- Jan 1 Canada begins using decimal currency system
- Jan 9 Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas, commits suicide
Assassination Attempt
Jan 14 French Emperor Napoleon III escapes attempt on his life by Felice Orsini, an Italian patriot who was later executed
Music Premiere
Jan 25 Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" first played, at wedding of Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Victoria, to crown prince of Prussia
