NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY
National Thesaurus Day, on January 18th, honors Peter Mark Roget, the author of Roget’s Thesaurus, who was born on this day in 1779. #NationalThesaurusDay
Memorable Birthdays for January 18
Thomas A. Watson (1854-1934) – Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant who helped with the invention of the telephone.
Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931) – Cardiologist who performed the first open heart surgery.
Oliver Hardy (1892-1957) – Comedian and half of the duo Laurel and Hardy.
Kevin Costner (1955-) – Multi-award winning actor with credits in The Untouchables (1987), Open Range (2003), Black or White (2014), and recently Yellowstone.
Amy Barger (1971-) – Astronomer who discovered dusty galaxies, quasars and supermassive black holes.
Burnie Burns (1973-) – Co-founder of Rooster Teeth Productions, a sub company of Warner Brothers.
Memorable Events for January 18
1644 – Pilgrims report a UFO sighting.
1733 – The first polar bear exhibit is open to the public in MA.
1778 – Captain James Cook stumbles over the Hawaiian Islands and what he referred to as the Sandwich Islands.
1896 – The first demonstration of an X-ray machine is held in NY City.
1903 – The first transatlantic radio transmission in the U.S. is sent by a transmitter in MA.
1916 – A meteorite hits a house in Stone County, MO.
1964 – Plans for World Trade Center announced in NY City.
1993 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is officially observed for the first time in the U.S.
NATIONAL WINNIE THE POOH DAY
National Winnie the Pooh Day on January 18th commemorates author A.A. Milne’s birthday in 1882. He brought the adorable, honey-loving bear to life in his stories, which also featured his son, Christopher Robin. #WinnieThePoohDay
NATIONAL POPCORN DAY
On January 19th, National Popcorn Day pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night. #NationalPopcornDay
Notable Birthdays for January 19
Sarah Helen Whitman (1803-1878) – Poet and romantic interest of Edgar Allan Poe.
Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) – General of the Confederate Army.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) – Short story writer and considered one of the greatest poets of all time.
Guy Madison (1922-1996) – Actor best remembered for his role as Wild Bill in The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
Jean Stapleton (1923-2013) – Actress known for her award-winning role as Edith Bunker in All In the Family.
Nicholas Colasanto (1924-1985) – Actor fondly remembered for his funny role as Ernie in Cheers.
Tippi Hedren (1930-) – Model who graced the covers for Life and Glamour magazines.
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (1936-2011) – Musician who made the harmonica a part of mainstream music.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970) – Singer of Me and Bobby McGee and Piece of My Heart.
Dolly Parton (1946-) – Famous country singer.
Paula Deen (1947-) – Chef well-recognized from the Food Network.
Bruce Jay Nelson (1952-1999) – Computer scientist who invented the remote Procedure Call Concept for computer network communications.
Desi Arnaz Jr. (1953-) – Actor and son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Thomas Kinkade (1958-2012) – One of the first artists who successfully mass marketed his works as of his work as printed reproductions.
Memorable Events for January 19
1883 – The first electric lighting system begins service in NJ.
1937 – Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from LA to NY City (7 hours and 28 minutes).
1953 – More than 72% of people in the U.S. tune in to watch Lucy give birth on I Love Lucy.
NATIONAL DISC JOCKEY DAY
Each year National Disc Jockey Day recognizes the DJs playing the music and spinning the records. The observance takes place annually on January 20th. #NationalDiscJockeyDay
Notable Birthdays January 20th
Harold Gray (1894-1968) – Cartoonist who created Little Orphan Annie.
George Burns (1896-1996) – Beloved actor and comedian.
DeForest Kelley (1920-1999) – Actor best known for his role as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the series Star Trek.
Ray Anthony (1922-Still Living) – Bandleader, trumpeter, and last living band member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY
On January 21st, Squirrel Appreciation Day recognizes a critter some consider a pest and others see as just fascinating. The creator, Christy Hargrove, is a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina and is affiliated with the Western North Carolina Nature Center. According to Christy, “Celebration of the event itself is up to the individual or group — anything from putting out extra food for the squirrels to learning something new about the species.” #SquirrelAppreciationDay
CELEBRATION OF LIFE DAY
Celebration of Life Day on January 22nd honors the children and grandchildren who bring joy to our lives. The day is a reminder that each child and each life is to be held as a precious gift with the highest respect and dignity. #CelebrationOfLifeDay
NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY
National Handwriting Day on January 23rd encourages us to put pen to paper and write out our thoughts. According to the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, it is a chance for all to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting. #NationalHandwritingDay
Notable Birthdays for January 23
Joseph Hewes (1730-1779) – Signer of Declaration of Independence signatory.
John Hancock (1737-1793) – The first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Walter Frederick Morrison (1920-2010) – Invented of the Frisbee.
Anita Pointer (1948-2022) – Singer of the pop group the Pointer Sisters.
Mariska Hargitay (1964-Still Living) – Actress in the long-running t.v. series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
NATIONAL BUBBLE WRAP DAY
National Bubble Wrap Day (also known as National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day) on the last Monday in January recognizes a fascinating piece of invention. Today, bubble wrap’s primary purpose is to protect fragile items either in shipping or storage. Of course, people also take enjoyment from popping the bubbles in bubble wrap, too.
Today: Ellen DeGeneres, Anita Baker (who born the same day/ year as Ellen) and, Wayne Gretzky.
Other January 26th Celebrated Birthdays
Douglas Macarthur – 1880 During World War II, the U.S. general commanded the Southwest Pacific Theatre and led the Allied occupation of Japan.
Maria von Trapp – 1905 In 1949, the stepmother of the seven von Trapp children wrote her memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. It inspired the musical The Sound of Music and the film starring Julie Andrews.
Paul Newman – 1925 In the award-winning actor’s five decades of performances, he has recorded some unforgettable roles. Some of those include Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Eddie in The Color of Money.
Eddie Van Halen – 1957 In 1972, the singer-songwriter co-founded the rock band, Van Halen. Some of their best-known songs include “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Dance the Night Away.”
January 26th Celebrated History
1784 In a letter dated January 26, 1784, Benjamin Franklin writes to his daughter Sarah (Sally) Bache expressing his dismay that the eagle is chosen as an American symbol. Were he to choose, the turkey would be a more appropriate bird.
Remembering Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and 7 others who died on the helicopter crash:
ALL in 2020.
NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY
National Plan for Vacation Day, on the last Tuesday in January, reminds us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year. The early bird gets to pack their bags and fly away to a little fun and relaxation! #PlanForVacation
NATIONAL SPOUSES DAY
National Spouses Day on January 26th each year celebrates the bond between two people and sets aside time for couples to show each other gratitude. #NationalSpousesDay