Trivial Facts About January: It Isn't Just About a Brand New Year

When you think of the month of January, do thoughts of the New Year and a list of resolutions come to mind? There is a lot more to January than New Year's Day and making resolutions. There are other holidays during the month, many famous people celebrate their birthday in January and many historic events took place during the first month of the year.

Read on to learn some trivial facts about January.

Basic Facts

January comes from the Latin word ianua meaning door. It is named after the god of the doorway, Janus (Ianuarious). January is known as the door to the year and is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the seven months that has thirty one days.

Birthstone

The birthstone for January is the garnet. Most garnets are deep red in color. However, there are several varieties of garnets with colors ranging from pink, to orange, brown, black and even green. Garnets symbolize constancy and fidelity.

Flower

The flower for the month of January is the carnation. It is one of the world's oldest cultivated flowers dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. The carnation symbolizes love, fascination and distinction.

Astrological Signs

Capricorn and Aquarius are the astrological signs for January. Birthdays from January 1st through the 19th fall under the sign of Capricorn. January 20th through the 31st birthdays fall under the sign of Aquarius.

January Holidays and Observances

The most well known holiday of the month is January 1st, New Year's Day.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is January 15th. The federal holiday honoring Dr. King's birthday is the third Monday in January each year.

Inauguration Day takes place every four years following the Presidential election. It is held on January 20th. However, if the 20th falls on a Sunday, Inauguration Day takes place on January 21st.

For a list of daily observances in January go to:
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/January.htm

Historic Events in January

Many major events happened during the first month of the year. Here are four historical events that took place in January.
The Gulf War began on January 16, 1991.
The first Superbowl game was played on January 15, 1967. (The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 35 - 10.)
The first heart transplant was performed on January 24, 1964.
Samuel Morse first demonstrated the telegraph on January 6, 1838. ("What God hath wrought" was the first formal message sent.)

Monthly Observances

There are over two dozen monthly observances during the month of January. Some of them are listed below.
Birth Defects Prevention Month
Blood Donor Month
Book Blitz Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Eye Health Care Month
Hobby Month
Hot Tea Month
Oatmeal Month
School Board Month
Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

To see more monthly observances in January go to:
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/January.htm

Famous People Born in January

In addition to Martin Luther King, Jr., many famous people were born in January. Here are just a few of them.
One president: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Several actors and actresses: Jim Carrey, Kevin Costner, Geena Davis, Orlando Bloom, and Paul Newman
Authors: Carl Sandburg and J.R.R. Tolkien
Singer/Musicians: Alicia Keys, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley and Justin Timberlake
Talk Show Hosts: Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey

You can find a complete listing of famous people born in January at:
http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/quotes/month/12

Now that you've learned a lot of trivial facts about January, share them with your family and friends. Amaze them with your knowledge!

To learn trivial facts about other months of the year, click here.

Sources:
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/january.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January
http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/federal_holidays.html
http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/quotes/month/1
http://www.galleries.com/Minerals/silicate/birthjan.htm
http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/flowermeanings/carnation-meanings.aspx