On this day, January 2, 1914, After ordering Baker County Sheriff Ed Rand to close all the saloons in the town of Copperfield that were allegedly selling alcohol on Sunday and operating illegal gambling operations, Oregon Governor Oswald West declared martial law and had the Oregon Militia close them down.

Also on this day, January 2, 2016, a group of citizens, members of the Oath Keepers, seized control of a federal building at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Group leader Ammon Bundy claimed ranchers, loggers and farmers should have control of federal land. Ex-serviceman Elmer Stewart Rhodes, who opposed the occupation, had founded Oath Keepers after working on Ron Paul's 2008 campaign for the Republican nomination.