Today is Monday, December 26th, 2011 

Kwanzaa

The week-long celebration of Kwanzaa begins today! This holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to honor African American heritage. It reflects upon and celebrates seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. 

Each day of the celebration, a candle is lit on the Kinara. Today, on the first day of Kwanzaa, a black candle is lit to symbolize the people. To the left of the black candle are three red candles, representing the people's struggles. To the right of the black candle are three green candles, symbolizing the people's hope for the future. The candles are lit from left to right, one candle for each day of the celebration.

Celebrate African American culture, send free Kwanzaa eCards, and enjoy the festive meals and gift-giving!

Today is also Boxing Day & National Candy Cane Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for December 26 1776 - The British suffered a major defeat in the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. 1865 - The coffee percolator was patented by James H. Mason. 1917 - During World War I, the U.S. government took over operation of the nation's railroads. 1921 - The Catholic Irish Free State became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain. 1944 - Tennessee Williams' play "The Glass Menagerie" was first performed publicly, at the Civic Theatre in Chicago, IL. 1947 - Heavy snow blanketed the Northeast United States, burying New York City under 25.8 inches of snow in 16 hours. The severe weather was blamed for about 80 deaths. 1982 - The Man of the Year in TIME magazine was a computer. It was the first time a non-human received the honors.

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"Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one's own way to the highest, to one's own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one's ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication."

--Algernon Black

Today is Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 

Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice! Autumn has officially come to an end. The winter solstice occurs when the sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance from the hemisphere, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. For the Northern Hemisphere, this usually occurs between December 21 – 23 each year. In the Southern Hemisphere it takes place between June 20 – 23.

Did you know that the word “solstice” means, “sun stands still”? This seasonal milestone has been celebrated since ancient times. The Romans, for example, honored Saturn, the god of time and harvest, with a weeklong feast called Saturnalia.

While the traditions surrounding the winter solstice differ from culture to culture, most recognize it as a symbol of rebirth. Various festivals, gatherings, and rituals take place today worldwide. To celebrate the winter solstice, attend a local festival or spend time with your friends and family around a cozy fire.

Today is also National Date Nut Bread Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for December 22 1864 - During the American Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman sent a message to U.S. President Lincoln from Georgia. The message read, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah." 1895 - German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray. It was of his wife's hand. 1944 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrived in Washington for a wartime conference with U.S. President Roosevelt.

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"The entire sum of existence is the magic of being needed by just one person."

--Agnes Repplier

Today is Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 

Forefathers Day

It’s Forefathers Day! On this day, we celebrate the anniversary of the pilgrims’ landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 21, 1620. This holiday is also sometimes celebrated on the 22^nd instead of the 21^st due to a calendar mix-up that occurred hundreds of years ago!

Did you know that the Mayflower originally landed on the shores of Cape Cod in mid-November? The pilgrims waited almost a month before sailing to the mainland.

Today, celebrate our forefathers with stories of the pilgrims. You can even get your family together to reenact this legendary moment in history. Happy Forefathers Day!

Today is also Kiwi Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for December 21 1620 - The "Mayflower," and its passengers, pilgrims from England, landed at Plymouth Rock, MA. 1879 - Ibsen's A Doll's House was first performed in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a revised happy ending. 1913 - The "New York World" Sunday edition included a crossword puzzle as an added feature of the "Fun" supplement. It was the first crossword puzzle to be published. 1937 - Walt Disney debuted the first, full-length, animated feature in Hollywood, CA. The movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 1968 - Apollo 8 was launched on a mission to orbit the moon. 1995 - The city of Bethlehem passed from Israeli to Palestinian control.

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"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."

--Anne Frank