January 15

On January 15, 1892, physical educator Dr. James Naismith published the first official rules of basketball. He created the game to keep his students active indoors during winter in Springfield, Massachusetts. The original thirteen rules emphasized passing, shooting, and the prohibition of running with the ball. Naismith's simple yet innovative guidelines allowed rapid adoption and easy play in school gyms. Basketball quickly spread across the United States and internationally as a competitive sport. It has since grown into one of the world's most popular and widely watched athletic competitions.

The first AFL–NFL World Championship Game, later known as Super Bowl I, took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers, coached by Vince Lombardi, faced the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Hank Stram. Quarterback Bart Starr was named the game's Most Valuable Player after leading two touchdown drives. The Packers' 35–10 victory established their dominance and helped legitimize the new championship format. Television audiences were modest by modern standards, but the event laid the foundation for what would become one of the world's most watched annual sporting spectacles. This game also marked the beginning of the intense rivalry between the American Football League and the National Football League, culminating in the AFL–NFL merger.