January 1 - The Beatles start a 5 day tour in Scotland to support the release of their new single, "Love Me Do".
January 7 - Gary U.S. Bonds[?] files a $100,000 lawsuit against Chubby Checker, claiming that Checker stole "Quarter to Three" and turned it into "Dancin' Party." The lawsuit is later settled out of court.
... da Gama, (1469?-1524), first to reach India from Europe by the sea route
Thomas Gann[?], explorer
Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de la Vérendrye, (1685-1749), ...