January 02

Authorized by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, these raids targeted radical political organizations in the wake of World War I and inflammatory bombings. Federal agents swept through urban centers, conducting warrantless arrests and interrogations under broad sedition laws. Many detainees were held for weeks without formal charges, sparking outcry over civil liberties abuses. Although some leaders were deported, the massive sweep yielded few convictions and revealed weaknesses in the Justice Department’s methods. Public criticism grew as newspapers and civil rights groups condemned the violation of constitutional rights. The Palmer Raids ultimately fueled debate over the balance between national security and individual freedoms during the Red Scare.

By January 1981, the most extensive serial killer hunt in UK history was underway. Sutcliffe, later dubbed the "Yorkshire Ripper", had murdered at least 13 women since 1975. Police from multiple forces coordinated intelligence and conducted widespread inquiries. On January 2, 1981, officers in Sheffield arrested Sutcliffe after linking him to a prior assault. Evidence found in his vehicle and home confirmed his identity as the killer. His arrest ended a reign of terror that had gripped northern England. The case prompted reforms in investigative methods and victim support. Sutcliffe was tried later that year and received multiple life sentences.

On January 2, 2022, citizens in western Kazakhstan took to the streets in protest against a sudden LPG price hike. Demonstrations quickly spread to Almaty, Nur-Sultan, and other major cities. The government declared a state of emergency and restricted internet access to curb unrest. Security forces used force, and by January 11 at least 238 people had died and thousands were injured. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Russian-led troops were deployed to help stabilize the situation. The protests underscored deep-seated socioeconomic frustrations and calls for political reform. Authorities later rolled back some price increases but faced ongoing demands for broader change.