In this article, we'll cover interest facts about January babies along with other attributes of their birth month such as astrological signs, notable historical dates, and birthdates of famous people born in January. We'll close out with some traits often associated with a baby born this month.
Let's dive in.
History of January
Although we know January as the first month of the year, it didn't even exist in the Roman calendar, where the first month was March!
January was eventually added to honor Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. This "beginning" aligns perfectly with January as it became the first month in the calendar year.
Zodiac Signs Shared by a January Born Baby
January babies are Capricorns if born between December 22 and January 19. January birthdays between January 20 and February 18, have the sign of Aquarius.
Astrological signs infer that a January baby will have many wonderful traits, including intelligence, patience, self-motivation, and determination.
January Babies Have Only One Birthstone
January babies have the garnet as their birthstone. Though the most common color is red, garnets can come in a rainbow of colors, symbolizing peace, prosperity, and health.
Some legends suggest that a person wearing a garnet will have eternal happiness, health, and wealth.
January Birth Flowers
January babies share two birth flowers: the Snowdrop and the Carnation. The Snowdrop, a delicate white flower, symbolizes hope and beauty, while the Carnation adds love, fascination, and charm.
Born in January? So were these Famous People
Find out if a January baby you know shares a birth date with these famous celebrities or historical figures.
Celebrities and Famous people born in January
Image attribution listed in order: Oprah Winfrey, Elvis Presley, Ben Franklin
aphrodite-in-nyc from new york city, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
RCA Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Elvis Presley (January 8, 1935) - Legendary American singer and actor.
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Oprah Winfrey (January 29, 1954) - Media mogul, talk show host, and philanthropist.
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Bradley Cooper (January 5, 1975) - American actor
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Muhammad Ali (January 17, 1942) - Boxing legend and cultural icon.
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Kate Middleton (January 9, 1982) - Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William.
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Ellen DeGeneres (January 26, 1958) - Comedian, actress, and talk show host.
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Michelle Obama (January 17, 1964) - Former First Lady of the United States.
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Stephen Hawking (January 8, 1942) - Theoretical physicist and cosmologist.
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David Bowie (January 8, 1947) - Iconic English musician.
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Dolly Parton (January 19, 1946) - Country music legend.
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James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931) - American actor famous for roles like Darth Vader (voice) and Mufasa (voice) in "The Lion King."
Noteworthy Historical Figures born in January
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Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706) - Founding Father of the United States and inventor.
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Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 depending on source) - Founding Father of the United States, promoter of the US Constitution, and first Secretary of the Treasury.
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Paul Revere (January 1, 1735) - American patriot known for his role in the American Revolution.
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Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809) - American writer, poet, and literary critic.
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Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929) - Civil rights leader.
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Richard Nixon (January 9, 1913) - 37th President of the United States.
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Joan of Arc (January 6, 1412) - French military leader and heroine of the Hundred Years' War.
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J.R.R. Tolkien (January 3, 1892) - English writer and author of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."
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Betsy Ross (January 1, 1752) - American upholsterer who is traditionally credited with making the first American flag.
January Holidays and Notable Events
As the first month of the year, it is fitting that January is a month of firsts.
Image attribution: Jimberg13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The first Super Bowl game took place in January of 1967, the first heart transplant was performed in January of 1964, the first national flag of America was unveiled in January of 1776, and the first female governor of the United States was inaugurated in January of 1925.
Here are some additional ones:
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New Year's Day (January 1): The first day of the Gregorian calendar is celebrated with various festivities including the iconic Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop in New York City.
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Epiphany or Three Kings' Day (January 6): This Christian holiday commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January): Honoring the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., this federal holiday is observed with events, and ceremonies that reflect on his legacy and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
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Inauguration Day (January 20, every four years): On this day, a new President of the United States is sworn into office, following a Presidential election.
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Chinese New Year (date varies): Celebrated by Chinese communities across the world, Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar new year.
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National Chocolate Cake Day (January 27): It's a day dedicated to indulging in and enjoying yummy chocolate cake.
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National Puzzle Day (January 29): A day dedicated to the enjoyment of puzzles such as crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, and brain teasers.
Personality Traits and Characteristics of a January Baby
Babies born in January tend to be natural leaders who thrive with structure and can become quite accomplished. One of the reasons for these traits may be a January born baby ultimately will be amongst the oldest in their grade relative to the traditional school year calendar (September through June).
For example, January born kids who turn 5 would not start kindergarten until September, putting them over 8 months ahead of those born in September. This phenomenon is known as the "relative age effect" and highlights the impact of age on a child's school experience based on arbitrary enrollment cut-off dates.
Summary about a January Baby (Our Disclaimer)
It is important to note that astrological signs, birthstones, and birth flowers are all symbolic and do not necessarily indicate a person's personality or characteristics. Babies born in January are as unique and individual as those born in any other month. Each person is an individual, with their very own set of characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses which makes us all special!
Off a Month on Baby's Birth?
Check out these articles:
Fun Facts About December Born Babies
Fun Facts About February Born Babies
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