NIELS JØRGEN THØGERSEN
DECEMBER And all its 31 days Niels Jørgen Thøgersen
The name December comes from the word decem. This is the Latin name for the figure ten. The reason is that this month was the 10th month in the old Roman calendar, which originally was made by king Numa Pompilius around 500 BC. In this calendar March was the first month in the year. This calendar was many centuries later replaced by the Gregorian calendar, where January is the first month of each year and where December consequently is month no. 12. This calendar was introduced from around 1580. It Denmark it happened in the year 1700. In the old days this month was in Denmark ( and the other Nordic countries, I believe ) called KRISTMÅNED ( CHRIST MONTH ). Or CHRISTMAS MONTH. There are several old Danish weather warnings for the month of December:
A cold December with lots of snow will often mean that the next summer will be very good and fertile If December is very cold the harvest next year will be very good If the weather is good in the beginning of the month it will last until Christmas
If you look at the weather as it actually has been over the years you have a number of interesting weather records when Denmark is concerned:
1981: 2006: 1953: 1981: 1890: 1985:
Coldest December: - 4,0 degrees in average Warmest December: + 7,0 degrees in average Highest temperature in December: + 14,5 degrees Coldest temperature in December: - 25,6 degrees Most dry December: 7 mm rain Most wet December: 140 mm rain
See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html
DECEMBER 1 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called ARNOLD’s DAY. He was a Franciscan monk, who in the year 1303 went to China as a missionary. Arnold is the patron for all blacksmiths and horse dealers.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1953: The magazine Playboy’s first issue is published with a photo of Marilyn Monroe in the nude.
TODAY’s QUESTION: December – where does that name come from? And what is linked to that month? The name December comes from the word decem. This is the Latin name for the figure ten. The reason is that this month was the 10th month in the old Roman calendar, which originally was made by king Numa Pompilius around 500 BC. In this calendar March was the first month in the year. See more about December above. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Koh-i-noor - what is that? And which history is linked to it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Books – the children of the brain. This was once said by the British author Jonathan Swift. 2. Today’s quote: I am not afraid to die. I just prefer not to be around when it happens! Who among today’s persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day:
1083: Anna Komnene ( died 1153 ) 1761: Madame Marie Tussaud ( died 1850 ) 1935: Woody Allen 1945: Bette Midler 1946: Gilbert O’Sullivan
4. Famous people died on this day: 1825: Zar Alexander I ( 48 years ) 1973: David Ben-Gurion ( 87 years ) 1997: Stéphane Grappeli ( 89 years ) DECEMBER 2 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is BIBIANA’s DAY. She was a young Roman virgin, who was killed by the emperor because of her Christian faith. Later the Santa Bibiana Basilica was built in Rome, and her body is still there. The names Vivian and Viviana have their origin in the name Bibiana. TODAY’s EVENT: 1697: St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is re-consecrated after the fire in the city in 1666. TODAY’s QUESTION: Koh-i-noor - what is that? And which history is linked to it? The expression means “The Mountain of Light”. It is a diamond ( 3,5 x 3 cm ) found in India. Old Indian legends tell about it, and it caused troubles in the Middle Ages. The British conquered it in 1850, and it is now part of the crown jewels in the Tower of London. Its weight was originally 186 carat. After grinding is weighs 106 carat. In 1976 both India and Pakistan asked to have Koh-i-Noor back.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Eskimo – what is that? And what is the history behind it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I am not afraid to die. I just prefer not to be around when it happens!
This has been said by the American actor Woody Allen. Who else! 2. Today’s quote: As none of today’s personalities has left important quotes you get one more by Woody Allen: Sex is the most funny thing I have been taking part in – without laughing! 3. Famous people born on this day: 1923: Maria Callas ( died 1977 ) 1924: Alexander Haig ( died 2010 ) 1946: Gianni Versace ( died 1997 ) 1981: Britney Spears
4. Famous people died on this day: 1547: Hernán Cortés ( 62 years ) 1814: Marquis de Sade ( 59 years ) 1943: Nordahl Grieg ( 41 years ) DECEMBER 3 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called SVEND’s DAY after the name of an unknown saint.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1886: The longest lease in history was agreed in Ireland: the leasing of a dumpingground for 10 million years !
TODAY’s QUESTION: Eskimo – what is that? And what is the history behind it? The direct meaning of the word is: those, who eat raw meat. The word is the name of the people, who live over a 10.000 km long area from Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Siberia and the Aleutian Islands. They call themselves INUIT. It means man, human being. Their language is quite alike over the whole area. And it has no known connections to any other language.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Gordian knot - what is the origin of that expression? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Sex is the most funny thing I have been taking part in – without laughing! This was said once by the American actor Woody Allen 2. Today’s quote: One thing is to understand the maritime chart – another thing is to navigate the ship. Who among today’s person’s has said that? And what does it mean? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1684: Ludvig Holberg ( died 1754 ) 1883: Anton von Webern ( died 1945 ) 1927: Andy Williams (died 2012) 1930: Jean-Luc Godard
4. Famous people died on this day: 1839: King Frederik VI of Denmark. ( 71 years ) 1888: Carl Zeiss ( 72 years ) 1919: Pierre-Auguste Renoir ( 78 years )
DECEMBER 4 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called BARBARA’s DAY. She was a young Christian woman, who were locked up in a tower by her non-Christian father. She was liberated from here by Origines. The legend tells that the mountains opened for them during their escape. Barbara was later beheaded because of her faith. It happened around 300. Barbara is called upon by people if they are afraid of strokes of lightening or if they have a very high fever.
TODAY’s EVENT:
774: Charlemagne becomes king of the whole of the Francia. TODAY’s QUESTION: Gordian knot - what is the origin of that expression? And what does it mean? This expression comes from Apollo’s Oracle in Delphi – the centre of the world in ancient Greece. The Oracle had predicted that the person who could undo a knot on the harness on a pole of a wagon in the temple of Zeus in Gordion would become the ruler of the world. Then came Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) and solved the problem by cutting the knot with his sword. And he actually became the ruler of the known world at the time. Today, the expression to untie the Gordian knot means that you solve a problem, which seems unsolvable.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Coptic - what is that? And what is the history behind it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: One thing is to understand the maritime chart – another thing is to navigate the ship. This was said by the Danish-Norwegian author Ludvig Holberg (the Scandinavian Molière).
2. Today’s quote: Give me six lines in writing about the most honest man. And I will find a pretext to hang him. Who among today’s personalities has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1865: Edith Cavell ( died 1915 ) 1866: Vassilij Kandinski ( died 1944 ) 1867: Elvira Madigan ( died 1889 ) 1892: Francisco Franco ( died 1975 )
4. Famous people died on this day:
1642: Cardinal Richelieu ( 57 years ) 1679: Thomas Hobbes ( 91 years ) 1976: Benjamin Britten ( 63 years )
DECEMBER 5 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called SABINA’s DAY. She founded a monastery in Palestine, and she dies around 532.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1926: Sergei Eisenstein’s film “Battleship Potemkin” is shown for the first time. TODAY’s QUESTION: Coptic - what is that? And what is the history behind it? This is the name of the ancient Egyptian language, which written down with the Greek alphabet was preserved as the liturgical language in the Coptic church. It died out as a spoken language around year 1600. The name comes from the Greek word on Egyptian. The Coptic church has about 2 million Christian descendants from the Antique’s Egyptians in Egypt, Sudan and Palestine. Its patriarch lives in Cairo.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: How much do everything move in space? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Give me six lines in writing about the most honest man. And I will find a pretext to hang him. This was said by the French prime minister, the Catholic cardinal Richelieu. He was a man fancying total power. So much so, that he despite being a Catholic cardinal let France join the Protestant countries in the Thirty Years’ War. 2. Today’s quote: Amateurs do what they can. Dilettants what they cannot do. Who among today’s persons said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1867: Jozef Pilsudski ( died 1935 ) 1901: Werner Heisenberg ( died 1976 ) 1901: Walt Disney ( died 1966 ) 1946: Jose Carreras
4. Famous people died on this day: 1791: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( 37 years ) 1870: Alexandre Dumas ( 68 years ) 1926: Claude Monet ( 86 years ) DECEMBER 6 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called NICOLAUS’ DAY. It is named after bishop Nicolaus of Myra. Myra was an ancient city in Greek Anatolya at the south coast of present day Turkey. The small town of Demre can be found at that place today. Nicolaus lived in the 4th century AC. The legend tells many stories about him. One is that he once during a sea voyage in a heavy storm managed to make the waves go quiet and thereby save many seamen in danger. He also did a lot for poor children. And he lived a very active Christian life. He dies around the year 350. And many pilgrims visited his grave afterwards. The town of Demre still has a Christian church with the name of St. Nicolaus Church. It has just been renovated. In the year 1087 people from the city of Bari in the south of Italy decide to find Nicolaus’s grave in Anatolia. They find it and bring his relics with them back to Bari. They are still here. You find them in the St. Nicolaus church in the center of the city. Nicolaus is the patron for children, seamen – and lawyers. At the same time he is the model for Santa Claus. He is the man who brings presents to the kids – either today at St. Nicolaus’ Day, or at Christmas eve on December 24. The habits are different from country to country. Today is also one of the 32 so-called Tycho Brahe Days. They are particular days, which the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 17th century during his calculations appointed as particular unfortunate. What old nonsense
An old Danish weather warning for December 6 says that today’s weather will be the weather for the rest of this month.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1926: Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, introduces a special tax on bachelors. TODAY’s QUESTION: How much does everything move in space? Most people know that our Earth is turning around its own axis. Do you know with what speed? 465 meters per second. But this is not our only move every second. Our Earth is circling around the Sun with an average speed of 29,8 km per second. And furthermore, our solar system, called the Milky Way, is also constantly turning around its axis. And it does it with a speed of 250 km per second. So if you feel that everything is on the move, you are right! We are all moving – day and night – 280,3 km every second. So think twice before you next time say: Stop the world, I want to get off!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Chinese wedding jar – what is that? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Amateurs do what they can. Dilettants what they cannot do. This was said by the famous American film man Walt Disney. He was special in many ways. When he died he was at his own orders put into a freezer. Why? Because he was sure that when he some day was unfrozen he could wake up again. 2. Today’s quote: I think that men in this world should become less mannish and women less isolated. The wife of one of today’s men said that to her husband. Who? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1885: Birger Sjöberg ( died 1929 ) 1898: Gunnar Myrdal ( died 1987 ) 1942: Herbjørg Wassmo
1963: Ulrich Thomsen
4. Famous people died on this day: 1875: Peter Heering ( 83 years ) 1889: Jefferson Davis ( 81 years ) 1892: Werner von Siemens ( 76 years ) 1988: Roy Orbison ( 52 years )
DECEMBER 7 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is AGATHAM’s DAY. He was a Roman soldier, who became a Christian after he had seen how Julianus and Cronion were tortured because of their faith. After they were killed he protected their bodies. Because of that he was beheaded. It all happens during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius in 250. Today (2015) it is 45 years ago German chancellor Willy Brandt was kneeling in front of the memorial for the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1732: The original Covent Garden Opera House in London opened.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Chinese wedding jar – what is that? A Chinese wedding jar is in English called an Antique Chinese Tongzhi Double Happiness Blue White Porcelain Wedding Jar. It comes from the Tongzhi period (the later parts of the Quing dynasty at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The jar is made of porcelain. The writing on the jar means “Double Happiness” (because the Chinese sign for happiness are indicated twice – one next to the other. The jar was given to Chinese couples at their wedding to wish eternal happiness and a lot of children (if those two things are possible at the same time ) The couples later used to store important food. An interesting aspect of the jar’s later use was that the Danish chocolate company TOM bought a lot of it. And each year they were used as presents for Christmas to important
contacts for the factory – filled with chocolate, of course. That is why I still have 2 of the jars – no longer with chocolate inside, though! The sign for ”Double Happiness” is still today used at Chinese weddings. One more side story: When the Chinese political leader Sun Yat-sen in 1912 abolished the emperor, he used the word – not jar, but Tongzhi – about his supporters. And when the Communists and Mao took over the power in China from 1949 they also used the word tongzhi – meaning comrade, as other communists call their members. But that is not the responsibility of the nice jar! ___________________________________________________________________________ QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Where the pepper grows… mean?
What is the origin of that expression? And what does it
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I think that men in this world should become less mannish and women less isolated. This was said by the Swedish politician and Nobel Prize winner Alva Myrdal to her husband, professor Gunnar Myrdal. 2. Today’s quote: If you have a garden and a library, you are missing nothing! Who of today’s persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1598: Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini ( died 1680 ) 1916: Knud W. Jensen ( died 2000 ) 1924: Bent Fabricius-Bjerre (Bent Fabric) 1924: Mario Soares
4. Famous people died on this day: 43 BC:Marius Tullius Cicero ( 63 years ) 1815: Marchal Michel Ney ( 46 years ) 1894: Ferdinand de Lesseps ( 89 years )
DECEMBER 8 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called MARY’s CONCEPTION DAY. It was introduced in the church by a special decision in Basel in 1439, because today is exactly 9 months before Mary was born on September 8 by her mother Anna. The day is one of the old Mary Days.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1980: John Lennon was shot on the street in New York.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Where the pepper grows… mean?
What is the origin of that expression? And what does it
To be sent to the place where the pepper is growing is a very old expression, which originally comes from France. They had – and still have – an area in the north of South America called Guyana. It has always had a very tough and unpleasant tropical climate, where nobody wanted to go. At the same time a lot of pepper is growing in the area. The name Cheyenne pepper is very well known. During and after the French revolution from 1789 prisoners were sent to Guyana to terrible conditions. So the threat to be sent to the place where the pepper grows comes from that habit. Today the expression is used in an indirect sense. If anybody tells you that he or she wants to send you there it is probably not one of your best friends. Or at least not any longer!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Play fandango – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: If you have a garden and a library, you are missing nothing! This was said by the Roman politician and philosopher Cicero. He also said that a house without books is a body without a soal.
2. Today’s quote: In politics the truth has to wait, until somebody needs it. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 65 BC: Horace ( died 8 AC ) 1542: Mary Stuart ( died 1587 ) 1832: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson ( died 1910 ) 1865: Jean Sibelius ( died 1957 ) 1925: Sammy Davis Jr. ( died 1990 ) 1939: James Galway 1953: Kim Basinger
4. Famous people died on this day: 1803: Johann Gottfried von Herder ( 59 years ) 1978: Golda Meir ( 80 years ) 1980: John Lennon ( 40 years ) DECEMBER 9 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called RUDOLPH’s DAY. Nobody knows why. The name came into the Almanach in 1727. Earlier the day was called Saint Anna or just Anna’s Day. An old Danish weather warning says that if it is not freezing today it will be a mild winter. TODAY’s EVENT: 1990: Lech Walesa wins the presidential elections in Poland with an overwhelming victory. TODAY’s QUESTION: Play fandango – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? Fandango is a Spanish dance for couples with guitar, castanettes or hand-clapping. It is known from early in the 18th century and is a sort of Flamenco. It can be danced or be a song. And it can become quite wild and seducing.
When you use the expression that somebody is playing fandango it can also mean that he or she behaves in a wild way or is making fun. And if you hear the expression: do not play fandango with me it normally means: don't be too smart!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A Hamburger ( to eat) - what is the history behind that name? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: In politics the truth has to wait, until somebody needs it. This was said by the famous Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. 2. Today’s quote: To be an actor is a boring profession. Which man with wit and genius can Base his life on that? Who among today’s persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1594: Gustav 2. Adolf ( died 1632 ) 1608: John Milton ( died 1674 ) 1842: Count Pjotr Kropotkin ( died 1921 ) 1915: Elisabeth Schwartzkopf ( died 2006 ) 1916: Kirk Douglas 1957: Donny Osmond
4. Famous people died on this day: 1641: Anton van Dyck ( 42 years )
DECEMBER 10 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is JUDITH’s DAY. She was according to the Old Testament a beautiful woman from the town of Bethulis. The town was about to be conquered by enemies. But their leader Holofernes was so thrilled about Judith that she managed to seduce him. Afterwards she beheaded him. And in this way she saved her natal town.
This day is also the United Nations Day for Human Rights.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1799: France introduces as the first country in the world the metric system.
TODAY’s QUESTION: A Hamburger ( to eat) - what is the history behind that name? Of course, the word is the name of the inhabitants in the city of Hamburg in Germany. But it is more than that. It is the name of a special burger, a sort of sandwich, you can say. A piece of minced beef between two pieces of bread. It can take many forms, and it is normally hot, when it is served. There are many different types of hamburgers, of course. It depends on who makes them – and in what part of the world you are. But the question here is: Where does the name come from? The best known explanation is that it comes from New York at the end of the 19th century. Lots of Jewish immigrants arrived from Hamburg to the city. Many of them could not find any work. As Jews are often full of initiative some of them started the production of “fast food” – some beef between two pieces of bread. That dish was soon sold all over New York and became a huge success. And as the producers came from Hamburg it wasn’t surprising that this new lunch food soon was called a hamburger. There are other explanations such as the story that it comes from the small town of Hamburg in upstate New York. A town called Hamburg (56.000 inh.) near the border to Canada. I do not believe in that explanation. I believe more in a third explanation: that the hamburger is invented by a Dane, Louis Lassen. He was originally a mechanic, had immigrated to the US in the 1880ies and lived in the small town of New Haven in Connecticut north of New York. After a few years he bought a railway car and started a small kiosk with food. And when a client one day came into the kiosk and asked for something to eat in a rush as he had to leave quickly Louis grapped a piece of meat and wrapped it between two pieces of bread. The hamburger was invented. Louis claimed for the rest of his life that he in this way invented the hamburger. And his restaurant Louis’ Lunch still exists in New Haven and claims that it is the only restaurant in the world, which invented the hamburger and continues to serve it! Why is it then called a hamburger? Perhaps because Louis came from the small village Hamborg in the west of Denmark? This still has to be found out! But enjoy your next hamburger with all this knowledge. If it is good and tasty! By the way: a small not too serious thought linked to hamburger: We all remember, when president Kennedy during a visit to Berlin in 1963 ended his speech with the famous words: Ich bin ein Berliner! So why did Reagan never visit Hamburg? How should he have ended his speech ?!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Nicotin – where does that word come from?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: To be an actor is a boring profession. Which man with wit and genius can base his life on that? This was said by the American actor Kirk Douglas.
2. Today’s quote: I should like to invent a material or a machine with the possibility for mass destruction, so that war never would be possible again.
Who of today’s persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1830: Emily Dickinson ( died 1886 ) 1891: Nelly Sachs ( died 1970 ) 1914: Astrid Henning-Jensen ( died 2002 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1896: Alfred Nobel ( 63 years ) 1936: Luigi Pirandello ( 69 years ) 2006: Augusto Pinochet ( 91 years ) DECEMBER 11 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is DAMASUS DAY. It comes from pope Damasius, who died in 384.
This day is also one of the 32 so-called Tycho Brahe Days. They are days, which the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 17th century based on his calculations appointed as particular unfortunate. What old nonsense In Denmark this day was earlier also called the birthday of the devil ( like June 11 ). These were the two days when people had to pay the mortgages.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1894: The first international car exhibition opens in Paris. It had 9 participants.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Nicotine – where does that word come from? It is no news today that nicotine is a stimulating substance in tobacco. But what is its origin? And why is it called nicotine? Nicotine comes from a plant in the nightshade family. It is created in the root and accumulates in the leaves. It is addictive. It has its name from the French ambassador to Portugal, Jean Nicot de Villemain. He had received it in 1560 from the Portuguese colonist in Sao Paulo, Luis De Gois. The ambassador sent immediately the plant and its seeds to the French king in Paris. And from there it was quickly spread all over Europe. People believed that by smoking it you could prevent a number of illnesses, in particular plague. Nicotine was also from the 17th century used as insecticide. So it is ambassador Nicot, who has given nicotine its name and also was instrumental in spreading it in Europe. There were many consequences of the discovery of America!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Open people’s eyes to something - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I should like to invent a material or a machine with the possibility for massdestruction, so that war never would be possible again. This was said by the Swedish industrialist and the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel.
2. Today’s quote: When a film has success it is business. When it does not have success it is art. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1803: Hector Berlioz ( died 1869 ) 1843: Robert Koch ( died 1910 ) 1912: Carlo Ponti ( died 2007 ) 1918: Aleksander Solsjenitsyn ( died 2008 ) 1943: John Kerry
4. Famous people died on this day: 1659: Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve ( 39 years ) 1898: Carl Christian Burmeister ( 77 years ) DECEMBER 12 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called EPIMACHUS’ DAY. He was a Christian living in Alexandria around year 200 AC. Together with many other Christians he was tortured and at the end thrown alive on the fire and killed.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1911: Delhi replaces Calcutta as the capital of India.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Open people’s eyes to something - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? This expression comes from the Bible, the book of Leviticus. It tells about Adam and Eve coming to the Garden of Eden. When they come to the tree of knowledge and eat its apples, their eyes open. And they realise that they are naked. The meaning of the expression today is that you make somebody interested in something – or at least put his or her attention to it. You open their eyes. You can see that, can’t you ?!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Foreign Legion - what is that? And what is the history behind it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: When a film has success it is business. When it does not have success it is art. It was said by the Italian film director, Carlo Ponti – the husband of Sophia Loren. 2. Today’s quote: A cynic is a person, who considers everybody else to be as mean as he is himself. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1863: Edvard Munch ( died 1944 ) 1893: Edward G. Robinson ( died 1973 ) 1912: Thorbjørn Egner ( died 1990 ) 1915: Frank Sinatra ( died 1998 ) 1940: Dionne Warwick 4. Famous people died on this day: 1939: Douglas Fairbanks ( 56 years ) DECEMBER 13 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called LUCIA’s DAY. She was from Syracus in Sicily. And she was killed because she refused to marry a non-Christian. The tradition to wear a wreath with candles on the head is believed to have its origin from when she carried food to the Christian refugees in the catacombs in Rome, With the candles on her head she had both hands free to carry the food. She died around 300 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1996: Kofi Annan from Ghana is elected secretary-general for the United Nations.
TODAY’s QUESTION: The Foreign Legion - what is that? And what is the history behind it? This is part of the French army. It consists of enlisted soldiers, especially non-French citizens. It was created in 1831 in Algeria. It played a major role in World War I. Its main base today is on the island of Corsica. It is often used overseas such as in Africa. You recognize soldiers in the Foreign Legion by their white Kepi (their headgear) and by their slow rhythm, when they march. When you enlist in the Foreign Legion you get a contract for a number of years, normally 5 years at a time. In the contract period you cannot leave the Legion. And often you get a new name and a new identity. Both practices have been criticized. It is the only part of the French armed forces, which does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself. And if a member of the Foreign Legion is wounded in battle, he automatically gets French citizenship. The Foreign Legions holds today about 8.000 men – coming from about 140 countries.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: IUL - CHRISTMAS - where do the words come from? What is the history behind them?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A cynic is a person, who considers everybody else to be as mean as he is himself. This was once said by the American crooner Frank Sinatra. 2. Today’s quote: A book takes its time like a child. All books written very quickly give me a certain prejudice against the author. A respectable woman does not give birth to her child before nine months either! Who among today’s persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1797: Heinrich Heine ( died 1856 ) 1830: Mathilde Fibiger ( died 1872 ) 1915: Curd Jürgens ( died 1982 ) 1920: George P. Shultz
1929: Christopher Plummer 1953: Ben Bernanke
4. Famous people died on this day: 1250: Frederick II ( 56 years ) 1784: Samuel Johnson ( 75 years ) 1944: Wassily Kandinski ( 78 years ) DECEMBER 14 TODAY’s NAME: This day is named CRISPINUS’ DAY. He was bishop in Padua in Italy and died as a martyr in 300.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1982: Spain opens its border to Gibraltar. TODAY’s QUESTION: QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: YULE - CHRISTMAS - where do the words come from? What is the history behind them? The word YULE goes back to the pagan time in the Nordic countries. In the Nordic language it was called Jól – today Jul. It was a celebration for some days around winter solstice. It was a great time when lots of meat, beer and mead was consumed. The origin of the word JUL is still being discussed. It is believed that it comes from the Nordic word hjul (wheel) – referring to the changing seasons like a wheel turning around, In the ancient Nordic times it was a tradition to roll a burning wheel down a hill as a symbol of the sun. In the viking period they talked about drikke jul (drinking Yule). Everybody was drinking a toast to the gods, who could ensure a good and fertile year. The gods were Njord, Frej and, of course, Odin himself! It continued in the Christian times. The toasts were now for Christ and for Virgin Mary. I wonder, if the tradition nowadays to have a couple of Christmas beers doesn’t come from the good old habits! If we look was to the pre-Christian Roman times emperor Lucius Aurelius decided in 273 AC that a celebration for the oriental god Sol Invictus should take place each year on December 25. This pagan event was already from 300 AC taken over by the Christians in Rome to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This new tradition only reached the Nordic
countries just before year 1000 with king Harold Bluetooth – and therefore also reached the Vikings – in the Nordic region and all the countries they conquered such as England. An interesting part of that development is that the Catholic church tried to have the old ord JUL changed to KRISTMESSE. They did not succeed in the Nordic countries, where the word still to this day is JUL. But in the Anglo-Saxon world they succeeded to have the old name YULE replaced by CHRISTMAS. The work YULETIDE does still exist in English, though, about the Christmas period.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A fox behind the ear - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A book takes its time like a child. All books written very quickly give me a certain prejudice against the author. A respectable woman does not give birth to her child before nine months either! This was said by the German poet Heinrich Heine from Düsseldorf. 2. Today’s quote: We did it ! Who among today’s persons said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1503 Nostradamus ( died 1566 ) 1546 Tycho Brahe
( died 1601 )
1791 Johan Ludvig Heiberg ( died 1860 ) 1911 Spike Jones ( died 1965 ) 1966 Helle Thorning Schmidt
4. Famous people died on this day: 1799 George Washington
( 67 years )
1861 Prince Albert ( 42 years ) 1956 Juho Paasikivi ( 86 years ) 1963 Dinah Washington ( 39 years ) 1989 Andrei Sakharov ( 78 years ) 1990 Friederich Dürrenmatt ( 69 years )
DECEMBER 15 TODAY’s NAME: The name of this day is NICATIUS DAY. He was bishop in Reims in France in the middle of the 5th century. He was beheaded during an invasion by non-Christians.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1939: The film “Gone with the Wind” is shown for the first time in Atlanta, Georgia.
TODAY’s QUESTION: A fox behind the ear - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? This is a very old expression from the Middle Ages. It is based on the popular belief, that people with very protruding ears are very sly. In German you use the expression: Etwas hinter den Ohren zu stecken (to hide something behind the ears). Already in the Antiquity fables were talking about the slyness of the fox. In the 17th century the fox became the direct symbol of slyness. The Danish collector of fables, Peder Syv (1631-1702) found fables about having a fox in the sleeves (the sleeves at that time were very wide and easy to use to hide something in). Another fable collector got hold of a story in 1876 about a fox living behind a man’s ear, and it got seven puppies there! Today the expression still means that a person is very sly and artful. You have to watch out, when you are dealing with him or her.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Troya - what is that? And what is the history? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: We did it! This was said by the Danish prime minister Helle Thorning Schmidt, when she won the parliamentary elections first time. 2. Today’s quote: The past is for many people almost like a lump of clay, which you have been squeezing and squeezing for so long, that you at the end almost believe that you have created it yourself.
Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 37:
Nero ( died 68 )
1832: Gustave Eiffel ( died 1923 ) 1860: Niels Finsen ( died 1904 ) 1901: Werner Heisenberg ( died 1976 ) 1928: Friedensreich Hundertwasser ( died 2000 ) 1931: Klaus Rifbjerg ( died 2015 ) 1952: Allan Simonsen
4. Famous people died on this day: 1675: Johannes Vermeer ( 43 years ) 1890: Sitting Bull ( 59 years ) 1916: Grigorij Rasputin ( 47 years ) 1943: Fats Waller ( 39 years ) 1944: Glenn Miller ( 40 years ) 1966: Walt Disney ( 65 years ) DECEMBER 16 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is LAZARUS’ DAY. He was an acquaintance of Jesus. And he was the one whom Jesus according to the legend made alive again four days after his death. The name comes from Greek Lazaros. This again comes from Aramaic Lazar, which again comes from Hebrew Eleazar, which means God’s help.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1620: The first British settlers arrive in North America with the ship Mayflower.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Troy - what is that? And what is the history? Troy, also called Ilion, was a town in Ancient Greece. It was build at the shores of the Dardanelles. Today it is just a hill with ruins.
In the old days the city’s place at the entrance to the Black Sea was very important, also for trade. This was probably the reason for the Trojan War – as it is described the Iliad by Homer. The German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann re-found the city in the years 1870-90. Altogether 7 layers of different cultures from different times have been found on the spot. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Coffee -- what is the history behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The past is for many people almost like a lump of clay, which you have been squeezing and squeezing for so long, that you at the end almost believe that you have created it yourself. It was said by the Danish author Klaus Rifbjerg. 2. Today’s quote: Denmark is coming close to being as dull as the dialing tone on the telephone. Who has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1742: Gebhard Blücher ( died 1819 ) 1770: Ludwig van Beethoven ( died 1827 ) 1775: Jane Austen ( died 1817 ) 1905: Piet Hein ( died 1996 ) 1938: Liv Ullmann
4. Famous people died on this day: 1859: Wilhelm Grimm ( 73 years ) 1965: Somerset Maugham ( 91 years ) 1969: Leo Mathisen ( 63 years ) DECEMBER 17 TODAY’s NAME:
This day is called ALBINA’s DAY. She was a young Christian girl, who was killed because of her faith around 250 AC. She lived in Formio in Catania in Italy.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1903: The brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first flight in history with a motorized airplane, which is heavier than the air.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Coffee -- what is the history behind it?
Coffee is very old. It goes back to the 6th century AC, when a shepherd looking after his goats discovered, that his goats got very excited, when they were chewing the berries from a special tree. It took place in a place called Kaffe in Yemen in the south of the Arabian peninsular. But it was only about 800 years later that somebody got the idea to roast the berries/beans and make a drink from them. Coffee had been invented – and it got its name from the place called Kaffe (coffee, café). Until then it was only grown in the south of Arabia and in Ethiopia. Later it was exported to many places like South America by the Spanish and Java in Indonesia by the Dutch. At an early stage the Coffee Houses got a great importance as meeting places. Not least in the Middle East due to Islam’s prohibition against wine and alcohol. The first coffee house in Europe was started in Venezia in 1645, and the European coffee houses and cafés became very important as centres for political, literary and scientific discussions. The Coffee House was the place from where news was spreading, and many of the British Empire’s institutions have directly been founded in the coffee houses in London. So when you next time visit a Café you are expected to think great thoughts and breathtaking plans for the future!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Werewolf - what is that? And what history is linked to it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Denmark is coming close to being as dull as the dialing tone on the telephone.
This was said by the Danish scientist, architect and author Piet Hein. 2. Today’s quote: As none of today’s persons has left important quotations you get one more by Piet Hein: An ideologist can defend a case so strongly that everybody can understand that it is very weak. 3. Famous people born on this day: 1840: C.F.E. Hornemann ( died 1906 ) 1936: Tommy Steele
4. Famous people died on this day: 1839: Simon Bolivar ( 56 years ) 1907: Lord Kelvin ( 83 years ) 1909: Leopold II ( 74 years ) DECEMBER 18 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is LOUISE’s DAY. It is called after the first queen of the Danish king Frederik V. She was the daughter of the later British king Charles II. She lived in the years 1725-52 Earlier this day was called Christopher’s Day. This day is also one of the 32 so-called Tycho Brahe Days. These are special days, which the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 17th century from his calculations appointed as specifically unfortunate days. What old nonsense
TODAY’s EVENT: 1865: Slavery was forbidden in the USA.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Werewolf - what is that? And what history is linked to it? A werewolf is according to old European legends a person, which is transferred into a wolf or a monster looking like a wolf. It can either happen by peoples’ own will, perhaps by using magics – or it can happen agains peoples’ will due to curse. The transformation often happens at night during full moon.
The word was first used by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus ( 485-426 BC). Later it is known all over Europe in different forms. A werewolf was considered to have the same characteristics as a real wolf: immensely strong; cruel; having a huge appetite, ingenuity and speed. The Nazis used the word – first as a code word for one of Hitler’s secret command centres in 1942-43 and then towards the final days of the war about commandos to operate behind the lines of the enemy. After the war the word werewolf was now and then also used by the secret organizations of former SS soldiers. All in all, it is not a very cosy phenomenon – a werewolf !
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Gordian knot - what is that? And what is the legend behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: An ideologist can defend a case so strongly that everybody can understand that it is very weak. This was said by the Danish scientist, architect and author Piet Hein. 2. Today’s quote: Now things which belong together grow together! Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1878: Josef Stalin ( died 1953 ) 1897: Fletcher Henderson ( died 1952 ) 1913: Willy Brandt ( died 1992 ) 1946: Steve Biko ( died 1977 ) 1946: Steven Spielberg
4. Famous people died on this day: 1739: Antonio Stradivarius ( 93 years ) 1980: Alexej Kosygin ( 76 years ) DECEMBER 19
TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is NEMESIUS DAY. He was a man who lived in Alexandria during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius. One day he was accused of being a robber. When he could prove that it was a false accusation he was instead accused of being a Christian – and executed. At the same time the judge asked the false accusations to be burned on the fire together with him.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1986: The Soviet nuclear scientist and critic of the Soviet system Andrei Sakharov is rehabilitated and can freely move back to Moscow from his forced exile in Gorkij ( now Nizhny Novgorod ). It is Gorbatjov himself who calls him to give him the news.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Gordian knot - what is that? And what is the legend behind it?
This expression comes from Apollon’s Oracle in Delphi – the centre of the world in ancient Greece. The Oracle had predicted that the person who could undo a knot on the harness on a pole of a wagon in the temple of Zeus in Gordion would become the ruler of the world. Then came Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) and solved the problem by cutting the knot with his sword. And he actually became the ruler of the known world at the time. Today, the expression to untie the Gordian knot means that you solve a problem, which seems unsolvable. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Christmas in Denmark - what are the traditions?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Let things which belong together grow together! This was said by former federal chancellor Willy Brandt at the occasion of the reunification of West Germany and East Germany in 1990. 2. Today’s quote: Morals are when you live in a way, which is not pleasant and entertaining. Who among today’s persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1833: Peter Ludvig Panum ( died 1885 ) 1906: Leonid Brezhnev ( died 1982 ) 1915: Edith Piaf ( died 1963 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1741: Vitus Bering ( 60 years ) 1848: Emily Brontë ( 30 years ) 1851: J.M.W. Turner ( 76 years ) 1915: Alois Alzheimer ( 51 years ) 1996: Marcello Mastroianni ( 72 years ) DECEMBER 20 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called ABRAHAM’s DAY. It has its name from the patriarch in The Old Testament, Abraham. He was the first ancestor of Israel’s 12 tribes and married to Sara. He is also the first ancestor of the muslims through his son Ismael, whom he had with his slave Hagar. This day is also a so-called Tamper Day. The day changes a bit from year to year. There are four of them per year. Each of them starts a new quarter. In the old traditions you could try to predict the weather until the next Tamper Day on this day. And more important: In the old days in Denmark special Tamper Courts were working on those days. They handled court cases about marriages.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1803: USA’s purchase of Louisiana from France is finalized. __________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s QUESTION: Christmas in Denmark - what are the traditions?
The most important traditions in a nutshell A very good thing about Christmas is that you do not get fat from the food and drinks you have between Christmas and New Year! It’s the period between New Year and Christmas, which is dangerous!
But let’s look at the most typical Danish traditions for this time of the year. Advent is celebrated from the fourth Sunday before Christmas – normally very late November or very early December. Almost every home has an Advent Wreath with four white candles. The first Sunday one candle is lit. The second Sunday two candles are in use. And so on. There are no special festivities related to advent – apart from the church services, which mark the start of the new church year. December 24 is by far the most important day in the Danish Christmas. The day of Christmas Eve. The special Christmas church service is in the afternoon. Almost everybody goes to church on that day – not only the very religious persons. It’s normally the only time each year, when I go to church. You have to come early, if you want a seat in the church, especially in the small churches in the countryside. The church service that afternoon is normally very festive and the room nicely decorated. And the priest will make an effort to make a sermon, which will interest everybody there, not least the children. Back home after the church service the kids will watch inciting special Christmas programmes on TV. And the “food engineers” will perform in the kitchen. Young kids will often get their first presents in the afternoon – to keep them somewhat quiet and a bit “out of the way”! The main living room will have a nice Christmas tree. A green fir tree, which has been bought some days earlier. In families with children the tree will often be nicely decorated during the afternoon – but without the kids seeing it. The tree will have many white candles, decorations of all sorts and not least a big silver or golden star in the top – symbolising the star over Bethlehem. The Christmas presents (everybody gets presents on Christmas eve) will be put under the decorated tree. All a very nice sight! Christmas dinner will be served around 1800. The main course will be roast pork withcrispy skin. Or duck. Or goose. All with the traditional sweet and sour red cabbage. This is followed by the very traditional and very rich dessert called riz à l’amande. And VERY important: the boss in the kitchen has put a whole almond in the riz à l’amande. The person who then gets that in her or his portion has won a special present – the “almond present”! Attention: If the family has young kids, the mother often cheats and gives each of them an almond too. If not, hell will break loose! The drinks for the dinner will either be beer or – more often nowadays – wine. Now the next big moment comes: Somebody will go to the next room and light all the candles on the Christmas tree. The door opens – and the kids (and adults alike) will see the impressive tree “in all its might”. With all the presents underneath. No, no – no presents handed out yet! First, everybody has to dance around the tree. In a circle – holding each other’s hands. Andsinging a number of Christmas hymns and songs. Starting dancing in one direction and soon turning around and doing it the other way around. The children can hardly
wait for the presents – but they (normally) do. Everybody trying to guess what is in the different nicely wrapped packages. Not least the big ones! When this is done one of the kids will distribute the presents. One after one. Everybody opens her or his gift right away and kisses “thank you” to the happy “donor”. Next present… With many family members, not least children, this “present operation” can take hours. But normally good fun. The very small kids are – before they are put to bed – normally more interested in the used wrapping paper than in their gifts. But as long as everybody is happy Christmas is a jolly good one. All along the un-packing of presents all sorts of homemade cookies and different chocolates are at disposal. It will be very late, before everybody will be in his or her beds. So next morning is a very late morning. Except for the children who wake up early to play with their new toys! And except in my home, where my mother had her birthday on December 25. But this is a different story. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Clio - what is that? What is the history behind it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Morals are when you live in a way, which is not pleasant and entertaining. This was said by the French singer Edith Piaf. 2. Today’s quote: The art of resting is part of the routine of working. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1795: Leopold von Ranke ( died 1886 ) 1942: Jean-Claude Trichet 1946: Uri Geller 1964: Morten Løkkegaard
4. Famous people died on this day: 1931: Edvard Brandes ( 84 years ) 1968: John Steinbeck ( 66 years ) 1982: Artur Rubinstein ( 95 years )
DECEMBER 21 TODAY’s NAME: This is THOMAS’ DAY. He was one of the 12 apostles, and in the beginning he was very much in doubt about the resurrection of Jesus. But when he became convinced he went off on missionary work in India, China and Japan.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1988: A PAN-AM plane crashes in Lockerbie in Scotland.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Clio - what is that? What is the history behind it? Most people know that it is one of the most popular Renault cars! But where does the word come from? It is the name of the Muse for history. There are according to Greek mythology altogether 9 muses. Often spelled Kleio. All 9 nine were daughters of Zeus. They were – and are ? - the inspiration for the Gods for innovations and discoveries in literature, science and arts. They were the source of knowledge. So Clio ensures discoveries in history. The origin of the word Clio from Latin means to make famous.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Nisse - what is that? And what is the history behind it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The art of resting is part of the routine of working. This was once said by the American author John Steinbeck. 2. Today’s quote: I don’t know which books I profit most from: those keeping me awake at night – or those making me fall asleep. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day:
1804: Benjamin Disraeli ( died 1881 ) 1917: Heinrich Böll ( died 1985 ) 1918: Kurt Waldheim ( died 2007 ) 1937: Jane Fonda 1967: Micheil Saakashvili 1977: Emmanuel Macron
4. Famous people died on this day: 1375: Giovanni Boccaccio ( 62 years ) 1890: Niels W. Gade ( 73 years ) 1933: Knud Rasmussen ( 54 years ) 1940: F. Scott Fitzgerald ( 44 years ) 1945: George Patton ( 60 years ) DECEMBER 22 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called JAPETUS’ DAY after the son of Moses. Some people also call it “Mini mini Christmas Day”
TODAY’s EVENT: 1990: Lech Walesa is officially installed as the president of Poland.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Nisse - what is that? And what is the history behind it? A nisse is a small creature in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland). He comes from way back in pre-historic times well before Christianity. And he always appears around winter solstice, December 21. A nisse is rather small, max 3 feet (90 cm) tall. He has a long, white beard, a red cap on his head, grey trousers, long stockings and wooden shoes.
And he is very nice, because he comes with presents. Like his cousin Santa Claus. Where does he come from? They say that he is a descendant from the farmer many thousand years ago, who cleared an area in the forest and built his farm there. He lived and worked on that farm all his life. And he was also buried there, when he died. The Nisse is his descendant. He lives on the farm – perhaps in the barn – and only appears in the winter. Most of the time the nisse is nice and friendly. But he is also hot- tempered and can become angry and make trouble. That is why you have to remember to serve him porridge on Christmas eve. Before the nisse it was the Yule Goat, who looked after his tasks and handed out presents. Here he is:
When Christianity came to the Nordic countries about 1000 years ago the Nisse was not very popular any more. People often saw him as ungodly. But he survived. And after a few hundred years he was again a welcome guest, when he around Christmas came with presents. By the way, there are people who say that the word nisse is a pet name for Niels (or Nils in Swedish). I – Niels – think this is nice – on the condition that the nisse is nice and happy! And why is a nisse called a tomte in Swedish? It is very easy to explain. The piece of land which the farmer cleared in the forest is called a tomte. So our Swedish friends have decided to let that be the name of our nisse. And that’s fine with me. And with the tomte, I hope! In English you often call a nisse a pixie.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Christmas traditions in Sweden – what are the main ones? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :
1. Yesterday’s quote: I don’t know which books I profit most from: those keeping me awake at night – or those making me fall asleep. This was once said by the British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli. 2. Today’s quote: We are all born crazy. Some of us will continue to be so all our life. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1639: Jean Racine ( died 1699 ) 1858: Giacomo Puccini ( died 1924 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1989: Samuel Beckett ( 83 years ) DECEMBER 23 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called THORLACUS DAY. He was an Icelandic monk and later bishop at Skalholt. He lived in the years 1133-93 and studied in Paris and in Lincoln. Later he founded the first monastery for nuns in Iceland.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1888: The painter Vincent van Gogh is cutting one of his ears off following a quarrel with his friend Paul Gauguin. TODAY’s QUESTION: Christmas traditions in Sweden – what are the main ones? In Sweden you get a foretaste of the Christmas holidays December 13 with Lucia Day, A Lucia (Queen of Light or St. Lucia) is chosen in schools, cities and associations to celebrate the light bringer. Early in the morning at work places or in schools St Lucia comes dressed in a white gown with a crown of candles in her hair. She is followed by boys “stjärngossar” wearing paper cone hats and sticks with a star on top. They bring buns with saffron and ginger bread. But foremost they sing a set of christmas carols. During these period, in December Swedes tend to go visiting each other for a special sort of cocktail parties, where you serve a mulled sweet red wine and ginger bread along with a variety of sweets.
One or two days before Christmas most families bring in the Christmas tree. It is decorated with glass bulbs, figures like angels or animals made of straw and of course candles, nowadays mostly electric. Christmas Eve, December 24, is the most important day. Usually people have a Christmas lunch – a buffet, smorgaasbord with a lot of sausages and salami. But most important; ham and a very typical dish "lutfisk", dried fish foaked in lye to make it soft and eatable. A variety of marinated herring is a must – all digested with a schnaps. In recent years people try to mix the traditional dishes with more salads and vegetables. These lunch sessions tend to go on for many hours. But the many families with children watching the yearly Walt Disney Christmas show on Swedish Television. Even if this broadcast has been less important with the arrival of many competing TV channels. There are still a million audience watching Donald Duck & company on Christmas Eve. Given the lack of light on this time of the year, midday now has turned into evening. In many families you just have a light meal in the evening topped with a heavy dessert: Christmas rice porridge made with lots of sugar and cinnamon. The lucky person who finds a whole almond in their porridge is granted a special attention, sometimes he or she will have to make a performance of some sort, for example making a simple poem. Children at this stage are getting restless and wait for Santa, the "Tomte". Simultaneously the father or someone else in the party has to “go and buy a newspaper” or walk the dog. Then the "Tomte" comes with a sack of presents. Swedes traditionally go to church very early in the morning of Christmas Day. In some parts they still celebrate tradition with a trek to church on horse-drawn sleighs. But in recent years global warming doesn’t permit this, apart from in the northern parts of the country. After Christmas and New Years Eve there is one more event, the “Theirteenth Night”, which is also a national holiday. Often you meet friends and family on the eve for a dinner with fish or shellfish, something lighter than the ordinary Christmas food.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Christmas traditions in Greece – what are they? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: We are all born crazy. Some of us will continue to be so all our life. This was said by the author Samuel Beckett. 2. Today’s quote:
The smile is the shortest distance between two people. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1777: Alexander I ( died 1825 ) 1880: Ejnar Mikkelsen ( died 1971 ) 1918: Helmut Schmidt ( died 2015 ) 1943: Queen Silvia
4. Famous people died on this day: 1979: Peggy Guggenheim ( 81 years ) 2000: Victor Borge ( 91 years ) 2000: Aage Haugland ( 56 years ) DECEMBER 24 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called ADAM’s DAY. TODAY’s EVENT: 1871: Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aida is shown for the first time in Cairo at the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Christmas traditions in Greece – what are they? Christmas is considered to be the second most important religious event – after Easter. Many kids will go around to the houses singing Christmas carols (called "kallanda") and getting paid a little bit of money and sweets. I used to do it a lot with my brother, when I was little. Two popular sweets around the Christmas period are "melomakarona" and "kourabiedhes". They are made of honey, flour, nuts, and cinnamon. In the old days people used to decorate a wooden ship, instead of a Christmas tree. Nowadays, due to Western influence, we usually decorate a Christmas tree. The Greek Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve with the breaking of the "Christopsomo". This is a loaf of bread. Each person in the family gets a slice, drizzled with honey.
On Christmas Day we usually have stuffed turkey with various vegetables. In terms of drinks, there are no special drinks for Christmas. People drink whatever they drink the rest of the year. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Christmas traditions in Ireland – what are they? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The smile is the shortest distance between two people. This was said by the Danish-American entertainer Victor Borge.
2. Today’s quote: I am not superstitious, but there are several things, which do not bring me happiness – such as men. Who has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1491: Ignatius Loyala ( died 1556 ) 1798: Adam Mickiewicz ( died 1873 ) 1879: Queen Alexandrine ( died 1952 ) 1922: Ava Gardner ( died 1990 ) 1943: Tarja Halonen 1957: Hamid Karzai
4. Famous people died on this day: 1524: Vasco da Gama ( 56 years ) 1980: Karl Dönitz ( 89 years ) 1984: Peter Lawford ( 61 years ) 2008: Harold Pinter ( 78 years ) DECEMBER 25
TODAY’s NAME: Today is CHRISTMAS DAY. The birthday of Jesus. So it has no special saint attached to it. TODAY’s EVENT: 1991: Michail Gorbachev steps down as president of the Soviet Union, which is then dissolved the following day. __________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s QUESTION: Christmas traditions in Ireland – what are they? In Ireland today, Christmas is a time for families coming together and with the recently acquired wealth, this coming together is a great excuse for a boom in buying (expensive) consumer goods especially for children who normally are at the centre of most of the festivities. We are very much in the mainstream of Western European customs, taking the Christmas Tree from Germany, the turkey and plum pudding from England - although there was a tradition, especially in rural areas, to have a goose, rather than a turkey. For the main meal on Christmas Day. Ireland is very much a religious country and even with growing secularism, Christmas is very much a religious festival, with carol singing, live cribs, and decorated windows in the main stores. This also brings out little quirks in our attitude towards religious feast days. In Britain, the day after Christmas, is known as 'boxing day' a name I always have some confusion with. Many Irish people also use the term 'boxing day', but over recent it is usual to refer to this day as St Stephen's Day, which is the proper name listed in the Church Calendar. Going back to pagan times there is an old tradition, particularly in the Dingle Peninsula, of hunting the 'wren', whereby a group, mostly young men, dress up as wren boys in rather garish costumes, featuring straw as a large element of the dress, gathering on St. Stephen's Day and move around the community receiving sustenance from the neighbours, which may be the whole point of the exercise. The tradition has remained in Dingle for many decades but within the last 20 years it has spread to Dublin, to Sandymount, near Donnybrook and Dublin Bay and a large number of people, young and old, male and female, famous and not so famous, gather to follow in the hunt for the wren. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Christmas traditions in Portugal – what are they ?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I am not superstitious, but there are several things, which do not bring me happiness – such as men. This was said by the American actress Ava Gardner. 2. Today’s quote: Following a political coup the journalists ask the politician: Are you now going home to lick your wounds? No, the politician replies, I can’t, because they are all in my back! Which of today’s politicians has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1642: Isaac Newton ( died 1727 ) 1870: Helena Rubinstein ( died 1965 ) 1887: Conrad Hilton ( died 1979 ) 1899: Humphrey Bogart ( died 1957 ) 1915: Per Hækkerup ( died 1979 ) 1918: Anwar Sadat ( died 1981 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1946: W.C. Fields ( 66 years ) 1977: Charlie Chaplin ( 88 years ) 1983: Juan Miro ( 90 years ) 1989: Nicolae Ceaucescu ( 71 years ) 1995: Dean Martin ( original name: Dino Paul Crocetti ) ( 78 years ) 2005: Birgit Nilsson ( 87 years ) 2008: Eartha Kitt ( 81 years ) DECEMBER 26 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called STEPHEN’s DAY. He was one of the very first Christians, who were killed because of his belief. The Apostle Stephen is linked to the popular legend about Stephen Stableboy, who was a waiter for King Herod. Stefan was the first one, who discovered the star of Bethlehem, and he immediately told the king about the star and its importance. Herod – who was
eating a fried chicken – said immediately: This is impossible. Just as impossible it would be to make this cock on my plate to crow. The chicken crowed rightaway: Christus natus est – Christ has been born. Herod got so mad, that he immediately had Stefan killed.
TODAY’s EVENT: 2004: An earthquake and a tsunami in the Indian Ocean have devastating results. TODAY’s QUESTION: Christmas traditions in Portugal – what are they? "Natal em Portugal" - Christmas in Portugal Christmas (Natal) is a very important period of the year in Portugal: in the past for the strong religious symbol it represented and nowadays for the deeply rooted traditions and shared values of Family, Friendship, Peace and Charity. Christmas Eve (24) and Christmas Day (25) are celebrated with lots of Joy and enthusiasm bringing Families and people together to share gifts and gastronomic delights. In the beginning of December children start writing letters to "Pai Natal" (Santa Claus) asking him to bring gifts and sweets to be put in their shoes near the Christmas tree (or the chimney) during the night of 24th December. Decoration of the Christmas tree and preparation of the "Presépio" (Nativity) is a magic moment for children (and parents alike). In the kitchen the activity goes crescendo from mid-December on to prepare all the traditional dishes and desserts until the 23rd when the "Bacalhau" (codfish) is put into large basins of water to lose its salt, the turkey is stuffed and the last desserts are prepared such as "Rabanadas" (fried slices of bread rolled in sugar and cinnamon); "Toucinho do céu" (a delicious and rich cream prepared with egg yolks, almond powder, sugar and walnuts); "Sonhos" (a kind of pumpkin doughnuts served with a light sugar syrup)… On December 24 the whole Family and close friends gather in the evening to celebrate "Natal".The table is covered with the most beautifully embroidered linen white tablecloth. In the most traditional families diner is served quite early in order to allow the group to go to Church to celebrate the "Missa do galo" (midnight mass) and "Nascimento do Menino Jesus" (birth of Little Jesus). The most traditional dish one can find on all tables, poor or rich, is the "Bacalhau cozido" (boiled codfish) served with boiled potatoes, eggs, vegetables and seasoned with olive oil, vinegar and raw garlic. In the Northern Oporto regions it is also very common to eat octopus. As a second service, a variety of meat roasts is brought to the table: turkey, lamb or "leitão assado" (suckling piglet) all served with puffed potatoes or rice.
Then comes the most incredible variety of desserts which recipes differ slightly from region to region but have one thing in common: they are prepared with lots of eggs, sugar, almonds and all sorts of nuts! The "Ceia" (Supper) is in the programme for those coming back from the "Midnight mass": a hot "Canja" (chicken or turkey soup) or in the Northern regions "Caldo Verde" (a soup prepared with green cabbage) is served. Then the most magic moment - specially for the Children – arrives: the opening of the gifts by order of age: the younger first !In some families, probably the most disciplined, kids go to bed and only open their gifts the next morning meaning that in some places anxiety is at it's maximum until very early on 25 December. That day is usually passed with siblings or with other people who could not be present during the Christmas Eve. The atmosphere is in general warm and relaxed: some delicious special preparations are made with the left overs: just to mention "Roupa velha" (kind of stew prepared with onions and garlic fried in olive oil, mixed with the rest of cod fish, octopus, potatoes, vegetables, olives, hard boiled eggs and fresh herbs such as coriander and parsley). Until the dawn … The New Year's Eve is also a moment of celebration and partying: the most courageous run the "São Silvestre's" night race or plunge into the sea (average: 15 ° C) on the first day of the New Year. The rest - to which I belong - dance, drink and eat all night long … until Sunrise. The Season's Celebrations come to an end on "Dia dos Reis": on 6th January where a special cake is prepared with dried and crystallised fruit. A "fava" (kidney bean) is hidden in the middle of the pastry and the one who gets it in his or her slice wins the King or the Queen's crown! The Year may begin under the best auspices.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Holy flame - where does that tradition come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The smile is the shortest distance between two people. This was said by the Danish-American entertainer Victor Borge. 2. Today’s quote: The Buck stops here!
Who among today’s persons said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1891: Henry Miller ( died 1980 ) 1893: Mao Tse Dong ( died 1976 ) 1914: Richard Widmark ( died 2008 ) 1939: Tina Turner 1945: John Walsh
4. Famous people died on this day: 1890: Heinrich Schliemann ( 68 years ) 1972: Harry S. Truman ( 88 years ) 2001: Nigel Hawthorne ( 72 years ) 2006: Gerald Ford ( 93 years ) DECEMBER 27 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called JOHN’s DAY. It has its name from the evangelist John, who lived 6-100 AC. He was originally a fisherman and then became a follower of John the Baptiser. He lived part of his life on the now Greek island of Patmos, where he wrote his gospel.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1978: Spain becomes a democracy after 40 years of dictatorship.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Holy flame - where does that tradition come from? And what does it mean? This is the name of the permanent fire in the temples in the ancient times. It is known from many religions. To the ancient Greeks fire was sacred. They believed it had been stolen from the gods by Prometheus. In the Christian religion it is mentioned in the Law of Moses, where God asks Moses to ensure that the flame on the alter will burn permanently. From there comes the tradition with a burning lamp in Jewish synagogues. It is also known in the Catholic church. When you see a permanent flame on monuments for killed soldiers in wars, f.ex. on the tomb of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is comes from the same tradition.
The Olympic flame has the same origin. Some time in advance of Olympic games a special ceremony is organized at the Mount Olympus in Greece. The flame is ignited by the beams of the sun, and a torch with the flame is transported over long distances, often by a runner, to the place, where the games take place. At the end of the games the flame is extinguished again.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Honeymoon - where does this word come from? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The Buck stops here! This was said by the American president Harry S. Truman. He referred to the fact that he as president never could send difficult questions on to somebody else. 2. Today’s quote: Older women often look younger that young ones, because they have more experience than the young in the art on how to look young. Who among today’s persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1571: Johannes Kepler ( died 1630 ) 1822: Louis Pasteur ( died 1893 ) 1867: Johannes Larsen ( died 1961 ) 1901: Marlene Dietrich ( died 1992 ) 1947: Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen
4. Famous people died on this day: 1923: Gustave Eiffel ( 91 years ) 1981: Hoagy Carmichal ( 82 years ) 2007: Benazir Bhutto ( 54 years ) DECEMBER 28 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CHILDREN’s DAY. This is remembrance of the child killings in Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus. The day is also called the innocent children’s day.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1973: Alexander Solzhenytsin publishes his famous book “ The Gulag Archipelago”. TODAY’s QUESTION: Honeymoon - where does this word come from? And what does it mean? The old English expression hony moone from the 16th century was the name for the very first days in the marriage of newly weds. That was where they started their new life and probably also laid the ground for a larger family. In the early 19th century it became a habit for new couples (in the upper classes) in England that they went on a trip immediately after the wedding. They were often accompanied by family and friends on the trip. They either went to see family, who had not been able to come to the wedding. Or to other places. The French Riviera and Italy ( Rome, Verona and Venice) were the most popular places. In France the same habit started in the 1820’es (“English style voyages”). And in the so-called Belle Epoque ( 1871-1914) the honeymoon trips were in a way the start of mass tourism. In Denmark honeymoon is called hvedebrødsdage (white bread days). Why? Because normally people in the old days only had rye bread to eat. In the days after the wedding they had the more expensive wheat breat or white bread for a few days.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Keelhauling - what is that?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Older women often look younger that young ones, because they have more experience than the young in the art on how to look young.
This was said by the German-American actress Marlene Dietrich.
2. Today’s quote: I use not only my own brain, but also those I can borrow. Who among today’s persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day:
1856: Woodrow Wilson ( died 1924 ) 1903: Earl Hines ( died 1983 ) 1903: John von Neumann ( died 1957 ) 1925: Hildegard Knef ( died 2002 ) 1953: Richard Clayderman
4. Famous people died on this day: 1937: Maurice Ravel ( 62 years ) 1952: Queen Alexandrine ( 73 years ) 1963: Paul Hindemith ( 68 years ) 2004: Susan Sontag ( 71 years )
DECEMBER 29 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is NOAH’s DAY. It has it from Noah in The old Testament. He was the constructor of the ARK, which he used to rescue his family, two pairs of all animals and a vine from the Flood. Historically it is likely that the Flood actually happened in pre-historic times, when the Mediterranean Sea broke though the Bosphorus into the Black Sea. The Mediterranean was until then about 8 meters higher, so it is evident that the break-through was an enormous disaster. The legend tells that Noah landed his Ark on the mountain Ararat. It lies at the eastern side of the present day Black Sea.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1989: The regime opponent and dramatist Vaclav Havel becomes the president of Czechoslovakia. TODAY’s QUESTION: Keelhauling - what is that? This is the name of an old maritime punishment, which was used in many countries from the Middle Ages until around 1800. The guy who had to be punished had his hands and his feed tied, got a rope around his waist and was pulled from one side of the ship under the keel and up on the other side of the ship. It was in no way fun. Either he
drowned because the rope was pulled very slowly. Or his skin was totally torn into pieces by all the sharp shells which were always attached to the ships buttom. Or both. Fortunately, the rules in human rights made an end to that sort of misbehavior from the side of the skippers!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Köpenick event - what’s the history behind that? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I use not only my own brain, but also those I can borrow. This was said by the American president Woodrow Wilson. 2. Today’s quote: Politicians think about the next elections. Statesmen about the next generation. Who among today’s persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1721: Madame de Pompadour ( died 1764 ) 1800: Charles Goodyear ( died 1860 ) 1809: William Gladstone ( died 1898 ) 1938: Jon Voight
4. Famous people died on this day: 1170: Thomas Becket ( 55 years ) 1916: Grigorij Rasputin ( 47 years ) 1952: Fletcher Henderson ( 55 years ) 1986: Harold Macmillan ( 92 years ) DECEMBER 30 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is DAVID’s DAY. He was a Jewish king in The Old Testament. He is known for killing the giant Goliath by throwing a stone at him with a sling. It was also king David who selected Jerusalem as the royal residence.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1922: The Soviet Union is established. TODAY’s QUESTION: Köpenick event - what’s the history behind that? This expression comes from an event in 1906. A shoemaker in Berlin, Wilhelm Voigt (1849-1922) – former prisoner and a poor guy to look at – took in the German town of Köpenick outside Berlin the uniform of a military officer and behaved like a captain in the imperial guard. He commanded a group of soldiers to follow him to the City Hall, where they arrested the authorities and took the city’s money box with 4000 Mark. After that he disappeared. But he was caught quite quickly afterwards. After two years he was pardoned by emperor Wilhelm and was freed from prison. He became a popular hero in Germany. Now he wrote a book about the event. It was later also made into a film. The event was used by Voigt and many others to make the Prussian authorities look like fools with their obedience to military uniforms. When the expression a Köpenick event or affair is used now and then today it means that somebody makes fun of the authorities. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Neandertal Man - what is the history behind it? And why is it called so? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Politicians think about the next elections. Statesmen about the next generation. This was said by the liberal British politician and prime minister William Gladstone. 2. Today’s quote: A woman is just a woman. But a good cigar – that’s tobacco. Who among today’s persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 39:
Emperor Titus ( died 81 )
1865: Rudyard Kipling ( died 1936 ) 1946: Berti Vogts 1975: Tiger Woods
4. Famous people died on this day:
1937: H.N. Andersen ( 85 years ) 1968: Trygve Lie ( 72 years ) 2006: Saddam Hussein ( 69 years ) DECEMBER 31 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called SYLVESTER’s DAY. It has its name from pope Sylvester, who was the first pope, who was allowed to baptize an emperor ( Constantine the Great ). Sylvester died in 335. The word Sylvester comes from Latin silvistris, which means wild. It comes from silva ( forest ). An old Danish weather warning tells that if it rains on New Year’s eve the year will give a bad harvest.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1890: Immigration camps are opened on Ellis Island in New York harbour. The purpose is to receive new immigrants to the US. TODAY’s QUESTION: Neandertal Man - what is the history behind it? And why is it called so? Just 12 km to the east of Düsseldorf you can visit your very old ancestor, the Neandertal Man. He is more than 60.000 years old. The village is called Mettmann and is very close to the motorway (Autobahn) from Wuppertal to Düsseldorf). The valley is called Neandertal – created by the small river Düssel. It was named after the German writer and painter Joachim Neander (1650-80), who loved to come to this valley. It was here that some workers in 1859 found human bones, which were examined by specialists. They came from human beings who lived there about 60.000 years go. They got the name the Neandertal Men. Afterwards the place where they were found was forgotten. And it was rediscovered only about 50 years ago. Now you can visit a very interesting Neandertal Museum in the village. It illustrates in a very lively way the development of mankind over thousands, even millions, of years. And the explanations are in German as well as in English. See more here: http://www.neanderthal.de/en/ QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: January - where does that name come from? And what is linked to this month?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A woman is just a woman. But a good cigar – that’s tobacco. This was said by the British author Rudyard Kipling. 2. Today’s quote: Justice, not revenge! Who among today’s persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1869: Henri Matisse ( died 1954 ) 1880: George Marshall ( died 1959 ) 1884: Elizabeth Arden ( died 1966 ) 1908: Simon Wiesenthal ( died 2005 ) 1937: Anthony Hopkins 1943: John Denver ( died 1997 ) 1943: Ben Kingsley
4. Famous people died on this day: 1872: Aleksis Kivi ( 38 years ) 1985: Ricky Nelson ( 45 years )