- Jan 1 Building of Panama Canal begins
- Jan 6 Record snow cover in Seattle - 120 cm
- Jan 9 6' (1.83 metres) of snow falls in Seattle in 5 days
- Jan 9 The Great Gale of 1880 devastates parts of Oregon and Washington with high wind and heavy snow
- Jan 21 1st US sewage disposal system separate from storm drains in Memphis, Tennessee
Edison Patents Electric Lamp
Jan 27 Thomas Edison patents electric incandescent lamp
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