January Holidays, Special Days, and Events

Special Days to Celebrate Every Day in January

January Holidays and Special Day
Noel Hendrickson / Getty Images

January is often the time when cabin fever sets in. After the festive holiday season, the cold, bleak days of winter can seem to stretch infinitely before us.

Keep the holiday spirit alive by celebrating a holiday or special day every day in January. You're likely familiar with many of these holidays and famous firsts However, you're sure to discover some quirky celebrations and not-so-famous firsts in this list that provides something fun for every day of the month.

Crafts, Games, and Fun Things to Do

January may be a cold month, but there are plenty of activities to warm up the brain and put a spark to learning. The list below is divided into sections of the month for ease of planning.

Early January Activities

January 1: Start the year off right by celebrating the start of a fresh new year with these New Years Printables. Will you make any resolutions? 

Did you know that the first day of January is Betsy Ross's Birthday? Spend some time learning about this famous American woman who may or may not have made the first American flag

January 2: On January 2, 1788, the state of Georgia ratified the Constitution of the United States. Celebrate by learning more about Georgia.

It was also on this date in 1974, that President Nixon signed a national speed limit into law.

January 3: It's National Drinking Straw Day! The drinking straw was first patented on January 3, 1888. In 1959, Alaska was admitted as a state. Learn more about the state and celebrate Alaska Admission .Day.

January 4: Sir Isaac Newton was born on January 4, 1643. One of this scientist's biggest contributions to the field was Newton's Laws of Motion.

January 5: January 5 is National Bird Day. Learn about the birds in your area. Make a simple homemade bird feeder by coating a pine cone with peanut butter and rolling it in bird seed. Hang the cone from a nearby tree branch and see what kind of birds it attracts.

January 6: New Mexico became a state on this day in history in the year 1912. It's also the date that George Washington and his wife Martha were married in 1759.

January 7: The first U.S. Presidential Election was held on this date in 1789. George Washington was elected the first President of the United States. His opponent, John Adams, became his vice president.

January 8: Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, died on this day in history 1825. Learn more about this famous inventor whose invention revolutionized cotton production in the United States.

It's also National Clean-Off-Your-Desk Day, so celebrate by tossing that junk!

January 9: There are two quirky holidays today, National Static Electricity Day and National Apricot Day. Try an interesting static electricity experiment like bending water with static electricity or making a dancing ghost.

January 10: January 10th is Volunteer Fireman's Day and Bittersweet Chocolate Day. Celebrate by learning about one of America's favorite sweet treats with free printables about chocolate. Then, take some chocolate goodies to your neighborhood volunteer fire department.

Mid-Month Ideas

January 11: On January 11, 1973, baseball's American League adopted the designated hitter rule. It's also National Milk Day, so enjoy a tall glass of milk while you brush up on facts about baseball.

January 12: The first x-rays were taken in the United States on January 12, 1896. It was also on this date in 1777 that the Santa Clara Mission was founded.

January 13: James Oglethorpe arrived in the New World in January 13, 1733. In 1942, during World War II, German pilot Helmut Schenck made the first successful use of the ejection seat.

January 14: On January 14, you can celebrate Bald Eagle Day or national holidays such as Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day and Dress Up Your Pet Day.

January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. His birthday became a federal holiday on November 3, 1983, It is celebrated every year on the third Monday in January.  

The date is also National Hat Day and National Strawberry Ice Cream Day.

January 16: John C. Fremont was appointed Governor of California on this date in 1847. In 1870, Virginia became the first state readmitted to the Union after the Civil War.

January 17: Michelle Obama, wife of the United State's 44th president, Barack Obama, was born on this date, as was U.S. Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin.

January 18: The New York Metropolitan Opera House held its first jazz concert in 1944. Learn about jazz instruments and other musical instruments today.

On this date in 1778, Captain James Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands.

January 19: Today is National Popcorn Day and Archery Day. It's also the day that Edgar Allan Poe was born in 1809.

End-of-the-Month Eats and More

January 20: Today is Penguin Awareness Day and Basketball Day.

January 21Civil War leader, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was born on this date in 1824. It's also Granola Bar Day, Squirrel Appreciation Day, and National Hugging Day.

January 22: On this date in 1997, Lottie Williams of Tulsa, Oklahoma became the first person to be hit by space debris. Commemorate the day by learning about the solar system.

January 23: Today is National Pie Day and Handwriting Day. Bake your favorite pie and practice your handwriting by writing a letter to a friend or relative.

January 24: Gold was discovered in California on this date in 1848. It's also National Peanut Butter Day.

January 25: On this date in history, 1924, the first Winter Olympics games were held.

January 26: Michigan was admitted to the Union on this date in 1837. It's also Australia Day, the official National Day of the country.

January 27: Today is National Geographic Day and Chocolate Cake Day. Thomas Edison patented the light bulb on this day in 1880.

January 28: Today is National Blueberry Pancake Day and National Kazoo Day. Enjoy some pancakes and make your own kazoo-style instrument. 

January 29: On this date in 1861, Kansas became the 34th state of the United States. The ice cream rolling machine was patented in 1924. It's also Carnation Day and National Puzzle Day.

January 30: January 30th is National Croissant Day and the birth date of U.S. President, Franklin D Roosevelt.

January 31: Jackie Robinson was born on this date in 1919. Have fun learning about America's favorite pastime, baseball.

If you're looking for more educational ideas for the month, try some fun January writing prompts.

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Your Citation
Hernandez, Beverly. "January Holidays, Special Days, and Events." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/january-holidays-special-days-and-events-1829135. Hernandez, Beverly. (2023, April 5). January Holidays, Special Days, and Events. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/january-holidays-special-days-and-events-1829135 Hernandez, Beverly. "January Holidays, Special Days, and Events." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/january-holidays-special-days-and-events-1829135 (accessed March 19, 2024).