January 31: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On this day in 1961, a chimpanzee named Ham made history by becoming one of the first living beings to travel into outer space.
Quick Facts for January 31
- Zodiac sign: Aquarius
- Day of year: 31
About January 31
January 31 serves as a monumental day for sovereignty, most notably marking the Independence Day of Nauru. In 1968, the Pacific island nation officially severed its ties with Australia to become a self-governing state. Beyond geopolitics, the day carries deep cultural significance for followers of Meher Baba, who observe Amartithi in Meherabad, India.
The date has also been a turning point in human rights and scientific discovery. In 1865, the United States took a massive step toward justice when Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment, aiming to end the institution of slavery. Decades later, the cosmos beckoned as American explorers and even primates pushed the boundaries of flight and space exploration.
Holidays & Observances on January 31
- Amartithi (Meherabad, India, followers of Meher Baba)
- Independence Day (Nauru), celebrates independence from Australia in 1968.
- Street Children's Day (Austria)
Fun & National Days on January 31
- Backwards Day — Try doing everything in reverse to keep your brain guessing today!
- National Hot Chocolate Day — Warm up your soul with a steaming mug of cocoa.
- Eat Brussels Sprouts Day — Embrace the tiny green superfood and enjoy them roasted or steamed.
- Scotch Tape Day — Celebrate the sticky adhesive that holds our world together.
- Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day
- Brandy Alexander Day
- Hell is Freezing Over Day
- Hug an Economist Day
- Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
- National Seed Swap Day
On This Day in History
- 314 — Pope Sylvester I was chosen to serve as the successor to Pope Miltiades.
- 1208 — Prince Eric defeated King Sverker II at the Battle of Lena, securing the Swedish throne.
- 1606 — Authorities executed four members of the Gunpowder Plot, including Guy Fawkes, for treasonous actions.
- 1703 — Under Ōishi Kuranosuke, forty-seven rōnin successfully avenged their fallen master by killing Kira Yoshinaka.
- 1865 — The Thirteenth Amendment was passed by the U.S. Congress to abolish the practice of slavery.
- 1865 — Robert E. Lee was appointed as the general-in-chief for all Confederate military forces.
- 1917 — Kaiser Wilhelm II gave the order to restart unrestricted submarine warfare during World War I.
- 1943 — The fierce Battle of Stalingrad reached a turning point when German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered.
- 1958 — The American satellite Explorer 1 successfully identified the existence of the Van Allen radiation belts.
- 1961 — A chimpanzee named Ham completed a historic journey into space aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission.
- 1968 — The Tet Offensive began with Viet Cong attacks on the American embassy in Saigon.
- 2020 — The United Kingdom officially departed from the European Union following decades of membership.
Famous Birthdays on January 31
- 1797 — Franz Schubert, An influential Austrian composer and pianist who shaped the Romantic era.
- 1919 — Jackie Robinson, The legendary American athlete who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
- 1921 — Carol Channing, A celebrated American actress and singer known for her iconic stage presence.
- 1937 — Philip Glass, A highly influential American composer known for his minimalist musical style.
- 1956 — Guido van Rossum, The Dutch programmer who created the highly popular Python programming language.
- 1981 — Justin Timberlake, A world-renowned American singer, songwriter, and actor.