January 22
Updated November 6, 2026 · Edited by the JanuaryCalendar.com team
January 22 is the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 and of Queen Victoria's death in 1901. The date also recalls the Zulu victory at Isandlwana, the Franco-German Élysée Treaty and Ukraine's 1919 Unification Act, now marked as the Day of Unity.
January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. 343 days remain in the year (344 in leap years). In 2027, January 22 falls on a Friday.
- Day of year
- 22
- Days left
- 343 (344 in leap years)
- Zodiac sign
- Aquarius ♒︎
- Birthstone
- Garnet
- ISO week (2027)
- Week 3
- Weekday (2027)
- Friday
Holidays and observances on January 22
- Official Day of Unity of Ukraine (Ukraine) — Marks the 1919 Unification Act of two Ukrainian republics.
- Public holiday Plurinational State Foundation Day (Bolivia) — Created in 2010 to celebrate the Plurinational State established by the 2009 constitution.
- Cultural Lunar New Year falls on January 22 in 2023 (Rabbit)
- Astronomy Full moon (Wolf Moon) on January 22 in 2027 (Eastern Time)
Events on January 22 in history
- 1879 – Zulu forces defeated a British army at Isandlwana in one of Britain's worst colonial defeats.
- 1901 – Queen Victoria died at Osborne House after more than 63 years on the throne.
- 1924 – Ramsay MacDonald became Britain's first Labour prime minister.
- 1927 – The BBC broadcast its first live radio commentary of a football match, Arsenal versus Sheffield United.
- 1963 – France and West Germany signed the Élysée Treaty, a landmark of postwar reconciliation.
- 1973 – The US Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, recognizing a constitutional right to abortion.
- 1973 – George Foreman defeated Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, to become world heavyweight champion.
- 1992 – Roberta Bondar became the first Canadian woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
- 2006 – Kobe Bryant scored 81 points for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Toronto Raptors.
Famous birthdays on January 22
- 1788 – Lord Byron, English Romantic poet
- 1849 – August Strindberg, Swedish playwright and novelist
- 1875 – D. W. Griffith, American director of early cinema
- 1906 – Robert E. Howard, American writer who created Conan the Barbarian
- 1909 – U Thant, Burmese diplomat, third UN Secretary-General
- 1931 – Sam Cooke, American soul singer and songwriter
- 1940 – John Hurt, English actor
- 1953 – Jim Jarmusch, American independent filmmaker
- 1965 – Diane Lane, American actress
What day is January 22?
Frequently asked questions
What Supreme Court decision was issued on January 22?
Roe v. Wade was decided on January 22, 1973. The 7–2 ruling recognized a constitutional right to abortion; the Supreme Court overturned it in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in June 2022.
When did Queen Victoria die?
Queen Victoria died at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight on January 22, 1901, after a reign of more than 63 years. Her son succeeded her as Edward VII.
What is Ukraine's Day of Unity?
Observed on January 22, it marks the 1919 Unification Act, which joined the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic.
What day of the week is January 22, 2027?
January 22, 2027 is a Friday. In 2028 it falls on a Saturday.
What zodiac sign is January 22?
People born on January 22 are Aquarians (January 20 – February 18) in Western astrology.