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, 1991
Day of Week 5th » Georgia (country) named Georgian forces enter Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia or South Ossetia, Georgia, opening the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War.
Day of Week 9th » Representatives from the United States and Iraq meet at the Geneva Peace Conference to try to find a peaceful resolution to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Day of Week 12th » Gulf War: An act of the U.S. Congress authorizes the use of military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.
Day of Week 13th » Soviet Union troops January Events (Lithuania) e.g attack Lithuanian independence supporters in Vilnius, killing 14 people and wounding 1000.
Day of Week 15th » The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, preparing the way for the start of Gulf War called Operation Desert Storm.
15th » Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Monarchy of Australia known as Queen of Australia, signs letters patent allowing Australia to become the first Commonwealth realm to institute Victoria Cross for Australia e.g its own Victoria Cross in its honours system.
Day of Week 16th » The Coalition Forces go to war with Iraq, beginning the Gulf War (U.S. Time).
Day of Week 17th » Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm begins early in the morning. Iraq fires 8 Scud missiles into Israel in an unsuccessful bid to provoke Israeli retaliation.
17th » Harald V of Norway Harald V becomes Monarchy of Norway King of Norway on the death of his father, Olav V of Norway Olav V.
Day of Week 19th » Gulf War: Iraq fires a second Scud missile into Israel, causing 15 injuries.
Day of Week 22nd » Gulf War: Three SCUDs and one Patriot missile hit Ramat Gan in Israel, injuring 96 people. Three elderly people die of heart attacks.
Day of Week 26th » Siad Barre called Mohamed Siad Barre is removed from power in Somalia, ending centralized government, and is succeeded by Ali Mahdi Muhammad called Ali Mahdi.
Day of Week 29th » Gulf War: The Battle of Khafji, the first major ground engagement of the war, as well as its deadliest, begins.