Kwanzaa (December 26 through January 1) Kwanza starts on December 26th, regardless of what day of the week the 26th is. Kwanza is an African-American feast celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. A relatively new holiday, created in 1966 by Maulana (Ron) Karenga, Kwanza does have a rich tradition rooted in many years of African culture and history. Kwanza literally means “first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili. It is not a religious holiday, nor does celebrating Kwanza mean giving up the celebrations of Christmas or Hanukkah. Instead, it’s a week-long celebration full of ceremony and symbolism, following a well-organized “schedule.” On each night, a candle is lit and one of the Nguzo Saba, seven core principles, is discussed.
Wren’s Day (Ireland) Crowds of people take to the roads dressed in motley clothing, wearing masks or straw suits and accompanied by musicians. The Wren once common all over Ireland. In some areas, the Wrenboys are called Mummers and the festival has a strong English influence, incorporating characters like St. George. It seems that birds have great prominence in Irish mythology, having been seen as intermediaries in pre-Christian times between this world and the next.
Independence Day (Slovenia) Equivalent of our American July 4th, as they declare a national holiday to celebrate their 1990 announcement of separation from the Yugoslave Union.
National Day of Goodwill (South Africa) Version of Boxing Day.
Saint Stephen’s Day or Second Day of Christmas: Traditionally known as St. Stephen’s Day, after the first Christian martyr, but is now more commonly known as Boxing Day. This expression came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season. This money was then distributed to the poor and needy after Christmas. It’s thought the Boxing Day was first observed in the Middle Ages. It found renewed popularity in the 19th Century when the lords and ladies of England presented gifts in boxes to their servants on December 26th in appreciation of the work they had done over the Christmas celebrations. If December 26th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Boxing Day takes place on the following Monday.
National Whiner’s Day: Dedicated to whiners, especially those who return Christmas gifts and need lots of attention, the day was founded by Mr. Kevin C. Zaborney who feels that people shoud instead be happy about what they do have instead of unhappy about what they don’t.
0267: Deaths: Dionysius Bishop of Rome/saint.
1194: Birthdays: Frederick II Iesi.Italy.German Emperor (1212-1250)/King of Sicily.
1476: Deaths: Galeazzo Maria Sforza (Il Sforza del Destino) Duke of Milan.murdered.
1492: The first Spanish settlement in the New World was founded by Columbus at La Navidad.now Haiti; it was later destroyed by natives.
1530: Deaths: Zahir al-Din Mohammed Babur Shah Founder Mogols dynasty.died at 47.
1716: Birthdays: Thomas Gray English Poet (Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard).
1770: Birthdays: Pierre earl de Cambronne French General (Waterloo.Elba).
1771: Deaths: Claude A. Helvetius French Encyclopedist (L’esprit).died at 56.
1773: Expulsion of tea ships from Philadelphia.Pennsylvania.
1776: General George Washington’s troops captured 1,000 Hessian soldiers in the Battle of Trenton during the Revolutionary War in Trenton.New Jersey.a major setback for the British. Deaths: Johann Gottlieb Rall Hessian Colonel/Mercenary.died in battle of Trenton.
1792: Birthdays: Charles Babbage English Inventor (calculating machine).
1797: Deaths: John Wilkes English Journalist/Politician/Lower House Leader.died at 72.
1799: The late George Washington was eulogized by Colonel Henry (‘Light Horse Harry’) Lee as ‘first in war.first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen’.
1822: Birthdays: Dion Boucicault Irish/United States Actor/Playwright (Rip van Winkle).
1825: The Erie Canal opened.
1826: Birthdays: Franz Coenen Composer.
1830: Gaetano Donizetti’s opera ‘Anna Bolena,’ premiered in Milan.
1831: Vincenzo Bellini’s opera ‘Norma,’ premiered in Milan.
1837: Birthdays: Adm George Dewey American Naval Hero of Manila.
1848: First gold seekers arrived in Panama en route to San Francisco.California.
1854: Woodpulp paper first exhibited in Buffalo.New York.
1860: Major Robert Anderson.under cover of darkness.concentrated his small federal force at Fort Sumter.
1861: Birthdays: Friedrich Engel German Mathematician (group theory).
1862: 38 Santee Sioux Indians were hanged in Mankato.Minnesota.for their roles in an uprising that claimed the lives of hundreds of white settlers. Battle of Dumfries.Virginia.
1865: James H. Nason of Franklin.Massachusetts.received a patent for the first coffee percolator.
1872: Fourth largest snowfall in New York City history was 18 inches.
1878: First United States store to install electric lights was in Philadelphia.Pennsylvania.
1879: Johannes Brahms’ ‘Tragic Overture,’ premiered.
1890: Deaths: Heinrich Schliemann German Archaeologist (Seven Cities of Troy).died at 86.
1891: Birthdays: Henry Miller Stream-of-Consciousness/Lurid/Explicit Author (Tropic of Capricorn.Tropic of Cancer).
1893: Birthdays: Mao Tse-tung Hunan province.Prime Minister of People’s Republic of China (1949-76)/little red book fame.
1894: Birthdays: Antonio Molina Composer.
1902: Oscar Battling hit the canvas five times in a bout in Hot Springs.South Dakota. Battling’s opponent.Christy Williams.saw little birdies and ate the canvas 42 times. That’s a record for knockdowns.
1915: Birthdays: Richard Widmark Actor.
1917: During World War I.the United States government took over operation of the nation’s railroads. Birthdays: Rosemary Woods Nixon’s Secretary.
1919: The Yankees and the Red Sox reached an agreement on the transfer of Babe Ruth.
1922: Birthdays: Steve Allen Comedian/Composer/Author/TV Talk Show Host.
1924: Judy Garland.billed as Baby Frances.made her show business debut at the age of 2-1/2 as part of her family’s vaudeville act on the New Grand Theater stage.
1926: Prince-regent Hirohito became Emperor of Japan.
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1928: Johnny Weissmuller announced his retirement from amateur swimming after never losing a free-style race in 8 years of competition. He held all world records for free-style swimming from 50 to 880 yards.
1931: SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Reinhard Heydrich married Lina von Osten. George Gershwin’s musical.’Of Thee I Sing,’ opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre in New York City.New York. The show became the first American musical to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Birthdays: Donald Moffat Actor.
1932: Earthquake killed 70,000 in Kansu.China.
1936: Israel Philarmonic Orchestra was formed. Birthdays: Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir Rhythm-and-blues Singer (The Four Tops).
1939: W. C. Handy.of Memphis.Tennessee.one of the legendary blues composers of all time.recorded the classic ‘Saint Louis Blues.’ W. C. and his band recorded in New York for Varsity Records. Handy was one of the first to use the flat third and seventh notes in his compositions.known in the music world as ‘blue’ notes. On another note.the music awards for blues artists’ are called the W. C. Handy National Blues Awards.
1940: J. A. Fields’ and J. Chodorov’s ‘My Sister Eileen,’ premiered in New York City.New York. Birthdays: Phil Spector Music/Record Producer.
1941: Winston Churchill became the first British Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress.warning that Axis will ‘stop at nothing’.
1943: Count Claus von Stauffenberg tried in vain to plant a bomb in Hitler’s headquarters. British sank German battle cruiser Scharnhorst. Birthdays: Lars Ulrich Drummer (Metallica).
1944: Tennessee Williams’ play ‘The Glass Menagerie’ premiered at the Civic Theatre in Chicago.Illinois. In the World War II Battle of the Bulge.the embattled United States 101st Airborne Division.surrounded by German forces in Belgium.was relieved by units of the Fourth Armored Division. Budapest surrounded by Soviet army. Battle of Bastogne — United States General Patton’s tanks repulse Germans.
1945: Birthdays: John Walsh Activist/TV Host (America’s Most Wanted).
1947: Heavy snow blanketed the Northeast.burying New York City under 25.8 inches of snow in 16 hours. The severe weather was blamed for some 80 deaths. That same day.LA set a record high of 84F.
1948: Hungarian Cardinal Mindszenty arrested. Birthdays: Carlton Fisk MLB Catcher.
1949: Birthdays: Chris Chambliss Baseball Coach.
1950: The Gillette Safety Razor Company signed agreements for the rights for the next six years to baseball’s World Series and All-Star games. The price tag: $6 million dollars. Deaths: Emile Enthoven Composer.died at 47.
1953: ‘Big Sister’ was heard for the last time on CBS Radio. The show had been on the air for 17 years. ‘Big Sister’ was the ongoing story of Sue Evans Miller and her relationship with her big sister.Ruth Evans. Actresses who played big sister Ruth over the years: Alice Frost.Nancy Marshall.Marjorie Anderson.Mercedes McCambridge. Little Sister Sue was played by: Haila Stoddard.Dorothy McGuire.Peggy Conklin and Fran Carlon.
1954: One of radio’s most popular programs.’The Shadow,’ lurked around the airwaves for the last time. Vigilante crime-fighter Lamont Cranston battled greed and corruption since 1930. ‘Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows’. Birthdays: Ozzie Smith MLB Shortstop.
1955: RKO became the first major studio to announce the sale of its film library to television. Chart Toppers: Sixteen Tons Tennessee Ernie Ford; Memories are Made of This Dean Martin; I Hear You Knocking Gale Storm; He Al Hibler.
1960: Musical ‘Do Re Mi’ with Phil Silvers premiered in New York City.
1961: Birthdays: Tahnee Welch Actress (Cocoon). Brian Westrum Country Musician (Sons of the Desert).
1963: Capitol Records rushed to release its first single by the The Beatles. ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand,’ backed with ‘I Saw Her Standing There,’ reached Number 1 on February 1.1964. The flood of music by John.Paul.George and Ringo had started the British Invasion; changing contemporary music forever. Deaths: ‘Gorgeous George’ Wagner Perfumed And Pampered Wrestler. Chart Toppers: You Don’t Have to Be a Baby to Cry The Caravelles; Love’s Gonna Live Here Buck Owens; Louie Louie The Kingsmen; Dominique The Singing Nun.
1964: More Beatles news: The Fab Four got their sixth Number 1 hit song since February 1.as ‘I Feel Fine’ became the top tune this day. The first five Number 1 hits by The Beatles were: ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand,’ ‘She Loves You,’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,’ ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. Birthdays: Lars Ulrich Rock Musician (Metallica). Chart Toppers: I Feel Fine The Beatles.
1965: ‘Funny Girl’ with Barbra Streisand closed on Broadway.
1967: A sad day for jazz fans.as the Dave Brubeck Quartet formally disbanded after sax man Paul Desmond left the group. Desmond was a fixture with the quartet for 16 years and can be heard on all the immortal Brubeck standards.including ‘Take Five’. BBC broadcasted ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.
1968: Led Zeppelin made its concert debut in Boston as the opening act for Vanilla Fudge. Jay Allen’s ‘Forty Carats,’ premiered in New York City. Bruin Ted Green set the National Hockey League (NHL) penalty record.with three minors.two majors and two game misconducts in a matchup against the New York Rangers. Birthdays: J Rock Musician. Audrey Wiggins Country Singer.
1970: Birthdays: Peter Klett Rock Musician (Candlebox).
1971: Chart Toppers: Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’ Charley Pride; Family Affair Sly and The Family Stone; Brand New Key Melanie; An Old Fashioned Loved Song Three Dog Night.
1972: Birthdays: Jared Leto Actor (My So Called Life.Prefontaine). Deaths: Harry S. Truman 33rd President of the United States (1945-53).died in Kansas City.Missouri at age 88.
1973: ‘The Exorcist,’ starring Linda Blair and rated X.premiered in theaters.
1974: Deaths: Jack Benny Comedian (Jack Benny Show).died in Los Angeles at age 80. He was 39 years old.
1975: The Soviet Union inaugurated the world’s first supersonic transport service with a flight of its Tupolev-144 airliner from Moscow to Alma-Ata.
1978: India’s former Prime Minister.Indira Gandhi.was released from jail.
1979: Chart Toppers: Send One Your Love Stevie Wonder; Please Don’t Go K. C. and The Sunshine Band; Happy Birthday Darlin’ Conway Twitty; Escape (The Pina Colada Song) Rupert Holmes.
1982: The Man of the Year in Time magazine was a non-human for the first time. A computer received the honors as 1982’s ‘greatest influence for good or evil’.
1984: House Speaker Tip O’Neill was selected to receive the J. Fred Muggs Award.given by ‘TV Guide’ for TV goofs and blunders. The Speaker of the House earned the uncoveted prize when he ordered cameras from CSPAN to pan the almost empty House of Representatives while Republicans were making rip-roaring speeches. For those who don’t remember.J. Fred Muggs was the rascally.but cute.chimpanzee that wreaked havoc on the ‘Today’ show back in the 1950s. The network thought it would be nice to have a cuddly chimp liven things up for a pretty boring Dave Garroway. Unfortunately.Garroway hated J. Fred Muggs; the chimp knew it and proceeded to terrorize the entire show for quite some time.until Garroway threatened to quit the show. J. Fred was soon history.
1985: Deaths: Dian Fossey Zoologist (Gorillas in the Mist).murdered at 53.
1986: TV’s longest-running drama was seen for the last time as ‘Search for Tomorrow’ ended a 35-year stay on television. The program.seen on CBS.included show veterans Wayne Rogers.Jill Clayburgh.Morgan Fairchild and Don Knotts. Doug Jarvis.age 31.set a National Hockey League (NHL) record as he skated in his 916th consecutive game. It was a record that started in 1974. Jarvis holds the individual record for most consecutive games played (964).
1987: Chart Toppers: Somewhere Tonight Highway 101; So Emotional Whitney Houston; Got My Mind Set on You George Harrison; Faith George Michael.
1988: Anti African student rebellion in the People’s Republic of China.
1989: Romanian television broadcasted videotape of ousted President Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife.Elena.at their secret trial and footage of Ceausescu’s body after his execution. That same day.a provisional government took control of Romania. Another body from the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was found.bringing the confirmed death toll to 240.
1990: Garry Kasparov beat Antatoly Karpov to retain chess championship.
1991: Jack Ruby’s gun sold for $220,000 in auction.
1994: In Russia.a four-day drama ended as four masked kidnappers who had abducted 11 teen-agers landed their explosives-packed helicopter.freed their last hostages and fled with $10 million in ransom. (The four men were captured the next morning). French commandos stormed a hijacked Air France jetliner on the ground in Marseille.killing four Algerian hijackers and freeing 170 hostages.
1996: JonBenet Ramsey.a 6-year-old beauty pageant contestant.was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder.Colorado. To date.the slaying remains unsolved.
1998: President Clinton.in his weekly radio address.urged Congress to lower the blood-alcohol limit for drunken driving nationwide to 0.08 percent to conform with 17 states and the District of Columbia. The other 33 states have 0.10.Badly battered South Korean financial markets surged after the International Monetary Fund and the Group of Seven countries agreed on $10 billion emergency loans to Seoul.