November 29, 2017
What is Your Favorite or Most Memorable December Date?
By Eloise Graham
Each month always has certain dates that stand out more than others. Some dates are personal and only important to you or your family, other dates are shared by the masses.
Such a date, shared by the whole world, is December 7. It was on this date in 1941 that Pearl Harbor was bombed and the United States entered the conflict called World War II. I was not born yet, but that date certainly had an impact on America, its people and its future.
I think my favorite December date is December 22 / 23. I know that I have survived the shortest day of the year and from now on, there will be a minute or two of more sunlight! So Yea for the Winter Solstice!
A date that librarians would probably appreciate is December 10 – Dewey Decimal System Day. Melvil Dewey published this library classification in 1876.
Chocolaholics love December 16. This is known as National Chocolate-covered Anything Day. So go get your chocolate fix!
Those that are interested in the history of aviation will enjoy Wright Brothers Day on December 17.
This year, December 12 is the first day of Hanukah. This is an eight-day festival often called “Festival of Lights.” This festival celebrates victory from Greek religious persecution. The Jewish victory was led by the Macabees in the year 167 B.C. The Greeks had desecrated the temple. The Macabees returned to the temple to rededicate it and relight the Menorah. There was only one small flask of oil, just enough for one day. However the flask of oil lasted all eight days. Hence the name, Festival of Lights. This celebration is a joyous time remembering the miracle of the flask of oil.
Another December miracle is the birth of the Christ child, the Messiah and Savior of the world being born in a plain stable. Historians often disagree as to the actual date of the birth, some say spring because lambs are mentioned, hence it would be spring; others say fall because the Bible says Christ was 33 1/2 years old at the time of his crucifixion; still others have different dates and reasons have been stated. But the modern calendar tells us Christmas is December 25th so that is the date we celebrate this miracle.
And ask any young child and they will tell you the miracle of Santa flying all around the world and coming down the chimney for their favorite day of December 25.
What is your most memorable December date? Enjoy it and the rest of the month!
