11 January 1549

French special forces failed in an attempted rescue of a DGSE agent, who had been taken hostage in 2009 by al-Shabaab, in Bulo Marer, Somalia.

After Chicago police detective Jon Burge was discovered to have extracted forced confessions from more than 200 suspects, the governor of Illinois commuted the death sentences of 167 prisoners and pardoned four others.

The Gateway Bridge (pictured) in Brisbane, Australia, opened as the largest prestressed-concrete, single-box bridge in the world.

In a landmark report (cover pictured), U.S. surgeon general Luther Terry issued a warning that tobacco smoking may be hazardous to health, concluding that it has a causative role in lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and other illnesses.

Students at the University of Georgia rioted in an attempt to prevent the attendance of two African-American students.

The People's Republic of Albania was proclaimed, with Enver Hoxha as the country's de facto head of state.

Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, hosted 36 people involved in the film industry at a banquet, where he announced the creation of what would become the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Troops from France and Belgium invaded the Ruhr to force the Weimar Republic to pay reparations in the aftermath of World War I.

The Karluk, the flagship of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, sank after being crushed by ice.

Immigrant textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, went on strike in response to a pay cut corresponding to a new state law shortening the working week.

American Civil War: The Battle of Arkansas Post concluded with the Union Army capturing a fort from Confederate forces near the mouth of the Arkansas River.

German-born British astronomer William Herschel discovered two Uranian moons, later named Oberon and Titania by his son John.

The most powerful earthquake recorded in Italy struck the island of Sicily, causing 60,000 deaths and prompting a period of architectural revival.

Arauco War: The Mapuche-Huilliche of southern Chile defeated a slave-hunting Spanish army at the Battle of Río Bueno.

Theodora Porphyrogenita became the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire after the death of her brother-in-law Constantine IX Monomachos.

One French soldier and 17 militants are killed in a failed attempt to free a French hostage in Bulo Marer, Somalia.

Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal.

Space Shuttle program: STS-72 launches from the Kennedy Space Center marking the start of the 74th Space Shuttle mission and the 10th flight of Endeavour.

51 people are killed in a plane crash in María La Baja, Colombia.

The Irish Government announces the end of a 15-year broadcasting ban on the IRA and its political arm Sinn Féin.

The Gateway Bridge, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia is officially opened.

United Airlines Flight 2885 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing three.

The first episode of Finnish children's TV show Pikku Kakkonen ("Little Number Two") is aired on Yle TV2.

Major League Baseball owners vote in approval of the American League adopting the designated hitter position.