January (Month)

Art & Literature

January is often depicted in medieval Books of Hours with people warming themselves by fires.

January appears in many famous winter landscape paintings by Bruegel the Elder.

January is featured in classic novels like “Little Women” during winter scenes.

January scenes are popular in traditional Chinese brush paintings.

January light effects are studied by many Arctic and Antarctic photographers.

Health & Wellness

January’s shorter days make vitamin D supplements more important.

January brings peak season for testing home heating systems and ventilation.

January’s cold air can trigger asthma symptoms more frequently.

January exercise routines often need indoor alternatives.

January’s dry air makes humidifier use more important.

Modern Life

January sees the highest gym membership enrollments of the year due to New Year’s fitness resolutions.

January is when many people begin tax preparation.

January sees increased online learning enrollment.

January is when many streaming services release new content.

January sees high usage of food delivery services.

January is when many annual subscriptions renew.

January sees peak usage of weather monitoring apps.

🌟 Fun and Unique Facts

January appears in the name of Brazil’s famous city Rio de Janeiro, which means “River of January,” named when Portuguese explorers first arrived there on January 1, 1502.

January ice cream sales in Russia are higher than in summer months, as Russians traditionally enjoy ice cream more in cold weather.

January marks the conclusion of the coffee harvest in Hawaii, where the famous Kona coffee beans ripen.

January is when the famous “snow monkeys” of Japan spend the most time soaking in natural hot springs.

January is when Dublin, Ireland hosts its “TradFest,” the largest festival of traditional music in the world.

January marks the time when Alaska’s Denali National Park experiences only 4–5 hours of daylight.

January brings the unique “frost music” festivals in Norway, where musicians play instruments made entirely of ice.

January features the “World Ice Art Championships” in Alaska, attracting sculptors from over 30 countries.

January sees peak production of hand-warmers in Japan, with over 1 billion sold annually.

January marks the start of the seal-watching season in Norfolk, England, when thousands of pups are born.

January brings unique “frost quakes” to Canada, where sudden ground cracks create loud booming sounds.

January is when Scotland’s famous “First Footing” tradition occurs, bringing luck for the new year.

January marks the time when emperor penguins begin their long march back to the Antarctic coast.

January brings the unique phenomenon of “light pillars” to cities near the Arctic Circle.

January is when the Netherlands’ famous ice skating marathon “Elfstedentocht” might occur, if canals freeze sufficiently.

January saw the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559, beginning England’s Golden Age.

January included the first American heart transplant in 1964.

January marked the first successful demonstration of television in 1926.