- Jan 1 Robert Fowler runs then world record marathon (2:52:45.4)
- Jan 1 Drilling begins on the Lakeview Gusher
- Jan 1 In Great Britain, the Old Age Pension Law is finally instituted, providing pensions for every British subject over 70 with low income
- Jan 2 1st official Dutch 11 city skate (Minne Hoekstra in 13:50)
- Jan 5 Colombia recognizes Panama's independence
Event of Interest
Jan 9 Ernest Shackleton as part of the British Nimrod Expedition reaches a record farthest South latitude (88°23' south)
Ernest Shackleton
- Jan 14 Coöp. Far. Central Management forms
- Jan 16 British explorers David, Mawson & Mackay reach south magnetic pole as part of the Nimrod Expedition
- Jan 19 Eugene Walter's "Easiest Way" premieres in NYC
- Jan 22 Vassily Kandinsky forms Kunstlerverein in Munich
- Jan 23 1st radio rescue at sea
- Jan 25 Richard Strauss' premier of "Elektra" in Dresden
- Jan 27 The Young Left is founded in Norway
- Jan 28 US military forces leave Cuba for 2nd time