National Jan Day

Young person named Jan, wearing a birthday crown, surrounded by balloons and confetti, in a festive party atmosphere.. — National jan day illustration

Happy National Jan Day! Today we celebrate all things Jan, from Jan the person to Jan the month. It's a day filled with joy, laughter, and a whole lot of Jan-iness. So, put on your Jan costume and get ready to party!

When is Jan Day?

It's national jan day on the 10th September.

The Legend of Jan

Have you ever wondered where the name Jan comes from? Well, it turns out that Jan is derived from the name Janus, the ancient Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways. Janus was often depicted with two faces, one looking to the past and the other to the future. This is quite fitting as January is the first month of the year, a time when we reflect on the past and make plans for the future.

Celebrating Jan

On National Jan Day, people all over the world come together to celebrate everything Jan. From throwing Jan-themed parties to dressing up as their favorite Jan, there's no shortage of ways to get in on the fun. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to hang out with loved ones, enjoy delicious food, and embrace the spirit of Jan.

Did You Know?

Did you know that in the world of sports, there have been several famous athletes named Jan? Jan-Ove Waldner, also known as the "Mozart of Table Tennis," is considered one of the greatest table tennis players of all time. Jan Frodeno, on the other hand, is a triathlete from Germany who won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Talk about some serious Jan power!

History behind the term 'Jan'

1005

Origin of 'Jan'

In the year 1005, the term 'jan' made its first appearance in Old English as a derivative of the Old French word 'janvier'. 'Jan' referred specifically to the month of January, which derived its name from Roman mythology. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, depicted with two faces looking both forward and backward.

1660

Jan as a Familiar Abbreviation

Around 1660, 'jan' started to be used as a familiar abbreviation for the name 'Januarius', the Latin word for January. This abbreviation added a touch of informality and familiarity to the term, making it easier to use in everyday conversations.

1856

Jan as a Personal Name

By the year 1856, 'jan' had evolved further and began to be adopted as a personal name in some cultures. It became a common given name, particularly in Scandinavian countries, where it is often short for names like Jannek, Janus, or Janina. The usage of 'jan' as a personal name reinforced the idea of its connection with January and the symbolism of new beginnings.

1969

Jan Hack

In 1969, an event known as the 'Jan Hack' took place. It was a significant milestone in the history of computer programming. The Jan Hack was a hackathon organized by the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, where participants worked on computer programming projects for an extended period. The event gained popularity and inspired subsequent hackathons, contributing to the growth of the term 'jan' as a colloquialism within the programming community.

2005

Jan: Internet Slang

In the early 2000s, the term 'jan' found its way into internet slang and chat room jargon. It became a shorthand expression for the word 'January' and started being used informally to refer to the beginning of the year or a fresh start. Its usage in online communities helped spread the term further and brought it into the digital age.