- Jan 2 General Wolseley receives last distress signal of General Gordon in Khartoum
- Jan 3 The beginning of the Battle of Nui Bop in the Sino-French War
- Jan 4 Dr William Grant of Iowa, performs 1st appendectomy in America on Mary Gartside, aged 22
- Jan 11 Henrik Ibsen's "Vildauden," premieres in Oslo
- Jan 17 British beat Mahdists at Battle of Abu Klea in Sudan
- Jan 19 Battle of Abu Klea, Sudan, between the British Desert Column and Mahdist forces: 76 British and 1,100 Mahdists killed
- Jan 25 Vincent d'Indy's "Saugefleurie" premieres
- Jan 26 Muhammad Ahmed ("Mahdi") rebels conquer Khartoum
Event of Interest
Jan 28 Commission for Auguste Rodin's sculpture 'The Burghers of Calais' signed by the Municipal Council of Calais.
Auguste Rodin