1941: James Joyce dies
One of Ireland's greatest authors, James Joyce, dies on January 13, 1941. A commemorative museum was established for him in Dublin, where his first work, 'Dubliners', was composed in - according to Joyce - a style of scrupulous meanness.
Later, 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' and 'Ulysses' established Joyce as one of the most intellectually complex and daring writers of the 20th century.
His work demonstrates a phenomenal mastery of language, philosophy, psychology and mythology.
2001
San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is hit by a huge earthquake, leaving over 1,000 people feared dead.
1993
American, British and French planes bomb a series of targets over southern Iraq. The action is taken in response to repeated Iraqi breaches of the 'no-fly zone' implemented after the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
1991
As protesters continue to fight for Lithuanian independence, 13 people are killed and more than 140 injured by the Soviet military.
1990
L. Douglas Wilder is elected governor of Richmond, Virginia in the U.S.A. He becomes the first African American governor.
1972
The Prime Minister of Ghana is ousted by a military coup whilst receiving medical treatment in London.
1972
American President Richard Nixon announces that 70,000 US troops will leave South Vietnam over the following three months.
1968
Johnny Cash records the album ‘At Folsom Prison’ live at Folsom State Prison, USA.
1966
American President Lyndon Johnson appoints the first African-American to a cabinet position. Robert C. Weaver is made head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
1964
In Calcutta (Kolkata), India, more than 100 people are killed following Hindu-Muslim rioting.
1958
In Scotland, the serial killer Peter Manuel is arrested after a series of attacks over a two year period that left nine people dead.1958
Over 9,000 scientists from 44 different countries petition the UN to end the testing of nuclear weapons.
1950
The Soviet Ambassador to the United Nations, Jacob Malik, storms out of a meeting of the UN Security Council, as a Soviet proposal to expel the Chinese Nationalist representative is rejected. Malik announces his intention to boycott future meetings of the Council.
1916
World War I: In an attempt to relieve their compatriots under heavy siege by Turkish forces at Kut-al Amara in Mesopotamia, British forces under the command of Lieutenant General Fenton Aylmer launch an attack against Turkish defensive positions on the banks of the Wadi River.
1898
In France, Emile Zola's article ‘J'accuse’ is printed, exposing a military cover-up now known as the Dreyfus Affair. Zola is subsequently found guilty of libel, though later pardoned.
1874
A British army doctor reaches the British sentry post at Jalalabad, Afghanistan, the only survivor of a 16,000-strong Anglo-Indian expeditionary force that was massacred during its retreat from Kabul.