On This Day - January 20, 2026

National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for January 20, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.

2026

National Days on January 20, 2026

Ongoing National Weeks

These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.

Ongoing National Months

These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.

Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for January.

Global Observances

International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).

Historical Events on January 20

Events that occurred on January 20 throughout history

1870

Sisters Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Clafin open the first woman-owned brokerage firm in the United States.

1887

The United States Senate amends and extends the 1875 reciprocity treaty with Hawaii securing a lease to Pearl Harbor as a Naval Base.

1920

Irwin W. Cox registers the trademark for the steel-wool product called "SOS." The initialism for the shaved steel wool saturated with soap stood for "Save Our Saucepans."

1964

The Wisconsin Cheese Foundation sponsors the making of the world's largest block of cheese ever made. At midnight, the process began at Steve's Cheese in a factory near Denmark, Wisconsin.

1998

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts and Advanced Cell Technology announced the successful cloning of calves that may have produced medicinal milk.

2009

The inauguration of the 44th President of the United States takes place. President Barack Obama becomes the first African American to serve as a U.S. president. January 20th Celebrated Birthdays