DIANE'S CORNER ...

Celebrate Forefathers' Day

Few things are more important to Americans than heritage. Remembering where you come from, and how hard you’ve worked to get where you are are all integral parts of the concept of the American dream.

report this ad

For those reasons, no holiday could be more American in nature than Forefathers’ Day, a holiday that celebrates the first ever pilgrims courageously sailing across the vast ocean they knew very little about at the time, in search of a better life and freedom from religious prosecution.

When they set foot on the shores of North America, they themselves were the beginning of a new country that would one day become a world superpower. Now that’s definitely an event worth celebrating.

History of Forefathers’ Day

Forefathers’ Day is a commemoration of the pilgrims who sailed the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Mayflower, in 1620. As they had left England in search of better days, the Pilgrim Fathers settled on US territory, which they subsequently christened New England.

And as they had set sail from Plymouth, England, they decided to give their landing spot the whimsical name of Plymouth Rock. Therefore, Forefathers’ Day is a holiday celebrated mainly in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 22. The holiday was introduced to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1769, so it has quite a long history and tradition.

However, the joyous occasion was first celebrated in 1769, because 149 years after the forefathers actually arrived in North America, some descendants decided to gather for a feast in honor of their ancestors, who would have been their great-great-grandfathers.

Word of the Day

minibar

Definition:

(noun) Sideboard with compartments for holding bottles.

Synonyms:

cellaret

Usage:

Kevin pulled several bottles of wine from his minibar to serve to his guests.

Idiom of the Day

be the business

— To be exceptionally great, excellent, high-quality, or skillful. Primarily heard in UK, Ireland.

This Day in History

Environmental Activist Chico Mendes Is Assassinated (1988)

Image result for Environmental Activist Chico Mendes Is Assassinated (1988)

Since 1985, swaths of the Amazon region have been cleared for cattle ranching and farming on an unprecedented scale. Mendes, a Brazilian environmental activist and unionist, fought to stop the deforestation. He managed to keep local rancher Darly Alves da Silva from clearing an area designated as a reserve, even facilitating a warrant for da Silva's arrest, but it was never acted upon, and da Silva was implicated in Mendes's 1988 assassination.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960)

A 1980s art star whose rise and fall were rapid, dramatic, and emblematic of the era, Basquiat started out as a street artist before being "discovered" by the art establishment. He created vigorously spontaneous works in paint, collage, and crayon on unprimed canvas that featured crude, angry, rawly powerful figures and graffiti-like text. He died of an overdose at 27, just a few years after meeting with mainstream success.

Forefathers' Day

Observed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and by various New England societies throughout the country, Forefathers' Day commemorates the landing of the Pilgrims, who arrived in 1620 on the Mayflower and established the second English colony in North America. The Old Colony Club of Plymouth was the first group to observe the anniversary in 1769, and members still celebrate Forefathers' Day on December 22. Wearing top hats and led by a drummer, they march down the main street of Plymouth. After firing a small cannon, they return to their Club for breakfast and toasts to the Pilgrims.

Homo sapiens emerged as a species about 200,000 years ago and began speaking to each other with words about 100,000 years later — and in the build-up, created fantastical, multi-dimensional art.

READ MORE:

The "Sounds" of Cave Paintings Were the Origin of Human Language

1858 - Composer Giacomo Puccini was born.

Image result for 1864 - During the American Civil War, Union Gen. 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."

1864 - During the American Civil War, Union Gen. 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."

1877 - The "American Bicycling Journal" went on sale for the first time.

Image result for 1895 - German physicist Wilhelm RÃ¶ntgen made the first X-ray, of his wife's hand.

1895 - German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray, of his wife's hand.

1956 - Colo, the first gorilla to be born in captivity, was born at the Columbus, Ohio zoo.

Image result for 1961 - James Davis became the first U.S. soldier to die in Vietnam, while U.S. involvement was still limited to the provision of military advisers.

1961 - James Davis became the first U.S. soldier to die in Vietnam, while U.S. involvement was still limited to the provision of military advisers.

Image result for 1976 - The last show of "Letâ€™s Make A Deal" was aired.

Image result for 1976 - The last show of "Letâ€™s Make A Deal" was aired.

1976 - The last show of "Let’s Make A Deal" was aired.

Image result for 1981 - A rock 'n' roll auction in London brought in $2,000 for a letter of introduction from Buddy Holly to Decca Records. John and Cynthia Lennonâ€™s marriage certificate was sold for $850 and an autographed program from the world premiere of the Beatles film "Help!" brought in $2,100.

1981 - A rock 'n' roll auction in London brought in $2,000 for a letter of introduction from Buddy Holly to Decca Records. John and Cynthia Lennon’s marriage certificate was sold for $850 and an autographed program from the world premiere of the Beatles film "Help!" brought in $2,100.

Image result for 1984 - New York City resident Bernhard Goetz shot four black youths on a Manhattan subway. Goetz claimed they were about to rob him.

1984 - New York City resident Bernhard Goetz shot four black youths on a Manhattan subway. Goetz claimed they were about to rob him.

Image result for 1990 - Lech Walesa was sworn in as Poland's first popularly elected president.

Image result for 1990 - Lech Walesa was sworn in as Poland's first popularly elected president.

1990 - Lech Walesa was sworn in as Poland's first popularly elected president.

Related image

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, December 22

You are an emotional person who is very connected to your past. You are exceptionally giving and supportive, sometimes to the point of martyrdom! You have to try not to feel resentful for all that you do for others by keeping this trait in balance. You would make an excellent counselor. Your love life is likely very changeful. You are extremely hard-working and few can do the job as well as you. Sometimes you are impatient with others who don't seem to have the same work ethic as you, but you must understand that few do! You can be a perfectionist. You are a wonderful combination of conservative and creative or inspired. Famous people born today:

1856 Frank Kellogg, US Secretary of State (1925-29), tried to outlaw war (Nobel 1929), born in Potsdam, New York (d. 1937)

1858 Giacomo Puccini, Italian opera composer (La bohème, Tosca, Madame Butterfly), born in Lucca, Italy (d. 1924)

Guitarist of the Bee Gees Maurice Gibb

1949 Maurice Gibb, English rocker (Bee Gees-Saturday Night Fever), born in Douglas, Isle of Man (d. 2003)

Singer-songwriter Robin Gibb

1949 Robin Gibb, English rocker (Bee Gees-Saturday Night Fever), born in Douglas, Isle of Man (d. 2012)

Actor Ralph Fiennes

1962 Ralph Fiennes, English actor (Schindler's List, The English Patient), born in Ipswich, Suffolk

Surfer Gabriel Medina

1993 Gabriel Medina, Brazilian professional surfer (World Champion 2014), born in São Sebastião, São Paulo

Image result for christmas birthday gifs

READERS INFO

Starting December 22 -

The Ursids meteor shower will peak

Starting in the evening of Dec. 22 through the next day’s dawn, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Ursids meteor shower.

In 2018, the Ursids will peak on the night between Dec 22–23

December Meteor Shower

The Ursids meteor shower is active annually between December 17 and December 24. The shower usually peaks around December 23. At its peak, observers may be able to view as many as 10 meteors in an hour.

Named After Ursa Minor

The shower is named the Ursids because the meteors seem to radiate from the direction of the constellation Ursa Minor in the sky. The Ursids are associated with the 8P/Tuttle comet.

How to See the Ursids

You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map with a visibility conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize your shooting star viewing experience.

Find a secluded viewing spot, away from the city lights. Once at the venue, your eyes may take 15 to 20 minutes to get used to the dark.
Dress for the weather, and make sure you are comfortable, especially if you plan to stay out long. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair with you—meteor watching can be a waiting game.
Once you have found your viewing spot, lie down on the ground and look up in the direction of the radiant.

Christmas Village in Baltimore 2018

Nov 22 - Dec 24, 2018 | Baltimore, MD

West Shore Park|501 Light St

Imagine walking through a little village, thousands of twinkling lights strung up all around you, the smell of sweet gingerbread wafting through the air, and the sound of laughter and soft holiday music filling your ears. That warm feeling that washes over you is exactly what you'll get at the Christmas Village in Baltimore. Spend the holiday season in the village getting all of your shopping done and eating as much delicious food that your stomach can take!

further information: http://www.baltimore-christmas.com/

Charlotte Christmas Village and Christkindlmarkt 2018

Nov 22 - Dec 24, 2018 | Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Christmas Village|N Tryon St & W 7th St

The Charlotte Christmas Village and Christkindlmarkt is a true holiday gem. Uptown in the Romare Bearden Park you'll find a traditional German-inspired market sure to bring out all of the warm and fuzzy feels. Take a walk through the village, browse all that the vendors have to offer, and try some of the delicious German treats. The Queen City definitely doesn't disappoint when spreading the Christmas cheer!

further information: Calendar

Starry Starry Nights 2018

Nov 23 - Dec 31, 2018 | Llano, TX

Badu Park|300 Legion Dr

Starry Starry Nights in Llano, Texas, starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs until the end of the year. Colorful twinkling lights are strung along the Llano River and through Christmas Park, creating a festive glowing landscape for the whole family to enjoy. There are also animated displays, a lighted Christmas Parade with decorated floats and a Snow Day where children can come have fun in the snow!

further information: Starry Starry Nights Lighted Christmas Park

Related image

Pictures of the day

The Wilton Diptych is a small portable diptych of two Baltic oak panels, painted on both sides, set in frames of the same material and joined by two hinges. Dating from around 1395–1399, it is an extremely rare survival of a late Medieval religious panel painting from England. The diptych was painted for King Richard II, who is depicted kneeling before the Virgin and Child in what is known as a donor portrait. He is presented to them by his patron saint, John the Baptist, and by the English royal saints Edward the Confessor and Edmund the Martyr. The inner faces of the panels are in excellent condition for their age, though some glazes have been lost, but the outer faces have paint losses from handling. This picture shows the righthand panel of the inside of the diptych, with the Virgin and Child.

EARLY BIRD