Digging up History

January's Multiplicities

January

The month of January was named after the Roman god Janus. Janus is also the Roman word for door. The god Janus had two faces which allowed him to look forwards into the coming year and backwards into the past year. 

The original Roman calendar only had 10 months. January and February were not included, but were added later.

Here are some historical events that took place in January:

1773   Captain James Cook becomes the first explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle.

1819   Simon Bolivar proclaims the Republic of Colombia.

1916   The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) is formed.

1917   The United States buys the Virgin Islands.

1973   Ferdinand Marcos becomes President for Life "of the Philippines."