Penguin Day
While there isn’t an official “National Penguin Day” recognized globally, the two primary days that celebrate penguins and raise awareness about their conservation are Penguin Awareness Day (January 20) and World Penguin Day (April 25). Both days highlight the importance of protecting penguins and their habitats, especially given the threats they face from climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
Cheese Lover’s Day
Cheese Lover’s Day is celebrated annually on January 20 as a day dedicated to all things cheese! It’s a time for cheese enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite dairy delight and explore the wide variety of cheeses from around the world. Cheese is one of the oldest foods, believed to have been made over 7,000 years ago. There are more than 1,800 types of cheese globally, ranging from soft, creamy brie to hard, aged parmesan.
January 20 has been a significant date throughout history for a variety of events across politics, culture, and science.
Historical Events
1265: The first English Parliament met in Westminster, convened by Simon de Montfort. It marked the beginning of parliamentary democracy in England.
1649: King Charles I of England went on trial for treason during the English Civil War.
1841: Hong Kong Island was occupied by the British, marking the beginning of British colonial rule.
1887: The U.S. Senate allowed the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base.
1937: Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president inaugurated on January 20 after the 20th Amendment changed the presidential inauguration date.
1942: The Wannsee Conference was held in Berlin, where Nazi officials formalized plans for the “Final Solution” (the Holocaust).
1981: Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as the 40th U.S. President, and 52 American hostages were released by Iran after 444 days in captivity.
2009: Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office.
Birthdays
1775: André-Marie Ampère, French physicist and mathematician, known for his contributions to electromagnetism.
1896: George Burns, American comedian, actor, and writer, known for his long career in entertainment.
1930: Buzz Aldrin, American astronaut and the second person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
1946: David Lynch, American filmmaker known for his surreal films like Blue Velvet and the TV series Twin Peaks.
Notable Deaths
820: Al-Shafi’i – An influential Islamic scholar and theologian, the founder of the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence.
1612: Rudolf II – Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. Known for his patronage of the arts and sciences.
1936: George V – King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India. His death led to the succession of Edward VIII and the eventual abdication crisis.
1965: Alan Freed – American disc jockey credited with popularizing the term “rock and roll.”
1984: Johnny Weissmuller – American swimmer and actor, an Olympic gold medalist who famously played Tarzan in several films.
1988: Hugues Panassié – French jazz critic and producer, a key figure in promoting jazz music in Europe.
1993: Audrey Hepburn – Iconic British actress and humanitarian, known for her roles in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday.
1994: Matt Busby – Scottish football manager and player, remembered for his long and successful tenure managing Manchester United.
2005: Per Borten – Norwegian politician and Prime Minister of Norway from 1965 to 1971.
2012: Etta James – Legendary American singer, known for her soulful voice and hits like “At Last.”
2017: John Hurt – Acclaimed British actor known for roles in The Elephant Man, Alien, and the Harry Potter series.
2020: Terry Jones – Welsh actor, comedian, and director, best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy group.
2021: Mira Furlan – Croatian-American actress known for her roles in Babylon 5 and Lost.
