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, 1998
Day of Week 1st » Russia begins to circulate new Russian ruble called rubles to stem inflation and promote confidence.
1st » The European Central Bank is established.
Day of Week 4th » Wilaya of Relizane massacres of 4 January 1998 called Wilaya of Relizane massacres in Algeria: over 170 are killed in three remote villages.
4th » North American Ice Storm of 1998 known as A massive ice storm hits eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, continuing through January 10 and causing widespread destruction.
Day of Week 11th » Over 100 people are killed in the Sidi-Hamed massacre in Algeria.
Day of Week 12th » Nineteen European nations agree to forbid human cloning.
Day of Week 17th » Lewinsky scandal: Matt Drudge breaks the story of the Bill Clinton–Monica Lewinsky affair on his website 'The Drudge Report'.
Day of Week 25th » During a historic visit to Cuba, Pope John Paul II demands political reforms and the release of political prisoners while condemning US attempts to isolate the country.
Day of Week 26th » Lewinsky scandal: On American television, U.S. President Bill Clinton denies having had "Lewinsky scandal known as sexual relations" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Day of Week 29th » In Birmingham, Alabama, a bomb explodes at an abortion clinic, killing one and severely wounding another. Serial bomber Eric Robert Rudolph is suspected as the culprit.