Calendar

Dec 1, 1891. James Naismith was a teacher of physical education at the International YMCA Training School at Springfield, MA. To create an indoor sport that could be played during the winter months, he nailed[...]

Dec 1, 1941. The Director of Civilian Defense, former New York Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, signed a formal order creating the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a US Air Force Auxiliary. The CAP has a three-part[...]

On the first day of each month, the genealogy community is urged to back up their genealogy data and all computer data.   Image courtesy of Pixabay.com, CC0.

Dec 1, 1955. Anniversary of the arrest of Rosa Parks, at Montgomery, AL, for refusing to give up her seat and move to the back of a municipal bus. Her arrest triggered a yearlong boycott[...]

In 1988, the World Health Organization designated the first of December as World AIDS Day, a day to remember those lost to the AIDS pandemic.

Dec 2, 1982. Barney C. Clark, 61, became the first recipient of a permanent artificial heart. The operation was performed at the University of Utah Medical Center at Salt Lake City. Near death at the[...]

Dec 2, 1859. Abolitionist leader who is remembered for his raid on the US Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Brown was hanged for treason at Charles Town, WV.

Dec 2, 1923. Soprano born Maria Anna Sofia Cecilia Kalogeropoulos to Greek immigrant parents at New York, NY. One of the most prominent artists of the 20th century, La Divina led the postwar revival of[...]

Dec 2, 1823. President James Monroe, in his annual message toCongress, enunciated the doctrine that bears his name and that was long hailed as a statement of US policy: In the wars of the European[...]

Dec 2, 1901. American King Camp Gillette designed the first razor with disposable blades. Up until this time, men shaved with a straight-edge razor that they sharpened on a leather strap.

Dec 3, 1927. The embodiment of easy listening as both a genre and way of life, Andy Williams made a career out of smooth balladry and clean-cut entertainment. Born at Wall Lake, IA, Williams sang[...]

Dec 3, 1984. At Bhopal, India, a leak of deadly gas (methyl isocyanate) at a Union Carbide Corp plant killed more than 4,000 persons and injured more than 200,000 in the worlds worst industrial accident.

Celebrated the first Saturday in December, Chester Greenwood Day honors the inventor of the ear muff!

Dec 3, 1967. Dr. Christiaan Barnard, a South African surgeon, performed the worlds first successful heart transplantation at Cape Town, South Africa.

On 3 December 1818, Illinois was admitted as the 21st state in the Union.

Dec 4, 1981. This nighttime serial was set in California wine country and originally focused on Angela Channing’s determined efforts to gain control of the Falcon Crest vineyard and winery; later in the nine-year run[...]

Dec 4. On this day, traditionally the feast day of St. Barbara, a young girl places a twig from a cherry tree in a glass of water. If it blooms by Christmas Eve, she is[...]

On 4 December 1786, the first organized agricultural movement, the National Grange, was founded.

Dec 6, 1865. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, abolishing slavery in the US. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, save as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,[...]

Dec 6, 1920. With his innovative and forever intuitive sound as both a pianist and composer, Dave Brubeck became one of the biggest stars of American jazz in the 1950s and 60s, at a time[...]

Dec 6. One of the most venerated saints of both Eastern and Western Christian churches, of whose life little is known, except that he was Bishop of Myra (in what is todays Turkey) in the[...]

Dec 6, 1917. More than 1,650 people were killed at Halifax when the Norwegian ship Imo plowed into the French munitions ship Mont Blanc.Mont Blanc was loaded with 4,000 tons of TNT, 2,300 tons of[...]

Dec 6, 1811. New Madrid, MO. Most prolonged series of earthquakes in US history occurred not in California, but in the Midwest. Lasted until Feb 12, 1812. There were few deaths because of the sparse[...]

Dec 6. In appreciation, honor and remembrance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of miners. To provide a sober reminder of the risks that miners are routinely exposed to in their work and to set aside[...]

Dec 7, 1941. At 7: 55 AM (local time) Dec 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy, nearly 200 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, long considered the US Gibraltar of the Pacific.[...]

A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic church, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception honors the conception of the Virgin Mary byher mother Anne.

Dec 8, 1980. On this date deranged gunman Mark David Chapman shot and killed rock star John Lennon outside his apartment building as he returned from a recording session. The death of the former Beatle,[...]

Dec 8, 1991. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) ceased to exist, as the republics of Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine signedan agreement at Minsk, Byelorussia, creating the Commonwealth of Independent States. The remaining republics,[...]

The United States entered World War II with declarations of waron Japan on 8 December 1941. A declaration of war on Germany would follow on 11 December 1941.

Dec 9, 1960. One of the UKs longest-running television series, Coronation Street depicts the working-class denizens of a neighborhoodin Manchester, England. Created by Tony Warren, this soap is a cultural touchstone, and show story lines[...]

Dec 9, 1792. The first formal cremation of a human body in America took place near Charleston, SC. Henry Laurens, colonial statesman and signer of the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War, in his[...]

Dec 9, 1906. Born at New York, NY. When she retired from the US Navy at the age of 79, she was the oldest naval officer ever on active duty. She attained the rank of[...]

Dec 10, 1815. Born London, England, the only legitimate child of Romantic poet Lord Byron, Lovelace was an applied mathematician and author of the worlds first detailed description of a computer in her work Notes,[...]

Human Rights Day is on 10 December each year, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Dec 10, 1898. Following the conclusion of the Spanish-AmericanWar in 1898, American and Spanish ambassadors met at Paris, France, to negotiate a treaty. Under the terms of this treaty, Spain granted the US the Philippine[...]

Dec 11, 1936. Christened Edward Albert Christian George AndrewPatrick David, King Edward VIII was born at Richmond Park, England, on June 12, 1894, and became Prince of Wales in July 1911. He ascended to the[...]

Dec 12, 1863. Born at Lten, Norway, Munch was a painter andprintmaker whose work influenced the development of German Expressionism. Munchs use of bold lines, violent imagery and blunt sexuality shocked conventional society, but he[...]

Dec 13. Gingerbread decorating is a classic holiday tradition for all ages: few things can serve as a more festive centerpiece than a gingerbread house. Decorating gingerbread houses is easy and brings the whole family[...]

Dec 13. The horse is a living link to the heritage and history of our nation and represents a common bond among all peoples who led the way in building our country. Today, the horse[...]

Dec 12. The legend of Guadalupe tells how in December 1531, anIndian, Juan Diego, saw the Virgin Mother on a hill near Mexico City. She instructed him to go to the bishop and have him[...]

Dec 12. A day to enjoy poinsettias and to honor Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the American diplomat who introduced into the US the Central American plant that is named for him. Poinsett was born at[...]

In Sweden, Saint Lucia day is a national holiday – a celebration of the festival of light. Young girls dress as Saint Lucia, with a headdress of candles serving guests coffee and lussekatter (saffron buns).

Dec 13, 1991. North and South Korea signed a treaty of reconciliation and nonaggression, formally ending the Korean War 38 years after fighting ceased in 1953. This agreement was not hailed as a peace treaty,[...]

Dec 13 January 1938. The Rape of Nanking began after the Japanese took Nanking during the Sino-Japanese War. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers, civilians and women were murdered or raped.Editors ofChase’s Calendar of Events[...]

Dec 14, 1799. The first president of the US died at his home at Mount Vernon, VA, shortly before midnight. He had battled a sudden acute respiratory infection and been bled four times. I die[...]

The Halcyon Days are traditionally the seven days before and the seven days after the Winter Solstice – a time of calm and tranquility.

Dec 14, 1911. The elusive object of many expeditions dating from the 17th century, the South Pole was located and visited by Roald Amundsen with four companions and 52 sled dogs. All five men and[...]

Dec 15, 1791. The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution,known as the Bill of Rights, became effective following ratification by Virginia. The anniversary of ratification and of effect is observed as Bill of Rights[...]

If you can say that your job or even your life is like tryingto herd cats, then this day is for you with our sympathy.

Dec 15, 1939. One of the 20th centurys biggest film blockbusters premiered on this date in Atlanta, GA. Based on Margaret Mitchells bestselling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel of Civil War passions, the film starred[...]

Dec 16, 1864. On the second day of battle at Nashville, Uniontroops defeated Confederate forces under General John B. Hood, essentially knocking the Confederate Army of Tennessee out of the war.

Dec 16, 1944. A German offensive was launched in the Belgian Ardennes Forest, where Hitler had managed to concentrate 250,000 men. The Nazi commanders, hoping to minimize any aerial counterattack by the Allies, chose a[...]

Dec 16, 1770. Regarded by many as the greatest orchestral composer of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven was born at Bonn, Germany. Impairment of his hearing began before he was 30, but even total deafness[...]

Dec 16, 1773. Anniversary of Boston patriots boarding of British vessel at anchor at Boston Harbor. Contents of nearly 350 chests of teawere dumped into the harbor.

Dec 17, 1843. This holiday classic by Charles Dickens was published in a print run of 6,000 copies that sold out in one week. By Jan 6,1844, another 2,000 were sold. The reformation of Ebenezer[...]

Dec 17, 1903. Orville and Wilbur Wright, brothers, bicycle-shop operators, inventors and aviation pioneers, after three years of experimentation with kites and gliders, achieved the first documented successful powered and controlled flights of an airplane.[...]

he was the first African American to graduate from West Point in the 20th century; he led the first all-black air unit, the 99th Pursuit Squadron (the Tuskegee Airmen), in WWII; he helped plan the[...]

Dec 18, 1886. One of the all-time-great baseball players. Bornat Narrows, GA, Cobb had a lifetime batting average of .367 compiled over 24 years, during which he played in more than 3,000 games mostly for[...]

On the Monday following the second Wednesday in December in presidential election years, the Electors formally cast their ballots for president and vice president of the US, meeting in their respective state capitals. The Electors[...]

Dec 20, 1860. South Carolinas legislature voted to secede from the US, the first state to do so. Within six weeks, five more states seceded. On Feb 4, 1861, representatives from the six states met[...]

Dec 20, 1606. Three small ships, the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, commanded by Captain Christopher Newport, departed London, England, bound for America, where the royally chartered Virginia Companys approximately 120 persons established the first[...]

Dec 21, 1913. The first crossword puzzle was compiled by Arthur Wynne and published in a supplement to the New York World.

Dec 21, 1988. Pan Am World Airways Flight 103 exploded in midair and crashed into the heart of Lockerbie, Scotland, the result of a terrorist bombing. The 259 passengers and crew members and 11 persons[...]

On 21 December 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, present-day Massachusetts, aboard the Mayflower.

Dec 21 Mar 20, 2017. In the Northern Hemisphere winter beginstoday with the winter solstice, at 5:44 AM, EST. Note that in the Southern Hemisphere today is the beginning of summer. Between the equator and[...]

Dec 22, 1952. Named by a three-year-old after watching a test broadcast of the opening sequence (a hand ringing a bell), Ding Dong School was one of the first childrens educational series. Miss Frances (Dr.[...]

Dec 22, 1858. Italian composer of such operas as La Boheme, Tosca and Madama Butterfly. Born at Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, he died Nov 29, 1924, at Brussels, Belgium.

On 23 Dec 23, 1913. Established pursuant to authority contained in the United States Federal Reserve Act of Dec 23, 1913, the system serves as the nation’s central bank, with the responsibility for execution of[...]

The Christmas-time non holiday” of Festivus

Dec 23, 1805. The founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was born at Sharon, VT. He was assassinated by an armed mob on June 27, 1844, at Carthage, IL.

Dec 23, 1975. The Congress of the US passed Public Law 94 168, known as the Metric Conversion Act of 1975. This act declares that the SI (International System of Units) will be this countrys[...]

Dec 23, 1947. John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William Shockley of Bell Laboratories shared the 1956 Nobel Prize for their invention ofthe transistor, which led to a revolution in communications and electronics. It was smaller,[...]

Each December 24th, many families begin their Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve.

On 24 December 1913, 73 people died in a fire at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan.

Dec 25. Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Most popular of Christian observances, Christmas as a Feast of the Nativity dates from the fourth century. Although Jesuss birth date is not known,[...]

Dec 25, 1821. Clarissa Harlowe Barton, American nurse and philanthropist, founder of the American Red Cross, was born at Oxford, MA. In 1881, she became first president of the American Red Cross (founded May21, 1881).[...]

Dec 25, 1776. One of the most famous events of the American Revolution happened on a bleak Christmas night, during driving snow. GeneralGeorge Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River at McConkeys Ferry, Bucks[...]

Dec 26. Ordinarily observed on the first day after Christmas. Alegal holiday in Canada, the United Kingdom and many other countries. Formerly (according to Robert Chambers) a day when Christmas gift boxes were regularly expected[...]

Dec 26, 1792. English mathematician, born at Teignmouth, England. He developed the principles on which modern computers are designed. Babbage died at London, England, Oct 18, 1871.

Dec 26. Dingle Peninsula. Masked revelers and musicians go fromdoor to door asking for money. Traditional day and night of public merrymaking.

December 26th is Saint Stephen’s Day – he was one of the seven deacons named by the apostles to distribute alms. Died during first century. Feast day is Dec 26 and is observed as a[...]

Dec 26 Jan 1, 2016. African-American family observance created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga in recognition of traditional African harvest festivals. This seven-day festival stresses unity of the black family,with a harvest feast (karamu)[...]

Dec 26. A day dedicated to whiners, especially those who return Christmas gifts and need lots of attention. People are encouraged to be happy about what they do have, rather than unhappy about what they[...]

Dec 26, 1898. French scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the element radium, for which they later won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Dec 27, 1947. The first popular childrens show was brought toTV by Bob Smith and was one of the first regular NBC shows to be shown in color. It was set in the circus town[...]

Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City on 27 December 1932.

Dec 28, 1895. The Lumire brothers Louis and Augusteprojected short films for paying customers on this date at the Grand Caf in Paris, France. This was the first time this had ever been done and[...]

Dec 28, 1732. The Pennsylvania Gazette carried the first knownadvertisement for the first issue of Poor Richards Almanack by Richard Saunders (Benjamin Franklin) for the year 1733. The advertisement promised many pleasant and witty verses,[...]

Dec 28, 1945. The US Congress officially recognized the Pledgeof Allegiance and urged its frequent recitation in Americas schools. The pledge was composed in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister. At thetime, Bellamy was[...]

Dec 29, 1890. Anniversary of the massacre of more than 200 Native American men, women and children by the US Seventh Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek, SD. Government efforts to suppress a ceremonial religious practice,[...]

Dec 29, 1851. The first US branch of the Young Mens ChristianAssociation was organized at Boston. It was modeled on an organization begun at London in 1844.

On 30 December 1862, the Union iron-clad ship USS Monitor sankat Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Dec 31, 1781. The first modern bank in the US, the Bank of North America, was organized by Robert Morris and received its charter from the Confederation Congress. It began operations Jan 7, 1782, at[...]

Many communities in the US will host family-oriented, non-alcoholic celebrations greeting the New Year. The tradition first began in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976. Image courtesy of Pixabay user “monicore,” CC0.

The last evening of the year according to the Gregorian calendar – traditionally a night for merry-making. Image courtesy of pixabay user “Holiho,” CC0.