January the 7th: Orthodox Christmas, History, and Global Events
January 7th holds a special place on the calendar, particularly in the Eastern Christian world. While much of the Western world has wrapped up its festive season, many Orthodox Christians are just beginning their celebration of Christmas. Alongside religious observances, this date is also marked by significant historical events, cultural milestones, and important birthdays.
Orthodox Christmas Day
Why is Christmas Celebrated on January 7th?
Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7th due to the continued use of the Julian calendar by many Eastern Orthodox Churches, including the Russian, Serbian, Georgian, and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. The Julian calendar is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in most of the Western world. As a result, what is December 25th in the Julian calendar falls on January 7th in the Gregorian calendar.
Traditions and Customs
Orthodox Christmas is a deeply spiritual and family-oriented holiday. Traditions vary by country but often include:
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Attending a special Christmas Eve service known as the All-Night Vigil.
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Fasting during the Advent period, which ends with the Christmas feast.
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Preparing traditional foods such as kutia (a sweet grain pudding) in Ukraine, or injera and stewed dishes in Ethiopia.
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In Russia and Eastern Europe, caroling and nativity plays remain popular.
The focus of Orthodox Christmas tends to be more religious and less commercial than Western celebrations, emphasizing the birth of Christ and communal worship.
Historical Events on January 7th
Political and National Developments
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1610 – Galileo Galilei made his first observation of Jupiter’s moons, laying the foundation for modern astronomy.
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1782 – The first American commercial bank, the Bank of North America, opened.
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1927 – The first transatlantic telephone call was made from New York to London.
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1953 – U.S. President Harry S. Truman announced that the United States had developed the hydrogen bomb.
Science and Innovation
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1610 – Galileo’s discovery of the moons of Jupiter provided evidence that not all celestial bodies revolve around Earth, supporting the Copernican heliocentric model.
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1929 – “Tarzan the Tiger,” the first Tarzan film to feature synchronized sound, was released.
Famous Birthdays on January 7th
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1800 – Millard Fillmore, 13th President of the United States.
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1891 – Zora Neale Hurston, African American author and anthropologist.
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1912 – Charles Addams, American cartoonist and creator of The Addams Family.
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1964 – Nicolas Cage, American actor and Academy Award winner.
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1985 – Lewis Hamilton, British Formula 1 World Champion.
January 7th in Modern Times
In contemporary culture, January 7th is often a quiet period for much of the Western world, falling between the Christmas holidays and the return to regular routines. However, in Orthodox communities around the world, it is a day of vibrant celebration, deep reflection, and family togetherness.
The date also provides an opportunity to look back at some of the key historical moments that have shaped science, politics, and popular culture. With a blend of solemnity and festivity, January 7th offers a meaningful pause in the early days of the new year.
Why January 7th Matters
From Galileo’s telescope to Orthodox cathedrals illuminated for Christmas services, January 7th marks important moments in both human discovery and spiritual life. It stands as a reminder of cultural diversity, scientific progress, and the ongoing human journey toward understanding and celebration.
Key Takeaways
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January 7th is Christmas Day for many Orthodox Christians using the Julian calendar.
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Orthodox Christmas emphasizes religious observance, fasting, and traditional foods.
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Galileo made his first observation of Jupiter’s moons on this day in 1610.
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Major historical developments include the creation of the hydrogen bomb and the first transatlantic telephone call.
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Notable figures born on January 7th include President Millard Fillmore, author Zora Neale Hurston, and actor Nicolas Cage.
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- 1610 In 1610 Galileo Galilei first used his new instrument, the telescope (which he constructed based on a child’s toy being sold in the marketplace in Italy) to look at the planet Jupiter. The telescope was invented in the Netherlands in 1608, credited to Hans Lippershey, a Dutch optician. Hearing of this new device, Galileo built his own version, enhancing its magnification from 3x to about 20x by grinding and polishing lenses with precision. Galileo began using his telescope to observe the night sky in the Autumn of 1609. His discoveries, published in "Sidereus Nuncius" (The Starry Messenger) in 1610, challenged long-standing views of the universe based on Aristotelian and Ptolemaic systems. On the 7th of January 1610, he began to observe the planet Jupiter. He discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter (now known as the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto), demonstrating that not all celestial bodies revolved around the Earth. His findings supported the Copernican heliocentric model and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy. His discoveries, particularly his support for heliocentrism, brought him into conflict with the Catholic Church, which upheld the geocentric view. This eventually led to his trial and condemnation by the Inquisition in 1633.
- 1953 In 1953 President Harry Truman announced that the United States of America had developed a Hydrogen Bomb (H-Bomb). The development of the hydrogen bomb by the United States marked a critical and controversial chapter in the history of nuclear weapons and the Cold War. The hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, was far more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The idea of a hydrogen bomb was first proposed during World War II. Unlike atomic bombs, which rely on nuclear fission (splitting atomic nuclei), hydrogen bombs use nuclear fusion—the same process that powers the sun—to release energy. This involves fusing lighter nuclei, such as isotopes of hydrogen, to create heavier elements. The United States began seriously pursuing the hydrogen bomb after the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949, ending America's monopoly on nuclear weapons. This event, coupled with rising tensions in the Cold War, prompted President Harry S. Truman in 1950 to approve the development of a "super bomb." The first full-scale hydrogen bomb test, codenamed "Ivy Mike", was conducted on November 1, 1952, at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The explosion was equivalent to 10.4 megatons of TNT, over 500 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The successful test of the hydrogen bomb escalated the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets tested their first hydrogen bomb in 1953, initiating a period of intense competition in the development and stockpiling of increasingly powerful nuclear weapons.
- 1974 In 1974 Crowds of spectators gathered to witness army personnel at Heathrow Airport in London, England. Believed to be a training exercise against terrorism (as was claimed by the local authorities and Downing Street), observers viewed armed personnel with rifles and machine guns, along with armoured vehicles and tanks. Reports also circulated that this was actually in response to information that terrorists planned to shoot down an American or Israeli plane. In 2005 official documents released by the United Kingdom's government confirmed that there was a shoot-to-kill policy at the airport on this day after information about an Arab terrorist attack from Interpol Intelligence.
- 1990 In 1990 the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy was closed to the public for the first time in history, due to fears of public safety.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the Cathedral of Pisa, Italy. Construction began in 1173 and continued over 199 years. The tower began tilting during its construction due to the soft, unstable ground beneath its foundation. Efforts to correct the tilt were made throughout its history, but the lean persisted and worsened over time.
By the late 20th century, the tilt had reached an alarming angle of 5.5 degrees, and experts warned that the structure was in imminent danger of collapse. In response, the Italian government and international experts decided to close the tower to the public and launch an ambitious preservation effort.
During its closure, a team of engineers, architects, and historians worked to stabilize the tower. Measures included:
- Adding counterweights to the base of the tower to reduce the tilt.
- Removing small amounts of soil from beneath the foundation on the northern side to gently correct the lean.
- Reinforcing the structure with cables and braces during the process.
