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January 31, 2026 Holiday:

National Hot Chocolate Day

National Hot Chocolate Day is a delightful celebration that warms the hearts and hands of people everywhere! This cozy holiday is all about indulging in the rich, velvety goodness of hot chocolate, often topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate chips. Traditionally, families and friends gather to share mugs of hot cocoa, swapping stories and making memories around the warmth of a crackling fire or a cozy kitchen. Some people even use this special day as an excuse to try new and creative hot chocolate recipes, experimenting with different flavors and toppings. Whether you're a classic hot cocoa fan or a adventurous mixologist, National Hot Chocolate Day is the perfect excuse to get cozy and enjoy a delicious cup (or two!) with the ones you love.

Learn more about National Hot Chocolate Day
Holidays on January 31, 2026:

Scotch Tape Day

Discover the truth behind Scotch Tape Day on January 31st, 2026. Is it a real holiday or just a myth? more >>

Backwards Day

Backwards Day, 1/31/2026, reverse daily routines, wear clothes backwards, eat meals in reverse, and challenge yourself with new activities. more >>

National Backward Day

National Backward Day, 1/31/2026: Turn your daily routine upside down and experience the joy of playfulness and spontaneity. more >>

Brandy Alexander Day

Indulge in the rich flavors of Brandy Alexander Day on 1/31/2026, a day to savor sweet treats and toast to good company. more >>

National Seed Swap Day

National Seed Swap Day, 1/31/2026, join gardeners and nature enthusiasts to exchange seeds, share knowledge, and preserve biodiversity. more >>

Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day

Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day on 1/31/2026: Learn more about this lesser-known holiday and how it affects your Social Security benefits. more >>

Eat Brussels Sprouts Day

Discover the truth about Eat Brussels Sprouts Day on January 31st, 2026. Is it a real holiday? Get the facts and learn how to prepare this nutritious veggie. more >>

Hell is Freezing Over Day

Imagine a world where the impossible becomes possible, pigs take to the skies, and the fiery depths of hell are suddenly chilly! This whimsical celebration is a humorous take on the idea that the unimaginable can happen, and we should be ready for an... more >>

Hug an Economist Day

Hug an Economist Day on 1/31/2026: Could this obscure holiday be real? Discover the truth behind this unusual celebration. more >>
Birthdays on January 31:

Justin Timberlake

44 Years Old

A talented entertainer who rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the boy band NSYNC, later becoming a successful solo artist and actor, known for catchy pop hits and iconic...

Ernie Banks

Died in 2015, aged 83

Legendary baseball player and coach who slugged 512 home runs and won back-to-back MVP awards in the 1950s, earning the nickname "Mr. Cub."

Kerry Washington

48 Years Old

Acclaimed actress starring in hit TV shows and films, including Scandal and Django Unchained, known for her powerful performances and advocacy for social justice.

Jackie Robinson

Died in 1972, aged 53

Trailblazing baseball player who broke the sport's color barrier in 1947, becoming a symbol of racial integration and a civil rights icon.

Nolan Ryan

78 Years Old

Legendary baseball pitcher known for his record-breaking fastball and impressive strikeout count, earning him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Grant Morrison

65 Years Old

A renowned comic book writer and creator of iconic storylines, known for redefining beloved characters and pushing the boundaries of the medium.

John Lydon

69 Years Old

The lead singer of the Sex Pistols, a pioneering punk rock band, known for his rebellious attitude and iconic songs like "Anarchy in the U.K." and "God Save the Queen".

Philip Glass

88 Years Old

A pioneer of minimalist music, creating hypnotic, repetitive patterns that revolutionized classical music and influenced film scores and popular culture.

Portia de Rossi

52 Years Old

An Australian-American actress known for her iconic roles in popular TV shows such as Ally McBeal and Arrested Development, showcasing her impressive comedic timing and versatility...

Alan Lomax

Died in 2002, aged 87

A pioneering musicologist and folklorist who traveled the American South, recording and preserving traditional music, stories, and oral histories, helping to popularize blues, jazz...

Guido van Rossum

69 Years Old

Creator of the popular Python programming language, revolutionizing the way developers write code. Known for simplicity, readability, and ease of use, making programming accessible...

Minnie Driver

55 Years Old

A talented actress and singer-songwriter known for her Oscar-nominated performances in films like "Good Will Hunting" and her soulful voice in hit singles like "Everything I've Got...

Events from History on January 31:
6 years ago
UK Exits the European Union after 47 Years (United Kingdom) 2020
At midnight, Brussels time, the United Kingdom formally bid farewell to the European Union, marking the end of a 47-year membership. This monumental shift, triggered by the Brexit referendum in 2016, saw the UK become the first member state to leave the EU. The divorce, negotiated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, signaled a new era for Britain, which will now forge its own path in global trade and diplomacy. As the clock struck 11 pm in London, celebrations erupted among Brexiteers, while Remainers lamented the loss of a shared European identity. The consequences of this historic event will continue to unfold, redefining the UK's role in the world.
161 years ago
Robert E. Lee becomes general-in-chief of Confederate armies. (Richmond, Virginia, USA) 1865
As the Confederacy teeters on the brink of collapse, Jefferson Davis, in a last-ditch effort to salvage the war effort, appoints Robert E. Lee as general-in-chief of all Confederate armies. This promotion acknowledges Lee's exceptional military prowess, demonstrated through a series of victories, including the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Fredericksburg. With this new role, Lee will oversee all Confederate forces, attempting to stem the tide of Union victories and preserve the Confederacy.
83 years ago
German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrenders at Stalingrad (Stalingrad, Volgograd, Russia) 1943
In the freezing ruins of Stalingrad, the once-invincible German Sixth Army, now battered and exhausted, was on its knees. Friedrich Paulus, the proud and determined Field Marshal, gazed out upon the desolate landscape, his eyes weary from the relentless Soviet onslaught. After months of brutal fighting, he knew the end was near. On January 31st, Paulus made the difficult decision to surrender, marking a crushing defeat for the German army and a crucial turning point in World War II.
58 years ago
Viet Cong Launches Surprise Tet Offensive on US Embassy (United States Embassy, Saigon, South Vietnam) 1968
The streets of Saigon were bathed in an eerie silence on this fateful morning, but little did the Americans know that the Viet Cong was plotting a daring assault on the US embassy. Without warning, Viet Cong guerrillas emerged from the shadows, launching a series of coordinated attacks on the embassy and other key targets. The Tet Offensive, as it came to be known, caught the Americans off guard, exposing the chinks in their armor and sending shockwaves around the world. As the fighting raged on, the US military scrambled to respond, but the Viet Cong's cunning plan had already achieved its objective: to show that the war was far from won.
76 years ago
Truman greenlights hydrogen bomb development (Washington, D.C., USA) 1950
In a bold move to maintain the United States' nuclear supremacy, President Harry Truman ordered the development of thermonuclear weapons, marking a significant shift in the nuclear arms race. This fateful decision was a direct response to the Soviet Union's first atomic bomb test in 1949, which had caught the Americans off guard. By pushing for the creation of hydrogen bombs, Truman aimed to regain the nuclear upper hand and deter potential Soviet aggression. This move would have far-reaching consequences, fueling the nuclear arms race and shaping the course of the Cold War.
75 years ago
United Nations confronts North Korean aggression (United Nations Headquarters, 46th Street and 1st Avenue, New York City, NY 10017, USA) 1951
UN Security Council members rallied behind a resolution that condemned North Korea's aggression, marking a pivotal moment in the Korean War. On January 31, 1951, the Council adopted Resolution 90, calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of North Korean forces from South Korea. This unified stance by the international community sent a strong message to Pyongyang, reaffirming the UN's commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region. As the war raged on, this resolution would serve as a crucial milestone in the global response to the conflict.
Notable Deaths on January 31:
1956A. A. Milne Celebrated English author, poet, and playwright behind the beloved character Winnie-the-Pooh
1606Guy Fawkes Famously foiled English conspirator behind the infamous Gunpowder Plot
2016Terry Wogan Beloved BBC radio host with a warm smile
2015Lizabeth Scott Sultry and talented actress captivating audiences
2018Rasual Butler Professional basketball player with a flair for slam dunks
2014Christopher Jones American thespian and scene-stealer on the silver screen
1933John Galsworthy English novelist and playwright, Nobel laureate
2006Moira Shearer Scottish dance princess
2017Rob Stewart Pioneering Canadian filmmaker known for his aquatic expeditions
2015Richard von Weizsäcker Diplomatic statesman and leader, guiding Germany through turbulent times
2001Gordon R. Dickson Science fiction scribe
1907Timothy Eaton Canadian entrepreneur and businessman
2007Molly Ivins Infectious journalism
1974Samuel Goldwyn Pioneering Polish-American film producer who founded Goldwyn Pictures and revolutionized the film industry.
2004Eleanor Holm Swimming and screen star
1888John Bosco Italian priest and educator, founder of the Salesian Society
1995George Abbott Legendary Broadway figure
2012Dorothea Tanning Visionary artist and sculptor pushing boundaries in modern art
2002Gabby Gabreski Wartime aviation hero
1969Meher Baba Renowned Indian spiritual master who taught the importance of spiritual discipline and self-realization.