7 1st printing in Hawaii of a ceremonial broadside for King Kamehameha II by Elisha Loomis
- Jan 7 Liberia colonized by the American Colonization Society
- 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.