ante diem xv kalendas januarias

Saturnalia (day 2) - major, popular festival in honour of Saturn with banquets, the wearing of soft caps (pilei), and general good cheer. Shops and schools were closed, gambling was legally permitted, gifts were exchanged and masters might even wait on their servants. Obviously this festival is often seen as a precursor to our modern-day Christmas celebrations ...

69 A.D. -- emperor-for-a-little-while Vitellius abdicates, but changes his mind later

1809 - Death of Alexander Adam, an eminent Classicist