On this day
1st January
New Year's Day
If Auld Lang Syne left your throat dry? And dancing left your feet sore? And drinking left your head fuzzy? Then resist the temptation to curl up in bed
2nd January
The Second Day of Hogmanay
While the rest of Britain is beginning to return to normality after a seasonal binge, Scotland is still celebrating. Hogmanay is the Scottish equivalent
3rd January
The drinking straw was patented this day
Where would the frozen cocktail or those thick shakes be without the straw? This day in 1888, the drinking straw was patented by Marvin Stone.
4th January
Sir Isaac Newton's birthday
On this very day, in a Lincolnshire hamlet in 1643, Hannah Ayscough gave birth to a son so small he could fit in a 1 litre jug. Little would anyone have
5th January
Joma Shinji
The Joma Shinji Japanese New Year archery ritual is based on the Japanese belief that arrows have the power to banish evil – the word Joma translates
6th January
The anniversary of Fernand Petiot's death
Fernand Petiot was a legendry bartender credited with inventing the Bloody Mary. As if that wasn't great enough, he served drinks to every US President
7th January
Eastern Orthodox Christmas Day
Happy Christmas to all our readers celebrating Christmas Day today, the 25th of December according to the Julian calendar (used prior to the Gregorian
8th January
Elvis Presley's birthday
The man who was to become The King of Rock 'n' Roll was born on this day in 1935 in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi. His twin brother, Jessie Garon,
9th January
National Apricot Day
Soft velvety skin and sweet juicy flesh with a tart finish. Today we celebrate the humble apricot despite the that in most parts of the world apricots
10th January
The day the world lost a glam rock icon
On this day in 2016, the world bade a tearful farewell to music legend David Bowie when sadly, he lost his 18-month battle with liver cancer, two days
11th January
Hot Toddy Day
In the days before ice was easily available - and in most parts of the world, you needed to be pretty much royalty to own an ice house and keep it stocked
12th January
National Marzipan Day
Possibly one of mankind's oldest sweet treats, marzipan is the confection made from finely ground almonds, sugar or honey and eggs and is used in a variety
13th January
Peach Melba Day
Invented in the late 19th century by the famed French chef, restaurateur and culinary writer Georges-Auguste Escoffier, the Peach Melba was a tribute to
14th January
Dress Up Your Pet Day
Today is a day the internet was almost certainly invented for (sorry, Tim Berners-Lee): National Dress Up Your Pet Day.
15th January
Anniversary of the Boston Molasses Disaster
On this day in 1919, as Martin Luther King was being born in Atlanta, Georgia, a giant molasses tank exploded in Boston, flattening homes, shops and people
16th January
International Hot and Spicy Food Day
We do like a bit of spice! Thai, Mexican, Chinese and Indian cuisines all boast delicious dishes that induce sweat and tears whilst igniting the taste
17th January
The day Prohibition started
One minute after midnight on this day in 1920, the Volstead Act became law and Prohibition descended on the United States, making it illegal to possess,
18th January
Winnie the Pooh Day
We all have our favourite line from Winnie the Pooh, but not the late Dorothy Parker who hated the books and famously remarked in a review for the New
19th January
Janis Joplin's birthday
One of the first rock stars to form the 27 Club, Janis Joplin died aged only 27 soon after Brian Jones and Jimi Hendrix. Later entrants include Jim Morrison,
20th January
National Cheese Lovers Day
You can't make everyone happy. You're not cheese. How true. And particularly pertinent today as we celebrate one of the world's most beloved foods.
21st January
National One-Liners Day
One-liners. Short, snappy statements that pack a punch, whether it's a clever quip or a wise observation.
22nd January
Felix Kir's birthday
Felix Kir led quite a life. He was a French priest at the outbreak of the Second World War, though when he heard that the German army had infiltrated his
23rd January
National Pie Day
Happy National Pie Day, everyone! Today is the day to celebrate the deliciousness that is pie, and whether you prefer sweet or savoury, there's a pie out
24th January
Beer Can Appreciation Day
Here at Difford's Guide we're huge fans of beer cans – indeed we prefer cans to bottles. So we're happy to support this marketing gimmick of a day from
25th January
Burns Night
The evening of January 25th is when Scots everywhere hold Burns Suppers in honour of the birth of Scotland's favourite poet and son, Robert Burns. Born
26th January
Australia Day
Australia Day is the anniversary of the First Fleet of convict ships arriving at Sydney Cove in 1788. Today though, it's all about celebrating everything
27th January
National Chocolate Cake Day
We say there's nothing quite like a slice (or two) of rich, decadent chocolate cake to make your day a little sweeter.
28th January
National Daisy Day
He loves me, he loves me not.... The daisy. A symbol of innocence and purity, and a favourite of lovers, poets, painters, and gardeners for centuries.
29th January
National Corn Chip Day
Happy National Corn Chip Day! Today we celebrate one of the most iconic snack foods of all time. Whether you're a fan of traditional corn chips or you
30th January
Franklin Roosevelt's birthday
Let's raise a glass to the President who repealed Prohibition, and let alcohol flow freely once more!
31st January
Brandy Alexander Day
For no particular reason we know of, today has been declared Brandy Alexander Day. Hoorah!
