January marks the start of a new year, and that sense of a new beginning is palpable for millions of people across the globe. New Year’s resolutions are typically made at the start of January, and those can serve as a springboard to an enjoyable year. As the calendar turns to January, there’s much to learn about this meaningful month.
1. The Roman god Janus is the namesake for the first month of the year. Janus was considered the protector of gates and doorways and the god of beginnings and transitions, among other things. Given those qualities, it’s no wonder Janus is the namesake for the first month of the year.
2. Though it’s not considered part of the holiday season, January boasts its fair share of holidays, and some Christians even consider it the end of the holiday season. Celebrated by some on Jan. 6, the Epiphany is a Christian feast day that commemorates the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus Christ and the wedding at Cana. Though some Christian celebrants may take down their holiday decorations, including their Christmas trees, before the dawn of the new year, those who commemorate the Epiphany may wait until Jan. 6 to pack things up. In addition to the Epiphany, the January calendar also features holidays such as New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
3. Though they might not be officially recognized holidays, two very influential figures in American history were born in January. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, who helped to draft the Declaration of Independence, was born on Jan. 17, 1706, in Boston in what was then known as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Nearly 230 years later, Elvis Presley was born on Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Though he was not official royalty, Elvis is still considered the “King of Rock and Roll,” and one can only wonder what Benjamin Franklin might have thought about that designation had he been around to hear it.
4. The Farmer’s Almanac reports that there is some folklore associated with January weather. Though some might welcome a warmer January than they’re accustomed to, the prevailing folklore around January weather suggests a summer-like January will result in a winter-like spring. In addition, fog in January is associated with a wet spring. So anyone hoping for a warm and dry spring might want to hope for and subsequently grin and bear any cold weather that comes their way in January.
