So, you’re looking at the calendar for January 18 and wondering if there’s a commander-in-chief to celebrate. Honestly, it's a bit of a trick question. If you’re searching for which presidents birthday is today, you might be surprised to find that the answer is actually: nobody.
That’s right. Not a single U.S. President was born on January 18.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. We’ve had 46 different presidents (technically 45 individuals, thanks to Grover Cleveland’s double-dip), and yet this specific date remains empty on the presidential birth roster. But don’t click away just yet. While no president was born today, today marks a massive anniversary for a different reason—it’s the day we lost one of the most controversial men to ever sit in the Oval Office.
The President Who Died Today: John Tyler
While January 18 isn’t a presidential birthday, it is the death anniversary of John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States. He passed away on this day in 1862.
Tyler is a fascinating, if polarizing, figure. Most people basically know him as the "extra" guy in the campaign slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." He was the first VP to ever ascend to the presidency because the guy in front of him—William Henry Harrison—died just one month into his term.
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At the time, nobody really knew what to do. The Constitution was a bit vague. People called him "His Accidency." They thought he was just a "temporary" president. Tyler didn't care. He walked right into the White House, took the oath, and established the precedent that the Vice President becomes the actual president, not just an acting one.
Why Tyler is Still Talked About
Most historians aren't exactly fans of Tyler. He was eventually kicked out of his own political party (the Whigs) while he was still in office. Imagine that—a president with no party. By the time he died on January 18, 1862, he was actually serving in the Confederate Congress. Because he sided with the South during the Civil War, he’s the only president in history whose death wasn't officially mourned in Washington, D.C.
If It’s Not Today, When Are the January Birthdays?
Since you're clearly interested in which presidents birthday is today, you might be looking for one of the other January leaders. There are actually four presidents born in this month. If you’re off by just a few days, you might be looking for one of these guys:
- Millard Fillmore (January 7): The 13th president. He’s often the punchline of history jokes, but he was the last Whig president.
- William McKinley (January 29): The 25th president. He led us through the Spanish-American War before being assassinated in 1901.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30): The heavy hitter. FDR is the only president to serve four terms and saw us through the Great Depression and WWII.
- Richard Nixon (January 9): The 37th president. Love him or hate him, his impact on American foreign policy and the Watergate scandal is massive.
Why Do People Get This Date Mixed Up?
It's easy to see why someone would search for which presidents birthday is today on January 18. We are smack-dab in the middle of "President Season."
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Every year, the third Monday of January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Then, just a month later, we have Presidents' Day in February. Because these holidays shift around based on the day of the week, the dates often blur together in our collective memory.
In 2026, MLK Day actually falls on January 19. If you're reading this on Sunday the 18th, you're literally one day away from a federal holiday honoring a different kind of American leader.
The Evolution of Presidents' Day
Historically, we celebrated George Washington’s birthday (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12). Eventually, the government decided it was easier to just lump them together into one Monday in February to give everyone a long weekend. This is officially called "Washington's Birthday," but most of us just call it Presidents' Day and use it to buy discounted mattresses.
Common Misconceptions About Presidential Birthdays
There are a few myths that always crop up when people look into presidential history.
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First off, many people think every president has a holiday. Nope. Only Washington is technically recognized by federal law, though Lincoln gets equal billing in most states.
Another weird fact? October and November are the "power months" for presidential births. Six presidents were born in October, and another six in November. January’s four births put it right in the middle of the pack.
Actionable Steps for History Buffs
If you were hoping to celebrate a birthday today, don't let the lack of a president stop you. You can still dive into the history of the men who shaped the country during the month of January.
- Visit a Presidential Site: If you're near Richmond, Virginia, you can visit Hollywood Cemetery where John Tyler is buried. It's a gorgeous, historic spot.
- Read Up on the "Tyler Precedent": Understanding how Tyler took power explains a lot about how our government functions today during a crisis.
- Check Local Events: Since tomorrow is MLK Day, check your local community calendar for parades or service projects. It's a great way to honor a legacy that rivals any president's.
- Mark Your Calendar: If you want to celebrate a real January birthday, get ready for William McKinley on the 29th and FDR on the 30th.
While the search for which presidents birthday is today leads to an empty chair for January 18, the history surrounding this date—specifically the end of John Tyler's complicated life—is more than enough to keep any history lover busy.