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National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for January 31, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.
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.
Events that occurred on January 31 throughout history
The Social Security Administration issues the first Social Security check in the amount of $22.54 to Ida May Fuller.
Chicago's NBC affiliate WNBQ begins broadcasting the first television soap opera. These Are My Children aired for 15 minutes a day, five days a week until March 4,1949.
The Misfits directed by John Huston and starring Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Montgomery Clift premiers in Reno, Nevada. The intense love story was the last completed film for both Gable and Monroe.
NASA launches Mercury 2 on a suborbital mission with a chimpanzee on board. The chimp, named Ham, survives the 16-minute 39-second flight.
Doug Williams became the first African American to start and win a Super Bowl. Playing for the Washington Redskins, he led Washington to a 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. January 31st Celebrated Birthdays
