On This Day November 30th

 OTD

November 30th is the 334th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 31 days remain until the end of the year.

 

 Events

978 – Franco-German war of 978–980: Holy Roman Emperor Otto II lifts the siege of Paris and withdraws.

1782 – American Revolutionary War: Treaty of Paris: In Paris, representatives from the United States and Great Britain signed preliminary peace articles (later formalized as the 1783 Treaty of Paris).

1803 – The Balmis Expedition started in Spain to vaccinate millions against smallpox in Spanish America and the Philippines.

1872 – The first-ever international football match occurred between Scotland and England in Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow.

1936 – In London, the Crystal Palace is destroyed by fire.

1954 – In Sylacauga, Alabama, United States, the Hodges meteorite crashes through a roof and hits a woman taking an afternoon nap; this is the only documented case in the Western Hemisphere of a human being hit by a rock from space.

1995 – U.S. President Bill Clinton visits Northern Ireland and speaks in favor of the "Northern Ireland peace process" at a massive rally at Belfast City Hall; he calls IRA fighters "yesterday's men."

2000 – NASA launches STS-97, the 101st Space Shuttle mission.

 

Birthdays

1508 – Andrea Palladio, Italian architect and theoretician, designed the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and Teatro Olimpico (d. 1580)

1599 – Andrea Sacchi, Italian painter (d. 1661)

1667 – Jonathan Swift, Irish satirist and essayist (d. 1745)

1670 – John Toland, Irish philosopher, and author (d. 1722)

1835 – Mark Twain, American novelist, humorist, and critic (d. 1910)

1874 – Winston Churchill, English colonel, journalist, and politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1965)

1929 – Dick Clark, American television host and producer, founded Dick Clark Productions (d. 2012)

1931 – Bill Walsh, American football player and coach (d. 2007)

1947 – David Mamet, American playwright, screenwriter, and director

1955 – Billy Idol, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor

1962 – Bo Jackson, American football and baseball player

1998 – Grant Williams, American basketball player.

 

Holiday Spotlight.

St. Andrew Day

Quite simply, St. Andrew, an apostle of Jesus, is the patron saint of Scotland. Thus, Scots have celebrated Andrew for over a thousand years, with feasts held in his honor as far back as 1000 AD. However, it wasn’t until 1320, when Scotland declared independence, that he officially became Scotland’s patron saint. Since then, Andrew has become part of the country. The flag of Scotland, the St Andrew’s Cross, was chosen in his honor. Also, the ancient town of St Andrews was named due to its claim of being his final resting place.

But why is he so important to Scotland?

The New Testament refers to Andrew as being with Jesus on momentous occasions. For example, Andrew told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes, and when Philip wanted to tell Jesus about certain Greeks seeking Him, he said Andrew first. Andrew was present at the Last Supper; he was also one of the four disciples who came to Jesus on the Mount of Olives to ask about the signs of Jesus’ return at the “end of the age.”

Oddly enough — America plays a role in St. Andrew’s Day. A group of wealthy Scottish immigrants created the “St Andrew’s Society of Charleston” in South Carolina in 1729. The organization’s the oldest Scottish society in the world. It became famous throughout the region for assisting orphans and widows. Also, “The St Andrew’s Society of the State of New York” is the oldest registered charity in the state. Local Scotsmen, who were looking to help the poor and distressed, founded the group in 1756. From there, St Andrew’s societies have spread around the world.

St Andrew’s Day now ranks as one of three significant dates during winter. Starting Scotland’s Winter Festival each year on November 30, people gather to celebrate Andrew and share good times. The day is usually marked with a celebration of Scottish culture, including dancing, music, food, and drink, with parties going on until the early morning hours.

 

Other Include

Barbados Independence Day

Cities for Life Day

International Computer Security Day

Mindanao Week of Peace

National Mason Jar Day

National Meth Awareness Day

National Mississippi Day

National Mousse Day

National Personal Space Day

Native Women's Equal Pay Day

Perpetual Youth Day

Stay Home Because You're Well Day

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