January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. The first day of the month is known as the day of New Year. It is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the Northern Hemisphere (where it is the second month of winter) and the warmest month of the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere (where it is the second month of summer).
January symbols: The birthstone of January is the garnet which represents constancy. Its birth flower is the cottage pink Dianthus caryophyllus or galanthus. In Finnish, the month of tammikuu means the heart of the winter and because the name literally means Oak moon. The zodiac signs for the month of January are Capricorn (until January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 onwards). The traditional English birth month flower is the Carnation.
Historical Events for January, 1880
Day of Week 1st » Ferdinand de Lesseps begins French construction of the Panama Canal.
Day of Week 9th » The Great Gale of 1880 devastates parts of Oregon and Washington (state) e.g Washington with high winds and heavy snow.
27th » Edward Middleton Barry, English architect, co-designed the Halifax Town Hall and the Royal Opera House, Valletta e.g Royal Opera House (b. 1830)