Sticker Day
National Sticker Day is celebrated annually on January 13th. It’s a fun and creative day dedicated to stickers, their history, and their many uses, from decoration to communication and personal expression. The date honors R. Stanton Avery, born on January 13, 1907. Avery was the creator of the first commercially successful self-adhesive label, founding what is now the Avery Dennison Corporation. His innovation laid the groundwork for the modern sticker industry.
Rubber Ducky Day
National Rubber Ducky Day is celebrated annually on January 13th. This whimsical day honors the beloved bath-time toy, the rubber duck, which has become an enduring symbol of childhood fun and nostalgia. The celebration originated from an episode of Sesame Street, where Ernie declared January 13th as Rubber Ducky’s birthday. Since then, it’s been embraced as a day to celebrate the iconic toy and its place in pop culture.
Peach Melba Day
National Peach Melba Day is celebrated annually on January 13th. This day honors the classic dessert, Peach Melba, a delightful combination of peaches, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream. The dish was created in the late 19th century by French chef Auguste Escoffier in honor of Nellie Melba, a famous Australian opera singer. The story goes that Escoffier first prepared the dessert for Melba when she was staying at the Savoy Hotel in London. He named the creation “Peach Melba” to celebrate her artistry.
January 13th has been a notable date throughout history, marked by significant events, famous birthdays, and notable deaths.
Historical Events
1128: Pope Honorius II grants papal sanction to the military order known as the Knights Templar, officially endorsing them.
1842: During the First Anglo-Afghan War, British Army doctor William Brydon arrives in Jalalabad, reportedly as the sole survivor of a retreat from Kabul.
1898: Émile Zola publishes his famous open letter, “J’Accuse…!”, in the French newspaper L’Aurore. The letter accuses the French government of anti-Semitism and wrongful imprisonment in the Dreyfus Affair.
1930: The first Mickey Mouse comic strip appears in newspapers, created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.
1968: Johnny Cash records his iconic live album At Folsom Prison during a performance at the California penitentiary.
1990: Douglas Wilder becomes the first African American governor in the United States, inaugurated as Governor of Virginia.
2012: The cruise ship Costa Concordia capsizes off the coast of Italy, resulting in 32 deaths.
Famous Birthdays
1808: Salmon P. Chase, American politician and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
1864: Wilhelm Wien, German physicist and Nobel Prize laureate for his work on black-body radiation.
1919: Robert Stack, American actor known for hosting Unsolved Mysteries and starring in The Untouchables.
1926: Michael Bond, British author and creator of Paddington Bear.
1961: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, American actress and comedian known for her roles in Seinfeld and Veep.
1977: Orlando Bloom, English actor famous for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises.
Notable Deaths
888: Charles the Fat, Holy Roman Emperor.
1599: Edmund Spenser, English poet best known for The Faerie Queene.
1941: James Joyce, Irish novelist and poet, author of Ulysses.
2017: Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, British photographer and former husband of Princess Margaret.