It’s January 23rd – and while it may seem like “just another day” to a lot of people, there is a great deal to give thanks for today! Let’s dive into why you may want to remember 23rd January, whether you are already celebrating it for a private reason or not!
On this day
1A great dynasty took shape!
On January 23rd 1368, the Ming Dynasty in China began three centuries of rule in China. The ceremony of coronation took place for Zhu Yuanzhang to become Emperor this very day – and led to generations of similar leaders coming to the fore in the decades to pass.
2Tunisia took great strides to free its people.
On January 23rd 1846, Tunisia became the very first Arab nation to outlaw the practice of slavery outright. It was abolished by Ahmed I Bey. Thankfully, they haven’t looked back since!
3Elizabeth Blackwell made history for women everywhere.
British practitioner Elizabeth Blackwell, born 1821, made history on this day back in 1849 – as she was the very first woman to graduate from a medical degree in the USA! Despite coming up against some adversity during her career, Blackwell would go on to enjoy a long and varied career, including helping the wounded in the North in the American Civil War.
4Israel staked its claim.
Setting off a chain reaction of diplomatic concerns for years to come, it was on January 23rd 1950 when Israel first made its claim that Jerusalem was its capital city. To this day, there’s still division over who has the full right to the city.
5Rock on!!
Believe it or not, the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has only been running since 1986! It was on January 23rd 1986 when icons such as James Brown, Ray Charles, and Elvis Presley – the King himself – were inducted into the pantheon. To this day, artists are still inducted every January, with recent nominees including Kate Bush and Missy Elliot.
Special Days Falling on January 23rd
Whether or not you’re marking a birthday or anniversary on January 23rd, there are still some important reasons why January 23rd should be remembered. Here are some interesting special occasions falling today…
National Pie Day
To celebrate his birthday, teacher Charlie Papazian saw his enthusiasm for pies become the source of a national celebration! Today, millions of Americans share sweet and savory pies, with candles in or not – and it’s been that way since around 1975. Why not pick a pie of your own and get stuck in?
National Handwriting Day
Still can’t get the hang of cursive? Today’s the day to start practicing! National Handwriting Day encourages people across the country to consider putting their phones away and to start writing down their musings. There’s still a lot of worth in keeping a physical diary and calendar – what if your phone battery runs down and you can’t find an outlet?
National Measure Your Feet Day
Yes, believe it or not, if you’re looking to get measured for a new pair of shoes, today is absolutely the day to do it! Poor measuring can lead to all kinds of pains and strains – so book January 23rd in your calendar!
This month in history
Europe stepped willingly into what’s still known as the biggest change-up in currency history. It’s during January that, in 2002, several member states of the European Union agreed to adopt the Euro, or EUR. Initially, 12 countries adopted the new money – but today, you can freely spend the Euro in up to 20 different territories, including France, Germany, and the Republic of Ireland.
Interestingly, the UK – Ireland’s neighbor – never entered into the arrangement – and following Brexit, that ship has certainly sailed!
Famous Birthdays on January 23rd
- Edouard Manet, French Painter, born 1832
- Randolph Scott, American actor, born 1898
- Mariska Hargitay, American actress, born 1964
- Arjen Robben, Dutch footballer, born 1984
- Michael “Vsauce” Stevens, YouTube broadcaster, 1986
If you were born on January 23rd…
You’re known as an Aquarius, according to the Western Zodiac. This means you’re identified by the water carrier – but did you know you’re actually an “air” sign? Creative and a highly progressive thinker, people flock to Aquarians when they need help solving tricky puzzles!
If you’d like to learn more about being an Aquarius, check out our fact file!
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