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January
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illustration of January from Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Garnet The illustration for January from Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, manuscript illuminated by the Limburg Brothers, c. 1416; in the Musée Condé, Chantilly, Fr.
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illustration of January from Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry
illustration of January from Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry The illustration for January from Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, manuscript illuminated by the Limburg Brothers, c. 1416; in the Musée Condé, Chantilly, France.

January

month
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

January, first month of the Gregorian calendar. It was named after Janus, the Roman god of all beginnings. January replaced March as the first month of the Roman year no later than 153 bce.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.