Today is January 6th: what holiday is it and what historical events took place on this day?
January 6th – Epiphany. On this day in 1066, the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold Godwinson, ascended the throne of England. In 1846, Taras Shevchenko wrote "The Testament." Over the years, two renowned Ukrainian poets were born – Volodymyr Sosiura and Vasyl Stus. In 2021, radical supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol following his defeat in the U.S. presidential election.
Holidays and Commemorative Dates on January 6
January 6 – Epiphany.
Worldwide – International Day of War Orphans.
Also on this day: "Thank God it’s Monday" Day (celebrated on the first Monday of January), Christmas Tree Removal Day, Apple Tree Day, and Play-Dough Day.
January 6 in History
On January 6, 1066, Harold Godwinson (Harold II) became the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. He ruled for less than a year, facing two foreign invasions: he repelled the first but died in the second.
Harold was a member of a prominent Anglo-Saxon family that rose to power in the early millennium during the reign of Cnut the Great (king of England, Denmark, and Norway). King Edward the Confessor, who came to power in 1043, appointed Harold Godwinson as Earl of East Anglia (governor). Subsequently, Harold inherited his father's title and part of his brother's lands, who had been exiled from England. Additionally, he was the brother-in-law of the king (Harold's sister Edith of Wessex was the wife of Edward the Confessor). Harold was a renowned military leader, leading several successful campaigns. He gradually became the most influential secular figure in England after the king. Some researchers even believe that Godwinson had seized actual power in England during Edward's lifetime, as the king increasingly devoted himself to religion rather than governance.
Edward the Confessor had no children. At the end of 1065, the king fell into a coma, having not clearly expressed his decision about the succession. Consequently, several "official versions" of his wishes arose, along with corresponding claimants to the throne. According to one version, shortly before his death, Edward the Confessor declared that he entrusted his widow and kingdom "under the protection" of Harold. This was satisfactory to the royal council (Witenagemot). When Edward died on January 5, the council immediately chose Harold as his successor, and the next day he was crowned.
However, there were other perspectives. In particular, a distant relative of Edward the Confessor, William, Duke of Normandy, claimed rights to the throne. His supporters later asserted that Edward had chosen William as his heir and allegedly forced Harold Godwinson to swear allegiance to William. However, Godwinson later broke this oath and seized the throne of England. The truth of these claims is uncertain, as history is written by the victors. In this story, the victor was the Duke of Normandy, known as William the Conqueror.
As for King Harold II, he spent nearly all of his brief reign at war. A skilled military leader, he repelled an invasion from another claimant to the English throne – Norwegian King Harald III. The latter claimed the throne based on a peace agreement from 1038, which stated that if one of the kings (of England or Norway) died without an heir, the other would inherit both England and Norway. Harald III's army landed in Northern England in early September 1066. However, on September 25, Harold Godwinson's forces defeated the Norwegians at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The King of Norway himself was mortally wounded by an arrow in this battle. However, this victory did not help his English opponent for long, as on September 28, other invaders – William and his Normans – landed on English shores. Thus, Harold Godwinson's exhausted army moved from one battle to another, unable to recover or receive reinforcements. This ultimately determined the fate of the last Anglo-Saxon king: on October 14, he and two of his brothers were killed in the Battle of Hastings. The Norman army surrounded London, and soon William the Conqueror became king of England.
On January 6 (December 25 in the old calendar), 1846, Taras Shevchenko, believing he might die, wrote "The Testament." Read more.
On January 6, 1898, Volodymyr Sosiura was born in Debaltseve. Read more.
On January 6, 1938, poet and dissident Vasyl Stus was born. Read more.
On January 6, 1992, Ukraine's independence was recognized by the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Djibouti. Ukraine established diplomatic relations with Argentina.
On January 6, 2019, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine received The Tomos of Autocephaly.
On January 6, 2021, radical supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. Read more.
Religious Holiday on January 6
January 6 – Theophany and Epiphany. The holiday is called Theophany because it was during the Baptism of Christ that the Holy Trinity was revealed. God the Father spoke from heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by Saint John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus Christ in the form of a dove. The celebration of Theophany began in apostolic times.
Folk Omens
If it is very frosty and snowing on this day, there will be a rich harvest.
If there are bright stars in the sky, the summer will be warm.
A significant temperature difference between day and night on January 6 indicates a frosty and snowy February.
What Not to Do on January 6
Fishing and hunting are prohibited.
Women should not engage in handicrafts.
It is forbidden to use baptismal water for technical needs or to mix it with regular water.
One should not quarrel, envy, or wish harm to others.
Heavy physical labor is not allowed.