January 01
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Basil the Great(Eastern Orthodox Church), Feast of the Circumcision of ChristFeast of the Holy Name of Jesus(Anglican Communion,Lutheran Church), Fulgentius of Ruspe, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God;and its related observances:World Day of Peace, January 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
On January 1, Christian churches observe several important feasts including the Circumcision of Christ, the Holy Name of Jesus, and the commemoration of Saint Basil the Great.
The last day ofKwanzaa(African-Americans)
The final day of Kwanzaa celebrates the principle of Imani and concludes a week-long festival honoring African-American culture and community.
The eighth of theTwelve Days of Christmas(Western Christianity)
The eighth day of the Twelve Days of Christmas continues the Western Christian celebration with special liturgies, carols, and cultural traditions.
Global Family Day
Global Family Day is observed on January 1 to promote peace, sharing, and strong family bonds worldwide.
Jump-up Day(Montserrat)
Jump-up Day is Montserrat’s carnival highlight featuring music, dance, and vibrant street parades celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture.
New Year's Day(Gregorian calendar)
Japanese New Year, Novy GodDay (Russia)
New Year’s Day on January 1 marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year and is celebrated globally as a public holiday.
Polar Bear Swim Day
Polar Bear Swim Day challenges participants to plunge into freezing waters on January 1 in support of charity and community spirit.
Public Domain Day(multiple countries)
Public Domain Day on January 1 celebrates works entering the public domain, making literature, art, and music freely accessible.
Triumph of the Revolution(Cuba)
Triumph of the Revolution is Cuba’s national holiday on January 1 commemorating the 1959 overthrow of the Batista regime.
Events
For the first time, Roman consuls begin their year in office on January 1.
In 153 BC, Roman consuls began their year in office on January 1 for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in administrative history.
The Julian calendar takes effect as the civil calendar of the Roman Republic, establishing January 1 as the new date of the new year.
In 45 BC, Julius Caesar's Julian calendar was implemented, fixing January 1 as the start of the civil year.
The Roman Senate posthumously deifies Julius Caesar.
In 42 BC, the Roman Senate declared Julius Caesar a god, elevating him to divine status after his assassination.
The Senate chooses Pertinax against his will to succeed Commodus as Roman emperor.
In 193 AD, the Roman Senate proclaimed Pertinax emperor, a reluctant choice following Commodus's assassination.
Saint Telemachus tries to stop a gladiatorial fight in a Roman amphitheatre, and is stoned to death by the crowd. This act impresses the Christian Emperor Honorius, who issues a historic ban on gladiatorial fights.
In 404 AD, monk Telemachus was martyred trying to halt a gladiatorial combat, prompting Emperor Honorius to ban the games.
Emperor Honorius forces Galla Placidia into marriage to Constantius, his famous general (magister militum) (probable).
In 417 AD, Emperor Honorius likely compelled his sister Galla Placidia to marry General Constantius, shaping future imperial lineage.
Emperor Taizong of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty captures Daliang, ending the dynasty and empire of the Later Jin.
In 947 AD, Emperor Taizong of the Liao dynasty seized Daliang, terminating the Later Jin regime.
Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable).
In 1001, Grand Prince Stephen was crowned as Hungary’s first king by Pope Sylvester II, solidifying his realm’s Christian identity.
Romanos IV Diogenes marries Eudokia Makrembolitissa and is crowned Byzantine Emperor.
In 1068, Romanos IV Diogenes wed Eudokia Makrembolitissa and ascended to the Byzantine throne through marriage.
Births
Ali al-Ridha
Eighth Imam of Twelver Shia Islam and revered religious leader.
Renaissance pope known for his political ambition and lavish patronage.
Lorenzo de' Medici
Italian statesman and de facto ruler of Florence during the Renaissance.
Sigismund I the Old
King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania who consolidated royal authority.
Huldrych Zwingli
Swiss pastor and leader of the Reformation in Zurich.
Henry
Eldest son of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon who died in infancy.
Stephen Bocskay
Prince of Transylvania who led a successful revolt against Habsburg influence.
Friedrich Spanheim
Dutch Reformed theologian and scholar influential in early modern Protestant thought.
Christoph Bernhard
German Baroque composer and influential music theorist.
Deaths
Lucius Aelius
Lucius Aelius was the adopted heir of Emperor Hadrian whose premature death prevented his ascent to the imperial throne.
Telemachus
Telemachus was a Christian monk who bravely confronted violent gladiatorial games and was martyred for his protest.
Odo I
Odo I was a Frankish noble who defended his kingdom against Viking sieges and became King of Western Francia.
Ramiro II
Ramiro II was a former monk who ascended the throne of León and achieved major victories against Moorish forces.
William of Volpiano
William of Volpiano was an Italian abbot and reformer known for revitalizing monastic life and architecture.
Henry of Marcy
Henry of Marcy was a French Cistercian abbot and papal legate who championed church reform and Crusader efforts.
Haakon III
Haakon III was King of Norway whose brief reign navigated civil strife and factional conflicts.
Charles II
Charles II, called “the Bad,” was King of Navarre known for his cunning political maneuvers and shifting alliances.
Charles d'Orléans
Charles d’Orléans was the Count of Angoulême and father of King Francis I of France.