Today is Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Hanukkah
Tonight at sundown marks the beginning of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights!
Hanukkah
starts on a different day each year according to the Western calendar,
but it always begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. The
word “Hanukkah” means dedication or induction, and the holiday signifies
the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees
revolted against Alexander, Antiochus IV and his persecution of the
Jews.
According
to the Talmud, at the time of the rededication there was only enough
oil left to burn the eternal flame in the temple for one day. It lasted
for eight days—just the amount of time needed to make a fresh supply of
oil. Hence, it is tradition at Hanukkah to light a candle on the menorah
for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles at nightfall, playing dreidel, sending a free Hanukkah eCard, or eating some delicious potato latkes! Happy Hanukkah!
Today is also
National Sangria Day & Go Caroling Day & National Fried Shrimp Day
December is
National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month
mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/
for December 20 1803 - The United States purchased the Louisiana Territories from France for $15 million. 1880 - New York's Broadway became known as the "Great White Way" when it was lighted by electricity. 1928 - Mail delivery by dog sled began in Lewiston, ME. 1946 - The Frank Capra film "It's A Wonderful" Life had a preview showing for charity at New York City's Globe Theatre, a day before its "official" world premiere. 1963 - The Berlin Wall was opened for the first time. It was only for the holiday season. It closed again on January 6, 1964. |
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"The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide."
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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