Category: December 21

  • NATIONAL MAINE DAY – December 21

    NATIONAL MAINE DAY

    On December 21st, National Maine Day recognizes the 23rd state to join the union and the most eastern one, too!

    #NationalMaineDay

    Populated by Wabanaki tribes when European explorers first arrived, Maine would later be colonized by French and English settlers, leaving Maine’s possession in constant debate. Fast forward to 1820; the state was carved out of Massachusetts as part of the Missouri Compromise.

    Today, with her rocky shores and idyllic New England backdrop, Maine allows a moment to experience the light and sounds at a pace that’s more natural. Lobster, once so abundant it was served to prisoners and servants, is now a delicacy and just one of Maine’s many ocean delights.

    Artists flourish in Maine. From fiction to landscapes, the state has inspired poets, writers, painters and more for centuries. From the Acadia to Kennebunk, from the highlands to the valleys, Maine is open all year round.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MAINE DAY

    Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Maine’s breathtaking views and explore her history. Uncover hidden treasures and explore Maine’s mountains and shores! Use #NationalMaineDay to share on social media.

    In 2017, National Day Calendar began celebrating each state in the order they entered the union starting the week of Independence Day and ending with Hawaii. We highlight a small part of each states’ history, foods and the people who make up the state. There’s so much more to explore!

    Maine State Official

    Notable People

    Humanitarians and Leaders

    A woman dedicated to a life of civic duty, Florence Brooks Whitehouse was also passionate about her family. Whether illness, the war-wounded or the suffrage movement called her, Whitehouse supplied steady, reliable support.

    Throughout her career, Dorothea Dix advocated for improved conditions for the mentally ill and expanding public hospital care. She lobbied extensively for reform, taught and published several textbooks, fiction, and poetry.

    Nelson Rockefeller served as the 41st Vice President during Gerald Ford’s administration.

    Artists and Writers

    As a journalist, Elijah Lovejoy died defending his right to print his views when a mob attacked his press in Alton, Missouri.

    During his lifetime, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poetry drew worldwide acclaim. The prolific poet published several volumes of poetry including his extremely successful long poems, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, and The Song of Hiawatha.

    Winslow Homer produced a legacy of watercolor and oil paintings that epitomized life along the Eastern Shore.

    Known for her lyric poetry and dramas, Edna St. Vincent Millay found success and respect, earning a Pulitzer Prize in 1923.

    Horror and suspense writer, Stephen King’s body of work continues to thrill and intrigue readers. Both fiction and non-fiction find their way onto movie scripts. The Stand, Pet Sematary, Stand By Me, the recent 11.22.63 and remake of IT all have King’s own unique style of eeriness that keep bringing his fans back for more.

    Inventors, Builders and Athletes

    Milton Bradley founded the Milton Bradley Company after the success of the board game The Checkered Game of Life. Believing in the education of children, the businessman also published and edited Paradise of Childhood along with several other pamphlets and guides for kindergarten.

    Twin brothers, Francis Edgar Stanley and Freelan Oscar Stanley together produced the steam-driven automobile.

    In 1898, they developed their first steam-powered engine. In 1902, they founded the Stanley Motor Carriage Company. Their motor car, the Stanley Steamer often beat larger, gasoline-powered engines in racing events across the country.

    In 1984, the Summer Olympics introduced the women’s marathon. Joan Benoit took gold for the United States becoming the first gold medalist in the event.

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  • NATIONAL FLASHLIGHT DAY – Day of Winter Solstice

    NATIONAL FLASHLIGHT DAY

    National Flashlight Day, on the same day as Winter Solstice, reminds us to turn on some lights during the shortest day of the year.

    #NationalFlashlightDay

    Around 1899 the invention of the dry cell and miniature incandescent electric light bulbs made the first battery-powered flashlights possible.

    Today the flashlights that we use are mostly incandescent lamps or light-emitting diodes and run on disposable or rechargeable batteries. Some are powered by the user turning a crank or shaking the lamp, and some have solar panels to recharge a battery.

    In addition to the well-known, general-purpose hand-held flashlight, other forms have been adapted for particular uses. Head or helmet-mounted flashlights designed for miners and campers leave the hands free. Special flashlights provide light underwater and in flammable atmospheres.

    January 10, 1899 – British Inventor David Misell obtained U.S. Patent No. 617,592, assigned to American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company. This electric device designed by Misell was powered by “D” batteries laid front to back in a paper tube with the light bulb and a rough brass reflector at the end. The company donated some of these devices to the New York City police, who responded well to them.

    HOW OF OBSERVE NATIONAL FLASHLIGHT DAY

    Grab a flashlight for the shortest day of the year. Depending on where you live, some parts of the Northern Hemisphere experience darkness long before the solstice. We’re looking at you Barrow, Alaska. Another place that could use a few flashlights is Tromso, Norway. Like Barrow, they also experience no sunlight from November to January. This time of no sunlight is called the Polar Night. All of Greenland receives 3-4 hours of sunlight during that same period, too.

    While all of the Northern Hemisphere sees shorter days, the more northern locations feel the larger impact. Many people will supplement their sunlight with special lights. Getting sufficient exercise and staying active help to ward off doldrums. Communities organize festivals and activities to bring people together, too. A sense of community is vital to staying connected during the winter months. So, bring your flashlight during National Flashlight Day and celebrate the Winter Solstice! Longer days are ahead. 

    Use #NationalFlashlightDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL FLASHLIGHT DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar keeps shining a beam of light into the history of this bright idea. 

    DATES
    December 21, 2021
    Check back in 2031 for a date change. 

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  • NATIONAL FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY – December 21

    NATIONAL FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY

    On December 21st, seafood lovers celebrate National French Fried Shrimp Day. Enjoyed all year long, this delicious dish delights many across the country. 

    #FrenchFriedShrimpDay

    Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood.

    The word prawn is used loosely to describe any large shrimp, sometimes known as jumbo shrimp. Some countries use the word prawn exclusively for all shrimp.

    Preparing the shrimp for consumption usually involves the removal of the head, shell, tail, and sand vein. There are many ways to cook shrimp. Common methods of preparation include baking, boiling, broiling, sauteing, frying, and grilling.

    Cooking time is delicate for shrimp and they are at their best when not over cooked.

    A healthy food, shrimp is low in calories and high in levels of omega-3s, calcium, iodine, and protein. Shrimp is also known to be considered good for the circulatory system. *The preparation of the shrimp does impact the caloric count.

    HOW TO OBSERVE FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY

    Enjoy one of the following recipes:

    French Fried Shrimp
    Fried Shrimp

    Use #FrenchFriedShrimpDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar continues to enjoy the tasty research of this

    Shrimp FAQ

    Q. What is the world’s largest shrimp?
    A. The world’s largest species of shrimp is the zebra shrimp.

    Q. What’s the difference between a shrimp and a prawn?
    A. While both shrimp and prawns are crustaceans, there are several differences between the two. One of the more notable differences is that prawns primarily live in freshwater while shrimp primarily live in saltwater. Both animals have segmented bodies. However, each segment of the prawn overlaps the next segment while the head and tail segments overlap the torso on the shrimp. Another difference is the number of claws. Shrimp have two claws while prawns have three.

    Q. Are there other shrimp days on the calendar?
    A. Yes. Check these out:

    December 21st Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History

    1913 

    The New York World newspaper published the first crossword puzzle. Journalist Arthur Wynne of Liverpool, England created the word game they published that day.

    1937 

    Walt Disney released the first full length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

    1968 

    Apollo 8 launches from Cape Kennedy off the coast of Florida with crew members Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders in the first mission to orbit the Moon.

    2015 

    SpaceX completes its first successful vertical ground landing with its Falcon-9 rocket.

    December 21st Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays

    Laurence M. Klauber – 1883

    The former engineer and inventor’s interest in snakes led to a career as a herpetologist – a zoologist specializing in reptiles and amphibians. He contributed numerous specimens to the San Diego Natural History Museum, joined the board of the San Diego Zoo’s Zoological Society’s Board of Trustees, and wrote the authoritative Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind.

    Josh Gibson – 1911

    The power hitter of the Negro Baseball League, Gibson led the league in homers for 10 consecutive seasons. In 1972, the catcher was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    Paul Winchell – 1922

    As a ventriloquist and comedian, Winchell created a career by making voices. Some of his credits include Tigger in many of Disney’s animated Winnie-The-Pooh television series, Mr. Owl in the 1969 Tootsie Pop commercial, and Gargamel in the Smurfs.

    Samuel L. Jackson – 1948

    The incredible filmography of actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson spans three decades. From Pulp Fiction and the Avengers movies to Coach Carter and Shaft, Jackson has received both popular and critical acclaim around the world.

    Chris Evert – 1954

    The world champion tennis player won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995.

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  • ANNE & SAMANTHA DAY – Day of Summer & Winter Solstice

    ANNE AND SAMANTHA DAY

    Celebrated bi-annually on the summer solstice and the winter solstice, Anne and Samantha Day honors Anne Frank and Samantha Smith.

    #AnneSamanthaDay

    Anne Frank

    Anne Frank moved generations with the words she recorded in her diary – the diary of a young Jewish girl. Born June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany, on the cusp of one of the most significant upheavals in world history, she was the second daughter of Otto and Ruth Frank.

    The Frank family fled Nazi Germany for the relative safety of Amsterdam, Netherlands after Germany began its campaign in 1939 by attacking Poland. By 1942, the Netherlands would be occupied by the Nazis as well.

    Weeks after receiving a red checkered diary for her 13th birthday, Anne’s family and the families of her father’s employees were forced into hiding. The year was 1942. Anne and her family survived in hiding in the empty space at the back of her father’s company building. It was here Anne wrote daily. Her diary became a place of solace when despair was overwhelming.

    I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support. ~ Anne Frank

    In August of 1944, betrayal split her family apart, separating the men from the women. The Germans forced the Franks into hard labor under brutal conditions in concentration camps. Her father would be the only family member to survive. He would later discover Anne’s diary left behind.

    Samantha Smith

    The daughter of an instructor of college literature and a social worker, Samantha Smith, was born June 29, 1972.

    When she was ten years old, she sought to understand the Cold War between the United States and Russia by writing a letter to the Soviet leader, Yuri Andropov.

    Dear Mr. Andropov,
    My name is Samantha Smith. I am ten years old. Congratulations on your new job. I have been worrying about Russia and the United States getting into a nuclear war. Are you going to vote to have a war or not? If you aren’t please tell me how you are going to help to not have a war. This question you do not have to answer, but I would like to know why you want to conquer the world or at least our country. God made the world for us to live together in peace and not to fight.
    Sincerely,
    Samantha Smith

    While her letter was published in the Soviet newspaper, Pravda, she did not receive a response from Andropov. Not to be discouraged, she sent a letter to the Soviet Union’s Ambassador to the United States asking if there would be a response from Andropov.

    A Reply

    On April 26, 1983, she received a reply. Andropov addressed each of the young girl’s questions in a lengthy letter which included an invitation to visit the Soviet Union.

    In America and in our country there are nuclear weapons — terrible weapons that can kill millions of people in an instant. But we do not want them to be ever used. That’s precisely why the Soviet Union solemnly declared throughout the entire world that never — never — will it use nuclear weapons first against any country. In general we propose to discontinue further production of them and to proceed to the abolition of all the stockpiles on Earth.  – Yuri Andropov

    Samantha soon became known as “America’s Youngest Ambassador.” She traveled to the Soviet Union and wrote a book about her visit. She traveled the world participating in peacemaking activities and became an actress in the television series Lime Street.

    Her young life was cut short at the age of 13 when the plane she was traveling in crashed on August 25, 1985.

    HOW TO OBSERVE ANNE AND SAMANTHA DAY

    Learn more about these two young women. Read The Diary of a Young Girl or attend a theatre production. Another book to read is Samantha Smith’s Journey to the Soviet Union.

    Send a letter supporting stamps honoring Anne Frank and Samantha Smith.

    Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
    c/o Stamp Development
    U.S. Postal Service
    1735 North Lynn St., Suite 5013
    Arlington, VA 22209-6432

    Use #AnneSamanthaDay to post on social media.

    ANNE AND SAMANTHA DAY HISTORY

    Supporters for postage stamps honoring Ann Frank and Samantha Smith created Anne and Samantha Day.

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  • YULE – Day of Winter Solstice

    YULE

    On the arrival of the Winter Solstice, we observe Yule. 

    #Yule

    Also known as Jul, Yule predates the Christmas holiday by thousands of years. Linguists debate the origin of the word Yule. Some suggest the word is derived from “Iul,” the Anglo-Saxon word for wheel. This makes a connection to a Celtic calendar, the Wheel of the Year. However, in the Norse culture, “Jul” refers to the god, Odin. Odin was celebrated during Yule as well.

    Yule celebrations included bonfires, decorating with holly, mistletoe, and the boughs of evergreen trees, ritual sacrifices, feasts, and gift-giving.

    Many Christmas Traditions Borrowed From Yule

    Many of the traditions we use at Christmastime were borrowed from Yule traditions of old. Whether they are from myths, feasts, folklore, ancient beliefs, oral stories told, or festivals, we have woven them into the fabric of our modern-day customs. Do you recognize any Christmas traditions borrowed from Yule?

    • The midwinter feast usually lasted 12 days.
    • Vikings decorated evergreen trees with gifts such as food, carvings, and food for the tree spirits to encourage them to return in the spring.
    • Mistletoe combined with a mother’s tears resurrected her son, the God of Light and Goodness, in a Viking myth. The Celts believe Mistletoe possessed healing powers as well and would ward off evil spirits.
    • In Norse tradition, Old Man Winter visited homes to join the festivities. The Viking god, Odin was described as a wanderer with a long white beard and is considered the first Father Christmas.
    • Viking children left their shoes out by the hearth on the eve of the winter solstice with sugar and hay for Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.
    • Children traipsed from house to house with gifts of apples and oranges spiked with cloves and resting in baskets lined with evergreen boughs.
    • The Yule log was a whole tree meant to be burned for 12 days in the hearth. The Celts believed the sun stood still during the winter solstice. They thought by keeping the Yule log burning for these 12 days encouraged the sun to move, making the days longer. The largest end would be fed into the hearth, wine poured over it. They lit it with the remains of the previous year’s Yule log. Everyone took turns feeding the length of timber into the fire as it burned. Letting it burn out would bring bad luck.

    HOW TO OBSERVE YULE

    Share your observations, stories, and traditions related to the holiday. Examine your holiday traditions and compare them to those of yuletide. Where do they cross and blend? Explore the history and lore of Yule. Read Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison for more insight. 

    Share other traditions we missed and use #Yule to post on social media.

    YULE HISTORY

    While we observe the winter solstice around the world, Germanic cultures of northern and western Europe primarily celebrated Yule. At the midpoint of winter, they celebrated the rebirth of the sun and the light it would bring to the Earth.

    DATES
    December 21, 2019
    Check back in 2031 for a date change. 

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  • WINTER SOLSTICE – Day Between December 20 and 23

    WINTER SOLSTICE

    The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs annually between December 20th and December 23rd.

    #WinterSolstice

    The winter solstice is marked by the point at which the North Pole is at its farthest from the sun during its yearly orbit around the sun. It will be approximately 23 degrees away from the sun. Despite the temperature outside, the winter solstice is considered the astronomical beginning of winter. Meteorological winter begins December 1st and lasts until the end of February. It’s marked by the coldest average temperatures during the year.

    Depending on how far north a person is in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter, their day can range from 9.5 hours to absolutely no sunrise at all.  On the bright side, the days will gradually become longer in the Northern Hemisphere until the summer solstice in June. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same day marks the summer solstice and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year.

    The vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox conventionally mark the beginning of spring and fall respectively and occur when night and day are approximately equal in length.

    Around the world since ancient times to modern-day, celebrations, festivals, rituals, and holidays recognizing the winter solstice have varied from culture to culture.

    HOW TO OBSERVE WINTER SOLSTICE

    Winter lovers, enjoy the shortest day of the year. Those longing for more sunlight, prepare to celebrate. Longer days are ahead. Use #WinterSolstice to post on social media.

    WINTER SOLSTICE HISTORY

    Since the marking of time and the earliest calendars, this day marked the hardest time of the year for early people.  Survival was paramount when food and heat are not reliable.  In all corners of the Earth, there are ancient remains that seem to have been built around marking the winter solstice.

    • Probably the most famous of these is Stonehenge, England. Every year when the sun sets on the winter solstice, the sun’s rays align with two of the giant stones known as the central Altar and the Slaughter stone.
    • As the sun rises the day of the winter solstice, its rays illuminate the main chambers of the monument dating back to 3200 B.C. at Newgrange, Ireland.
    • In Tulum, Mexico an ancient Mayan city stands deserted. At the top of one of these buildings, a small hole casts a starburst when the sun rises on the winter and summer solstices.

    There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!

    Solstice FAQ

    Q. What’s the difference between a solstice and an equinox?
    A. A solstice marks the Sun’s farthest and nearest points from the Equator. An equinox marks the point where the Sun is directly over the Earth’s equator and an equal distance from the north and south poles. There are two solstices (winter and summer) and two equinoxes (vernal and autumnal).

    Q. What’s the difference between meteorological seasons and astronomical seasons?
    A. Astronomical seasons are determined by the amount of sunlight hitting the Earth. Meteorological seasons are based on the weather on Earth including temperature and types of precipitation.

    DATES
    December 21, 2021
    Check back in 2031 for a date change. 

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  • PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY – December 21

    PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY

    Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day on December 21st commemorates a date in fictional history. In the classic novel, Around the World in 80 Days by French Novelist, Jules Verne, December 21st is the date illustrious main character Phileas Fogg must complete his challenge to win a wager of £20,000.

    #PhileasFoggWinAWagerDay

    During an argument about the possibility of traveling around the world in 80 days, Phileas Fogg is challenged by fellow members of the Reform Club to do just that. He accepts the wager of £20,000 (equal to about £1.5 million today).

    He departs on his with his newly hired valet, Passepartout at 8:45 P.M. on Wednesday, October 2, 1872. In order to win the wager, he must arrive back at the Reform Club at the same time on Saturday, December 21, 1872.

    As you can imagine, Fogg and his valet encounter many trials, obstacles, and adventures along the way. Does Phileas Fogg win a wager? Explore the novels of Jules Vern including the novel Around the World In 80 Days. You just might find adventure where you least expect it. 

    HOW TO OBSERVE PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY

    Start reading Around the World in Eighty Days. Learn about the wager and the travels of Phileas Fogg. Of course, today it’s possible to travel around the world in less than 80 days. Not only has navigation improved, but the way we travel has also improved. If you were to travel around the world, which mode would you choose? Tell us using #PhileasFoggWinAWagerDay to post on social media.

    We wager that you would love some real-life around the world adventures – like these 7 Thrilling Trips Around the World.

    PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY HISTORY

    December 21st is the anniversary of the day Phileas Fogg was due back at the Reform Club to win his wager.  While National Day Calendar has not identified the founder of Phileas Fog Win a Wager Day, we’ll wager they’re a Jules Verne fan. 

    Phileas Fogg FAQ

    Q. Did Jules Verne create steampunk?
    A. No, but he sure inspired it. Jules Verne’s imaginative characters and inventions predate the use of the term “steampunk.” His combination of Victorian styles and technology that did not yet exist is the essence of steampunk.

    Q. How many ways modes of transportation did Phileas Fogg use to travel around the world?
    A. Fogg used every means available in 1872. Besides train and steamer ship, he also travels by elephant, wind-powered sledge, carriage, and foot.

     

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  • NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS’ REMEMBRANCE DAY – First Day of Winter

    NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS’ REMEMBRANCE DAY

    National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day on the first day of winter remembers those in the homeless community who have died the previous year. The day reminds us to honor them and remember the life they lived. 

    #HomelessPersonsRemembranceDay

    Homelessness is a year-round concern for many. Winter increases the anxiety associated with finding shelter. During the holidays, the media focus their attention on raising awareness and improving opportunities. It’s an ideal time to garner a public forum for the issue, and local groups are encouraged to seek out and work with their local media outlets to publicize the event.

    From state to state, the quality and availability of homeless shelters vary. The number of homeless in each state will vary as well. However, according to endhomelessness.org, 553,742 people experience homelessness on a given night. Unsheltered homelessness is increasing.  

    Many of their families don’t know where they are. When they become sick or injured and they die in an ER or in the street, their families don’t know. Sometimes, they left for a reason or had nowhere else to go. No matter what their story was, they deserve a ceremony to remember them.

    HOW TO OBSERVE HOMELESS PERSONS’ REMEMBRANCE DAY

    The day encourages local groups across the country to determine the number of homeless persons in their community who died in the previous year. Arrange a ceremony to remember them. Candlelight marches, vigils, graveside services, plays and performances, religious services, and public policy advocacy are the suggested ways of remembering. Some groups have read publicly a list of names of the deceased. Use #HomelessPersons’RemembranceDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS’ REMEMBRANCE DAY HISTORY

    Since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council have sponsored National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day to bring attention to the plight of the nation’s homeless population and to encourage the public to act on their behalf.

    CONTACTS:
    National Coalition for the Homeless
    2201 P St. N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20037
    202-462-4822; fax: 202-462-4823

    Homeless FAQ

    Q. What causes homelessness?
    A. Many factors can come together to cause a person or family to become homeless. Violence in the home, addiction, mental illness, or living paycheck to paycheck can all be a prescription for homelessness.

    Q. Is there a solution to homelessness?
    A. Communities and governments have taken several approaches to solve the issue of homelessness. Some communities have taken a Housing First approach. Housing first policies support individuals and families from shelter to transitional to permanent housing. Having an address where one is safe and secure is a foundation of beginning again. Another method of addressing homelessness is called the “systems approach.” This method requires the coordination of services, programs, and services to reduce or prevent homelessness. Some of the areas in this coordinated effort include housing, healthcare, education, treatment programs, and more.

    DATES
    December 21, 2019
    Check back in 2031 for a date change. 

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  • HUMBUG DAY – December 21

    HUMBUG DAY

    Humbug Day on December 21st recognizes the Ebenezers, the Scrooges, grinches, and curmudgeons who suck the joy out of the holiday season.

    #HumbugDay

    Sometimes, even the most joyous of us all get bitten by the hum-bug. Regardless, it’s essential to do our best to remember all those who suffer from it the most. Spread some joy their way and bring the holiday spirit into their lives. However, the day was created to express our frustrations, to let the Scrooge in all of us out, and let him reveal himself. Whether we declare it through a humbug or two or just avoid the people-y places, the day gives us a break from the hustle and bustle of activity that comes with the season.

    It’s a stressful time of year for many reasons. Some of us may be lonely, and others may feel pressure to do more than is humanly possible. We may also set our own expectations quite high, too. As a result, the stresses of the holiday season pile up, leaving us feeling a bit like Scrooge.

    HOW TO OBSERVE HUMBUG DAY

    The day is an excellent time to both express our Scrooginess and also take stock of our expectations. Perhaps there’s room to simplify this holiday and lessen our load. When we do, we might find a way to replenish our joy and spread a little, too. Use #HumbugDay to post on social media.

    You can also look for 14 Ways to Foster Happiness in Your Life instead. It’s up to you.

    HUMBUG DAY HISTORY

    Thomas and Ruth Roy at Wellcat.com created Humbug Day.

    Humbug FAQ

    Q. What does Scrooge mean when he says “Bah. Humbug!”?
    A. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge’s oft-repeated phrase, “Bah. Humbug!” or “Humbug!” was used to show his disagreement or to deny what his eyes were seeing. Humbug was used seven times in the novella. However the combined phrase of “Bah. Humbug!” was only used twice. After Ebenezer’s visit with Marley’s ghost, “humbug” was never utter by the curmudgeonly old man again.

    Q. Do other books use the word “humbug”?
    A. Yes. In fact, it is used more often in Frank L. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz than it is in A Christmas Carol.

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  • CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY – December 21

    CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY

    Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21st commemorates the birth of a challenging word game enjoyed by millions worldwide.  

    #CrosswordPuzzleDay

    Printers published the first crossword puzzles in England in children’s books and other publications. They were simple word games derived from the word squares where letters were arranged in a square so that the words read the same across and down.

    The object of a crossword puzzle is to fill in the white spaces of a grid with the correct words using the clues provided. Black spaces separate individual words. The clues to more challenging puzzles read like riddles, making the game more complex.

    Many tout the benefits of crossword puzzles. Not only are they fun, but challenging crossword puzzles may help delay the effects of dementia or sharpen the brain for problem-solving. They can also increase vocabulary and even relieve the mind from the day’s stress by focusing on something other than worldly problems.

    HOW TO OBSERVE CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY

    Buy a crossword book or find one online. Then, enjoy some popcorn while you puzzle your way through your favorite crossword! We also suggest these fun ways to celebrate:

    • Try completing different types of crossword puzzles like a cipher or a cryptic.
    • Are you bi-lingual or learning a new language? Consider completing a crossword puzzle in your second language. 
    • Challenge someone to a race. Earn bragging rights for completing your puzzle first.
    • Try your hand at creating a crossword puzzle. Sometimes forming the clues is more challenging than the puzzle framework. 
    • If you create your own crossword, see if you can fit a loved one’s name into it. 
    • Challenge yourself to complete a puzzle a day.

    Use #CrosswordPuzzleDay to post on social media.

    Educators, check out Week 15 of the National Day Calendar Classroom for a lesson designed for you. 

    CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY HISTORY

    Journalist Arthur Wynne from Liverpool receives credit as the inventor of the word game we know today. He created what is considered the first known published crossword puzzle. The puzzle appeared in the December 21, 1913, edition of the New York World newspaper.

    Crossword FAQ

    Q. What do we call the people who make the crossword puzzles?
    A. A cruciverbalist is someone skilled at making or who enjoys solving crossword puzzles. Crossword puzzle writers also call themselves constructors.

    Q. When is National Scrabble Day?
    A. National Scrabble Day is April 13.

    Q. What is the longest word ever used in a crossword puzzle?
    A. The longest word ever used in a crossword puzzle is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. It’s the name of Welsh town and was used by Roger Squires, a prolific crossword puzzle creator. Telford Wrekin News published the puzzle in its July 1979 edition.

     

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