On This Day January 13th

 OTD

January 13th is the Thirteenth day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 352 days remain until the end of the year.

 Events

27 BC – Octavian transfers the state to the Roman Senate's and the people's free disposal. He receives Spain, Gaul, and Syria as his province for ten years.

532 – The Nika riots break out during the racing season at the Hippodrome in Constantinople because of discontent with the rule of Emperor Justinian

1815 – War of 1812: British troops capture Fort Peter in St. Mary’s, Georgia, the only battle of the war to take place in the state.

1888 – The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C.

1910 – The first public radio broadcast takes place; a live performance of the operas Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci is sent out over the airwaves from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

1920 – The Reichstag Bloodbath of January 13, 1920, the bloodiest demonstration in German history.

1966 – Robert C. Weaver became the first African American Cabinet member when he was appointed United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

1968 – Johnny Cash performs live at Folsom State Prison.

2012 – The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia sinks off the coast of Italy due to Captain Francesco Schettino's negligence and irresponsibility. There are 32 confirmed deaths.

 

Birthdays

1596 – Jan van Goyen, Dutch painter and illustrator (d. 1656)

1616 – Antoinette Bourignon, French-Flemish mystic and author (d. 1680)

1749 – Maler Müller, German poet, painter, and playwright (d. 1825)

1808 – Salmon P. Chase, American jurist and politician, 6th United States Chief Justice (d. 1873).

1861 – Max Nonne, German neurologist and academic (d. 1959)

1900 – Shimizugawa Motokichi, Japanese sumo wrestler (d. 1967)

1924 – Paul Feyerabend, Austrian-Swiss philosopher and visionary (d. 1994)

1931 – Charles Nelson Reilly, American actor, comedian, director, game show panelist, and television personality (d. 2007)

1931 – Rip Taylor, American actor and comedian (d. 2019)

1949 – Brandon Tartikoff, American screenwriter and producer (d. 1997)

1962 – Trace Adkins, American singer-songwriter and guitarist

1975 – Rune Eriksen, Norwegian guitarist and composer

1989 – Doug Martin, American football player

 

Holiday Spotlight

Calennig

  December and January are my favorite months worldwide because they are the holiday season! Christmas and New Year celebrations are in full swing in every corner of the world, and Wales is no exception. According to the Julian calendar, cleaning is the Welsh equivalent of New Year’s Day and is celebrated on the first day of the new year.

 The people of Cwm Gwaun have preserved old traditions and celebrate this day according to their ancestors' behavior in the 17th century. Until today, young boys visit each house in the village to splash the villagers with water they retrieved from the local well. This activity is seen as a symbol of good fortune. In return, the villagers are expected to give the Calennig — a small gift, usually in the form of copper coins.

 Unfortunately, the history and origin of Calennig are not well known, and several folklore surround it. However, historians believe that Calennig must have evolved from the ancient custom of giving gifts and money on New Year’s Day.  We know that Cwm Gwaun, Pembrokeshire, keeps this tradition alive and celebrates it on January 13 each year.

 However, the customs have evolved differently in many areas of Wales. In some areas, the celebration occurs by chanting a small verse or two in exchange for small coins. While in other areas, the tradition of water splashing is still at large.

 

Other Include

Eagle Day

Korean American Day

Make Your Dreams Come True Day

National Peach Melba Day

National Sticker Day

National Vision Board Day

Poetry Break Day

Public Radio Broadcasting Day

Rubber Ducky Day

Stephen Foster Memorial Day