Ronald Reagan signs a bill to create Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The day, observed every year on the third Monday of January, commemorates the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. a leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

Coup in Saudi Arabia. Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud takes over the government of Saudi Arabia while his half-brother, King Saud is overseas for medical reasons.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation established. Officially known as CBC/Radio-Canada, the network is Canada's public radio and television broadcaster.

Haile Selassie I becomes the emperor of Ethiopia. Considered as a leading figure in the Rastafari movement, Selassie reigned over Ethiopia for 44 years.

Balfour Declaration. Originally sent as a letter on this day to Baron Rothschild from British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour, it declared BRitish support for a Jewish state in Palestine. The letter was eventually added to Sevres peace treaty.