What happened on January 31

57 documented historical events happened on January 31, from antiquity to the present day. The best known is this: Sylvester I (bust depicted), during whose pontificate many churches in Rome were constructed by Constantine the Great, began his reign as pope. On the same day, in another year: Sverker II was defeated at the Battle of Lena by Erik Knutsson, who succeeded him as King of Sweden. On Almanaccolo every event is listed in chronological order, grouped by century, and links to the Wikipedia article it comes from, so you can always read further or check the source. Alongside the events you find who was born and who died on this date, and which observances are celebrated around the world.

160 people with a Wikipedia article were born on January 31, including Nat Bailey, Tallulah Bankhead, Alva Myrdal. The list spans every era and every field — art, science, politics, sport, entertainment — ordered by year of birth, from the earliest to the most recent. The six featured people are those most has been written about: the ordering uses the length of their Wikipedia article as an indicator of prominence. For each one you find their occupation, year of birth and a link to the full biography.

86 people with a Wikipedia article died on January 31, including Máedóc of Ferns, Hemma, Theodore II of Constantinople. The list is in chronological order by year of death and spans all of documented history, from antiquity to the present day. For each person you find their occupation, the year and a link to the Wikipedia biography, where the full story and its sources can be read.

17 observances are celebrated on January 31 around the world: Christian feast day: Domitius (Domice) of Amiens, Christian feast day: Francis Xavier Bianchi, Christian feast day: Geminianus, Christian feast day: John Bosco, Christian feast day: Julius of Novara, Christian feast day: Blessed Ludovica. The list gathers national holidays, international days and religious or civil observances falling on this date in different countries, as recorded on Wikipedia. Some are fixed and recur on the same day every year; others depend on the local calendar. Each links to the article explaining its origin and meaning.