January Observances
A U.S. federal holiday celebrates this civil rights leader’s birthday.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.? This holiday is not celebrated on a fixed date. It’s celebrated on the third Monday in January, giving us a three-day weekend. It was first celebrated in 1986.
This is a polite reply to “thank you.”
What is “you’re welcome”? A little please and thank you go a long way these days.
Batman and his sidekick
Who is Robin? Robin (Burt Ward) was in contention with Lyle Waggoner of The Carol Burnett Show fame for the part.
Pfeifer, Obama, and Kwan
What is Michelle? Michelle Kwan is the two-time Olympic gold medalist in figure skating.
The tune “Memory” comes from this long-running Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
What is Cats? Theaters in New York and London were filled with Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals during the 1980s. Cats is based on the poems in T.S. Eliot’s book Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.
We used to call them druggists, but now we call them this, and they have a national observance on January 12.
Who are pharmacists? The observance is called National Pharmacist Day. Druggist is still a proper word, but few use it.
This major tourist attraction resides partially in Canada and partially in the U.S.
What is Niagara Falls? Niagara Falls is comprised of three falls: Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls
Laverne and her best friend
Who is Shirley? Laverne & Shirley was a popular TV sitcom. One of the shows featured the women on a double date with the Fonz and Richie Cunningham, characters from Happy Days.
Burnett, Channing, King
What is Carol(e)? Carol Burnett was the first woman to host a variety show.
This 1950s-era musical—about a bad boy and a goody two shoes who are teens in love—was made into a movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
What is Grease? “Grease” and “Summer Nights” are two of the cuts from the soundtrack album.
January 24 is a great day to say something nice to someone, otherwise known as paying them this.
What is a compliment? It’s National Compliment Day.
This is the name of the mountain where four presidents’ busts are carved in stone.
What is Mount Rushmore? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln were easy choices, but there was a great debate over the fourth choice between Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson––Roosevelt won.
Cagney and this detective
Who is Lacey? The show is a multiple award winner. Both stars won the Emmy award for Best Actress in a Drama Series: Tyne Daly, who plays Mary Beth Lacey, won four times, and Sharon Gless won twice.
DeNiro, Downey Jr., and Redford
What is Robert? Robert Redford is 85 years old, and he’s been in show business for eight decades.
The tune “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” comes from this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about Juan Peron’s wife, first lady of Argentina.
What is Evita? Eva Peron was an actress before marrying Juan Peron, and she was loved by the poor.
This movie theater snack is celebrated on January 19.
What is popcorn? We also pay tribute to tin cans on that date.
This city resides partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas.
What is Kansas City? The city is divided by a two-lane highway that marks the border between the states.
Captain Kirk and this person on Star Trek
Who is Mr. Spock? Leonard Nimoy plays the Vulcan character in the original 1960s series.
Douglas, Keaton, and Landon
What is Michael? Michael Landon’s real name is Eugene Maurice Orowitz, and he chose his stage name from the phone book. He is known for his roles on the TV shows Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie.
This Bob Fosse Broadway musical about the Jazz Era is set in the Windy City
What is Chicago? “All That Jazz” is one of the recordings from the soundtrack
On January 20, we pay tribute to these folks who spin tunes on the radio.
Who are DJs or disc jockeys? It’s National DJ Day.
This is the name of George Washington’s home.
What is Mount Vernon? The house that eventually became the mansion was built when George Washington was two years old.
Frasier and his brother
Who is Niles? Both characters are psychiatrists, and both originally appeared in Cheers and reprise their roles in Frasier.
Rickles, Knotts, McLean
What is Don? Don McLean was turned down 72 times by record labels before his first album release.
“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” comes from one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s earliest musicals, a rock opera about Christ.
What is Jesus Christ Superstar? It is his second biblical musical. His first one is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.