Dr. Jesús H. García discovers the healing powers of the "Niagara" medicinal spring in Colombia.
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What Happened in January?
Tragic deaths, ravaged cities, and great acts of heroism. Discover what happened this month in history and the defining moments that shaped the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
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The Batavian Republic, a French client state, is established in the Netherlands.
John Jay, on behalf of the United States, signs the Jay Treaty with Great Britain, easing tensions between the two countries.
The first top hat is worn in public by John Etherington in London, England.
The French Revolutionary Wars see the British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeat the French fleet off the Egyptian coast at the Battle of the Nile.
The income tax is introduced in Britain to finance the Napoleonic Wars.
The Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland comes into effect on January 1, 1801, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The act had been passed by both Legislative branches on March 2, 1800.
The Treaty of Amiens is signed, temporarily ending hostilities between France and the United Kingdom during the Napoleonic Wars.
Thomas Jefferson secretly commissions Meriwether Lewis to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.
Haiti's independence from France, is proclaimed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines becoming the first independent black-led nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean, with an estimated population of 11.5 million. The capital and largest city is Port-au-Prince.
The Rum Rebellion in Australia sees Governor William Bligh deposed by the New South Wales Corps.
Edgar Allan Poe, American author and poet, is born in Boston, Massachusetts.
An earthquake in the Midwest, known as the New Madrid earthquake, shakes the central United States.
Peninsular War: French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte storm the city of Valencia, Spain.
The Creek War ends with the signing of the Treaty of Fort Jackson, ceding Creek territory to the United States.
Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden, following the Treaty of Kiel between Sweden and Denmark-Norway.
American forces, led by General Andrew Jackson, defeat the British in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
Argentine General José de San Martín begins his crossing of the Andes during the South American Wars of Independence.
The British explorer and navigator John Ross reaches the North Magnetic Pole.
Simon Bolivar, the South American revolutionary, proclaims the Republic of Colombia.