35 fun facts for January, 25

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
<< January, 24
January, 26 >>
Summary
January 25th is marked by various intriguing events, including National Opposite Day and National Seed Swap Day in the United States, Burns Night in Scotland, and the birthday of several famous personalities. Some historical highlights on this date include the opening of Moscow State University, the establishment of the first Winter Olympic Games, and the release of the first Macintosh computer.
35 Fun facts
  1. January 25th is National Opposite Day in the United States, where people do things in the opposite manner of what they usually do, or say the opposite of what they mean, as a fun-filled day.
  2. On January 25, 1755, Moscow State University was established in Russia, founded by Russian polymath, scientist, and writer Mikhail Lomonosov. Today, it remains one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Russia.
  3. On January 25, 1858, the Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn was played at the wedding of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, and Prince Frederick of Prussia, marking the start of its popularity as a wedding song.
  4. The 1908 Belgian Antarctic Expedition, led by the Belgo-Romanian Adrien de Gerlache, became the first expedition to overwinter in the Antarctic on January 25, 1898.
  5. On January 25, 1909, Richard Strauss's opera, "Elektra," premiered in Dresden, Germany, becoming known for its intense psychological drama and groundbreaking music.
  6. The Grand Central Terminal in New York City opened on January 25, 1913. It is an iconic transportation hub in the United States and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.
  7. January 25, 1924, marked the opening day of the first Winter Olympic Games held in Chamonix, France. These games showcased popular winter sports like skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, and bobsledding.
  8. On January 25, 1949, the first Emmy Awards were held in Los Angeles, California, honoring excellence in television production and broadcasting.
  9. On January 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy held the first-ever live televised presidential news conference, breaking new ground in how the American public interacted with their leader.
  10. On January 25, 1971, Charles Manson and three of his accomplices in the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders were found guilty and later sentenced to death, before their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
  11. On January 25, 1980, the movie "The Fog," directed by John Carpenter, was released. It is now considered a cult classic in the horror genre.
  12. On January 25, 1981, the 52 American hostages held in Iran for 444 days were released, marking the end of the Iran hostage crisis.
  13. The first Macintosh computer by Apple Inc. was introduced on January 25, 1984, revolutionizing the personal computer industry.
  14. On January 25, 1985, the space shuttle Discovery was launched on its first mission (STS-51C), becoming NASA's third operational orbiter in the Space Shuttle Program.
  15. January 25, 1990, marked the release of Michael Bolton's hugely popular album "Time, Love, and Tenderness," which included the hit song "When A Man Loves A Woman."
  16. On January 25, 1994, NASA's Clementine probe was launched with a mission to map the Moon's surface and test various defense-related technologies.
  17. January 25, 1995, marks the opening of the famous Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, which has since become a popular destination for luxury accommodations, fine dining, and entertainment.
  18. On January 25, 1998, then-World No.1 Women's Tennis player, Martina Hingis, at just 17 years old, won the Australian Open after defeating Conchita Martinez.
  19. In 1998, on January 25, Microsoft founder Bill Gates was hit in the face with a cream pie while attending a conference in Belgium, becoming a viral moment before the age of social media.
  20. On January 25, 2001, a 50-year-old Douglas DC-3 aircraft crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing all 26 people on board and making headlines for the age of the plane involved.
  21. On January 25, 2004, NASA's Opportunity rover landed on Mars, beginning its 90-day mission to search for evidence of water and life on the Red Planet.
  22. January 25th is Burns Night, a celebration in Scotland to honor the life and works of renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns. People often enjoy haggis, Scotch whisky, and the recitation of Burns' poems during this event.
  23. On January 25, 2006, Walt Disney agreed to purchase Pixar Animation Studios, creating a partnership between two of the most successful animation studios in the world.
  24. January 25, 2007, saw the release of Sara Bareilles' hit song "Love Song," which went on to become a major success and a staple in her career.
  25. On January 25, 2008, Armenia ratified the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, committing itself to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global environmental protection.
  26. January 25, 2010, marked a significant milestone in space exploration, as the Mars rover Opportunity completed six Earth years of exploration on Mars, far surpassing its original 90-day mission.
  27. On January 25, 2011, the Egyptian Revolution began, ultimately leading to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and a series of major political changes in the country.
  28. The biographical film "The Iron Lady," starring Meryl Streep as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was released in Europe on January 25, 2012.
  29. On January 25, 2014, American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys released the song "We Are Here," which was a powerful call for peace and unity.
  30. January 25, 2015, is the arrest date of infamous drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán in a hotel in Mazatlán, Mexico, making international headlines.
  31. On January 25, 2016, the X-Files TV series returned for a six-episode 10th season, reuniting agents Mulder and Scully and delighting fans of the classic show.
  32. January 25, 2018, marked SpaceX's successful test of a Falcon Heavy rocket in Florida, a major step forward in the company's quest for space exploration.
  33. The acclaimed true crime TV series "Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes" was released on Netflix on January 25th, 2019.
  34. January 25, 2020, saw the launch of the United States' Space Force's first mission, launching a payload of communications satellites into orbit.
  35. January 25th is National Seed Swap Day in the United States, encouraging gardeners and horticulturists to exchange seeds and grow a wide variety of plants.

Browse all the fun facts per month