Thesaurus Day in the United States celebrates the writer’s resource and invaluable tool of poets, the thesaurus. It occurs on the birthday of its creator in the English language, Peter Mark Roget (January 18, 1779 - September 12, 1869). Roget created the first modern-day thesaurus in 1805, but it wasn’t published until 1852. His book, with updates, is still in print today.

Africa

Jan

Thomas Crapper Day (1910): January 27

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Thomas Crapper Day honors Thomas Crapper, an English plumber born in Yorkshire in 1837, who died on January 27, 1910. Crapper is errantly credited with inventing the modern flushing toilet; he did not—but he is the key reason outhouses fell out of favor and homes have WCs. The first flush toilet was created in 1596 by Sir John Harington, the godson of Queen Elizabeth I, for the palace. The first patent for a version that contained the water went to Alexander Cumming of England in 1775. In the 1880s, Crapper expanded on Cumming's "S-shaped" plumbing patent with the ballcock, the float inside the tank that allows water to regulate its level. Once Prince Albert took him on as royal plumber, he began mass-producing the commode under his company "Thomas Crapper & Co." His invention remained largely a European convenience until American soldiers returned via England in 1918 after WWI experienced it. Referred to as the "porcelain throne," models often bore the brand name "Crapper," thus Thomas' association with the privy. Crapper spent his life advocating for sanitation and increasing accessibility to it for the general public. He is the first to support toilets in the homes of every man, not just the aristocracy. Over his life, he received nine patents, with three related to the humble toilet. Unless you've traveled through rural Asia or Africa, where the western toilet is often non-existent (or replaced with in-the-floor squat pots—as a woman, do not get me started), you've probably never appreciated it. Or what a messy and uncomfortable process doing one's business once was and can still be in some parts of the world.

Africa

Jan

Thyroid Awareness Month: January

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Thyroid Awareness Month seeks to educate the public about thyroid disease and help raise money for research. More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems, and one woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. Most thyroid cancers respond to treatment, although a small percentage can be very aggressive. The causes of thyroid problems are largely unknown. Undiagnosed thyroid disease may put patients at risk for certain severe conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and infertility. Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism experience an elevated risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children. Most thyroid diseases are life-long conditions that can be managed with medical attention.

Africa

Jan

Timket (C)(ET/ER): January 19

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In the Coptic, Ethiopian and Eritrean churches, Timket is the Epiphany celebration marking the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Timket is a national holiday in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Africa

Jan

Tin Can Day (1810): January 19

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Tin Can Day celebrates the invention of the tin can on January 19, 1810, by British merchant Peter Durand. A major game-changer in food preservation, tin cans revolutionized the food industry. The first commercial canning factory opened in England in 1813, thanks to John Hall and Bryan Dorkin.

Africa

Jan

Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement: January 26

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Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement is a day for people to reach out and make a sincere, heartfelt connection with someone else. The holiday's name comes from 'Toad Hollow Country School,' a story written by a girl named Eunice in the early 19th century. The story was later picked up by her college professor Ralph C. Morrison. Mister Morrison read and liked the story so much that he incorporated it into his storytelling, and thus a legend was born. Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement inspired the story's message of openness and connectedness with people.

Africa

Jan

Tom Thumb Day (1838): January 4

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Tom Thumb Day commemorates Charles Sherwood Stratton, a boy from Bridgeport, Connecticut, born January 4, 1838. The son of a carpenter, at the age of four, Charles was only 25 inches tall and weighed a mere 15 pounds. In the beginning, his father was embarrassed by his son's stature, but when P. T. Barnum offered a substantial stipend for the young boy to join the circus, embarrassment gave way to pride. The small boy became an overnight sensation, dubbed Tom Thumb by the showman, who continues to be remembered today on Tom Thumb Day.

Africa

Jan

Train Your Dog Month, Ntl.: January

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Created in 2011, National Train Your Dog Month promotes The Association of Professional Dog Trainers. This day urges dog owners to take the time and train their dogs properly for the safety of their pets and the family’s enjoyment. Resources are made available throughout the month for pet parents on the event’s website.

Africa

Jan

Transformation and New Beginnings, Year of: 2025

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2025 IS THE YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION AND NEW BEGINNINGS

Numerology, an ancient practice that assigns mystical significance to numbers, sees 2025 as a year of transformation and new beginnings. By analyzing the individual digits that compose the year, numerologists believe 2025 holds powerful symbolism and potential for change. Numerology is the study of the mystical relationship between numbers and events or personalities. It is rooted in the belief that numbers are a universal language and that each number carries its unique vibration and meaning.

WHERE DID NUMEROLOGY ORIGINATE?

Numerology has roots in multiple ancient civilizations. Early forms of numerology were practiced in ancient Babylon (Iraq) and Egypt, where numbers were believed to have divine significance. In Greece, the philosopher Pythagoras, the father of numerology, proposed that numbers are the essence of all things and hold mystical properties. Consider numerology's integral importance to several religious and cultural traditions:

HINDUISM
In Vedic astrology, numbers are associated with planets and deities, influencing one's destiny and personality.

CHINESE CULTURE
Numbers play a significant role in Chinese culture, with specific numbers considered auspicious or inauspicious based on their phonetic similarity to words with positive or negative connotations.

JUDAISM
Kabbalists, the mystical version of Judaism, use Gematria, which focuses on the belief that numbers and letters are interconnected. Each Hebrew letter corresponds to a specific numerical value. This connection allows for interpreting words and phrases in a numerical context, revealing hidden meanings and spiritual insights. WESTERN MYSTICISM In Western esoteric traditions, such as the Hermetic Qabalah, numerology decodes the hidden meanings of sacred texts and understands the spiritual significance of events.

THE NUMBERS BEHIND 2025

By examining the individual digits and their combinations, numerologists derive more profound insights into the meaning of 2025:

TWO: Represents duality, balance, partnership, and diplomacy. It symbolizes the need for cooperation and harmony.

ZERO: Zero signifies potential and choice. It is the starting point from which all other numbers emerge, representing infinite possibilities and spiritual growth.

FIVE: Five embodies change, freedom, and adventure. It is associated with dynamic energy, curiosity, and the pursuit of new experiences.

TWENTY: Twenty combines the attributes of 2 and 0. It emphasizes the importance of relationships and choices, highlighting a period of significant decisions and potential.

TWENTY-FIVE: Twenty-five merges the energies of 2 and 5. It suggests changes within partnerships and the beginning of new adventures or paths. NINE Nine, derived from the sum of 2+0+2+5, which equals 9. This number is associated with completion, humanitarianism, and spiritual enlightenment. It signifies the end of one cycle and the readiness to begin anew.

2025, A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION AND NEW BEGINNINGS

Numerologists interpret 2025 as a year brimming with transformative energy and the promise of fresh starts. The combined vibrations of its digits suggest a period where individuals and societies will experience profound shifts:

TRANSFORMATION

The influence of 5 and 9 indicates a year of significant change, encouraging people to embrace new opportunities and let go of outdated patterns.

NEW BEGINNINGS

The presence of 0 underscores the potential for spiritual growth and new ventures, while 2 emphasizes the importance of forming new partnerships and alliances.

BALANCE AND HARMONY

The recurring theme of 2 suggests a focus on achieving balance in personal and professional relationships, fostering cooperation and understanding. As we look ahead to 2025, numerology offers a lens through which to view the coming year as a period of transformation and new beginnings. By understanding the significance of the numbers 2, 0, 5, 20, 25, and 9, we can prepare to embrace the changes and opportunities that lie ahead through the ancient wisdom of numerology, 2025 promises to be a year of growth, renewal, and profound change.

Africa

Jan

Travel Day, Ntl., Shop for: January 14

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There is something about a new year that causes travel queries to spike in mid-January. Obviously, people are thinking about someplace other than enduring the winter doldrums. Capitalizing on this trend and mindset, National Shop for Travel Day encourages travelers and dreamers to research places to go and things to do on their next vacation. Created in 2018, National Shop for Travel Day seeks to promote, like a Black Friday or Green Monday, the best travel deals available when people are most likely shopping. Bon voyage!

Africa

Jan

Trivia Day: January 4

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Robert I Birch of Pun Corps created Trivia Day using numerology. For instance, Trivia Day is January 4 annually. The T and R of trivia correspond to the numbers 1 and 4. The day is a testament to the information collectors who always seem to have something interesting to say. Trivia Day continues despite the passing of its creator in 2005.

Africa

Jan

Tropical Diseases Day, World Neglected: January 30

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Beginning in 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) created World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day to raise awareness and resources to treat and prevent many tropical diseases. From WHO "Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of 20 conditions1 that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they mostly affect impoverished communities and disproportionately affect women and children. These diseases cause devastating health, social and economic consequences to more than one billion people. The epidemiology of NTDs is complex and often related to environmental conditions. Many are vector-borne, have animal reservoirs, and are associated with complex life cycles. All these factors make their public-health control challenging. ------------------------------------- 1. NTDs include: Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue and chikungunya, dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease), echinococcosis, foodborne trematodiases, human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), leishmaniasis, leprosy (Hansen’s disease), lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and other deep mycoses, onchocerciasis (river blindness), rabies, scabies and other ectoparasitoses, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, snakebite envenoming, taeniasis/cysticercosis, trachoma, and yaws and other endemic treponematoses."

Africa

Jan

Tsagaan Sar (MN): January 29-31

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Tsagaan Sar, meaning "White Moon" or "White Month," is one of Mongolia's most important traditional festivals, marking the beginning of the new year according to the Lunar calendar. Celebrated with elaborate customs and rituals, Tsagaan Sar is a time for Mongolians to honor their heritage and renew familial and community ties. TSAGAAN SAR HISTORY Tsagaan Sar's origins are rooted in ancient Mongolian practices, closely tied to nomadic lifestyles and shamanistic traditions. Its customs evolved over centuries. Historically, it marked the end of a harsh winter and the beginning of a prosperous spring, crucial for a nation of herders. The "white" in its name symbolizes purity, kindness, and the potential for a fresh start. TSAGAAN SAR CUSTOMS Tsagaan Sar festivities typically last for several days, beginning with a "Bituun" ceremony the day before the Lunar New Year. Families gather to enjoy a feast, aiming to leave no leftovers to symbolize the leaving behind of the old year's misfortunes. The first day of Tsagaan Sar starts with family members greeting each other in order of seniority and exchanging snuff bottles as a traditional gesture of goodwill. Following the gift exchange is a lavish meal, including traditional dishes like "buuz" (steamed dumplings) and "ul boov" (a stack of ceremonial cakes). Wearing their finest "deels" (traditional Mongolian clothing), people visit the homes of elders and relatives to pay their respects. Each visit includes the exchange of gifts and well-wishes for the new year. The festival also includes various regional customs, such as games, horse racing, and traditional music and dance performances. TSAGAAN SAR SIGNIFICANCE Tsagaan Sar is a cornerstone of Mongolian culture, embodying the values of respect, family unity, and hospitality. It's a time for individuals to settle debts and grievances, symbolizing a clean slate. The festival strengthens community bonds and reaffirms social hierarchies and familial roles, which are integral to the Mongolian way of life. It's also a time for honoring ancestors and preserving Mongolian traditions, ensuring their transmission to younger generations. Representing the Lunar New Year, Tsagaan Sar is a vibrant and culturally rich celebration in Mongolia. It's a festival deeply ingrained in the Mongolian social fabric, symbolizing renewal, familial respect, and the enduring spirit of a nation deeply connected to its ancestral roots and traditions.

Africa

Jan

Twelfth Night (C): January 5

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January 5 in Christianity is the Twelfth Night, though some denominations of Christianity mark the Twelfth Night on January 6. It is the final night of the twelve days of Christmas and occurs on the eve of the Epiphany.

Africa

Jan

Typing Day, World (2011): January 8

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World Typing Day, observed on January 8th since 2011, is an annual event dedicated to encouraging people to express themselves via typing and to promote speed, efficiency, and accuracy in written communication. STC (Speed Typing Contest) Team from JCI (Junior Chamber International) in Malaysia created World Typing Day to recognize the increasing importance of typing skills in personal and professional communications. Its objective underscores the value of typing proficiency in today's technology-driven society. As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the ability to type quickly and accurately has become a crucial skill, essential not only for professional success in numerous fields but also for everyday communication, education, and access to information. In Malaysia, the day's emphasis is also on bridging the digital divide by promoting typing skills, enhancing digital literacy, and empowering individuals in underserved communities with the ability to participate more fully in the global digital economy. The event features various activities and events, including typing competitions, workshops, and educational programs aimed at improving typing skills and raising awareness about the importance of efficient digital communication.

Africa