National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for January 16, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
January 16, 2026 celebrates National Nothing Day, plus 4 more. Each year on January 16th, people across the nation recognize National Nothing Day.
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Each year on National Without a Scalpel Day January 16th recognizes the opportunities to treat disease without a scalpel. On this day in 1964, pioneering physician Charles Dotter performed the first angioplasty. The ground-breaking procedure to open a blocked blood vessel took place in Portland, Oregon. Not only did the angioplasty allow the patient to avoid leg amputation surgery, but she left the hospital days later with only a Band-Aid.
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Each year, National Religious Freedom Day commemorates the day the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was signed on January 16, 1786. Each year, by Presidential Proclamation, January 16th is normally declared Religious Freedom Day.
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National Food Allergy Day on January 16 serves as a time to elevate awareness, education, and action for the 5.6 million children living with food allergies in the U.S.
Read the full story →Events that occurred on January 16 throughout history
President Chester Arthur signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, creating the U.S. civil service system. The act established a merit basis for federal jobs and promotions and made it illegal to fire or demote government employees for political reasons.
The states ratify the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. A year later, the amendment goes into effect on January 17th. It prohibited "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors..." In between, Congress passed the Volstead Act providing the means to enforce the 18th Amendment. The "noble experiment" ended on December 5, 1933, when the states ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition.
On October 15, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Department of Transportation. A few months later, on January 16, 1968, Johnson appointed the first Secretary of Transportation, Alan Boyd.
The Soviet Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 completed the first docking mission while in orbit above the Earth. Each spacecraft were crewed by two cosmonauts, and while docked, they performed a spacewalk and switched spacecraft for the return flight home. January 16th Celebrated Birthdays
Longer-running observances that include this date.
World Health Esteem Month
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National Store Brands Month
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National Hobby Month
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National Hot Tea Month
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National Cbd Month
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National Slavery And Human Trafficking Prevention Month
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National Blood Donor Month
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National Menudo Month
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National Black Diamond Month
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National Bath Safety Month
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National Mentoring Month
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Showing the first 12 — See all months for January.
