January 31st is known as Gorilla Suit Day & Backward Day.
Also, congratulations we have made to the end of the month! It’s been a long one but I’m sure it’s been worth it. This day marks the 31st day of the year.
Here you’ll find facts about January 31, as well as important events that happened on this day throughout history. You can also find some less important events that happened on this day, but still interesting nonetheless.
Did you know that on this day, January 31, 1961, a chimpanzee named Ham became the first primate to go to space? It was part of the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission.
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about January 31st in history!
Historical Events
What memorable events happened on January 31 in history? Keep reading to find out!
A chimpanzee named Ham became the first primate to go to space aboard the US MR-2 spacecraft.
The trip was part of the Mercury Mission, which aimed to put the first man into Earth's orbit. Ham played a vital role in teaching us that tasks could be carried out in space. Ham survived the trip and spent the rest of his life in zoos in Washington, D.C., and North Carolina before passing away in 1983. His remains were buried in the International Space Hall of Fame.
Famous Births
Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Justin Timberlake? See what other famous people were born on this day.
1981
Justin Timberlake
American Singer
Age
44 years old
Born IN
Tennessee, USA
1981
Gemma Collins
English TV Personality
Age
44 years old
Born IN
England, UK
Age
20 years old
Born IN
England, UK
1956
John Lydon
English Singer
Age
69 years old
Born IN
England, UK
1947
Jonathan Banks
American Actor
Age
78 years old
Born IN
Washington D.C., USA
Birthday & Zodiac
People who were born on January 31 share the Aquarius star sign.
Aquarius is represented by the water-bearer and is the eleventh sign in the zodiac. Anyone who was born between January 20 and February 18 falls into this astrological sign.
Garnet is the birthstone given to people born in January. The garnet is a vibrant and meaningful gemstone, its name comes from a sacred fruit, the pomegranate.
The carnation, January’s primary birth flower, symbolizes the resilience and warmth of people born this month. Snowdrops, the secondary birth flower, symbolize hope and renewal during the coldest days of winter.
If you were born on this day, you were likely conceived on the week of May 10th in the previous year.
A baby conceived on January 31st, 2025, will likely be due later this year around October 24th.
Quotes
Memorable quotes are being said or written every day. Here we have the most notable quote ever said on this day.
1924
“Sleep, that deplorable curtailment of the joy of life.”
Virginia Woolf
(English Writer)
Special Holidays
Are you looking for something to do today? Then why not find time today to celebrate the following special holidays.
United States
National Gorilla Suit Day
What better way to end the first month of the year by dressing up in a costume and monkeying around? Today is Gorilla Suit Day, so why not participate by dressing as a gorilla and strolling through your neighborhood?
United States
National Backward Day
If you’re tired of everything getting a little bit too repetitive, then you’re in luck - it’s Backward Day! So start your day with dinner, wear your shirt on backward, take a different route today, maybe even try to do it while walking backward!
Fact Of The Day
Days Until
Your countdown to 2025's upcoming special days!
-
Groundhog Day
2 days
-
Valentine's Day
14 days
-
Women's Day
36 days
-
St Patrick's Day
45 days
-
Halloween
273 days
-
Christmas Day
328 days
