Special Sub-Topic: The Month of January Click Here To Play: The Month of January

Who added the month of January to the calendar?

Romans. Legend has it that around 700BC Numa Pompilius added January and February to the end of the ten month Roman calendar. In his calendar reforms in 46B.C. Julius Caesar added a day to make January 31 days in length.

How many months were in the Romans' year before January was added?

ten. January and February became the eleventh and twelfth months of the year.

How many days had January when it was first added to the calendar?

30.

Who changed the length of this month in 46BC?

Julius Caesar. As well as making January 31 days long, Julius Caesar also made it the first month of the year, instead of the eleventh. This calendar became known as the Julian calendar.

January is named after Janus. What was he the god of?

doors and gates. He was chosen for January because when you start something new, symbolically you pass through a door.

The head of Janus is usually portrayed in a certain way. What is it?

two faces. One face looks forward and the other looks back.

Who named their first month after Thor?

Norsemen. Thor was the god of thunder and storms in Norse mythology.

What flower is the symbol of January?

snowdrop & carnation. Usually the snowdrop is generally regarded as January's flower, but for some it's the carnation.

What is January's gem?

garnet. Garnet for constancy.

Who said 'The blast of January would blow you through and through'?

Shakespeare. from 'The Winter's Tale'