January Season & Vibe
- Winter in the Northern Hemisphere
- Fresh starts and resolutions
- Snowy mornings and cozy evenings
- Warm drinks, knitwear and comfort food
A FRESH START • A NEW YEAR
January 2009
New beginnings, cozy winter days, fresh goals and a little January magic.
January is the first month of the year and has 31 days. From New Year's Day on January 1 to Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, January brings fresh beginnings, winter traditions, meaningful celebrations and opportunities to set new goals. Discover the month's history, zodiac signs, birthstones, seasonal highlights and special days.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Dates with a count have published stories or scheduled previews.
From the calendar
Explore January
What Is Special About January? Season, Zodiac, Birthstones & More
January Zodiac Signs
Capricorn
Jan 1–19
Ambition · Discipline
Aquarius
Jan 20–31
Originality · Independence
January Birthstones
Garnet
Symbolizes love, friendship and protection in traditional birthstone lore.
January Birth Flowers
Carnation
Love · Admiration
Snowdrop
Hope · Renewal
Seasonal descriptions mainly reflect the Northern Hemisphere. Zodiac dates are conventional Western ranges; transitions vary by year and time zone. Birth symbols describe cultural traditions.
January’s Major Events
New Year’s Day
January 1 — celebrate a fresh start and new possibilities.
World Religion Day
January 18 — promotes understanding and respect among faiths.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19 — honours his civil rights legacy.
Every date has a story
January 2 — National Days & Stories
No stories in this selection yet.
New articles appear here according to their publication or scheduled date.
Browse all months →Why Is It Called January? History of Month 1
The meaning behind the name
January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god associated with beginnings, endings, doorways and transitions. His two faces traditionally look toward the past and the future — a fitting symbol for a new year.
Weather and seasons
January is typically a winter month across North America and much of Europe. Days remain short in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere enjoys summer.
January Fast Facts
31 days
January 2009 begins Thursday and ends Saturday.
1st month
January opens the year in the modern Gregorian calendar.
Garnet
The traditional birthstone associated with January.
Earth's perihelion
Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun in early January, around January 3–4.
January Skies & Nature
Winter Wonderland
- Snow and frost in colder regions
- Evergreen trees and winter wildlife
- Warm scarves and fireside evenings
Wolf Moon
- January's traditional full-moon name
Check local moonrise and phase times for January.
- A beautiful winter night-sky highlight
Cozy Comfort Food
- Hot chocolate and warm tea
- Soups, stews and baked treats
- Cinnamon, vanilla and warming spices
Fresh Starts
- New-year goals and journaling
- Decluttering and organizing
- Building healthy routines
National Days & Holidays in January 2009
Selected recurring observances. These are calendar dates, not a complete list of public holidays or official days off. Local rules and traditions differ.
Awareness Months in January
Selected campaigns; many originated in the United States and may be observed at different times elsewhere.
- Cervical Health Awareness Month (US)
- National Blood Donor Month (US)
Calendar sources & editorial notes
Recurring dates are separate from the published and scheduled stories above. Movable Gregorian holidays are calculated for the selected year. Exact Moon phases, equinoxes, solstices and lunar-calendar festivals should be checked with local authorities before making plans.