On 6 January 1912, New Mexico was admitted as the 47th state in the Union.
Jan 6. A secular festival preceding Lent. A time of merrymaking and feasting before the austere days of Lenten fasting and penitence (40 weekdays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday). The word carnival probably is derived from the Latin carnem levare, meaning “to remove meat.” Depending on local custom, the carnival season may start any time between Nov 11 and Shrove Tuesday. Conclusion of the season is much less variable, being the close of Shrove Tuesday in most places. Celebrations vary considerably, but the festival often includes many theatrical aspects (masks, costumes and songs) and has given its name (in the US) to traveling amusement shows that may be seen throughout the year.
Observed traditionally in Roman Catholic countries from Epiphany through Shrove Tuesday.
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Known also as Old Christmas Day and Twelfthtide.
On the 12th day after Christmas, Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi, the first Gentile recognition of Christ. Epiphany of Our Lord, one of the oldest Christian feasts, is observed in Roman Catholic churches in the US on a Sunday between Jan 2 and 8. Theophany of the Eastern Orthodox Church is observed in churches using the Gregorian calendar (Jan 19 in those churches using the Julian calendar). This feast day celebrates the manifestation of the divinity of Jesus at the time of his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Note: In centuries past, the day began at sunset. This custom has often led to confusion between Twelfth Night and Twelfth Day.
Image: “Adoration of the Magi” in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Conception Abbey in Conception, Mo. 
La Befana is an Epiphany festival in which the “Befana,” a kindly witch, bestows gifts on children— toys and candy for those who have been good, but a lump of coal or a pebble for those who have been naughty. The festival begins on the night of Jan 5 with much noise and merrymaking (when the Befana is supposed to come down the chimneys on her broom, leaving gifts in children’s stockings) and continues with joyous fairs, parades and other activities throughout 6 January.
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Major festival of the Christian Church observed in many parts of the world with gifts, feasting, last lighting of Christmas lights and burning of Christmas greens. Twelfth and last day of the Feast of the Nativity. Commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men (Kings or Magi) to Bethlehem.
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Jan 7, 1912. The prolific cartoonist with a macabre sense of humor was born at Westfield, NJ. He became a full-time staff member of The New Yorker in 1935 and stayed there for his entire career, producing some 1,300 cartoons. His most famous creation was the ghoulish “Addams Family,” who escaped print into television and film. Author of numerous bestselling cartoon collections and the Charles Addams Mother Goose (1967), Addams died Sept 29, 1988, at New York, NY.
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On 7 January, 1927, basketball promoter Abe Saperstein’s “New York Globetrotters” took the floor on this date at Hinckley, Illinois. Despite the “New York” in their name, the Globetrotters (who included Inman Jackson, Lester Johnson and Walter Wright) hailed from Chicago’s South Side. The talented African-American players— unable to play in white professional leagues— barnstormed the nation in serious basketball promotional events. They changed to “Harlem Globetrotters” in the 1930s and added humor to their games in the 1940s.
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A day to fight back and take control of all events that happen in one’s life. Stand up for your rights— it’s so easy to walk away.
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A day to recognize and thank programmers for their contributions to our lives. Programmers are ultimately responsible for many of the conveniences we enjoy such as DVRs, direct deposit, Web surfing, online bill paying, cell phones, etc. Behind most modern-day conveniences, there’s a computer programmer! Annually, Jan 7.
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7 January is Christmas as observed by those churches using the Julian calendar.
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8 January 2017 is the 9th Annual Argyle Day. Bring some brightness to winter by wearing an argyle print— not just socks: anything with the diagonal diamond pattern. The more argyle, the better!
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On 8 January 1982, in the most significant antitrust suit since the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911, American Telephone and Telegraph agreed to give up its 22 local Bell System companies (“ Baby Bells”). These companies represented 80 percent of AT& T’s assets. This ended the corporation’s virtual monopoly on US telephone service.
On 8 January 1815, British forces suffered crushing losses (more than 2,000 casualties) in an attack on New Orleans, Louisiana. Defending US troops were led by General Andrew Jackson, who became a popular hero as a result of the victory. Neither side knew that the War of 1812 had ended two weeks previously with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, 24 December 1814.
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Jan 8, 1935. Popular American rock singer, born at Tupelo, MS. Although his middle name was spelled incorrectly as “Aron” on his birth certificate, Elvis had it legally changed to “Aaron,” which is how it is spelled on his gravestone. Died at Memphis, TN, Aug 16, 1977.
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Midwife’s Day or Women’s Day is celebrated 8 January each year to honor midwives and all women. “On this day women stop their housework and spend their time in cafés, while the men do all the housework chores and look after the children.” In some villages, men caught outside “will be stripped… and drenched with cold water.”
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On 8 January 1964, President Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty in his State of the Union address. He stressed improved education as one of the cornerstones of the program. The following Aug 20, he signed a $ 947.5 million antipoverty bill designed to assist more than 30 million citizens.
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On 9 January 1793, A Frenchman, Jean-Pierre François Blanchard, made the first manned free-balloon flight in America’s history at Philadelphia, PA. The event was watched by President George Washington and many other high government officials. The hydrogen-filled balloon rose to a height of about 5,800 feet, traveled some 15 miles and landed 46 minutes later in New Jersey. Reportedly Blanchard had one passenger on the flight— a little black dog.
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Plough Monday is the first Monday after Twelfth Day (Epiphany) when work is resumed on the farm after the 12 Days of Christmas.
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On 9 January 1905, guards at St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace opened fire on some 150,000 unarmed protesting workers, killing at least 200. This event was the major catalyst for revolution in Russia that year, prompting more strikes and uprisings.
Image, public domain via wikipedia.org, photographer unknown, crowd facing armed soldiers in Moscow, an event that led to the Revolution of 1905.
Logo for Masterpiece Theatre, located via Wikipedia.org. Fair Use.
Jan 10, 1971. Television at its best, PBS’s long-running anthology series consists of many highly acclaimed original and adapted dramatizations. Many are produced by the BBC. Alistair Cooke, Russell Baker and Laura Linney have hosted the program. The first presentation was “The First Churchills.” Other notable programs include “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” and “Elizabeth R” (1972); “Upstairs Downstairs” (1974– 77); “I, Claudius” (1978); “The Jewel in the Crown” (1984); “The Buccaneers” (1995); and “White Teeth” (2002). The title of the series is now “Masterpiece.”
On 10 January 1946, on the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the unsuccessful League of Nations, delegates from 51 nations met at London, 
England, for the first meeting of the UN General Assembly.
On 10 January 1878, Senator A.A. Sargent of California, a close friend of Susan B. Anthony, introduced into the US Senate a women’s suffrage amendment known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. It wasn’t until 26 August 1920, 42 years later, that the amendment was signed into law.
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Jan 11, 1755. American statesman, an author of The Federalist papers, first secretary of the Treasury, born at British West Indies. Engaged in a duel with Aaron Burr the morning of July 11, 1804, at Weehawken, NJ. Mortally wounded there and died July 12, 1804.
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Jan 11, 1815. Canadian statesman, first prime minister of Canada. Born at Glasgow, Scotland, he died June 6, 1891, at Ottawa. His birth anniversary is observed in Canada.
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On 11 January 1964, the US Surgeon General issued its landmark report about the dangers of cigarettes.
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