Events that occurred on 1 January.
 On Earth
- 1910 - The earliest preserved diary entry is written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
- 1919 - J.R.R. Tolkien starts a new diary, mainly written in the Alphabet of Rúmil.
- 1926 – E.V. Gordon replaces Tolkien in the Chair of English Language at the University of Leeds.
- 1938 – In a series of lectures aimed at children, J.R.R. Tolkien lectures on Dragons in the University Museum.
- 1941 – J.R.R. Tolkien resigns as Governor of King Edward's School.
- 1956 - J.R.R. Tolkien writes a letter to a fan.
- 1970 - J.R.R. Tolkien writes Letter 315.
- 1972 - Voice actress Jennifer Hale is born.
- 1986 – Inkling Lord David Cecil dies.
- 1995 - Proceedings of the J.R.R. Tolkien Centenary Conference is published.
- 2002 - A Tolkien Miscellany is published.
- 2003 - The original Tolkien Gateway opens.
- 2006 - Tolkien News is created.
- 2008 - Fantasy novel The Search for the Red Dragon is published.
- 2018 - A Well of Wonder: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and The Inklings is published.