- 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
Theater Premiere
Jan 11 Henrik Ibsen's play "Vildauden," (The Wild Duck) premieres in Oslo
Music History
Jan 25 Vincent d'Indy's "Saugefleurie" premieres
- Jan 26 Muhammad Ahmed ("Mahdi") rebels conquer Khartoum
Historic Event
Jan 28 Commission for Auguste Rodin's sculpture 'The Burghers of Calais' signed by the Municipal Council of Calais.