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January is the first month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is one of seven months in the year with 31 days. The first day of the month is celebrated as New Year’s Day. There are many myths and legends associated with this month. Here are a few facts about this month.
Janus
The ancient Romans celebrated Janus Month in a number of ways. The first was the celebration of the festival of Carna, the goddess of the sea, who was associated with the vegetable ivetch. This goddess was also associated with the month of June, which was also called the month of Janus. Other customs associated with this month were the celebration of the beginning of the year and the beginning of the military season. In addition, the rites of the Janus Month were performed by the Salii. During the feast of Janus, customary foods included ivetch, which was supposed to help the body.
In ancient times, January was also the boundary between political years in Rome. This meant that it was the time when consuls changed. As a result, the month was renamed after Janus. It also replaced March as the first month of the year. Because of this, Janus was associated with the beginning of the year, and became the god of the New Year.
In ancient times, the Romans had a different calendar, in which the winter solstice fell on the 25th of December. The Romans viewed the first day of the year as the beginning of a new year, and the month of Janus was a special occasion in their lives. During this time, people exchanged cheerful words of goodwill and gave each other food as tokens. Some people also exchanged coins as gifts, called strenae.
Earth’s Perihelion
On January 2, 2021, the Earth will be nearer to the sun than at any other time in its annual orbit. This event is known as perihelion, and its name derives from Ancient Greek. On that day, the sun will be about 3% larger in the sky than on any other day of the year. Although you won’t notice the increased size of the sun with the naked eye, you should still wear solar-viewing glasses to ensure you see the full effect of the light.
The date is also significant because it marks the closest approach of the Earth to the sun. The Earth will be 91,406,842 million miles from the center of the sun on this day. Likewise, the sun will be 94,509,598 miles from Earth on its farthest day, July 4, at 3:10 am.
The Earth’s orbit is not exactly circular, and therefore its aphelion and perihelion are different points in the year. However, the Earth’s orbit follows an elliptical path throughout the year. In early January, the Earth is closest to the sun, while on the opposite side, it is farthest from the sun.
Intercalary calendar
The intercalary month is one of the many features of the lunisolar calendar. Historically, the calendar used 12 lunar months rather than thirteen and the Winter Solstice was always in month 11. The intercalary month is inserted at the end of a lunar month after a calendar year.
The Chinese calendar has two principles for determining the date of the Winter Solstice. The first is that the Winter Solstice always falls in the eleventh month, while the second is that the first month of the year after the Winter Solstice is considered intercalary. In either case, the calendar is based on the meridian 120o East. This makes January month difficult to determine unless the year is intercalary.
When the Romans adopted the Roman calendar, the January month had thirty-one days. However, the month of October was cut from thirty-eight to thirty-one days, and January and February had 29 days instead of thirty-one. After the Romans embraced the lunisolar calendar, their standard calendars began to vary.
Birthstones
The birthstone for January is garnet, which is often associated with passionate devotion. People born in January value friendship, family, and purpose. They are serious and ambitious, but also warm and friendly. They are also extremely intelligent and very productive. However, they can also be uninterested and unemotional.
Garnets are found in several regions, including the African continent. Bohemia, where garnets are most plentiful, used to be the primary source during the Victorian era. Today, most garnets are mined on the African continent. Namibia and Tanzania are important sources of spessartine garnets.
The gems that are associated with January are garnet, aquamarine, moonstone, emerald, and sapphire. The birthstone for February is amethyst. March birthstones are aquamarine and bloodstone. April’s birthstone is diamond. May is emerald, and June is the month for pearl and Alexandrite. September birthstones include garnet, sapphire, and topaz.
The birthstone for March is aquamarine, a blue variety of beryl. Aquamarines vary in color and saturation, but the most popular are richly colored ones. Lighter colored stones are also available.
Cervical health awareness
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, which is a time to raise awareness about cervical cancer and its symptoms. Although the disease can affect any woman at any time, it is most common among women over 30 years old. The disease is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be passed from one person to another through sex. During this month, health care professionals encourage women to get their annual Pap tests to determine their risk of developing the cancer.
Cervical cancer is a serious health threat for women, and screening is vital to prevent it. According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, there are more than 13,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year. However, with routine screening and vaccination, the disease can be prevented. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition provides information on cervical health and the benefits of HPV vaccination.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, but it is highly treatable if detected early. The 5-year survival rate of women with cervical cancer at an early stage is 92%. Screenings for cervical cancer are not expensive, and most health insurance plans cover them. Additionally, parents should talk to their pre-teen children about the importance of getting an HPV vaccine. This vaccine is important for both girls and boys.
Holidays
January is a month full of celebrations. From New Year’s Eve to the first day of school, there is a holiday to celebrate just about anything. National Popcorn Day, National Blonde Brownie Day, and National Pie Day are just a few of the tasty celebrations that take place in January. Other holidays include National Cuddle Day and National Complimentary Day.
There are literally thousands of holidays each year. Many of them are religious and are celebrated by the American public. However, there are a few notable differences between these holidays. The first federal holiday of the year is Christmas Day, which is often controversial, and the second holiday is New Year’s Day, which is always on December 31.
Depending on the country, the holidays in January may be different. In Italy, for instance, Sant’Antonio Abate is celebrated with bonfires, which is the reason for the Fuoco di Sant’Antonio. In Italy, January is also a good time to go shopping. Stores often offer a variety of discounted goods in January.
Generally, federal employees are allowed to adjust their work schedules for religious observances. For example, Jewish employees may take time off to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, while Muslim employees may take time off for Eid ul-Fitr.
Significance of New Year’s Day
The origins of the modern New Year’s Day date have varied from culture to culture. For example, some cultures celebrate the first day of the year on the Annunciation of Jesus, while others celebrate it on January 1. In the 7th century, the practice of exchanging gifts and greetings began in Flanders and the Netherlands. From there, the custom of wishing people a happy new year spread throughout the Western world. As a result, 1 January became known as New Year’s Day. This date also coincides with the day of circumcision, which is associated with Jesus Christ.
In addition to celebrations, New Year’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by. In some countries, fireworks and parades mark the day. In others, the holiday is more about spending time with family and enjoying traditional dishes. Many people also make New Year’s resolutions, which they hope will help them improve their lives in the year ahead.
New Year’s Day is celebrated in almost every country in the world. In Samoa, for example, the New Year is celebrated before the rest of the world. The stroke of midnight is the latest in that country, located halfway between Hawaii and Australia. People all over the world celebrate by making noise. Toasts are also popular, with many countries toasting the new year with champagne or spiced wine.
