On This Day December 21st

 OTD

December 21st is the 355th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 10 days remain until the end of the year.


 Events

AD 69 – The Roman Senate declares Vespasian emperor of Rome, the last in the Year of the Four Emperors.

1620 – Plymouth Colony: William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims land near what is now known as Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

1826 – American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexico, Texas, declared independence, starting the Fredonian Rebellion.

1861 – Medal of Honor: Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, is lawfully signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

1883 – The Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed.

1913 – Arthur Wynne's "word-cross," the first crossword puzzle, is published in the New York World.

1937 – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the world's first full-length animated feature, premieres at the Carthay Circle Theatre.

1968 – Apollo program: Apollo 8 is launched from the Kennedy Space Center, placing its crew on a lunar trajectory for humans' first visit to another celestial body.

2020 – An extraordinary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurs, with the two planets separated in the sky by 0.1 degrees. This is the closest conjunction between the two planets since 1623.

 

Birthdays

1401 – Masaccio, Italian painter (d. 1428)

1615 – Benedict Arnold, Rhode Island colonial governor (d. 1678)

1804 – Benjamin Disraeli, English lawyer and politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (d. 1881)

1866 – Maud Gonne, Irish nationalist and political activist (d. 1953)

1890 – Hermann Joseph Muller, American geneticist and biologist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1967)

1911 – Josh Gibson, American baseball player (d. 1947)

1935 – Phil Donahue, American talk show host and producer

1948 – Dave Kingman, American baseball player

1954 – Chris Evert, American tennis player and coach

1978 – Shaun Morgan, South African musician, singer, and guitarist


Holiday Spotlight

Winter Soltice

In the heart of winter, as the Northern Hemisphere tilts furthest from the sun, cultures around the globe celebrate the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Three of the myriad festivities stand out for their deep historical roots and unique traditions.

Yule, or Yuletide, a festival originating in Germanic and Scandinavian cultures, transforms the darkest day into a warm, glowing celebration. Families gather around the Yule log, an ancient symbol of warmth and light, and decorate Yule trees, a precursor to modern Christmas trees. This tradition is a vibrant testament to the enduring human spirit, finding light and joy in the heart of winter's darkness.

In East Asia, the Dongzhi Festival brings families together to honor the balance of yin and yang. With the serving of tangyuan and sweet rice balls symbolizing reunion, this festival paints a picture of harmony and togetherness. It's a poignant reminder of the importance of family bonds in enduring the winter's cold.

The ancient Romans' Saturnalia, a week-long feast of merrymaking and generosity, was a time when social norms were inverted, and slaves were served by their masters. Celebrated with enthusiasm, Saturnalia captured the essence of joy and unrestrained celebration, a tribute to Saturn, the god of agriculture.

While these are just three of the many celebrations worldwide, they uniquely encapsulate the Winter Solstice's essence: a time of reflection, renewal, and joy. From the glowing embers of the Yule log to the sweet tangyuan shared among loved ones and the raucous delight of Saturnalia, these festivals color the darkest day with hope and happiness, weaving a tapestry of human resilience and unity.

 

Other Include

Ann & Samantha Day

Celebrate Short Fiction Day

Crossword Puzzle Day

Don't Make Your Bed Day

First Day of Winter/Winter Solstice

Forefather's Day

Humbug Day

International Dalek Remembrance Day

Kiwi Fruit Day (California)

National Coquito Day

National Flashlight Day

National French Fried Shrimp Day

National Hamburger Day

National Homeless Person's Remembrance Day

National Look at the Bright Side Day

National Re-gifting Day

National Short Story Day

Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day

Ribbon Candy Day

Short Girl Appreciation Day

World Peace Day

World Snowboard Day

Yalda

Yule

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