On 17 January 1773, Captain James Cook made history by becoming the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle, reaching the latitude of 66° 33' S aboard the HMS Resolution

The first assembly of the League of Nations convened in Paris on 16 January 1920, initiating an era of international cooperation aimed at maintaining peace

The Medici family was appointed as the official banker of the Papacy on 16 January 1412, significantly boosting their influence and setting the stage for their prominent role in the Renaissance

On 16 January 27 BC, Octavian was given the title "Augustus" by the Roman Senate, initiating the Roman Empire and marking the start of his reign as its first emperor

The British Museum opened to the public on 15 January 1759 at Montague House, London, offering free access to its diverse collection of art and antiquities

Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, was launched on 15 January 2001, revolutionizing digital information-sharing through its collaborative platform

Abdulaziz Ibn Saud's capture of Riyadh on 15 January 1902 initiated the formation of the Third Saudi State, paving the way for the unification of the Arabian Peninsula

The US Congress of the Confederation ratified the Treaty of Paris on 14 January 1784, officially ending the Revolutionary War and securing peace with Great Britain

The Third Battle of Panipat on 14 January 1761 saw the Durrani Empire's decisive victory over the Marathas, leading to massive casualties and the massacre of Maratha prisoners

On 14 January 1641, the Dutch East India Company captured the city of Malacca, resulting in the death of 7,000 people during the intense battle

On 13 January 1943, Hitler declared "Total War" against the Allies, urging full mobilization of Germany's resources in a desperate bid to reverse Nazi fortunes in World War II

The "Mickey Mouse" comic strip debuted on 13 January 1930, bringing Disney's iconic character into newspapers and expanding his cultural impact

Richard Wagner completed his final opera "Parsifal" on 13 January 1882, blending musical innovation with profound philosophical themes, cementing his legacy in Western music history

The "Batman" TV series, featuring Adam West and Burt Ward, premiered on 12 January 1966 on ABC, marking the beginning of a cultural phenomenon with its campy style and memorable characters

The 2010 Haiti earthquake killed around 160,000 people and caused massive destruction in Port-au-Prince, leaving the nation in desperate need of recovery and international aid

On 12 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi started his final fast to urge communal harmony in India