- Jan 1 Lincoln University, a black college, chartered (Oxford, Pennsylvania)
- Jan 4 The McDonald Islands are discovered by Captain William McDonald aboard the Samarang
- Jan 5 Steamship San Francisco wrecked off US eastern seaboard, 300 die
- Jan 9 Astor Library opens in New York City
- Jan 18 Filibuster William Walker proclaims Republic of Sonora in NW Mexico
- Jan 25 Aleksandr Ostrovsky's play "Bednost ne Porok" premieres in Moscow
- Jan 30 1st election in Washington Territory; 1,682 votes cast
- Jan 31 Dutch KNMI established (Royal Meteorological Institute)