January 12: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On January 12, 1967, Dr. James Bedford became the first person ever cryonically preserved—frozen with the hope that future medicine might one day revive him.
About January 12
January 12 has a habit of marking beginnings and breakings. In 1554, Bayinnaung was crowned King of Burma, launching a reign that would assemble the largest empire Southeast Asia had ever seen. Nearly three centuries later, in 1866, London hosted the founding of the Royal Aeronautical Society—flight was barely a dream, yet visionaries were already organizing to chase it. And in 1895, the National Trust was established in the United Kingdom, committing to preserve the nation's heritage and open spaces for generations to come.
The date also brims with political upheaval. The 1848 Palermo rising erupted in Sicily against Bourbon rule, part of the revolutionary wave that swept Europe that year. In 1964, rebels in Zanzibar overthrew the sultan and proclaimed a republic—an event Tanzania still commemorates as Zanzibar Revolution Day. And in 1932, Hattie Caraway of Arkansas made history as the first woman elected to the United States Senate, shattering a political ceiling decades before most women could even vote in many countries.
From the skies came wonder: in 2007, Comet McNaught reached its zenith, so bright it was visible during daylight hours—one of the most dazzling comets ever recorded. Back on Earth, 1969 brought one of sport's greatest upsets: the New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, proving the upstart AFL could beat the NFL's best. And for those who love a quirky celebration, January 12 is also Kiss a Ginger Day, National Glazed Doughnut Day, and the gloriously absurd Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day.
Holidays & Observances on January 12
- Memorial Day (Turkmenistan)
- National Youth Day (India)
- Prosecutor General's Day (Russia)
- Yennayer (Algeria)
- Zanzibar Revolution Day (Tanzania)
Fun & National Days on January 12
- International Kiss a Ginger Day — Show some love to your favorite redheaded friends—consensually, of course!
- Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day — Celebrate the untamed, eccentric, and gloriously wild men in your life with gusto.
- National Clean Off Your Desk Day — The perfect excuse to tackle that towering paper pile and start the year organized.
- National Glazed Doughnut Day — Treat yourself to a sweet, sticky, perfectly glazed doughnut—you've earned it.
- National Hot Tea Day — Brew a steaming cup of your favorite tea and savor a moment of calm and warmth.
- National Pharmacist Day — Thank your local pharmacist for keeping communities healthy and safely medicated.
- French Onion Soup Day
- National Curried Chicken Day
- National Gluten-Free Day
- National Marzipan Day
On This Day in History
- 475 — Byzantine Emperor Zeno was driven from Constantinople, allowing his general Basiliscus to seize control of the empire.
- 1528 — Gustav I was formally crowned King of Sweden, cementing a reign that had begun with his election five years earlier.
- 1554 — Bayinnaung ascended the Burmese throne, beginning a reign that would build the largest empire in Southeast Asian history.
- 1616 — Portuguese captain Francisco Caldeira Castelo Branco founded Belém on the Amazon River delta, establishing a key Brazilian settlement.
- 1848 — The Palermo rising erupted in Sicily, challenging the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and fueling Europe's revolutionary year.
- 1866 — The Royal Aeronautical Society was founded in London, bringing together pioneers dedicated to the future of flight.
- 1895 — The National Trust was established in the United Kingdom to preserve historic places and natural landscapes for public benefit.
- 1932 — Hattie Caraway of Arkansas became the first woman elected to the United States Senate, breaking a significant political barrier.
- 1964 — Rebels in Zanzibar launched a revolution, overthrowing the sultanate and proclaiming a republic—an event still celebrated in Tanzania.
- 1967 — Dr. James Bedford became the first person to be cryonically preserved, frozen with the intention of possible future resuscitation.
- 1969 — The New York Jets stunned the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, delivering one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
- 2007 — Comet McNaught reached peak brightness, becoming so luminous that observers could see it during daylight hours.
Famous Birthdays on January 12
- 1856 — John Singer Sargent, American painter celebrated for his dazzling society portraits and masterful command of light and brushwork.
- 1863 — Swami Vivekananda, Indian monk and philosopher who introduced Hindu philosophy and Vedanta to the Western world in the 1890s.
- 1876 — Jack London, American novelist and journalist whose adventures fueled classics like The Call of the Wild and White Fang.
- 1930 — Tim Horton, Canadian hockey legend who co-founded the Tim Hortons restaurant chain, a cultural institution across Canada.
- 1944 — Joe Frazier, American heavyweight boxing champion known for his fierce rivalry with Muhammad Ali and historic 1971 Fight of the Century.
- 1951 — Kirstie Alley, American actress and comedian who starred in Cheers and Look Who's Talking, winning Emmys and Golden Globes.
- 1964 — Jeff Bezos, American entrepreneur who founded Amazon, revolutionizing global e-commerce and later launching the space company Blue Origin.
- 1993 — Zayn Malik, English singer who rose to fame with One Direction before launching a successful solo career with chart-topping hits.