Birth of King Lunalilo
On January 31, 1835, William Charles Lunalilo was born in Honolulu, a future ruler whose path to the throne would be decided by the people…
International History
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First Winter Olympic Games
On January 25, 1924, the first-ever Winter Olympic Games opened in Chamonix, France, bringing together athletes from across the globe to compete on snow and ice. These historic games laid the foundation for a new Olympic tradition, showcasing winter sports in a way never done before.
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Death Of Queen Victoria
On January 22, 1901, Queen Victoria—the longest-reigning British monarch of her era—died after more than six decades on the throne, closing a chapter that reshaped Britain and the modern world. Her life and reign were so influential that her image would go on to appear on countless postage stamps, helping establish a tradition that continues with British monarchs today.
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Founding of Kiwanis International
On January 21, 1915, a small meeting in Detroit, Michigan sparked a global movement built on service and friendship. What began on that winter day would grow into Kiwanis International, an organization dedicated to improving communities and helping children around the world.
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Grimm’s Fairy Tales
On December 20, 1812, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of Children’s and Household Tales, a collection that would later become famous around the world as Grimm’s Fairy Tales. What began as a scholarly project to preserve German folklore soon grew into one of the most influential books in literary history.
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A Christmas Carol
On December 19, 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, a small book that would become one of the most famous holiday stories ever written. Released just days before Christmas, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visitors captured the spirit of the season—and the conscience of Victorian England. Though Dickens was already a well-known author, few could have predicted that this short Christmas book would become his most enduring work, shaping how Christmas itself is celebrated and remembered.
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Latvia’s First Stamps Printed on Maps!
On December 18, 1918, war-torn and recently independent Latvia issued its first stamps, printed on the back of German military maps.
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Founding of UNICEF
On December 11, 1946, the United Nations created UNICEF, originally known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. The world was still reeling from the destruction of World War II, and millions of children were suffering from hunger, disease, and homelessness. UNICEF was founded to bring relief to these young victims and to ensure that the world did not overlook its most vulnerable population during the long road to recovery.
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First Nobel Prizes are Awarded
On December 10, 1901—exactly five years after the death of Alfred Nobel—the world witnessed something entirely new: a set of international awards created to honor people whose work advanced humanity itself. These first Nobel Prizes were not just a tribute to achievement; they were the fulfillment of a very unusual final wish.
