previous year2009
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
2020next year

Major Events of January 2010: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from January 2010 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of January 2010: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Jan 2010 Lakki Marwat Suicide Bombing: A devastating suicide bombing occurred at a volleyball match in Lakki Marwat, northwest Pakistan, resulting in over 95 fatalities, more than 100 injuries, and the destruction of twenty houses. The attack was a tragic act of terrorism targeting civilians during a sporting event.
  • 02 Jan 2010 Israeli Air Force Responds to Gaza Attacks: In response to ongoing mortar fire and missile attacks, the Israeli Air Force launched a strategic military operation targeting tunnels leading from Gaza into Israel, escalating the ongoing tensions in the region.
  • 03 Jan 2010 After days of flooding in New South Wales (Australia), more than 1000 people were evacuated.
  • 04 Jan 2010 Burj Khalifa Opens in Dubai: Dubai officially opens the world's tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa tower, standing at an impressive 828 metres and constructed at a cost of US$1.5 billion. This architectural marvel represents a significant milestone in modern engineering and urban development.
  • 05 Jan 2010 CIA Agents Killed in Suicide Bombing: Jordanian suicide bomber Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, believed to be an al-Qaeda triple agent, killed seven CIA agents in a devastating attack.
  • 06 Jan 2010 China Becomes World's Largest Exporter: In a significant economic milestone, China surpassed Germany to become the world's largest exporter, marking a pivotal moment in global trade dynamics and China's economic ascendancy.
  • 07 Jan 2010 GM Launches First Domestic Lithium-Ion Battery Plant: General Motors produced its first lithium-ion battery pack for the Chevrolet Volt at a new manufacturing facility in Brownstown, Michigan, marking a significant milestone in electric vehicle production.
  • 08 Jan 2010 Togo Football Team Attack in Angola: Gunmen from an offshoot of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda launched a violent attack on the Togo national football team's bus en route to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. The attack resulted in three fatalities and nine injuries, causing significant disruption to the team's tournament participation and highlighting regional tensions in the Cabinda region.
  • 09 Jan 2010 Venezuela Currency Devaluation: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced a significant devaluation of the bolivar, the national currency, ranging from 17% to 50% - the first such adjustment since 2005.
  • 10 Jan 2010 China Surpasses Germany as World's Top Exporter: In a significant economic milestone, China overtook Germany to become the world's largest exporter, signaling the continued rise of China's economic power and global trade influence.
  • 11 Jan 2010 Haiti Earthquake Disaster: A catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, with devastating consequences for Port-au-Prince. The disaster resulted in over 160,000 fatalities and widespread destruction of the capital city's infrastructure, marking one of the most significant humanitarian crises of the decade.
  • 12 Jan 2010 2010 Haiti Earthquake: A devastating magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, causing unprecedented destruction in Port-au-Prince. The catastrophic event resulted in over 200,000 fatalities, left more than 1,000,000 people homeless, and caused an estimated $8 billion in damages - equivalent to 100% of Haiti's GDP. This was the most severe earthquake to hit Haiti in over two centuries, creating a humanitarian crisis of massive proportions.
  • 13 Jan 2010 Haiti Earthquake: A devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, causing unprecedented destruction, massive infrastructure collapse, and significant loss of human life. The earthquake's epicenter was near Port-au-Prince, leading to widespread humanitarian crisis and international relief efforts.
  • 14 Jan 2010 Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province: A devastating suicide bombing at a market in Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province results in 20 fatalities, further highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.
  • 15 Jan 2010 Russia Ratifies European Court of Human Rights Reform: Russia became the last of the 47 Council of Europe member states to ratify Protocol 14, a key reform to the European Court of Human Rights, signaling a significant diplomatic and legal milestone.
  • 16 Jan 2010 US Rebuilding Project in Haiti: President Obama announced one of America's largest-ever rebuilding projects in Haiti, aiming to address the devastation caused by the massive earthquake that killed more than 100,000 people and caused approximately $8 billion in damage.
  • 17 Jan 2010 Pine Island Glacier Tipping Point: Scientific computer modeling revealed that Pine Island Glacier has reached a critical point of potential collapse, with projections indicating a possible sea level rise of up to 52 cm in the coming century, signaling significant climate change implications.
  • 18 Jan 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations: The United States commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a pivotal civil rights leader who transformed racial equality through nonviolent resistance. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, King was a minister and activist who coordinated the Montgomery bus boycott, organized civil rights demonstrations, and led transformative protests across Alabama and Georgia. Between 1960 and 1968, he became the most influential African-American leader of the civil rights movement, using peaceful strategies to challenge racial discrimination. His achievements include being the first African-American named TIME's Man of the Year in 1963 and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
  • 19 Jan 2010 2010 Haiti Earthquake: A devastating earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, causing massive destruction in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. The international community, including the United Nations and United States, rapidly mobilized humanitarian aid and relief efforts.
  • 20 Jan 2010 Republican Scott Brown Wins Massachusetts Senate Seat: In a significant political upset, Republican Scott Brown won the special election for Massachusetts' vacant Senate seat, reducing the Democratic Party's Senate majority and signaling potential shifts in political dynamics.
  • 21 Jan 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court Decision: The U.S. Supreme Court issues a landmark ruling (5-4) that allows corporations and unions to spend freely on election communications, fundamentally altering campaign finance regulations.
  • 22 Jan 2010 UK Raises Terrorism Threat Level: UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced that the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has elevated the national terrorist threat level from 'substantial' to 'severe', indicating an increased risk of terrorist activity.
  • 23 Jan 2010 ACLU Condemns Guantanamo Detention Policy: The American Civil Liberties Union strongly condemned a U.S. Justice Department report recommending that 47 Guantanamo Bay detainees be held indefinitely without trial, raising significant human rights and legal concerns about due process.
  • 24 Jan 2010 Haiti Earthquake Devastation: A catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, causing massive destruction in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. By January 24, the death toll had reached an estimated 150,000 people, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history.
  • 25 Jan 2010 Baghdad Car Bomb Attacks: A devastating terrorist attack in central Baghdad resulted in 36 fatalities from three coordinated car bomb explosions, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in post-war Iraq.
  • 26 Jan 2010 US Arms Sale to Taiwan Approved: Despite strong diplomatic opposition from China, the United States proceeds with an arms sale to Taiwan, further escalating tensions in the complex geopolitical relationship between the two nations.
  • 27 Jan 2010 Haiti Earthquake Aftermath: Ongoing humanitarian crisis following the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake, with international aid efforts focused on rescue, relief, and recovery in Port-au-Prince.
  • 28 Jan 2010 Miraculous Survival in Haiti Earthquake: Darlene Etienne, a teenage girl, was dramatically rescued from the rubble of Port-au-Prince, surviving an incredible 16 days after being buried. She sustained herself by drinking Coca-Cola and water from a bathtub.
  • 29 Jan 2010 Haiti Earthquake International Assistance and Death Toll: Haiti officially recognized the critical humanitarian assistance received from Venezuela, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic following the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The government confirmed a staggering death toll of approximately 150,000 people, highlighting the massive human tragedy.
  • 30 Jan 2010 Haiti Earthquake Aftermath: The devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake continued to have significant humanitarian and logistical challenges, with multiple international response complications emerging.
  • 31 Jan 2010 Suicide Bombing in Northwestern Pakistan: A devastating suicide bombing in Khar, northwestern Pakistan, claimed at least 16 lives in a market, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in the region.