January 2
Updated November 6, 2026 · Edited by the JanuaryCalendar.com team
January 2 is a public holiday in Scotland and New Zealand, giving many people a second day off after New Year's Day. In history, it saw the surrender of Granada in 1492, Georgia's ratification of the US Constitution in 1788 and the 1959 launch of Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the Moon's vicinity.
January 2 is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. 363 days remain in the year (364 in leap years). In 2027, January 2 falls on a Saturday.
- Day of year
- 2
- Days left
- 363 (364 in leap years)
- Zodiac sign
- Capricorn ♑︎
- Birthstone
- Garnet
- ISO week (2027)
- Week 53
- Weekday (2027)
- Saturday
Holidays and observances on January 2
- Public holiday 2 January bank holiday (Scotland) — A Scottish bank holiday; a substitute weekday applies when the date falls on a weekend.
- Public holiday Day after New Year's Day (New Zealand) — A statutory holiday; it moves to a weekday when the date falls on a weekend.
- Public holiday Berchtold's Day (Many Swiss cantons) — A traditional holiday in cantons including Zurich and Bern.
- Public holiday Ancestors' Day (Haiti) — Honors the founders of Haitian independence, the day after Independence Day.
- Unofficial National Science Fiction Day (US) — Held on the date Isaac Asimov celebrated as his birthday.
- US federal New Year's Day (observed) in the US when January 1 is a Sunday: 2023, 2034, 2040
Events on January 2 in history
- 1492 – The Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state in Spain, surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella, ending the Reconquista.
- 1788 – Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution.
- 1818 – Eight young engineers founded the Institution of Civil Engineers in London; Thomas Telford became its first president in 1820.
- 1942 – Japanese forces captured Manila, the capital of the Philippines, during World War II.
- 1954 – India established its highest civilian honors, the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan.
- 1959 – The Soviet Union launched Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon.
- 1960 – Senator John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
- 1967 – Former film actor Ronald Reagan was sworn in as governor of California.
- 1971 – A US ban on cigarette advertising on television and radio took effect.
- 2004 – NASA's Stardust spacecraft flew past Comet Wild 2, collecting dust samples later returned to Earth.
Famous birthdays on January 2
- 1822 – Rudolf Clausius, German physicist who introduced entropy
- 1873 – Thérèse of Lisieux, French Carmelite nun and Catholic saint
- 1903 – Kane Tanaka, Japanese woman who lived to 119
- 1905 – Michael Tippett, English composer of A Child of Our Time
- 1909 – Barry Goldwater, US senator and 1964 presidential nominee
- 1936 – Roger Miller, Country singer of King of the Road
- 1940 – S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan, Indian-American mathematician, 2007 Abel Prize winner
- 1968 – Cuba Gooding Jr., Oscar-winning American actor
- 1969 – Christy Turlington, American supermodel
- 1983 – Kate Bosworth, American actress
What day is January 2?
Frequently asked questions
Is January 2 a public holiday?
January 2 is a public holiday in Scotland, New Zealand and many Swiss cantons. It is not normally a US federal holiday, but when New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the federal holiday is observed on Monday, January 2.
Why is January 2 National Science Fiction Day?
The day honors Isaac Asimov, who celebrated his birthday on January 2, although his exact birth date in Russia was never recorded. It is an informal observance with no official status.
When did Georgia ratify the US Constitution?
Georgia ratified the Constitution on January 2, 1788, becoming the fourth state to do so after Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
What day of the week is January 2, 2027?
January 2, 2027 is a Saturday. In 2028 it falls on a Sunday.
What zodiac sign is January 2?
People born on January 2 are Capricorns (December 22 – January 19) in Western astrology.