Category: Culture and the Arts

Polka Dot Day, Ntl.: January 22

Daily

National Polka Dot Day celebrates the fabric pattern of dots on a solid background. The term "polka dot" first appeared in Godey's Lady's Book in 1857, describing the pattern on a muslin scarf as "for l...

January

Approved

Polka Month, Ntl.: January

Monthly

This Bohemian dance, the polka, originated in the early nineteenth century in today's Czech Republic. Legend states that a teenager named Anna Slezak invented the polka in 1834. The simple, joyful dance q...

January

Approved

Pop Music Chart Day (1936): January 4

Daily

Pop Music Chart Day marks the anniversary of Billboard Magazine publishing its first music hit parade, or chart of the most popular songs, on January 4, 1936. This day marks the advent of "pop" or popular...

January

Approved

Public Domain Day (1790): January 1

Daily

Public Domain Day celebrates intellectual property such as copyrighted works by legendary authors and other creatives who have passed on or donated their artistry to the creative commons. Public domain wo...

January

Approved

Saint Paul Winter Carnival (US-MN): Janua...

Weekly

Created in 1886, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is one of the most significant events in the Twin Cities metro area. This city-wide indoor and outdoor event attracts over 200,000 people a year. PLEASE N...

January

Approved

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (US-NY): Jan...

Weekly

The longest-running winter carnival in the eastern United States, New York's Saranac Lake Winter Carnival first ran in 1897. The event features an ice castle, winter sports, food, music, parades, and fire...

January

Approved

Science Fiction Day (1920): January 2

Daily

International Science Fiction Day is celebrated annually on January 2, the birthday of science fiction author Isaac Asimov (January 2, 1920 - April 6, 1992). Asimov was a Russian-American author and pro...

January

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Shortbread Day: January 6

Daily

Shortbread Day celebrates the Scottish medieval biscuit twice-baked with sugar and spices. Shortbread originated in the early 12th century when the Crusaders brought sugar back from west Asia and introd...

January

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Smart Phone Day, Intl. (2007): January 9

Daily

International Smart Phone Day marks the anniversary of the premiere of the iPhone by Steve Jobs of Apple Computer on January 9, 2007.

January

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Spring Festival Holiday (CN): January 28...

Weekly

THE SPRING FESTIVAL The dates shown are for the official national holiday. The Spring Festival, a major holiday, is the name for the 15 days between Chinese New Year's Eve and the Festival of Lanterns. I...

January

Approved

Stephen Foster Day (1864): January 13

Daily

Stephen Foster Day is a historic anniversary marking his death on January 13, 1864. Born on July 4, 1826, Stephen Foster is an American songwriter known as 'the father of American music. Foster wrote ov...

January

Approved

Sticker Day, Ntl (1907): January 13

Daily

Today is the birthday of Ray Stanton Avery, January 13, 1907. Avery invented the first self-adhesive labels for pricing, known as the Kum Kleen Pricer Stickers. This single invention grew into the company...

January

Approved

Sundance Film Festival: January 23 - Feb...

Weekly

The Sundance Film Festival, organized by the Sundance Institute, is the largest independent film festival in the United States. Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and the Sundance Resort host. It showcases...

January

Approved

Sydney Festival (AU): January 4-26

Weekly

The Sydney Festival is a major summer music and cultural festival in the nation of Australia's largest city, Sydney. It takes place on land previously owned by the first nation people of the Eora Nation,...

January

Approved

Tyvendedagen (NO); St. Knut's Day (SE): J...

Daily

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January

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Up Helly AA (UK): January 28

Daily

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January

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Western Week (US-AZ): January 25 - Februa...

Weekly

Have you ever dreamed of going back in time and living during the old west days of the United States? If you have, Scottsdale, Arizona, has a treat for you in its annual Western Week Festival. Music, Nati...

January

Approved

Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival (UK): Janu...

Daily

First held in 1980, this whimsical British festival features a straw bear leading a parade and ushering in the upcoming planting season with a decorated plow. The weekend music, food, and fun are featured...

January

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Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival (UK): Janu...

Daily

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January

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Winnie-the-Pooh Day (1882): January 18

Daily

Winnie-the-Pooh Day marks the anniversary of Alan Alexander Milne's birth on January 18, 1882. He first wrote of Christopher Robin (his son and one of the characters in Winnie-the-Pooh) in the poem 'Vespe...

January

Approved