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Post by pennmom on Dec 17, 2021 12:24:34 GMT
National Maple Syrup Day – December 17, 2021~U.S.
National Maple Syrup Day is on December 17! This viscous yet delicious condiment that is just as versatile as it is tasty; people enjoy it drizzled over everything: from pancakes, to eggs, to salads, to barbecue, this sugary substance has more potential than some give it credit for. On December 17, pour away!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL MAPLE SYRUP DAY The origins of the production of maple syrup can be traced back thousands of years to the northeastern region of the United States. There, it was first gleaned from the abundant maple tree population by indigenous peoples. While it is uncertain as to how and why exactly the extraction process first began, it is inarguable that maple sap became a key ingredient in a variety of dishes.
The arrival of European colonists would allow for the introduction of maple syrup to the Old World, and their love for the taste of the arboreal byproduct was matched by their appreciation for its utility. It was a popular substitute for cane sugar, as this had to be imported from the West Indies region, and its ability to exist in both liquid and crystallized form made it an ideal source for concentrated sugar. The colonists’ extraction methods differed from those of the indigenous peoples, and they would serve as the foundation for several subsequent iterations upon the process. Some maple trees may have even seen dozens of changes to the extraction procedures used upon them, as they can continue to be tapped for sap for more than 100 years!
Today, the consumption of maple syrup is no longer reserved for chieftains or special celebratory events. It is not only used across the world, but production chains have even sprung up in countries like Japan and South Korea. Canada now produces the vast majority of the world’s maple syrup supply with its total exports valued at more than $270 million. It may have happened at the rate of molasses, but maple syrup is now known (and loved) far beyond the pocket of the northeast.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 17, 2021 12:26:26 GMT
National Ugly Sweater Day – December 17, 2021~U.S.
Every third Friday of December (December 17), people all over the nation trade their casual garments for something more festive for National Ugly Sweater Day. Whether you find a hidden gem to wear, or you make your own, one things for sure — this holiday will certainly have you laughing all day long!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL UGLY SWEATER DAY Ugly sweaters have been around for as long as people created a concept of fashion. They weren’t always made purposefully — maybe someone made a mistake in their knitting, or tried a new design that didn’t turn out as cool as they thought it would. However, it wasn’t long before grandmas everywhere were knowingly (maybe while chuckling to themselves) knitting their grandchildren ugly Christmas sweaters complete with baubles and “I love Grandma” lettering. They knew what they were doing. We’re watching you, grandmas.
However, mass market ugly sweaters made their purposeful debut in the 80s. Popular character Bill Huxtable on The Cosby Show constantly made fashionistas gasp when he’d come into scene in a gaudy, ugly, yet slightly endearing sweater that he knew was completely outrageous. In 1989, Chevy Chase added his own twist to the theme as Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie.
It seemed the 90s were eager to get rid of the ugly sweater trend, but it reared its “ugly” head back into public eyes in 21st century Canada. Two men from Vancouver came up with the idea to throw the first official tacky holiday sweater party to raise money for their friend’s cancer treatment. The party was a hit, leading the way for similar events to show up all over the northern hemisphere. Ugly sweater parties went from small holiday get togethers to huge events, sometimes in support of charity. Today, ugly sweater parties and competitions are one of the highlights of the season, with everyone trying to one-up each other in searching for the most appalling outerwear they can find. The sweaters have gone from accidentally tacky to purposefully shameless. The only way this celebration can be more extra was if there was a holiday dedicated to it…oh wait! There is!
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Post by pennmom on Dec 17, 2021 12:28:49 GMT
Wright Brother's Day – December 17, 2021~U.S.
Wright Brothers Day is celebrated every year on December 17 in the United States. The day commemorates the first successful flights in a mechanically propelled airplane that was heavier-than-air. The planes were made by Orville and Wilbur Wright, or ‘the Wright brothers’ in 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. A proclamation is made annually, inviting Americans to celebrate the day with various ceremonies and activities.
HISTORY OF WRIGHT BROTHER'S DAY Wright Brother’s Day is an important event in U.S. history and the advancement of aviation. Can you imagine not being able to fly around the world? What would transport be like without flights? Man has taken huge leaps in aviation over the past century, and Orville and Wilbur Wright had a huge part in this development.
The Wright brothers were always fascinated with flying from a young age. The brothers were two of seven children born to Milton Wright and Susan Catherine Koerner. The moved 12 times because of Milton Wright’s position as a bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, before permanently moving to Dayton in 1884. The young Wright brothers’ father brought home a toy helicopter for them in 1878. The toy device was based on an invention by French aeronautical pioneer Alphonse Pénaud. Wilbur and Orville played with it until it broke, and then built their own. They credited the toy as the origin of their interest in flying.
1896 saw three notable aeronautical events, which were embedded in the minds of the Wright brothers and marked the beginning of their serious interest in flight research. They favored the strategy of practicing gliding in order to master the art of control before trying out a motor-driven flight. This was inspired by German glider Otto Lilienthal and, despite Lilienthal plunging to his death in August 1896, the Wright Brothers noted that his gliding was the correct way to go about learning to fly a motor-powered aircraft.
The brother’s experimentation with flying was quite simple, yet impressive. They observed birds and how the animals change the angle of their wings to make their bodies roll left or right. Wilbur concluded that this would also be a great way for a flying machine to turn, just like a bird, or a person riding a bicycle.
After several weeks of delays prompted by broken propeller shafts during the engine tests, the Wright brothers finally took to the air on December 17, 1903. The historic moment saw Orville and Wilbur Wright make two flights each from level ground into a glacial headwind blowing at 27 miles per hour. The first flight, by Orville at 10:35 am, flew 120 feet in 12 seconds at a speed of 6.8 miles per hour. This was recorded in a famous photograph. The next flights traveled roughly 175 and 200 feet, by both Wilbur and Orville respectively, at an altitude of 10 feet above the ground.
The two aviation pioneers are now regarded as the brothers who invented, built, and flew the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane. The states of Ohio and North Carolina both take credit for the Wright brothers and their world-changing inventions because the brothers developed and built their design in Dayton, Ohio, and their first powered flight took place in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This has created a friendly rivalry between the two states.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 18, 2021 18:51:59 GMT
Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day – December 18, 2021~U.S.
On December 18, wear something green, pick up the phone, and celebrate Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day! There have been dozens of excellent Christmas movies released through the years, but perhaps none as lovable as Will Ferrell’s Elf. So, this December 18th repeat after us: “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”
HISTORY OF ANSWER THE TELEPHONE LIKE BUDDY THE ELF DAY We’re not exaggerating when we say that Elf is the best Christmas movie of the 21st century. In fact, it was recognized as such by Fandango users in 2017. But did you know that Elf as we know it could have been a completely different movie? Will Ferrell wasn’t even the original choice to play Buddy! Gasp!
Screenwriter David Berenbaum had initially wrote the script for Elf in 1993 with Jim Carrey in mind to star as Buddy. The screenplay went through years of rewrites and edits with his later writing team consisting of Adam McKay and (second gasp) Will Ferrell. The script at this stage was very dark, and Jon Favreau initially didn’t have much interest in it, despite wanting to be apart of Ferrell’s first post Saturday Night Live film project. So instead of declining the opportunity, Favreau rewrote the script and turned Buddy’s world into an homage to the Rankin Bass Christmas specials.
Changing the movie from a raunchy dark comedy to a genuine Christmas movie allowed them to rate it as PG instead of the PG-13 rating the original script would have had. Will Ferrell took a huge risk and played Buddy in what he described as a role that could either make or break his future career. Terry Zwigoff was approached to direct the film, but declined due to a prior commitment to another Christmas comedy, Bad . After searching for multiple directors, Jon Favreau eventually decided to direct it himself. With Favreau’s willingness to give Ferrell the flexibility to make Buddy his own (many of our favorite classic lines were improvised by Ferrell, including “You sit on a throne of lies”) Buddy was allowed to become the funny, charming, and charismatic character we all fell in love with in 2003!
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Post by pennmom on Dec 18, 2021 18:54:53 GMT
Arabic Language Day – December 18, 2021~World
If you’ve ever fancied trying to learn some Arabic, then Arabic Language Day on December 18 is the day to start. Dating back more than a millennium, Arabic was born out of Proto-Semitic languages of the ancient Middle East. Today, it’s spoken by more than 400 million people in 25 countries.
Arabic speakers gave us some of civilization’s most important tools, including algebra, chemistry, and the toothbrush. Arabs had a strong influence on European music, culture, and science. Can’t live without coffee? You can thank the Yemenis of the 9th century for bringing it to you!
HISTORY OF ARABIC LANGUAGE DAY One of the world’s most ancient languages and the sixth most commonly spoken in the world, Arabic originated in the Proto-Semitic languages of the Middle East in the 7th century. The word “Arab” means “nomad,” hinting at the language’s roots in the nomadic tribes of today’s Arabian Peninsula.
Most of our knowledge of Classical Arabic comes from the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book. The scripture is the first major record of the written Arabic language and provides valuable insight into the structure of the old language. Today, over one billion Muslims study Arabic in order to read the Qur’an in its original tongue.
Like other Semitic languages, Arabic is written from right to left and contains some sounds that don’t exist in English or other languages. Arabic’s beautiful “alphabet” isn’t an alphabet at all, at least not in the phonetic sense we’re used to. In the abjad writing system, each symbol stands for a consonant, with accents providing the vowel sounds. Instead of capital letters, emphasis is created through the use of quotation marks.
Most words are constructed from a basic, thematically related root. All words related to writing, for example, contain the letters “k, t, b,” augmented with additional word parts. In this way, you can understand a word’s category in the world by studying its root.
Although learning Arabic might challenge the average English speaker, we can thank Arabic for a number of important and useful English words: algebra, alcohol, coffee, loofah, tariff, cotton, and many more English words come from Arabic roots.
On December 18, 1993, the United Nations recognized Arabic as one of six official UN languages, acknowledging its importance and widespread use throughout the world.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 18, 2021 18:56:54 GMT
Bake Cookies Day – December 18, 2021~U.S.
Bake Cookies Day is on December 18, just in time for Christmas. Cookies are more than just a baked treat, with generations bonding over it. What we love best about cookies is their versatility; crispy or soft and chewy, traditional shapes or special cookie-cutter designs, sugar, spices, dried fruit, chocolate, the list of options goes on. So get baking and fill your house with the aroma of warm, soft cookies baked to perfection.
HISTORY OF BAKE COOKIES DAY From simple sugar ones to triple-chocolate ones, we think cookies are the greatest thing to have come out of an oven since baked bread. Although the exact origin of the day is unknown, every year on Bake Cookies Day, people merrily bake cookies for bake sales, charity drives, and sharing with friends and .
Cookies have been around in some form or another pretty much forever. The earliest documented cookie goes back to seventh-century Persia. Cookies were introduced to America sometime in the 17th century, but the name ‘cookie’ was given much later. The original dutch form ‘koekje,’ meaning ‘small cake’ was altered to ‘cooky’ and eventually ‘cookie.’ Since then, they have taken the world by storm and thanks to the countless flavors, varieties, and styles, have become a beloved treat for every event and occasion year-round.
Two recipes for cookies debuted in the first cookbook written by an American that was published in the United States. ‘American Cookery,’ authored by Amelia Simmons in 1796, included two recipes; the first titled ‘Cookies’ and the other ‘Christmas Cookie.’
Cookies are one of those few treats you can make where your imagination is the limit. Bakers with a creative streak to break the mold have invented some of the most well-loved cookies we eat today. For example, the chocolate-chip cookie was invented by Sue Brides and Ruth Graves Wakefield in 1938. The duo owned a popular inn in Massachusetts, featuring in-house baking that ultimately led them to try something new.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 18, 2021 18:59:04 GMT
International Migrants Day – December 18, 2021~International
As we observe International Migrants Day on December 18, we reflect upon the challenges and difficulties faced by over 272 million migrants courageously building new lives in every corner of the world. The reality of migration is more than just starting over. Migrants travel in search of security and opportunities that will allow them to reinvent themselves. Others are escaping from discrimination and prejudice. Host societies need to evolve and welcome these communities for a better tomorrow.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY Migration has many factors enforcing it on a global level. These stem from human necessities for safety, dignity, and peace. It is never an easy decision to leave home, especially when the journey ahead is extremely dangerous and, at times, fatal.
Although the day was made official in the year 2000, the observance of this day goes as far back as the year 1997 when December 18 was marked as the day to campaign for the respect, rights, and protection of migrants by several Asian migrant organizations.
On account of the ever-increasing number of migrants around the world, on December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 18 as the day for International Migrants. A decade prior to this, on the same day, the Assembly initiated the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
During the first-ever summit focused on large-scale movements of migrants and refugees on September 19, 2016, a fixed set of commitments — known as the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants — was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to enhance the safety of such displaced persons. This declaration reiterates the essentiality of the international protection regime and pledges by member states to improve the migration system for people on the move.
The U.N.’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also features migration-related goals. These include access to education, which will lead to better opportunities and a better quality of life.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 18, 2021 19:58:23 GMT
National Roast Suckling Pig Day – December 18, 2021~U.S.
Thanks to National Roast Suckling Pig Day, on December 18, you don’t have to wait until Christmas to pig out on a decadent feast. Suckling pigs are considered a delicacy because their meat is more tender, juicier, and gelatinous (due to the higher levels of collagen) than adult pigs. The reason for this is they’re between the ages of two and six weeks and have not yet been weaned off their mother’s milk, hence the name “suckling”. If you can bring it over your heart to put a whole baby pig, from nose to tail, in your oven or on your grill, it makes for a sumptuous meal that can feed 20 adults — so gather your and extended and get roasting (preferably 5 hours before you plan to dish up).
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ROAST SUCKLING PIG DAY No one is sure why or when National Roast Suckling Pig Day came about, but it’s no surprise that there’s a day dedicated to this delicacy. We’ve all probably seen similar pictures in children’s storybooks and cartoons of a pig on a large dish with an apple in its mouth in the center of a table surrounded by medieval festivities. Pigs and people have come a long way together in history. They’re one of the very first animals to have been domesticated by humans.
Suckling pigs are known to have been the centerpiece of feasts and banquets in various cuisines and are a traditional dish in several countries, such as China, Spain, the U.S., and the Philippines. Some of the earliest references to the suckling pig appear in ancient texts dating back to the sixth century, such as in the Salian Law: “If someone has stolen a suckling pig and this is proven against him, the guilty party will be sentenced to 120 denarii which adds up to three solidi [Latin coins].” Clearly, people had already quite valued their piggy property in those days.
However, Spain is generally recognized as the true country of origin for the tradition of roasting a suckling pig, which they call cochinillo asado. The most well-known Spanish region for this dish is Castile and, more specifically, the city of Segovia. It is said to have been brought to Spain by the Roman invasion of what was then called Hispania in 218 B.C. There was an upsurge in the popularity of the dish in the 1930s, when the owner of a Segovian tavern began cutting the roast suckling pig with the edge of a plate, to demonstrate the tenderness of the meat, and add some showmanship to the way the dish was presented to its diners. This sparked a new trend, which continues to be performed in various Spanish restaurants to this day.
The delicacy is such a significant part of Spain that it’s even been alluded to by various literary greats. Miguel de Cervantes, in his novel “Don Quixote”, wrote that Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza come across a wedding in the Castilian countryside where they’re met with the sight of several suckling pigs roasting over a fire. Ernest Hemingway also famously enjoyed this dish and mentions his favorite Spanish restaurant, renowned for its roast suckling pig, in “The Sun Also Rises”.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 18, 2021 19:59:43 GMT
National Wreaths Across America Day – December 18, 2021~U.S.
National Wreaths Across America Day has a simple mission: “Remember fallen U.S. veterans; honor those who serve; and teach your children the value of freedom.” This important day is an annual event that takes place every third Saturday in December at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as other cemeteries in the U.S., at sea, and abroad. Wreaths are laid as family and friends remember both those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who currently serve in the armed forces.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 19, 2021 15:50:07 GMT
National Hard Candy Day – December 19, 2021~U.S.
Put the peanut butter balls and the sugar cookies down, because December 19 is all about the hard stuff as we celebrate National Hard Candy Day. While we’re a little sticky about the origins of this holiday, it can be safely said that hard candy has long been a preferred sweet snack by many societies. In the Medieval period, sugar (the only true ingredient in candy) was prohibitively expensive. Thus, the Jolly Ranchers and Blow Pops of the dark ages were reserved for the royal and the wealthy. Quite a difference from the penny candy you can pick up for cents on the dollar today. Over the years, confectioners have refined the process to an exact science, and we now know exactly how hot we need the sugar to create sweet, sticky, crunching, and cracking hard candy, so get your Tootsie Pops (and your tooth brushes) ready.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 19, 2021 15:51:43 GMT
National Oatmeal Muffin Day – December 19, 2021~U.S.
National Oatmeal Muffin Day is on December 19 and we are eager to fill up our tummies with delicious muffins without having to worry about cholesterol or the calories consumed. Healthy muffins that look like cupcakes and satisfy our sweet cravings? It doesn’t get better than this!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY What are the origins of National Oatmeal Muffin Day? Nobody knows. All we know is that oatmeal muffins are a staple in American households and we welcome any holiday where we can just eat a muffin and have fun. The best part is that oatmeal is known to be ‘heart-healthy’ and has a lot of nutritious value.
Muffins have been around for several centuries, beginning with English-style muffins. Dating back to the 10th century in Wales, this type of muffin uses yeast for rising and is cooked on a griddle. By the end of the 18th century, Americans improved on the recipe for muffins and developed it into what we know today as quick bread muffins, prepared in individual molds. This style of muffin was made possible when pearlash was discovered. Pearlash, or potash, as it is commonly known, was eventually replaced when baking soda became mainstream.
American-style muffins need molds for baking because batter is used to create them instead of dough. The shape and size are similar to a cupcake, and recipes for oatmeal muffins started to be published in American cookbooks from the mid-1800s onwards.
Amelia Simmons, the author of the first-ever American cookbook called “American Cookery”, used pearlash in her recipes. Such was pearlash’s rise to popularity that over eight thousand tons were exported to Europe in 1792. It wasn’t until 1857 that baking powder became commercially available.
Today, the oatmeal muffin is loved by many as it is packed with rich flavor and has a lot of health benefits. They become even more delightful when complemented with fruits like blueberries, raisins, and bananas. Sometimes nuts are incorporated into the recipe as well for that extra crunch.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 19, 2021 15:53:29 GMT
Goa Liberation Day – December 19, 2021~India
Goa Liberation Day, observed every year on December 19 in India, is regarded as one of the most significant days in the history of Goa. Located at around 250 miles south of Mumbai, Goa is one of India’s smallest states and was previously under Portuguese possession for about 450 years. The Goa Liberation Day is a celebration of the day Indian armed forces freed Goa from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961. The day is also particularly important for recognizing the achievements Goa has made in recent years, accomplishing milestones in the tourism sector and maintaining its position as having the highest per capita income among all the states and union territories of India.
HISTORY OF GOA LIBERATION DAY Goa Liberation Day is all about celebrating the independence of Goa from the Portuguese. Goa is a state on the south-western coast of India within the region known as the Konkan. It is bordered by the states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, as well as the Arabian Sea to the west. Its capital is Panaji, which lies on the north-central coast of the mainland district. After being freed from Portuguese possession, it became a part of India in 1962 and was officially recognized as an independent nation in 1987.
On August 15, 1947, when India gained its independence, Goa was still crumbling under 450 years of Portuguese rule. The Portuguese were among the first to colonize parts of India and refused to give up their hold over Goa and other Indian territories, even in the wake of India’s independence.
Following a myriad of unsuccessful negotiations and diplomatic efforts with the Portuguese, the former prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided that military intervention was their only option. The 36-hour military operation, conducted from December 18, 1961, was code-named ‘Operation Vijay’ meaning ‘Operation Victory,’ and involved attacks by the Indian navy, air force, and army.
During the historic moment, Indian troops reclaimed the Goan territory with little resistance, and General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva signed the certificate of surrender. 451 years of Portuguese rule in the region officially came to an end and the territory was taken back by India on December 19, 1961. However, the action incited mixed responses internationally at the time. Though many praised the move and backed India, others, including Portugal, criticized the Indian forces’ “invasion” of Goa.
Now, Goa Liberation Day is marked by an abundance of events and festivities in Goa. A torchlight procession is ignited from three different locations in the state, eventually all meeting at the Azad Maidan. This is where a tribute is made to those who lost their lives in the takeover of Goa. Various cultural programs like Sugam Sangeet — an Indian musical genre with poetry in the Kannada language — are also held to honor the occasion.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 19, 2021 15:55:01 GMT
National Emo Day – December 19, 2021~U.S.
Did you rock skinny jeans, tight T-shirts, and studded belts? How about jet-black hair and long bangs? For many people, the word “emo” describes a sad teenager who dresses in a very deliberate way. But the emo subculture has a long, storied history that reaches back to the 1980s and continues to resonate today. On National Emo Day, we recognize the rich complexities of the emo movement and gain a greater appreciation of its place in popular music. Weezer anyone?
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Post by pennmom on Dec 19, 2021 15:56:43 GMT
Look for an Evergreen Day – December 19, 2021~U.S.
If you still haven’t hunted down your Christmas tree, then you’re in luck with Look for an Evergreen Day on December 19. You can always go for an artificial tree but, let’s be honest, there is nothing like the sight and scent of a freshly cut tree to get you into the spirit of Christmas. Holiday trees are generally spruces, pines, and firs, but the varieties have evolved over time for more personalized preferences. With all the Christmas shopping to complete, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this is your last opportunity to buy a tree if you haven’t already.
HISTORY OF LOOK FOR AN EVERGREEN DAY The origins of Look for an Evergreen Day are unknown, but the celebration has been around for a while. What we do know is that it was originally established by The National Arborist Association to appreciate evergreen trees in their full glory, outside of Christmas ornaments and lights. An evergreen tree remains green and lush throughout the four seasons, creating a beautiful contrasting spectacle between green and white, which is associated with winter.
Evergreens have been essential in societies throughout the ages. Their apparent eternal nature, even in harsh seasons, have made them the choice for religious practices and observances. Such is the importance of their role, that Native Americans who resided in the Pacific Northwest were completely dependent on the red cedar tree for various vital uses such as making clothing, ropes, and fishing lines and building canoes or huts.
Going back further in history, a lot of people are familiar with how the philosopher Socrates drank a cup of hemlock tea without flinching once. If you don’t know, hemlock is a type of evergreen with tiny pointy needles. So yes, even though the chances of you being in such a situation are quite slim, it is important that you can identify between evergreens.
The first time that an evergreen tree was ever decorated was in 1510 in Riga, Latvia. From the 18th century onwards, jingle bells, tinsels, ornaments, fairy lights, and garlands were being used for decorations.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 20, 2021 13:41:33 GMT
Games Day – December 20, 2021~International
Warm up for Games Day, which falls on December 20 every year. Video games, live games, card games, board games, mobile games, trivia games — everybody loves games! With good reason, too; games are a fun way to bust some stress. And that is just one of the many ways they are good for us. More on that later. Let the games begin!
HISTORY OF GAMES DAY Considering they are a fun break from routine, games have been around in some form or the other throughout our civilization. After all, games sharpen our problem-solving abilities, our goal-focused strategies, focus and concentration, coordination and communication skills, social interaction, and multi-tasking. They can also be a motivating way to learn, and also give us a better understanding of different cultures.
So how did an official day to pay respect to games come along? Originally, Games Day was the name of an annual gaming convention that first took place in 1975. Sponsored by the British game production company Games Workshop, the convention takes place in Birmingham in the U.K. In 1975 itself, a games convention in August got canceled, so Games Workshop decided to fill in the gap by having its own convention. After a few delays, it finally held the event on December 20 at Seymour Hall in London.
The company, which started out producing traditional games like backgammon, later moved on to fantasy games like Warhammer. At the time, the convention was groundbreaking, since there were very few outlets for gamers to come together and play. Such an event, naturally, contributed to the growth of the gaming scene in the U.K. Soon enough, such conventions showed up all over the U.S. and became very popular, as they were the best platforms to showcase both gamers and gaming companies. Now that you know where the tradition came from, surely the best way to honor this day is to play some games!
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Post by pennmom on Dec 20, 2021 13:43:42 GMT
Go Caroling Day – December 20, 2021~U.S.
Once upon a time, Christmas celebrations wouldn’t have been anything without caroling, and this is exactly what is celebrated on Go Caroling Day on December 20. It’s about nothing else but merrily singing songs from door to door in the spirit of the holiday season. Christmas carols were very popular decades ago, before there was digital entertainment to distract us. As it became more and more uncommon to sing along to carols, Go Caroling Day revives and preserves this classic tradition.
HISTORY OF GO CAROLING DAY It is widely believed that caroling on Christmas started in 1223 at the church of St. Francis of Assisi. He thought that it was merrier to sing songs full of joy and fun during the holidays, instead of solemn hymns. He also started the live nativity scene. Caroling has been around even longer than Christmas itself, as it was a part of many religious observances and practices centuries ago. Christmas carols are essentially a subset of Christmas music, whereas caroling specifically refers to the act of singing this broad category of Christmas songs.
The Christmas carol is also known as a noel — a song or hymn. These have a unique shared characteristic sound, which is based on the musical chord patterns of medieval times. Popular Christmas carols were composed before the 20th century. In modern times, new carols have been written. A few popular Christmas carols are ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘Jingle Bells’, and ‘Away in a Manger’, and many modern carols are composed by Alfred Burt.
During the Middle Ages, another popular trend similar to caroling started, known as ‘wassailing’. It was a reference to the alcoholic drink called ‘wassail’, and the songs that were sung were vulgar and rude in nature, and therefore viewed by the church as irreligious.
Whether it was gathering around the piano in the living room, or the arrival of carolers on doorsteps in the neighborhood, caroling was a heavily practiced tradition in which people enthusiastically participated.
Christmas caroling has commonly been referred to in old classics. Whether in the story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens or the film “It’s a Wonderful Life”, it is guaranteed that, at some point, warmly bedecked carolers will arrive, heralding a critical moment or just singing traditional songs loudly for Christmas.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Dec 20, 2021 13:45:47 GMT
National Sangria Day – December 20, 2021~U.S.
Every year on December 20, we celebrate National Sangria Day! The Spanish have spiked the punch and we’re definitely here for it. Whether you prefer it red or white, a nice chilled Sangria is no doubt refreshing, and instantly transports you to the sandy beaches of Spain in the Summer.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SANGRIA DAY Early Greeks and Romans used to mix their wine with sugar, spices, and whatever else was on hand. These drinks were called “hippocras” and were sometimes heated like mulled wine. Hippocras is the common precedent of both mulled wine and sangria. These were consumed regularly because water at the time was filled with bacteria and unsafe to drink. Adding a splash of alcohol made the water drinkable, and mixing it with watered down wine gave it flavor.
Sangria is specifically based on the traditional red wine punch popular across Europe for hundreds of years. The punch base would be claret — a British term for Bordeaux wine from Bordeaux, France. This red wine is traditionally made from a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot. Brandy and fruit would also be added for extra flavor. In the 1700s and 1800s, “Claret Cup Punch” would be present at parties of all sizes. It’s even the drink of choice for Jane Austen heroines.
The Phoenicians and Romans planted miles of vineyards in Spain in 1,100 BC and 200 BC respectively. This prompted a very active wine shipping trade, with the wines of Spain quenching most of Rome’s thirst. Red grapes and fruits grew very well in Spain’s climate, and the locals began calling their wine punches Sangria, which means bloodletting in Spanish. In south Spain, the punch is often called zurra, and is created with peach or nectarine. The Spanish mostly base their sangria with red wines, but it can also be made with white wine, known as “sangria blanco.”
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Dec 21, 2021 14:25:06 GMT
Yule – December 21, 2021~U.K.
Yule comes up on December 21, on the winter solstice. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year, as the Sun gets its lowest elevation in the sky. Apart from the marking of a new season, the winter solstice also holds a significant symbol for the Sun. It appears to stand still on this day, it’s believed that the Sun is going through a rebirth. It would then gain momentum after the solstice. The holiday also depicts several pagan beliefs, especially that of the Holly King handing over power to the Oak King, ushering in a new season of light.
HISTORY OF YULE Our ancestors depended on the passage of times and seasons. And the best way to measure the seasons was by observing the Sun and the Earth’s orbit around it. The winter solstice is the time of the year when the Sun is reborn, announcing a new season.
On December 21, the day is shorter as the Sun seems to stand still on a lower elevation, making the night longer. But, it is a transition period that ushers in a new season of more sunlight. Yule celebrations used to be tied with different pagan traditions, bordering on mythology and culture. Popular notions include the myth of the goddess giving birth to the Sun god. There is also the celebration of the surrender of power from the Holly King unto the Oak King. Plus, the ancient festival of the Germanic people about the Wild Hunt and the god Odin is also around the same time.
All the above form the crust of the Yule celebration. But, as stated earlier, it is even more symbolic in that it helped our ancestors to determine times and seasons. Understanding times and seasons was usually the difference between life and death, food availability and famine, victory and defeat, and many other things. With the introduction of Christianity, the Yule celebration has been linked with Christmas traditions too. It’s thought that December 25 was chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ because it is the renewal period. Yule and Christmas both share certain similarities, and they often overlap as well.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Dec 21, 2021 14:26:40 GMT
Winter Solstice – December 21, 2021~World
The Winter Solstice marks the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere), all thanks to the tilt of the earth. In many cultures, the day is a day of feasting and celebration, but even if you’re totally agnostic, you can still find a reason to rejoice, because after today, you’ll see gradually shorter nights and longer days, which means you can look forward to the emergence of spring.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Dec 21, 2021 14:34:45 GMT
Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day – December 21, 2021~U.S.
Although a fictional holiday, Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day is officially on December 21. To be precise, the day commemorates a date in fictional history, but in a piece of fiction that is loved all around the world. If you haven’t guessed it yet, let us tell you. We’re talking about the classic novel titled “Around the World in Eighty Days” by Jules Verne, a French novelist whom most literature aficionados are familiar with. Also known as Phileas Fogg Wager Day, December 21 is the day by which the novel’s main character, Phileas Fogg, must accomplish his challenge to win a wager of £20,000.
HISTORY OF PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY Set and published in 1872, Jules Verne’s adventure novel is certainly a classic, and with good reason. Since it was written during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 and 1871, it was a difficult time for Verne and his country. It was already a financially dire period for him, and he was called upon as coastguard during the war. Two events had greatly affected him during this time — one was his father’s death, and the other was a public execution that greatly disturbed him.
Just before this time, by 1870, there were three major breakthroughs that made a tourist-like around-the-world journey possible for the first time. This development in circumnavigation fascinated Verne, whose character was inspired by the real around-the-world journey of the adventurous American writer William Perry Fogg.
Before we knew it, the novel was serially published starting on December 21, 1872, while it was published in book form on January 30, 1973. It is no wonder that December 21 was chosen as the significant wager day in the book. Or was it? Because of this coincidence of dates, people believed the journey was actually taking place in real time!
In the novel, when Phileas Fogg argues about the possibility of traveling around the globe in 80 days, he is challenged by his fellow club members to prove it. The argument stems from an article in “The Daily Telegraph” which mentions the opening of a new railway section in India, with which it would then be theoretically possible to travel around the world in just 80 days. Later that evening, on October 2, 1872, without wasting any time, Fogg departs London with his valet. To win the wager — and £20,000 — he must arrive back at the club on December 21, 1872, at the same time. Spoiler alert — he wins, and 140 years later, we still celebrate his victory.
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