Today is the anniversary of January 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol.

For the first time since 1814, the US Capitol was attacked. In 2021, the assault was led by American rioters representing various groups, including white supremacists, QAnon conspiracy theorists, militias, anarchists, and Trump loyalists. Five people died when the rioters and the smoke cleared: four rioters and a police officer.

The storming was planned on social media by various domestic hate groups, domestic terrorists, white supremacists, and attention seekers fueled by President Trump's refusal to accept election results and his Tweets encouraging participation.

This alternate interpretation of election outcomes is a garrulous scheme initiated before 2016 by Mr. Trump, as the vanguard of his ego should he lose. At that time, he won the Electoral College. In 2020, despite a record-breaking turnout of voters, Mr. Trump lost the election to Mr. Biden by over 7 million votes, putting the Electoral College vote at 232 for Trump to 306 for Biden. Ratifying the Electoral College by Congress on January 6 following November's presidential elections is the final step in certifying a presidential election.

THE WHY

The rioters' aimed to stop the certification of the Electoral College by congress and prevent Mr. Biden from becoming the next president. They believed this would allow Mr. Trump, who lost the election, to remain in office, an objective equated with an in-house coup. Their belief that the election was rigged against Mr. Trump was carefully curated. It received enforcement through an echo chamber of right-wing media outlets and social media posts, nurtured by conspiracy theories, anger, and the perceived loss of societal privilege. They were primed, indoctrinated true believers, filled with fear, rage, and anger to burn. They needed a match to burst into flames.

Mr. Trump supplied that match. He told his supporters that the only way he could lose the election was through fraud and that they needed to fight to take back their country and make it right. The president told them the media was their enemy and that COVID-19 was nothing to worry about. He told them Democrats were communists, Marxists, and socialists (though very few Trump disciples can define or differentiate each term). He told his believers and fans many things daily and month after month. His lies and distortions provided a narrative of victimization in repetitive soundbites, punctuated with fear, a sense of belonging and purpose that so many desperately needed. These scenarios, and their subsequent conspiracy theories, found traction with coronavirus lockdowns beginning in March 2020.

Trump supporters received a steady diet of curated news for the next eight months. Messaging and confirmations meticulously inflamed passions, created doubt and promoted multiple conspiracy theories. It was a toxic stew on the edge of boiling over.

By election day in early November, 46% of those identifying as Republican believed the election was being stolen from them and their beloved leader, Mr. Trump. They thought a coup was in the process due to voter fraud; for the cult members, there was no other explanation.

What followed was a circus of 60 election lawsuits accusing voter fraud. Eventually, all but one case was dismissed. Three instances of voter fraud were identified in Pennsylvania, and all three were fraudulent votes for Mr. Trump.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

The theatrics of the vote didn't end with lawsuits. In several key states, including Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada, officials found themselves and their families receiving death threats and enduring violence for doing their job. One group of white supremacists, urged on by conspiracy theories, set out to kidnap the Governor of Michigan. The FBI thwarted them, given the kidnapping was planned on social media.

Rather than rectify the rhetoric, Mr. Trump embraced it, nurturing, massaging, and cultivating it through speeches, social media, and live, in-person rallies (in the middle of a pandemic). His followers embraced his denials and accusations as gospel. Primetime right-wing opinion entertainers enthusiastically fueled the farce, even as their news divisions increasingly deferred toward fact-based reporting. Discounting the rhetoric was considered a betrayal by many Trump supporters, who sought out increasingly radical information sources to feed their fantasy. By Christmas, many Trump acolytes and an increasing number of Republicans convinced themselves the election was rigged.

Officials from various branches of government, the judiciary, and even foreign observers, certified the 2020 US election was one of the most secure in history. Other than a scattering of isolated instances, all attested there was no fraud. The election was fair. Mr. Trump lost, period.

In the newspeak language of the MAGAverse, a loss was impossible. Mr. Trump's supporters, encouraged by the president, continued to refuse any result that did not conform to their narrative. As the New Year approached and the final certification of the election results by congress on January 6 loomed, calls for "Stop the Steal" grew, especially on social media. Mr. Trump invited his fans to gather in Washington DC on January 6 for a rally to do just that, tweeting, "Be there. It will be wild!".

That would become the understatement of a decade.

A DAY OF CHAOS AND ANARCHY

Hundreds of thousands of people answered Mr. Trump's call, pouring into Washington DC with flags, signs, MAGA hats, and anger, IMMENSE anger. In addition, a significant portion of the rioters came armed, something the Secret Service would point out to the president. The president didn't care because the rioters were not there to harm him. This sentiment of the president would be revealed during the January 6 Committee Hearings in 2022, along with other evidence pointing to the president's direct involvement in orchestrating the insurrection.

Rioters arrived with guns, knives, and other weapons, including Molotov cocktails and spears. Additional weapons included baseball bats, body armor, bullhorns, chemical weapons including pepper spray, smoke bombs, flash-bang grenades, IEDs, nooses, and at least two pipe bombs.

The day began around 08:20, with the president tweeting his usual disproved voter fraud and victimization allegations. At the same time, his fans gathered at the Ellipse south of the White House. By 11:30, several Trump officials and supporters began warming up the crowd for the 'Save America Rally.' Hardcore members of his fan club, many armed, simultaneously gathered at the Capitol building. At 12:49, two pipe bombs were found, one at the Republican National Committee and another at the Democratic National Committee. Police have since speculated the purpose of the bombs was to divert police away from the Capitol building.

At noon, Mr. Trump ascended the stage, devoting the next hour to promoting conspiracy theories, his victimization, disproved allegations, and debunked election theft assertions. The fawning crowd of supporters, true believers, and diehard fans loved it. As the US Congress took its seats in their respective chambers at 13:00, Mr. Trump whipped his fans into a cheer-filled frenzy. He urged them to march down Pennsylvania Avenue and 'Stop the Steal' by protesting the joint chamber ratification of the electoral college results. Typically, this is a tedious ceremonial procedure for finalizing the election results.

While most of Mr. Trump's fans raucously enjoyed the president's speech, 1.2 miles away, militant supporters began executing their social media plan to storm the Capitol. At 12:53, militants overran the first of three barricades, breaching all three ten minutes later and chasing Capitol police officers across the lawn of the Capitol. At 13:10, Mr. Trump finished his speech, and attending fans made their way up Pennsylvania Avenue. Tens of thousands of people moved from the Ellipse to the Capitol, joining the thousands already there. The president returned to the White House, where he watched the spectacle on television, doing nothing for nearly four hours.

Ultimately four insurrectionists and two police officers died, several from medical causes. One insurrectionist was shot and killed, attempting to breach the Capitol further.
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Mr. Trump first alleged voter fraud in 2015, leading up to the 2016 election. This charge was quickly forgotten when he won but would be resurrected again leading up to the 2020 election, which he lost by 7 million votes.

In 2024, Mr. Trump rewon the White House. His accusations of a corrupt election and threats to repeat the occurrences of this day mysteriously evaporated once he was announced the winner. He has vowed to release those convicted of storming the capital and promised revenge on anyone who reported against him, the members of the January 6 Commission and all others whom refuse to swear fealty and "kiss the ring."

Africa

Jan

Answer Your Cat's Question Day: January 22

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Have a talkative cat? Today's the day you speak back and answer his or her question—another crazy holiday from Wellcat.

Africa

Jan

Apple Tree Day (US/UK): January 6

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Apple Tree Day is a British custom as ancient as Christmas and part of the celebration of Epiphany. Of distinction is the practice of wassailing, or apple howling. Wassail is a traditional word indicating drinking for someone’s health, or on Apple Tree Day, drinking for the apple tree’s health. Apple Tree wassails are sung to the apple trees, and festivities are held in apple orchards on Twelfth Night Eve and Twelfth Night between January 5-6. Celebrations include: Creating bonfires in apple orchards. Wrapping favorite trees in ribbons. Whacking apple trees while reciting poetry. Drinking hard cider and pouring a portion of the cider on the roots of the trees to encourage a good harvest in the coming year. Today it is most common for children to wassail in the apple orchard during the day with non-alcoholic cider. But, for adults, it remains a reason to gather around the apple tree with noisemakers and instruments (to wake up the trees from their winter slumber), swap stories, and drink lots of hard cider, sharing a little with the tree.

Africa

Jan

Apricot Day, Ntl.: January 9

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The apricot or Armenian plum is a superfood. High in iron with properties and nutrients believed to protect against inflammation and improve eyesight, the apricot has been a favorite summer treat for centuries. Originally from China, it was in Armenia where the apricot first gained popularity. By the 18th century, it had made its way across the pond to the new world, first with colonialists in Virginia and later with the Spanish missionaries colonizing the west coast in 1792. Delicious off the tree, canned or dehydrated, National Apricot Day is all about enjoying this super fruit.

Africa

Jan

Arbor Day, (US-FL): January 17

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Florida is one of the first states to celebrate Arbor Day, and it has been doing so since 1886. The day focuses on environmental education and increasing the planting of trees throughout the state. Annually on the third Friday in January.

Africa

Jan

Argyle Day: January 8

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Created in 2009, Argyle Day attempts to brighten up the winter by encouraging everyone to wear something argyle on this day. Argyle is the pattern of the Campbell Clan, which originated in Argyll, western Scotland, beginning in the 17th Century. It was a sign of rebellion in cloth promoting anti-establishment attitudes toward The Crown. Today it is often associated with the Windsor family or preppies, but argyle is the Campbell clan and Scottish rebel through and through. The pattern is diamonds upon diamonds and may be displayed in multiple color combinations.

Africa

Jan

Army Day, (LS)(1986): January 20

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Army Day in Lesotho marks the anniversary of January 20, 1986, when the army overthrew Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan and his government. Army Day is a public holiday.

Africa

Jan

Army Day, (UZ)(1992): January 14

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Army Day, or Day of the Defenders in Uzbekistan, marks the anniversary of January 14, 1992, when the Armed Forces were established in the nation. Army Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Jan

Art Deco Weekend, Miami (US-FL): January 18-20

06:20 AM | -

Miami is known for its art deco-style architecture, and each January, Miami hosts Art Deco Weekend, a festival of architecture, art, and all things Miami. This free community cultural festival supports the Miami Design Preservation League's commitment to preserving, promoting, and protecting Miami and its heritage through historical preservation and educational initiatives.

Africa

Jan

Asarah B'Tevet (J): January 9/10

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The tenth day of the Jewish month of Tevet is a fasting day to commemorate the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem in the sixth century BCE. In Israel, it is a public holiday honoring the dead whose date of death is unknown.

Africa

Jan

Asclepias, Year of: 2025

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POLLINATORS REJOICE:

2025 IS THE YEAR OF ASCLEPIAS

The Year of Asclepias in 2025 celebrates the diverse and ecologically significant plants from the genus Asclepias, commonly known as milkweeds. The National Garden Bureau's designation aims to raise awareness about their importance in the environment, particularly their role in supporting pollinators like monarch butterflies.

Asclepias, or milkweeds, are herbaceous perennials known for their milky sap and distinctive, beautiful flowers. They belong to the Apocynaceae family and are recognized for their unique floral structures, which include intricate blooms often arranged in umbels. The name 'milkweeds' is a tribute to the Greek god Asclepius, the deity of medicine, reflecting their historical use in traditional remedies.

ORIGINS AND IDEAL GROWING CONDITIONS

Milkweeds are native to North and South America, concentrating in the United States and Canada. They thrive in various habitats, including prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and roadsides. These plants prefer well-drained soils and can tolerate multiple conditions from dry to moderately moist environments. Full sun exposure is ideal for optimal growth and flowering.

MEDICINAL USES

Indigenous peoples and early settlers have used milkweeds in various medicinal applications. Herbalists utilize portions of the plant to treat respiratory, skin, and digestive problems.

POPULARITY

Asclepias plants are popular for several reasons:

—Pollinator Support: Milkweeds are crucial for the survival of monarch butterflies, as they are the primary food source for monarch larvae. The plants also attract many other pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds.

—Aesthetic Appeal: With their striking flowers and varying forms, milkweeds add beauty and diversity to gardens and natural landscapes.

—Ecological Benefits: As native plants, milkweeds contribute to local biodiversity and help maintain healthy ecosystems. They provide habitat and nourishment for various insects and other wildlife.

—Resilience: Many milkweed species are hardy and adaptable, making them a low-maintenance and rewarding choice for gardeners interested in supporting pollinator populations and promoting sustainable landscaping. Their adaptability ensures they can thrive in various conditions, giving gardeners confidence in their ability to grow these beneficial plants.

The designation of 2025 as the Year of Asclepias emphasizes conserving milkweed habitats and promoting their cultivation. This initiative seeks to educate the public about milkweeds' ecological roles, encourage planting native species, and support conservation efforts for pollinators, particularly the threatened monarch butterfly. It's crucial to note that Asclepias plants face threats like habitat loss and climate change, making conservation efforts more important than ever.

Through the Year of Asclepias, environmental organizations, botanical gardens, and communities worldwide will participate in events and activities to celebrate and protect these vital plants, ensuring they thrive for future generations. However, the success of this initiative also depends on individual actions. By planting native species like Asclepias in your garden, you can directly contribute to the conservation of pollinators and the environment.

Africa

Jan

Asia Cup (QA): January 12 - February 10

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The Asia Cup is a highly anticipated event in competitive football. The Asia Cup, known officially as the AFC Asian Cup, is the premier men's football tournament of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It has been held every four years since its inception in 1956, making it the second oldest continental football championship in the world, following the Copa América. The 2024 edition in Qatar is particularly notable for several reasons. First, it showcases the growing stature and quality of Asian football on the global stage. Teams from across the continent compete for the coveted title, including powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Iran, along with emerging teams from Palestine and Central Asia. As the host nation, Qatar had previously demonstrated its capability to host major international sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup. The Asia Cup 2024 was another opportunity for Qatar to display its state-of-the-art sporting facilities, infrastructure, and hospitality. It also provided a platform for promoting cultural exchange and understanding among the diverse nations of Asia. Historically, the Asia Cup has been a battleground for regional supremacy in football. Nations like Japan and Saudi Arabia have had significant success in the tournament, with Japan being the most successful team in the event's history. The intense rivalries, such as those between Japan and South Korea or Saudi Arabia and Iran, have always added an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.

Africa

Jan

Ataques a Brasília (BR)(2023): January 8

06:20 AM | -

Sério, Brasil? A bunch of largely angry white men can't deal with the results of a free and fair election. Rather than buckle down and work within the democracy, they don their fascism and attack the country's capital. Deja vu? Didn't we already do this—unsuccessfully? Você devia se envergonhar! It didn't work for American fascists on January 6, 2021. What made you think it would work for Latino fascists on January 8, 2023? The history and story behind this are virtually the same as the January 6 attack on the US capital by trumped-up malcontents, misled by social media and power-hungry politicians. There is no reason to go into it again. Fortunately, in Brazil, so far nobody has died. This writer lived in Brazil when the first elections were held at the end of military rule in the early 1980s. Seeing this disgrace unfold on January 8 horrified me. Brazil is better than that. What are you trying to do, make The 3% (a survival fiction series) into a prophecy rather than a great dystopian fantasy? Sério, Brasil?

Africa

Jan

Ati-Atihan Festival (PH): January 20-25

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With music, dance, street parades, and more color than your eyes can count, the Philippines' annual Ati-Atihan Festival is a delight. Celebrating the peace pact between the indigenous Ati of Panay and the Malay people and infant Jesus (added later by missionaries), this five-day event in Kalibo remains one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. Header Image: Herbert Kikoy, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Africa

Jan

Australia Day Holiday (AU): January 27

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As the anniversary falls on the weekend, today is the workday holiday. Australia Day is a national holiday marking the official proclamation by the British government on January 26, 1788, of sovereignty over the Australian continent. On this day in history, the British ships docked at Port Jackson in New South Wales and hoisted the British flag at Sydney Cove. This day can also be called Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, or ANA Day.

Africa