Interesting Historical January Facts
Useful info. for adding authenticity to your fiction writing
When I write stories, I like to weave into my fiction an actual event (or events) for my main characters to mention or react to. For instance, in a Victorian story set in and around the early 1900’s, I might introduce the death of Queen Victoria. At that time, this would be the major event in any English person’s life. I write about how my main characters react to this, and explore how it impacts on them and those around them.
Whether your story is historical or modern, including actual events gives the reader an authentic and interesting insight into the period in which the story is set, and adds an additional layer to the main characters’ story-lines.
As well as livening up a story, interesting global happenings make excellent writing prompts. I have compiled a short, and disparate list of historical events for January to share with you. I hope you find them useful.
You can compile your own lists from internet search-engine sites or on-line newspaper archives.
On this day in:
1/1: In 1502, Portuguese explorers landed on the coast of South America at Guanabara Bay and named it River of January (Rio De Janeiro).
- In 1660, Samuel Pepys began journalling his famous diary.
- In 1881, Ireland was added to Great Britain by an Act of Union creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
- In 1892, Ellis Island in New York Harbour opened.
- In 1901, The Commonwealth of Australia was founded. Six former British Colonies became six states. Edmund Barton was the first Prime Minister.
2/1: In 1905, The Russians surrendered to the Japanese after the Battle of Port Arthur (Russian-Japanese War).
- In 1942, the Japanese captured the Philippines capital of Manila (WWII).
- In 1960, Senator John F Kennedy announced his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.
