We have January Fun Facts!
Do you want to know all about January and what has happened in the first month of the year throughout history? Below, you can find ten of the most fun facts and fascinating events in January throughout the years.
Ten Fun Facts About January’s History
Isaac Newton: January 4, 1643
Benjamin Franklin: January 17, 1706
Martin Luther King Junior: January 15, 1929
Elvis Presley: January 8th, 1935
January 1, 1892: Ellis Island Opens
Before 1890, it was up to individual states to regulate immigration, not the federal government of America.
However, in the 1800s, economic, religious, and political problems in Europe triggered the biggest human migration in history. By the end of the 1800s, the Federal government decided to create Ellis Island to aid in the migration. In 1892, Annie Moore and her brothers were the first to walk through the new immigration gates.
January 1, 1863: Abraham Lincoln Signs The Emancipation Proclamation
Just before America experienced its third year of fierce civil war, President Lincoln signed and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation stated that “all persons held as slaves’ within the rebellious states or confederate states ‘are, and henceforth shall be free.”
The Proclamation did not make slavery illegal in the US. However, it helped move toward ending all slavery in America and around the world.
January 3, 1959 – Alaska Becomes the 49th State in the Union
On the 3rd of January 1959, Alaska was welcomed into the United States as the 49th state. Now the largest state in America, Alaska is famous for its profitable resources such as gold and gas. It also brings in over 5 billion dollars in tourism every year.
January 7, 1943: Scientist And Inventor Nikola Tesla Dies
Tesla, a Serbian-American born in 1856, is perhaps best known for discovering AC or alternating current. However, Tesla made many other significant scientific and technological contributions during his lifetime. He created a three-phase electrical power system. He also invented the Tesla induction coil, which people still use in radio technology today.
January 9, 2007: Steve Jobs Debuts iPhone
Famed Apple executive Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone to the public on the 9th of January 2007. Apple unveiled the iPhone at the yearly Macworld tech exhibition in San Francisco in 2007. It included a touchscreen and combined the iPod, internet browser, and mobile phone technologies.
The iPhone forever changed the course of technology and communication.
January 13, 2021 – President Donald Trump Impeached
Former businessman and US President Donald Trump was impeached on the 13th of January 2021. This means authorities charged him as a public office holder for misconduct. The charges were “incitement of insurrection” or encouraging a violent uprising.
The U.S. Senate could not reach the ⅔ majority needed to convict Trump, so they acquitted him of these charges.
January 17, 1773: Captain James Cook Becomes The First European To Discover The Antarctic Circle
Captain James Cook was a famous sailor and explorer. He was the first to claim Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands for Europe. He also claimed the Pacific islands and Botany Bay. Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time on January 17, 1773.
This happened during his second voyage and on the ship named Resolution. However, he did not see the continent of Antarctica itself, even though he was 150 miles from the mainland.
January 20, 2009: Barack Obama Inaugurated
Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States and the USA’s first-ever African American president. President Obama was best known for the interdiction of the Affordable Care Act. The ACA, known as Obamacare, made health insurance more affordable for the American public. A record 20 million people signed up for ACA coverage in 2024.
January 27, 1945: Liberation of Auschwitz
Soviet troops liberated almost 7,000 prisoners at Auschwitz in Poland on the 27th of January 1945. They also found warehouses full of the belongings of those that the Nazis had murdered. Belongings included over 40,000 pairs of shoes and 88 lbs of eyeglasses. Auschwitz is a testament to the great evil done by Nazi Germany, as they killed over 1.5 million people, most of which were Jews.
January 1, 1995: The History Channel is Launched
The History Channel, now known as History, launched as a cable television network dedicated to exploring historical events. It initially focused on documentaries covering military history, ancient civilizations, and pivotal moments. The channel quickly gained popularity for its educational and engaging content.
More History in January
In addition to the important events above, there is more fascinating history in January to learn about, including:
- Roman ruler, Numa Pompilius added January and February to the Roman calendar, now Gregorian calendar, in 713 B.C.
- January owes its name to the Roman God Janus. Janus has two heads: one that looks backward at the previous year and one that looks ahead to the future.
- In January 1946, engineers built the first United States computer at the Moore School of Engineering in Pennsylvania.
Fun Things About the Month of January
- January 27th: National Chocolate Cake Day
- Garnet is January’s birthstone.
- January’s zodiac signs are Capricorn and Aquarius
- If you are born in January your birth flower is a carnation.
- January is the coldest month in the Northern Hemisphere.
- In the Southern Hemisphere January is the warmest month of the year.
- January 5th National Bird Day
- January 9th National Law Enforcement Appreciation day
