In a lot of places around the world, 4th January is celebrated as Trivia Day. It’s a day to share your love of seemingly useless knowledge. Let’s start the new year by learning about this month.
So in the spirit of Trivia Day, take a look at 10 interesting facts about the month of January.
1. Named after the god of transitions
January was named after Roman god Janus, who ruled over beginning and transitions. He’s a bit two-faced… literally. He’s often depicted as having two faces: one that looks forward and one that looks to the past. That’s kind of poetic and fitting, isn’t it? It’s natural for us to reflect on the past year and also look forward to the new one.
2. January’s birthstone and flower
January’s birthstone is the beautiful red garnet. The garnet represents balance. That is definitely something we all need after the crazy busy month of December. It is also thought to keep the wearer safe during travel. Meanwhile, the Dianthus caryophyllus is one of two flowers recognizes as the official birth-month flower. It comes in many beautiful colours and is the ancestor to the Carnation. In fact, most people just call it a Carnation now. Fancier Latin names are always prettier, though!
3. International creativity month
January, the first month of the year, provides an opportunity to take a fresh approach to problem-solving and renew confidence in our creative capabilities. International Creativity Month, founded by Randall Munson, is celebrated around the world annually in the month of January.
4. Divorce month
January is also popular as a “Divorce Month”. Lawyers think that most of the couples who are willing to separate file their divorce in the month of January. Experts also believe that many wives take advice on divorce in the month of January because of increasing unemployment.
5. Month of the wolf
During Anglo-Saxon times, people supposed that wolves were extremely active in the month of January. That why it is called “Wulfmonath” or “wolf-month”. It was the month hungry wolves came scavenging at people’s doors. Coincidentally, January’s full Moon, the Full Wolf Moon, reaches peak fullness at 2:21 P.M. EST on Friday, January 10, 2020. You can see it rising from the horizon around sunset that evening.
6. Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on 15th January 1929. He was a minister of priests, Nobel peace prize winner and civil rights leader. He won the battle against justice and equality. In his words “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Dr Martin Luther King was a strong speaker. This day is a national holiday for many institutions.
7. Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born on 17th January 1706. He is a well-known inventor, scientist, and statesman all over the world.
8. Epiphany
Christians celebrate Epiphany on 6th January. It is a public holiday in various countries such as Austria, Columbia, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Slovakia. According to an old belief, three wise men cherished and carried gifts for baby Jesus. In Europe, adolescents dress like kings and visit homes. There, people greet them with applause, wafers, cookies and more. The second celebration was when St. John the Baptist Christianised Jesus.
9. Shakespeare
The only Shakespeare plays that mention January are “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Winter’s Tale”.
10. More on January
January in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to July in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. Leap years exempted, January always begins on the same day as October. In leap years, January always begins on the same day as April and July. Also, according to the International Standard Organisation’s ISO 8601, the first week of every year is the week containing January 4.
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