Sunday, 21st January 1962 in Amsterdam
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Amsterdam! It's International Hug Day and World Squirrel Appreciation Day. Explore 49 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in Amsterdam. From remarkable moments in local and world history to the people who left their mark — find out what makes today special. Today's weather in Amsterdam brings rainy with temperatures between 8°C and 10°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Aquarius. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Sunday, 21st January in Amsterdam, NL.
On Sunday, 21st January 1962, Amsterdam experienced rainy weather typical of winter in the Netherlands. The Dutch capital, situated in the province of North Holland, is built on a network of canals and has historically served as a major commercial and cultural centre in Europe. Those observing the sky that day would have noted a waning crescent moon, whilst astrologically the date fell under the sign of Aquarius.
Throughout history, 21st January has marked significant moments across continents. In 1976, Concorde, the Anglo-French supersonic airliner, began scheduled commercial flights to London, Paris, Bahrain, and Rio de Janeiro, representing a pinnacle of aviation engineering. More recently, in 2017, millions of people participated in the Women's March in Washington, D.C., and around the world to advocate for legislation and policies on human rights and other issues. These events, separated by decades, demonstrate how this particular date has witnessed both technological achievement and mass political mobilisation.
The historical record shows that 21st January has repeatedly brought pivotal moments to the fore. Isaac Isaacs became the first Australian-born governor-general of Australia in 1931, marking an important transition in the nation's governance. Such occurrences illustrate how specific dates can carry significance across different spheres of human activity, from politics to science to social movements.
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Find out what's happening today in Amsterdam.
What the Weather Had in Store for Amsterdam on 21st January 1962
Small decisions cast long shadows across years.
Fortune of the Day
21st January in the Stars – Star Sign Aquarius
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on 21 January blend Capricorn ambition with Mercury intellect, creating pragmatic thinkers who build lasting structures. The Master Number 22 grants them visionary depth beyond surface-level goals. Reserved yet quick-witted, they reveal subtle humor to those who earn their trust.
Strengths & Weaknesses These individuals execute plans with remarkable persistence and combine analytical power with genuine communication skills, setting them apart from typical Capricorns. Perfectionism can trigger overwork; their emotional distance sometimes alienates others. Their greatest strength is turning abstract ideas into concrete reality.
Love In relationships, those born this day are loyal but initially cautious. They seek partners who appreciate intellectual connection and respect their need for space. Once trust is established, their devotion becomes unwavering.
Caree & Finance Career represents self-actualization at the highest level, not mere income. Master Number 22 often guides them into roles where they reshape systems and institutions. Financially conservative and long-term focused, they build wealth through patience rather than speculation.
Health Those born 21 January risk stress through overcommitment and must schedule genuine rest. Regular movement and mental stillness counter their tendency toward rumination. Their earth element provides stability, yet conscious wellness practices remain essential.
That night, the moon was in its waning crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Ox (Metal).
Fun Facts About 21st January
Name Days in Your Language: Agnes, Ethan, Inez, Mayer, Maynard, Ynez
Someone born on this day in 1962 would be 64 years old today — just 23,473 days into life, which is roughly 563,369 hours, 33,802,161 minutes, or 2,028,129,682 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 21. day of the year.
There are 344 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 3 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 21st January
- Robert Del Naja, British artist, musician and singer (1965)
- Jam Master Jay, American DJ, rapper, and producer (died 2002) (1965)
- Masahiro Wada, Japanese footballer (1965)
- Andreas Bauer, German ski jumper (1964)
- Tony Dolan, English musician and actor (1964)
- Gérald Passi, French footballer (1964)
- Ricardo Serna, Spanish footballer (1964)
- Aleksandar Šoštar, Serbian water polo player (1964)
- Danny Wallace, English footballer (1964)
- Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigerian-American basketball player (1963)
Lives Remembered on 21st January
- Acharya Shivpujan Sahay, Indian author, poet, and academic (born 1893) (1963)
- Spiros Xenos, Greek-Swedish painter (born 1881) (1963)
- Blaise Cendrars, Swiss author and poet (born 1887) (1961)
- Cecil B. DeMille, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1881) (1959)
- Frances Gertrude McGill, pioneering Canadian forensic pathologist (born 1882) (1959)
- Carl Switzer, American child actor and hunting guide (born 1927) (1959)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 21st January
- Babinden (Bulgaria, Serbia)
- Christian feast day: Agnes
- Christian feast day: Demiana (Coptic Church)
- Christian feast day: Fructuosus
- Christian feast day: John Yi Yun-il (one of The Korean Martyrs)
- Christian feast day: Meinrad of Einsiedeln
- Christian feast day: January 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Errol Barrow Day (Barbados)
- Flag Day (Quebec)
- Grandmother's Day (Poland)
- Lady of Altagracia Day (Dominican Republic)
- Lincoln Alexander Day (Canada)
- National Hugging Day (United States)
- Squirrel Appreciation Day
What Happened on 21st January?
- A fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu Province, Turkey, results in 78 people dead and 51 injured. (2025)
- Huu Can Tran, 72, opens fire in a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, killing eleven people and injuring nine others before later committing suicide. It is the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles County since the 2008 Covina massacre. (2023)
- Over 400 cities across America and 160+ countries worldwide participate in a large-scale women's march, including in Portland, on Donald Trump's first full day as President of the United States. (2017)
- Rojava conflict: The Jazira Canton declares its autonomy from the Syrian Arab Republic. (2014)
- Anti-government demonstrations take place in Tirana, Albania. Four people die from gunshots, allegedly fired from armed police protecting the Prime Minister's office. (2011)
- Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip, officially ending a three-week war it had with Hamas. However, intermittent fire by both sides continues in the weeks to follow. (2009)
- In Belmopan, Belize, the unrest over the government's new taxes erupts into riots. (2005)
- NASA's MER-A (the Mars Rover Spirit) ceases communication with mission control. The problem lies in the management of its flash memory and is fixed remotely from Earth on February 6. (2004)
- A 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes the Mexican state of Colima, killing 29 and leaving approximately 10,000 people homeless. (2003)
- Ecuador: After the Ecuadorian Congress is seized by indigenous organizations, Col. Lucio Gutiérrez, Carlos Solorzano and Antonio Vargas depose President Jamil Mahuad. Gutierrez is later replaced by Gen. Carlos Mendoza, who resigns and allows Vice-President Gustavo Noboa to succeed Mahuad. (2000)