Event:
The 112th United States Congress convened; Republican Representative John Boehner of Ohio assumes his new position as Speaker of the House
More Notable Events on January 5:
1998 Ice storm knocks out electricity in Quebec and Ontario
1993 Reggie Jackson elected to Hall of Fame
1972 President Nixon signs a bill for NASA to begin research on manned shuttle
1909 Colombia recognizes Panama's independence
1836 Davy Crockett arrives in Texas, just in time for the Alamo
