At Credo we understand the need for libraries to write interesting social media content to engage your users and raise awareness of valuable resources and services. That’s why we’ve created this monthly blog post with social media posts featuring interesting observances, trivia, this-day-in-history, and humor that your library can copy/paste to your own feed with no attribution necessary.
P.S.: the images here are all in the public domain (mostly from Pixabay and Wikimedia Commons), so feel free to take advantage of them when you post!
January 1
Happy trails! The garnet, January’s birthstone, is believed to keep the wearer safe during travel. Go to Credo Reference to learn more about the history of good luck charms and other superstitions. https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/chambun/superstition/0
January 1
You sew, girl! 🇺🇸 Happy birthday, Betsy Ross, most famously known as the seamstress who sewed the Stars and Stripes flag of America in 1776. Born #onthisday in 1752. Learn more about the American Revolution at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=american%20revolution
January 2
Senator John F. Kennedy announced his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination #onthisday in 1960. Did you know JFK’s initials were modeled after FDR’s? Learn more about Kennedy’s presidency at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=jfk
January 3
Make a wish, or two, as the Quadrantid meteors appear tonight, producing up to 25 meteors per hour at their peak. The best display will be from the 3rd to the 4th. Learn more about meteor showers at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=meteor%20shower
January 4
Blinded as a boy, Louis Braille later invented “Braille,” the reading system for the blind using punch marks in paper. Happy birthday, Louis, born #onthisday in 1809! Learn more about different types of visual impairments at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/blindness/0
January 5
The orange color of the Golden Gate Bridge was originally intended just as a primer. But the now-iconic hue is the perfect backdrop against San Francisco’s fog, water, and greenery. Construction began #onthisday in 1933. Learn more about bridges at https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=bridge
January 6
Today is Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, celebrating the day the Magi arrived in Bethlehem with gifts for the infant Jesus. Learn more about this Christian holiday at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=Epiphany
January 8
Happy birthday to David Robert Jones, a.k.a. David Bowie, born #onthisday in 1947. Learn more about the artist, fashion icon, and ultimate pop chameleon at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=David%20Bowie
January 9
#Onthisday in 1991, baseball officially bans Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose from being elected to Hall of Fame for placing wagers on the Reds while managing the club. Learn more about the history of baseball at Credo Reference. ⚾️ https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=baseball
January 11
Studies show that a clean desk improves productivity and morale. So take a break today and clean off your desk. Who knows what you might unearth beneath that pile of clutter! #NationalCleanOffYourDeskDay
January 12
“There, I think King George should be able to read this,” John Hancock declared, signing his name to the Declaration of Independence in large, defiant letters. This brave patriot was born #onthisday in 1737. Learn more about him at https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=john%20hancock
January 13
Motown Records formed in Detroit #onthisday in 1959. Its first #1 single was Mary Wells’ “My Guy,” written and produced by Motown legend Smokey Robinson. Learn more about Smokey at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=smokey%20robinson
January 15
#Onthisday in 1973, Golda Meir met with Pope Paul VI in the first Vatican meeting of a Pope and an Israeli Premier. Learn more about the State of Israel 🇮🇱 at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=Israel
January 17
Happy birthday, Benjamin Franklin! 🎂 The printer, author, inventor, publisher, philosopher, diplomat, scientist, and philanthropist was born in Boston #onthisday in 1706. Learn more about this elder statesman of the American Revolution at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=ben%20franklin
January 17
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers 🥊 as well as an activist, entertainer, and philanthropist, was born #onthisday in 1942. Learn more about him at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?concept=Muhammad%20Ali
January 19
Indira Gandhi was elected prime minister of India #onthisday, serving from 1966–1975 and 1980 until 1984, when her bodyguards assassinated her. She was the first and, to date, only female prime minister of India. Learn more about her at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=Indira%20Gandhi
January 20
#Onthisday in 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was inaugurated to an unprecedented fourth term as President of the United States. Learn more about the 32nd president at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=Franklin%20Delano%20Roosevelt
January 20
What’s not to love about penguins? They’re cute, they waddle, and they wear a tuxedo every day, unironically! 🐧 🐧 🐧 Celebrate these flightless aquatic birds on #NationalPenguinDay by learning more about them at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?concept=Penguin
January 23
An estimated 140 million people tuned in to watch the 8-episode “Roots” miniseries, which premiered #onthisday in 1977. Learn more about “Roots” author Alex Haley at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=Alex%20haley
January 24
Gold was discovered during construction at Sutter’s Mill #onthisday in 1848. Within 2 years, over 100,000 prospectors flooded into California, hoping to strike it rich. Learn more about the Gold Rush at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?searchPhrase=california%20gold%20rush
January 27
#Onthisday in 1756, child prodigy and adult virtuoso Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. The Austrian composer created over 600 compositions during his brief life, including The Marriage of Figaro. Learn more about Mozart at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?concept=Wolfgang%20Amadeus%20Mozart
January 28
74 seconds into its flight, the U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, killing all 7 persons on board, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who was to be the first civilian in space. Learn more about the disaster at Credo Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/space_shuttle/0
January 29
Give your brain a workout today for #NationalPuzzleDay. Besides being fun stress relievers, puzzles reinforce connections between brain cells, improve mental speed, and help improve short-term memory.
January 30
“Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being.” Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated #onthisday in 1948. Learn more about the Indian spiritual leader at: https://search.credoreference.com/search/all?concept=Mahatma%20Gandhi
