Captain Scott

 On 18 January 1912, Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole only to find that Roald Amundsen had already been there. Sadly Scott and his men did not make it back to safety.

King Canute

 King Canute was crowned king of England on 6 January 1017. www.localhistories.org/canute.html

Myanmar

4 January is Myanmar Independence Day. Myanmar (then called Burma) became independent on 4 January 1948) www.localhistories.org/burma.html

Ottawa

On 31 December 1857, Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada 

Kepler

 The great astronomer Johannes Kepler was born on 27 December 1571. 

Queen Zenobia

 Queen Zenobia was born on 23 December 245. Zenobia was the queen of Palmyra in what is now Syria from about 268 AD to 272 AD. She fought the Romans and conquered Egypt. However, Zenobia was eventually defeated and captured. www.localhistories.org/womenrulers.html

Radium

 On 21 December 1898 Pierre Curie and his wife Marie discovered radium. Well done Pierre and Marie. www.localhistories.org/pierre.html