1/1 — New Year’s Day

New Year’s is when a new calendar begins, which much of the world marked on January 1. It is often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone. Other global New Year’s Day traditions including making New Year’s resolutions and calling one’s family and friends.

1/4 — Louis Braille’s Birthday

Louis Braille, a French educator, created a system of reading and writing for those who are visually impaired. Today, the system, known simply as “braille,” is the world’s most popular tactile reading and writing system. It’s largely the same today as it was when Louis Braille created it. 

1/6 — Feast of the Epiphany

This Christian feast day celebrates the relevance of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. It is always celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas, and it commemorates how the star led the three wise men to baby Jesus. Countries around the world celebrate it by decorating floats and dressing up in costumes as the wise men.

1/14 — Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu religious sun god Surya. It is often celebrated with morning prayer followed by kite games and competitions.

1/17 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day

This holiday celebrates one of the greatest American leaders of the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and activist who helped to advocate for African Americans.

 1/27 — International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust

This day was created by the United Nations to remember the approximately six million Jewish men, women and children murdered by the Nazis during World War II. Commemorating this event helps us develop knowledge and awareness of genocide.