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, 1940
Day of Week 5th » FM broadcasting e.g FM radio is demonstrated to the Federal Communications Commission for the first time.
Day of Week 7th » Winter War: The Finnish 9th Division Battle of Raate Road named stops and completely destroys the overwhelming Soviet forces on the Raate-Suomussalmi road.
Day of Week 8th » World War II: Britain Rationing in the United Kingdom called introduces food rationing.
Day of Week 29th » Three trains on the Sakurajima Line, in Osaka, Japan, collide and explode while approaching Ajikawaguchi Station. 181 people are killed.