100 Facts about January: From Historical Events to Weather, Holidays, and More

Facts about January: January marks the beginning of a new year, and with it comes a host of interesting facts and tidbits about the month. From historical events to weather patterns, holidays and observances, and cultural events, there's a lot to learn about January. This list compiles 100 fascinating facts about the first month of the year that will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around you.

January is named after the Roman god Janus, who is depicted as having two faces, one looking forward and one looking backward.
January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used around the world.
January has 31 days.
In the Northern Hemisphere, January is typically the coldest month of the year.
The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn and Aquarius.
January is the first month of meteorological winter.
January is also the month when many people make New Year's resolutions.
January 1st is a national holiday in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
January 1st is also known as New Year's Day.
January 2nd is a national holiday in some countries, such as Poland, known as New Year's Day holiday.

Historical events:

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in Confederate states to be free.
On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
On January 20, 1969, Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the 37th President of the United States.

Holidays and observances:

January 1st: New Year's Day
January 6th: Epiphany, also known as Three Kings' Day
January 7th: Orthodox Christmas Day
January 14th: Makar Sankranti/Pongal
January 18th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (United States)
January 20th: Inauguration Day (United States)
January 21st: National Hug Day

Cultural events:

The first week of January is National Diet Resolution Week.
January is National Blood Donor Month.
January is National Soup Month.
January is National Hot Tea Month.
January is National Clean off Your Desk Month.
January is National Get Organized Month.
January is National Thank You Month.
January is National Mentoring Month.
January is National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month.
January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month.

Weather and nature:

January is typically the month with the highest average snowfall in the United States.
January is typically the month with the lowest average temperature in the United States.
January is typically the month with the most days below freezing in the United States.
January is typically the month with the least amount of daylight in the United States.
January is prime time for viewing the Quadrantid meteor shower.
January is when many birds begin to migrate south for the winter.
January is when many animals hibernate.
January is when many trees and plants begin to lose their leaves for the winter.
January is when many flowers begin to bloom in the Southern Hemisphere.
January is when many fruits and vegetables are in season, such as oranges, pomegranates, and cauliflower.

Sports and recreation:

The National Football League (NFL) playoffs begin in January.
The Australian Open, a major tennis tournament, takes place in January.
The Sugar Bowl, a college football bowl game, takes place in January.
The Rose Bowl, a college football bowl game, takes place in January.
The NHL Winter Classic, an outdoor ice hockey game, takes place in January.
The NFL Pro Bowl, a professional football all-star game, takes place in January.
The PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions takes place in January.
The X-Games, an extreme sports event, takes place in January.
January is a popular month for skiing and snowboarding.
January is a popular month for ice skating.

Business and economy:

Many companies release their fourth quarter and full year financial results in January.
Many retailers offer clearance sales in January to make room for new inventory.
Many car dealerships offer end-of-year sales in January.
January is a popular month for home buying and selling.
January is a popular month for job hunting.
January is a popular month for starting a business.
January is a popular month for launching new products and services.
January is a popular month for making business resolutions.
January is a popular month for networking events and conferences.
January is a popular month for trade shows and expositions.

Education and learning:

Many colleges and universities begin the spring semester in January.
Many students take the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) exams in January.
Many students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in January.
Many students take the American College Testing (ACT) in January.
Many students take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) in January.
Many students take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in January.
Many students take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) in January.
Many students take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in January.
Many students take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in January.
Many students take the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) in January.

Arts and entertainment:

The Golden Globe Awards, an annual awards ceremony for the film and television industries, takes place in January.
The Sundance Film Festival, an annual independent film festival, takes place in January.
The Critics' Choice Awards, an annual awards ceremony for the film and television industries, takes place in January.
The Grammy Awards, an annual awards ceremony for the music industry, takes place in January.
The American Music Awards, an annual awards ceremony for the music industry, takes place in January.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards, an annual awards ceremony for the film and television industries, takes place in January.
The People's Choice Awards, an annual awards ceremony for the film and television industries, takes place in January.
Many theater productions open in January, especially in Broadway and London's West End.
Many concert tours begin in January.
Many new books and albums are released in January.

Miscellaneous:

Many people start new hobbies in January.
Many people start new workout and exercise routines in January.
Many people start new diets in January.
Many people start new volunteer and community service projects in January.
Many people start new travel plans in January.
Many people start new home improvement projects in January.
Many people start new technology projects in January.
January is a popular month for weddings in many cultures.
January is a popular month for baby showers.

Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for some fun facts to impress your friends, this list of 100 facts about January has something for everyone. From the Roman god Janus, to the coldest month of the year, to the many holidays and observances, January is a rich and diverse month with a lot to offer. We hope you enjoyed learning more about this fascinating month and that you'll continue to explore and discover new things about the world around you.