IOTD

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Calendar day; December 25, 2014

Thursday, the 25th of December, 2014 is the 359th day in 2014 and in the 52nd calendar week.

General Events:

Christmas Day
December 25, 2014 in the World

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.In 2014 it is celebrated on December 25. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.

Although a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians, and some of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas, including North America, Australia and Ireland) is a popular folklore figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Where is Christmas Day?
Worldwide

Christmas Pudding Day
December 25, 2014 in the World

Before Christmas puddings were sold ready-made in foil containers, they were always made at home. They were made a month before Christmas day so the flavours had plenty of time to develop before Christmas.

Christmas Pudding Traditions:

A Christmas pudding is traditionally made with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and His Disciples.

A proper Christmas pudding is always stirred from East to West in honour of the three Wise Men who visited the baby Jesus.

Every member of the family must give the pudding a stir and make a secret wish.

A coin was traditionally added to the ingredients and cooked in the pudding. It was supposedly to bring wealth to whoever found it on their plate on Christmas Day. The traditional coin was an old silver sixpence or threepenny bit.

Other traditional additions to the pudding included a ring, to foretell a marriage, and a thimble for a lucky life.

Where is Christmas Pudding Day?
Worldwide

National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 25, 2014 in the USA

Today is National Pumpkin Pie Day. It’s one of America’s favorite pies. Pumpkin pie is steeped in holiday tradition. The peak consumption period for pumpkin pie begins at the fall harvest, and lasts all the way through to the Christmas meal and dessert.

One might wonder why have National Pumpkin Pie Day on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, we have yet to find the creator of this day. So, the timing remains a mystery. However, we are thankful for this special recognition, and will certainly have a little pumpkin pie with our whipped cream today.

Did you know? There are at least two Christmas songs that sing the tradition of eating pumpkin pie for the holidays. Those songs are Home for the Holidays and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.

Where is National Pumpkin Pie Day?
Nationwide USA

Historical Events on 25th December:

337 – Earliest possible date that Christmas was celebrated on Dec 25th

352 – 1st definite date Christmas was celebrated on Dec 25th

1066 – Duke William of Normandy (‘William the Conqueror) crowned king of England

1261 – John IV Lascaris of the restored Eastern Roman Empire is deposed and blinded by orders of his co-ruler Michael VIII Palaeologus.

1553 – Battle of Tucapel: Mapuche rebels under Lautaro defeats the Spanish conquistadors and exetutes the governor of Chile Pedro de Valdivia.

1643 – Christmas Island founded and named by Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company vessel, the Royal Mary.

1717 – Floods ravage Dutch coast provinces, thousands killed

1741 – Astronomer Anders Celsius introduces Centigrade temperature scale

1818 – 1st known Christmas carol (“Silent Night, Holy Night” – “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht) sung (Austria)

1868 – Despite bitter opposition, President A Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all persons involved in Southern rebellion (Civil War)

1914 – Legendary “Christmas Truce” takes place on the battlefields of WWI between British and German troops. Instead of fighting, soldiers exchange gifts and play football

1947 – Taiwan passes Human Rights laws (Day of Earth Law)

1950 – Coronation Stone, taken from Scone in Scotland by Edward I in 1296, stolen from Westminster Abbey & smuggled back to Scotland

1968 – 42 Dalits are burned alive in Kilavenmani village, Tamil Nadu, India, a retaliation for a campaign for higher wages by Dalit labourers.

1989 – Show trial of Romanian Commuinst dicator Nicolae Ceau?escu and his wife Elena on charges of genocide and personal enrichment. The couple are found guilty and executed by firing squad the same day.

1990 – The first successful trial run of the system which would become the World Wide Web

1991 – Mikhail Gorbachev formally resigns as President of USSR in a televised speech

2004 – Cassini orbiter releases Huygens probe which successfully landed on Saturn’s moon Titan on January 14, 2005