35 January Trivia Questions

As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect time to test your knowledge with some fun January trivia questions. 

Whether you’re looking for a unique icebreaker at a party or simply want to challenge yourself, these questions cover a wide range of topics related to the first month of the year. 

So, grab a pen and paper or gather your friends and family for a friendly trivia competition. 

Let’s dive into the world of January trivia!

January Trivia Questions

1. Historical Events: What significant event in American history took place on January 1, 1863?
   
   
2. Astronomy: What is the name of the meteor shower that peaks around January 3-4 every year?
   
   
3. Birthstones: What is the birthstone for the month of January?
   
   
4. Literature: Which famous author, known for their works in horror and suspense, was born on January 19, 1809?
   
   
5. World Leaders: On January 30, 1948, which influential leader was assassinated in New Delhi, India?
   
   
6. Music History: The Beatles released their debut single in the United States in January of what year?
   
   
7. Zodiac Signs: January is primarily associated with two Zodiac signs. What are they?
   
   
8. Science: On January 28, 1986, which space shuttle tragically broke apart 73 seconds into its flight?
   
   
9. Global Observances: January 27th is an international day of remembrance for what tragic event in history?
   
   
10. Global Geography: Which country celebrates its independence day on January 1st, marking its liberation from colonial rule in 1804?
    
    
11. US Presidency: Who was inaugurated as the President of the United States on January 20, 2021?
    
    
12. Historical Expeditions: On January 17, 1912, which explorer first reached the South Pole?
    
    
13. Film and Entertainment: Which famous film festival begins in January in Park City, Utah?
    
    
14. Sports History: On January 15, 1967, which two NFL teams competed in the first ever Super Bowl?
    
    
15. Technological Milestones: On January 9, 2007, which revolutionary smartphone was first introduced by Steve Jobs?
    
    
16. Medical Breakthroughs: On January 23, 1849, who became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States?
    
    
17. Famous Speeches: On January 28, 1986, who famously said “the crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives”?
    
    
18. Environmental Awareness: January 26th is celebrated internationally to raise awareness about which environmental issue?
    
    
19. Fashion History: Which iconic fashion designer, known for introducing the “Little Black Dress,” was born on January 10, 1873?
    
    
20. Natural Phenomena: Which spectacular celestial event, often referred to as the “Wolf Moon,” typically occurs in January?
    
    
21. Political Milestones: On January 1, 1993, which European country split into two independent nations?
    
    
22. Famous Landmarks: On January 25, 1937, which notable American bridge was officially opened to traffic?
    
    
23. Historical Inventions: On January 7, 1927, the first transatlantic telephone service was established between which two cities?
    
    
24. Science Fiction: Which influential science fiction writer, known for the “Foundation” series, was born on January 2, 1920?
    
    
25. Historical Anniversaries: January 15th marks the birthday of which prominent civil rights leader in the United States?
    
    
26. Cultural Festivals: Which Asian festival, often occurring in January, is marked by the first new moon in the lunar calendar?
    
    
27. Art History: On January 8, 1904, which famous painter known for creating “The Scream” was born?
    
    
28. Space Exploration: Which planet was first visited by a spacecraft on January 14, 2005, when the Huygens probe landed on its surface?
    
    
29. Historical Leaders: On January 9, 1873, which emperor of Japan, known for his role in the Meiji Restoration, was born?
    
    
30. Literary Releases: Which famous dystopian novel by George Orwell was first published on January 8, 1949?
    
    
31. International Relations: On January 1, 1995, which organization was established, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
    
    
32. Music Milestones: On January 24, 1962, which iconic concert venue opened in New York City, becoming a landmark for musical performances?
    
    
33. Environmental Events: What is the name of the powerful winter storm that struck the Eastern United States on January 25, 1978?
    
    
34. Famous Birthdays: Which renowned physicist and cosmologist, author of “A Brief History of Time,” was born on January 8, 1942?
    
    
35. Historical Documents: On January 1, 1863, which important American document was signed by President Abraham Lincoln?

Answers

1. Emancipation Proclamation: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were free.
   
   
2. Quadrantids Meteor Shower: The Quadrantids meteor shower, known for its bright fireball meteors, peaks around January 3-4.
3. Garnet: The birthstone for January is garnet, a gemstone that symbolizes constancy and loyalty.
   
   
4. Edgar Allan Poe: The author born on January 19, 1809, was Edgar Allan Poe, famous for his macabre and mysterious tales.
   
   
5. Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
   
   
6. 1964: The Beatles released “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in the United States in January 1964, marking the start of Beatlemania in America.
   
   
7. Capricorn and Aquarius: The Zodiac signs for January are Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 – February 18).
   
   
8. Challenger: The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when it broke apart soon after launch, leading to the death of all seven crew members.
   
   
9. Holocaust Remembrance Day: January 27th is observed as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust.
   
   
10. Haiti: Haiti celebrates its independence day on January 1st, commemorating its independence from France in 1804.
    
    
11. Joe Biden: Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021.
    
    
12. Roald Amundsen: Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912.
    
    
13. Sundance Film Festival: The Sundance Film Festival, one of the largest independent film festivals in the United States, begins in January in Park City, Utah.
    
    
14. Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs: The first Super Bowl was played between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs on January 15, 1967.
    
    
15. iPhone: Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone on January 9, 2007, a device that would significantly impact the smartphone industry.
    
    
16. Elizabeth Blackwell: Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States on January 23, 1849.
    
    
17. Ronald Reagan: President Ronald Reagan said this in his address to the nation on the day of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, January 28, 1986.
    
    
18. Wetlands: January 26th is World Wetlands Day, intended to raise awareness about the importance and conservation of wetlands.
    
    
19. Coco Chanel: Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer famous for her timeless designs and the Little Black Dress, was born on January 10, 1873.
    
    
20. Full Moon: The “Wolf Moon” is the name given to the full moon in January, named so by Native American tribes.
    
    
21. Czechoslovakia: Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993.
    
    
22. Golden Gate Bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, was opened to traffic on January 25, 1937.
    
    
23. New York and London: The first transatlantic telephone service was established between New York City and London on January 7, 1927.
    
    
24. Isaac Asimov: Isaac Asimov, a prominent science fiction writer known for his works like the “Foundation” series, was born on January 2, 1920.
    
    
25. Martin Luther King Jr.: January 15th marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., a key figure in the American civil rights movement.
    
    
26. Lunar New Year: The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, often occurs in January and is marked by the first new moon in the lunar calendar.
    
    
27. Edvard Munch: Edvard Munch, the Norwegian painter famous for his work “The Scream,” was born on January 8, 1904.
    
    
28. Titan: The Huygens probe landed on Titan, one of the moons of Saturn, on January 14, 2005.
    
    
29. Emperor Meiji: Emperor Meiji of Japan, instrumental in the Meiji Restoration, was born on January 9, 1873.
    
    
30. “1984” by George Orwell: George Orwell’s novel “1984,” a critical piece of dystopian literature, was first published on January 8, 1949.
    
    
31. World Trade Organization (WTO): The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 1995, succeeding GATT.
    
    
32. Lincoln Center: The Lincoln Center, a famous concert venue and cultural complex, opened in New York City on January 24, 1962.
    
    
33. The Great Blizzard of 1978: The powerful winter storm known as the Great Blizzard of 1978 struck the Eastern United States on January 25, 1978.
    
    
34. Stephen Hawking: The physicist Stephen Hawking, known for his work on black holes and cosmology, was born on January 8, 1942.
    
    
35. The Emancipation Proclamation: The Emancipation Proclamation, declaring the freedom of all slaves in Confederate territory, was signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.