On This Day December 24th


December 24th is the three-hundred-fifty-ninth day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 8 days remaining until the end of the year.


Events

1777 – Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island, was discovered by James Cook.

1814 – Representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States signed the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.

1818 – The first "Silent Night" performance occurs in the Nikolauskirche in Oberndorf, Austria.

1871 – The opera Aida premieres in Cairo, Egypt.

1914 – World War I: The "Christmas truce" begins.

1929 – A four-alarm fire breaks out in the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C.

1968—Apollo program: The crew of Apollo 8 entered orbit around the Moon, becoming the first humans to do so. They performed ten lunar orbits and broadcast live TV pictures.


Birthdays

1596 – Leonaert Bramer, Dutch painter (d. 1674)

1754 – George Crabbe, English priest, surgeon, and poet (d. 1832)

1809 – Kit Carson, American general (d. 1868)

1868 – Charles Harvey Bollman, American naturalist (d. 1889)

1885 – Paul Manship, American sculptor (d. 1966)

1905 – Howard Hughes, American businessman, engineer, and pilot (d. 1976)

1922 – Ava Gardner, American actress (d. 1990)

1945 – Steve Smith, Canadian-American actor and comedian

1961 – Mary Barra, American businesswoman, current CEO and chairwoman of General Motors

1966 – Diedrich Bader, American actor

1992 – Davante Adams, American football player

 

Holiday Highlight

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve is such a special time! It’s all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, rooted in both Christian liturgy and Jewish tradition. This day marks the end of the Advent season, which kicks off on November 30. 

Did you know that people used to believe animals could talk at midnight? How cool is that? In Scandinavian cultures, there’s a fun superstition about the dead visiting their old homes!

Over the years, Christmas Eve has transformed into a day filled with family fun, gift wrapping, and festive gatherings. The 19th century boosted Christmas as a holiday, and then came Santa Claus! We have wonderful traditions, like leaving out cookies and milk for him.

Christmas Eve unites families worldwide today, letting everyone enjoy meaningful traditions together!


Holidays And Observance 

Christmas Eve 

Last-Minute Shopper's Day 

National Eggnog Day 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Exploring the Legacy of Hinrich Lichtenstein: A Journey Through Science and Discovery

Image
  Born under the grey, expansive skies of Hamburg, Germany, on January 23, 1780, Hinrich Lichtenstein was destined to add vibrant strokes of knowledge to the canvas of the natural world. As a young man, his intellectual curiosity was as boundless as the oceans he would later traverse. He pursued medicine with a fervent passion, his studies painting a picture of a mind deeply enamored with the natural sciences.  In 1802, Lichtenstein embarked on a journey that would etch his name in the annals of exploration. Venturing into the heart of southern Africa, he traversed landscapes as diverse as they were magnificent. From the sun-drenched savannas, rich with golden hues, to the verdant, lush greenery of the dense forests, every step was a brushstroke, adding to his masterpiece of discovery.  Amidst these landscapes, Lichtenstein's keen eye detailed a spectrum of flora and fauna previously unknown to science. His notes and collections were like sketches of a world unseen, captu...
Read more

The Montgolfier Brothers and the Birth of Ballooning: A Joyful Journey into the Skies

Image
  Imagine the excitement and wonder of watching a giant, colorful balloon lift off the ground and float gracefully into the sky. This magical moment became a reality thanks to the Montgolfier brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne. Their invention of the hot air balloon, or montgolfière, marked the beginning of human flight, filling the world with awe and endless possibilities. Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier were more than just brothers; they were dreamers with their heads in the clouds—quite literally. Born into a family of paper manufacturers in the charming town of Annonay, France, their curiosity knew no bounds. Inspired by the idea that something as simple as heated air could lift objects, they set out to turn this dream into reality. On June 4, 1783, a bright and sunny day, the Montgolfier brothers unveiled their creation to the public. Imagine a giant balloon, around 33 feet tall and 43 feet wide, crafted from paper and silk and painted with intricate pat...
Read more

Skating Beyond the Ice: The Life and Legacy of Gordon Howe

Image
 Gordon Howe, affectionately known as "Mr. Hockey," is a legendary figure whose impact on the sport is immeasurable. Born on March 31, 1928, in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada, Howe's journey to becoming one of the greatest hockey players ever is a testament to his talent, work ethic, and determination. His career spanned five decades, from the late 1940s through the early 1980s, during which he set records, won numerous awards, and left an indelible mark on the game. Howe grew up in a modest, working-class family during the Great Depression, a period that taught him the values of hard work and perseverance. These principles would become the cornerstone of his career. From skating on frozen ponds in Saskatchewan to making his professional debut, Howe's journey was fueled by his passion for the game. He joined the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1946 at 18, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Howe quickly established himself as a formi...
Read more