January 6, 1994 - Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed on the knee at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. The assault was planned by the ex-husband of fellow ice skater Tonya Harding in an attempt to force Kerrigan out of the competition. While the injury did cause Kerrigan to withdraw from the U.S. championships, the U.S. Figure Skating Association nevertheless chose to name her to the Olympic team. Seven weeks after the attack Kerrigan competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics, skating what she considered to be the two best performances of her life. Her efforts won her an Olympic silver medal. Harding also competed in the 1994 Olympics, finishing eighth. Subsequent investigations revealed that Harding knew of the planned attack and conspired to cover it up. As punishment Harding was stripped of her previous ice skating titles and was banned from the sport for life.

January 8, 1963 - Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting Mona Lisa was exhibited in the United States for the first time at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The special one-picture loan was made directly to the President of the United States and the American people by the government of the French Republic. The French Minister of Cultural Affairs, André Malraux, accompanied the painting to the United States. The painting was displayed in the center of the West Sculpture Hall, and was guarded around the clock by United States Marines. The Gallery added 4 hours of viewing time per day. Because of the crowds, visitors had to wait in line up to 2 hours.

January 11, 1964 - United States Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry published a landmark report saying that smoking may be hazardous to health. Though this was not the first time the health effects of smoking had been questioned, it was arguably the most famous and lead to a worldwide change in the perception of smoking. The report found cigarette smokers had a 70 percent increased mortality rate, cigarette smoke was the primary cause of chronic bronchitis, and showed a correlation between smoking, emphysema, and heart disease. The report was deliberately published on a Saturday to minimize the negative effect on the American stock markets, while maximizing the coverage in Sunday newspapers. It led to policy changes such as warning labels and restrictions on advertising.