Author: Lisa Mungovan

Every day, there are plant and animal species that go extinct forever. But sometimes, new species are also discovered. In 2024, hundreds of new plants and animals were recorded. Researchers found a previously unknown giant anaconda, a vampire hedgehog, a dwarf squirrel, and a tiger cat, just to name a few.

In 1793, the first balloon flight in North America took place, when French inventor Jean Paul Blanchard, demonstrated his hydrogen gas-filled balloon. He rode 1200 feet up into the air, astounding a crowd in Pennsylvania, that included President George Washington! Balloon Ascension Day commemorates that event. Don’t release balloons to celebrate though. That’s littering!

Are you shocked to hear it’s Static Electricity Day? Static electricity is produced when the positive and negative charges of an atom become unbalanced. See static in action by rubbing a balloon against your head. It will stick! Shuffle around the carpet with rubber-soled shoes and try to zap someone. Yee-ouch!

In 1981, Joan White decided to spread joy every January 8th. She thought happiness could be infectious, so she called it National Joygerm Day. Do something nice for someone, or write an e-mail or letter. Tell them you are spreading germs of joy and ask them to help you infect the world!

Did you know, it’s World Typing Day? Typing on a computer, where you can delete mistakes, or move paragraphs around, is so easy. But try typing on a real typewriter today, so you can enjoy rolling the paper in, listening to the clacks and dings, and watching keys strike the paper. It’s so satisfying!

Make time today for a nice long bubble bath. While you’re soaking, think of something neat to show off, and eat crispy English toffee! Apply soothing lotion, before getting dressed in diamond-patterned argyle socks. It’s Bubble Bath, Show-and-Tell At Work, English Toffee, Winter Skin Relief, and Argyle Day! Can you remember all that?

Today is Earth’s Rotation Day. The Earth spins on its axis, like a globe. It takes 24 hours, or 1 day, to make 1 rotation, but the rotation speed can change slightly. In 1851, Leon Foucault demonstrated how the Earth rotates, by hanging a heavy ball, and watching its path change. Watching a Foucault Pendulum swing, is fascinating!

We know how fun it is, to push the button in the elevator, or ride up and down the escalator. You’ll have to restrain yourself today, because it’s Take The Stairs Day. The longest stairway in the world runs alongside the Niesen mountain railway, in Switzerland. It has 11,674 steps! Can somebody carry me?

Much of the United States was blanketed in snow yesterday, meaning the snowplows were busy. Some cities have given their plows whimsical names. In Wichita Kansas, you can track the plows in real time, to see who’s coming to clear your street. Will it be Plowy McPlowface, Plowabunga, Plowasaurus Rex, or Snowbi One Kenobi?

On January 7th 19 27, Abe Saperstein gathered a group of fantastic basketball players known as the Savoy Big Five, and formed the Harlem Globetrotters. Nearly 100 years later, people still enjoy watching the team’s skills, antics, and trick shots. Celebrate Harlem Globetrotters Day, by watching them and learning a few tricks of your own.