Important Dates and Events in January

Are you ready for UPSC Exam? Check your preparation with Free UPSC Mock Test

January is the month of new beginnings. And to begin, you need to take the first step. Students preparing for competitive exams like IAS, studying is the first step for you.

Important dates and events questions are always there in every UPSC, SSC, RRB, and other competitive exams in General Knowledge section. The General Ability Test always has questions surrounding national and global events.

It is important for every student to know about these dates and events. Let us see Important events in January month.

important dates and events in january

Important Events in January

Here’s a list of important events in January that you must know when appearing for competitive exams:

Global Events in January

1. Global Family Day – 1st January

It is an initiative by the American World Family Foundation with the help of the UN General Assembly. Linda Grover wrote a book called One Day In Peace. It got published in 22 languages.

This book inspired Global Family Day and it became official in 2007. It promotes one main idea – Earth is one big family. This day aims to highlight the importance of peace and unity in the world.

2. World Braille Day – 4th January

It was first introduced in the year 2019. It is the day when Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille language, was born.

This language is a medium for education, freedom of speech, and acceptance in society for blind individuals. This day spreads the importance of this language as a means of communication.

3. World Day of War Orphans – 6th January

This day is about raising awareness about the lives of orphan kids. A French organization – SOS Enfants en Detresses decided to introduce this day to stand up for humanity and social crisis.

Many children become orphans because of the outcome of warfare. This day is to honor them and their parents. It also asks individuals to stand up for the injustice they face.

4. African National Congress Foundation Day – 8th January

African National Congress is the current ruling party of South Africa. It was set up as the South African Native National Congress on 8th January 1912. Their president was Nelson Mandela. Their main was to get voting rights for colored and black populations in the country.

It got banned from 1960 – 1990 for its protests. The ban got lifted in 1990 and Nelson Mandela became the head of the South Africa government in 1994.

5. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day – 11th January

The USA proclaimed this day in 2007. January is the national slavery and human trafficking prevention month. The main purpose to celebrate this day is to stand together against slavery and human trafficking. It is a global problem which the US government wants to fight together through this day.

6. World Religion Day – 17th January

The World Religion day was first celebrated in 1950. It doesn’t have a fixed date. It falls on the 3rd Sunday of January month every year. The National Spiritual Assembly in the USA introduced this. It is an initiative to promote different faith and religions. And to maintain harmony between them.

7. International Education Day – 24th January

The United Nations General Assembly started international education day in 2018. Its main aim is to promote education as a basic human right. They believe education is responsible for sustainable growth and world peace.

8. International Customs Day – 26th January

Customs Cooperation Council was first set up on 26th January 1953. International Customs Day celebrates the anniversary of this council. Today this council is called the World Customs Organisation.

It aims to recognize the importance of custom officials and agencies in maintaining border peace. A lot of agencies hold events to appreciate their officers on this day.

9. Holocaust Remembrance Day – 27th January

It is a memorial day celebrated to commemorate victims of the nazi concentration camp. On 27 January 1945, Auschwitz was liberated, it was the largest concentration camp.

Education Institutes have included this day in textbooks to educate children about this. And this day is also to mourn the victims of this heinous crime.

10. Data Protection Day – 28th January

It is an international event to discourage data manipulation and theft practices across the globe. It promotes ethical practices like data protection and privacy. The European council started this in 2006.

Individuals share their personal information for almost everything. Data Protection Day aims to secure their data and privacy.

11. Leprosy Eradication Day – 30th January

It doesn’t have a particular date. It falls on the last Sunday of January every year. Leprosy is a disease that causes infected skin sores on human skin. Leprosy Eradication day aims to raise public awareness about this disease. It also urges people to not discriminate against individuals with this disease.

National Events in January

1. NRI Day – 9th January

In 1915, Gandhiji came to India from South Africa. He was one NRI who changed the future of India. This day is to commemorate his return to the country.

It is also a gesture to show that India is grateful to overseas Indians for their contribution to Indian development. It is also known as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. This day became official in 2003.

2. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Death Anniversary – 11th January

Shastri died in Tashkent where he had gone to sign the peace treaty to end the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. There were a lot of conspiracy theories surrounding his death. His family alleged that he was a victim of murder. The government or media did not release any official report about his death.

And all the plea under the Right to Information Act got declined by the Ministry of External Affairs. Even today there are no reports available for the public to know about his death.

3. National Youth Day – 12th January

It is the birthday of Swami Vivekanand that was first celebrated in 1984. It aims to uplift the youth in India by giving them the right knowledge through education. The youth should ideally live by the principles of Swami Vivekanand.

The government hosts a national youth festival every year. It gives a platform to discuss different social and cultural surroundings.

4. Army Day – 15th January

The first Indian commander in chief of the Indian Army – Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa took over the position on this day. The first celebration took place in 1949.

This year the last British commander in chief – General Sir Francis Robert Roy Buche left. Army day also salutes the soldiers who lost their lives protecting the nation.

5. Subhash Chandra Bose’s Birthday – 23rd January

He was an Indian nationalist and a young leader of the Indian National Congress. He was born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack and was a believer in Swami Vivekananda’s ideology. Also, He served the INC from 1921 – 1943 but left it after disagreeing on the idea of Swaraj.

He was given the title of Netaji by his followers. Later he worked with Japan to create his Indian National Army. but Japan lost to India in Imphal. And with this Bose’s idea of freedom went down too.

6. National Girl Child Day – 24th January

It is an initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Government of India. The main aim is to highlight the inequalities faced by girls in India.

They also aware people about the importance of female education and healthcare. The theme for 2019 was “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow”.

7. National Tourism Day – 25th January

It is an initiative by the Indian government. The main aim is to raise awareness about the tourism industry. The travel and tourism industry is a growing industry.

The government wants everyone to know about the social, political, economic, and cultural worth of tourism. The theme for 2019 was tourism and jobs.

8. National Voters Day – 25th January

The formation of the election commission of India took place on 25th January 1950. This day was first celebrated in 2011. It aims to encourage young voters to vote. They promote the message of equal voting rights for every individual. It is an initiative by the election commission of India.

9. Republic Day – 26th January

This day is to honor the formation of the Indian Constitution. The first celebration took place in 1950. It turned India into a newly formed republic. It was on this day when Purna Swaraj ( Declaration of Independence ) became official in 1929.

10. Lala Lajpat Rai’s Birthday – 28th January

Lajpat Rai was born on 28 January 1865 in Punjab. He was an Indian freedom fighter and a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress.

He was popularly known as Punjab Kesari and had an important role in protesting again Simon Commission in Lahore ( 1928 ). Because of his injuries from the protest, he died on 17th November 1928.

11. Martyr’s Day – 30th January

It is the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Nathuram Godse shot Gandhi in 1948. This day is to remember all the brave martyrs who fought for the country. The whole nation celebrates this day. There are other 5 days which enjoy the title of martyrs day but at the state level only.

Conclusion

Mentioned above are some of the key dates and events for the month of January which are important for UPSC and competitive Examinations.

We have tried to cover all the important facts about each date and event. Go through the list if you are preparing for competitive exams or just to improve your general knowledge.

All the Best!!!

Did we exceed your expectations?
If Yes, share your valuable feedback on Google

follow dataflair on YouTube

2 Responses

  1. karan kuamr sashani says:

    i like this channel

  2. Pihu says:

    So good
    It’s please give India

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *