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.

Major Events of January 2010: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jan 2010 Colombian Air Force bombs FARC camp, killing 18 rebels: On January 1, 2010, the Colombian Air Force conducted an airstrike on a jungle camp in southern Colombia, resulting in the deaths of 18 FARC rebels. Following the attack, Colombian troops from the elite Task Force Omega stormed the camp, capturing 15 rebels and seizing 25 rifles, war materials, explosives, and intelligence information. source: taipeitimes.com
- 02 Jan 2010 Israeli Air Force retaliates to Gaza rocket attacks: On January 2, 2010, in response to rocket attacks from Gaza, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes targeting weapons manufacturing sites and terror tunnels in the Gaza Strip. The raids were a reprisal for mortar attacks launched from Gaza into southern Israel. source: aljazeera.com
- 03 Jan 2010 Magnitude 5.1 earthquake in Tajikistan leaves 20,000 homeless: On January 3, 2010, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck eastern Tajikistan, resulting in 20,000 people being left homeless and causing damages estimated at US$1.5 million.
- 04 Jan 2010 Earthquake strikes Solomon Islands: On January 4, 2010, a significant earthquake struck the Solomon Islands, a nation located in the Pacific Ocean. The earthquake led to widespread damage and loss of life, prompting international aid and relief efforts. The region is known for its seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Jan 2010 Maguindanao Massacre Trial Begins: The trial for the Maguindanao massacre, one of the deadliest political killings in the Philippines, commenced on January 5, 2010. The massacre occurred on November 23, 2009, when 58 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in Maguindanao province. The trial aimed to bring justice to the victims and their families. source: bbc.com
- 06 Jan 2010 China Becomes World's Largest Exporter: On January 6, 2010, China surpassed Germany to become the world's largest exporter. This milestone reflected China's rapid economic growth and its increasing influence in global trade. source: reuters.com
- 07 Jan 2010 GM Launches First Domestic Lithium-Ion Battery Plant: On January 7, 2010, General Motors announced the opening of its first domestic lithium-ion battery plant in Michigan. This facility was part of GM's efforts to advance electric vehicle technology and reduce dependence on foreign oil. source: autoweek.com
- 08 Jan 2010 Togo national football team bus attacked in Angola: On January 8, 2010, the Togo national football team bus was ambushed by gunmen in Angola's Cabinda province as the team traveled to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The attack resulted in the deaths of the bus driver, assistant coach, and team spokesman, and injured nine others, including players Kodjovi Obilalé and Serge Akakpo. The separatist group Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda-Military Position (FLEC-PM) claimed responsibility for the attack. source: aljazeera.com
- 09 Jan 2010 Earthquake near Eureka, California: On January 9, 2010, a moderate earthquake occurred near Eureka, California. The tremor was felt across the region, causing minor structural damage and prompting brief evacuations. The event highlighted the seismic activity in Northern California, particularly along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 Jan 2010 Britain bans controversial Muslim group: On January 10, 2010, the United Kingdom government announced a ban on the controversial Muslim group, Al-Muhajiroun. The group had been under scrutiny for its extremist views and activities. The ban aimed to prevent the spread of radical ideologies and enhance national security. source: theguardian.com
- 11 Jan 2010 UN sets priorities for 2010: On January 11, 2010, the United Nations outlined its key priorities for the year, focusing on global peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. source: un.org
- 12 Jan 2010 Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti: On January 12, 2010, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, with the epicenter near Léogâne, approximately 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, causing widespread devastation and significant loss of life. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Jan 2010 Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti: On January 12, 2010, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, with the epicenter near Léogâne, approximately 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, causing widespread devastation and significant loss of life. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 14 Jan 2010 Yemen declares war on Al-Qaeda: On January 14, 2010, Yemen's government declared war on Al-Qaeda, launching military operations against the group's strongholds in the country. source: reuters.com
- 15 Jan 2010 Russia ratifies European Court of Human Rights reform: On January 15, 2010, Russia's State Duma ratified Protocol 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights, enabling reforms to streamline the European Court of Human Rights' operations. This move made Russia the last of the 47 Council of Europe member states to ratify the protocol. source: aljazeera.com
- 16 Jan 2010 Last Female WWI Veteran: Florence Green, at 108 years old, is recognized as Britain's oldest surviving and last female World War I veteran. She served in the Women's Royal Air Force in 1918, representing a significant historical milestone.
- 17 Jan 2010 Sebastian Piñera Elected President of Chile: Sebastian Piñera was elected as the new president of Chile, marking a significant political transition in the country's democratic process.
- 18 Jan 2010 Taliban attacks in Kabul: On January 18, 2010, a series of coordinated attacks by the Taliban occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan, resulting in multiple casualties. The attacks targeted government buildings and foreign embassies, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region. source: bbc.com
- 19 Jan 2010 2010 Haiti earthquake: On January 19, 2010, the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12 was still unfolding. The earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of life, prompting international humanitarian efforts to assist the affected population. source: usgs.gov
- 20 Jan 2010 Republican Scott Brown wins Massachusetts Senate seat: On January 20, 2010, Republican Scott Brown won the special election for the U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts, defeating Democrat Martha Coakley. This victory was significant as it shifted the balance of power in the Senate. source: nytimes.com
- 21 Jan 2010 U.S. sends additional troops to Haiti for earthquake relief: On January 21, 2010, the United States announced the deployment of additional troops to Haiti to assist in relief efforts following the catastrophic earthquake. This move aimed to support humanitarian operations and stabilize the situation on the ground. source: defense.gov
- 24 Jan 2010 Avatar Becomes Box Office Sensation: James Cameron's 'Avatar' became the second highest-grossing movie in North America and the top-selling film internationally, marking a significant cinematic achievement.
- 25 Jan 2010 Baghdad car bombings near hotels kill at least 37: Three suicide car bombs exploded near hotels popular with Western journalists and businessmen in Baghdad, killing at least 37 people and injuring over 100. source: wbur.org
- 26 Jan 2010 US approves arms sale to Taiwan: The United States approved a $6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including advanced weaponry, which strained relations with China. source: wbur.org
- 27 Jan 2010 Haiti earthquake aftermath continues: Efforts to provide aid and assess damage continued in Haiti following the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010. source: wbur.org
- 28 Jan 2010 IMF approves loan to Haiti: The International Monetary Fund approved a $102 million loan to Haiti to support its recovery efforts following the earthquake. source: wbur.org
- 29 Jan 2010 Political Suppression in Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan authorities raided the offices of Sarath Fonseka, the defeated presidential candidate, confiscating his belongings in an apparent act of political intimidation.
- 30 Jan 2010 Google announces end of support for Internet Explorer 6: Google announced plans to phase out support for Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) on March 1, 2010, urging users to upgrade to more modern browsers. This decision was influenced by security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues associated with IE6, which had been exploited in attacks on Google and other companies. source: redmondmag.com
- 31 Jan 2010 Roger Federer wins 16th Grand Slam at Australian Open: Swiss tennis player Roger Federer secured his 16th Grand Slam title by defeating Andy Murray in the Australian Open final with a score of 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(13–11). This victory marked Federer's fourth Australian Open title, tying him with Andre Agassi for the most titles in the Open Era. source: abc.net.au