On This Day In History
At the winter solstice we celebrate American land artist Nancy Holt, whose defining work 'Sun Tunnels' was installed in 1976 in the Utah desert. The tunnels are pierced with holes which, on the solstices, project constellations into the cylinders.https://t.co/ODOvUv8V3D pic.twitter.com/QGZdUuKark
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) December 21, 2021
On this day in 1837, the U.S. Congress passed a rule that prohibited any discussion about the abolition of slavery. The rule remained in effect for seven years. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/v4LwtymLGN
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) December 21, 2021
Quote from Charlie Charles IV on December 21, 2021, 7:43 pm
This day 54 years ago – 21 December 1967 – Michael J. O'Kelly discovered that Newgrange, Co Meath, flooded with light during winter solstice.
To read more, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Perfect for those with an interest in Ireland's past!https://t.co/Y4VENustgB pic.twitter.com/3AuDkOvNR0
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) December 21, 2021
So is it only that recent that we knew the importance of Newgrange ?
December 22nd
1790 Supposedly impenetrable Turkish fortress of Izmail stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies during the Russo-Turkish War (1787–92)
1877 Thomas Edison's Phonograph is announced by Scientific American
1885 Itō Hirobumi, a samurai, becomes the first Prime Minister of Japan
1989 After 23 years of dictatorial rule, Romania ousts Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu
1990 Lech Wałęsa sworn in as Poland's 1st popularly elected president
2010 Repeal of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell policy", a 17-year-old policy banning homosexuals serving openly in the US military, signed into law by President Barack Obama
Did You Know?
Colo is born, the first gorilla to be bred in captivity at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus, Ohio
Would You Believe?
The execution of Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky by firing squad is called off at the last second
This day 330 years ago – 22 December 1691 – 12,000 Irish Jacobite troops left for France, including Anthony McCartan, ancestor of Charles de Gaulle
To read more, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Available online and in all good bookshops now.https://t.co/Y4VENuK4Fb pic.twitter.com/oDpWIefOpG
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) December 22, 2021
Sarah Sophia Banks, sister to botanist Joseph, collected coins, artefacts and ephemera like calling cards, adverts and playbills - a rich source for the study of popular culture in the 18th century, held @britishmuseum @britishlibrary @RoyalMintMuseum. https://t.co/6U09c9Ac0t pic.twitter.com/nxG4WbNU7D
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) December 22, 2021
On this day in 1853, a sheriff in Tuskegee, AL, advertised the planned sale of a 23-year-old enslaved Black man named Bob, to settle a lawsuit against Bob’s enslaver. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/z4ep0YqJxW
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) December 22, 2021
December 23rd
962 Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops storm the city of Aleppo, recovering the tattered tunic of John the Baptist
1688 King James II, the last Roman Catholic British monarch flees to France from William of Orange
1783 US General George Washington resigns his military commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to Congress
1888 Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear with a razor, after argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin, and sends to a prostitute for safe keeping
1920 Government of Ireland Act / Home Rule Act passed partitioning Ireland
1954 The first human kidney transplant is performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts
Did You Know?
Four women ordained priests in Jamaica, 1st in 330-year Anglican history
Would You Believe?
A MQ-1 Predator is shot down by an Iraqi MiG-25, making it the first time in history that an aircraft and a modern unmanned drone had engaged in combat
Botanist, transatlantic trader, business leader and pro-revolution American, Eliza Lucas Pinckney developed indigo as a cash crop, vital to the Carolina economy from the 1740s - using enslaved workers. George Washington was a pallbearer at her funeral. https://t.co/kxXZyj0gCM pic.twitter.com/xXfFWMyhjv
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) December 23, 2021
On this day in 1946, the all-white University of Tennessee men's basketball team forfeited rather than play against Duquesne University's team and their one Black player. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/jmS8EVz2rr
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) December 23, 2021
December 24th
1565 Compromise of the Nobles in Habsburg Netherlands closes against inquisition
1814 Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the War of 1812 between the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies
1936 1st radioactive isotope medicine administered in Berkeley, California
1943 US President FDR appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces
Did You Know?
Christmas carol "Silent Night" composed by Franz Xaver Gruber is first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria
Would You Believe?
Private companies allowed to use the word "postcard" in the US. Previously they were labelled "Private Mailing Cards" and known as "souvenir cards".
Our #bookoftheweek is 'This Day in Irish History' by Padraic Coffey! We have really enjoyed perusing this in our gift shop - it contains so many stories surrounding various events which have happened throughout Irish history, really makes for some interesting reading! #gpomuseum pic.twitter.com/C3pitY3DB5
— GPO Museum (@gpowithistory) November 18, 2021
In the 2020 election campaign in Moldova, Maia Sandu was often mocked for being single and childless at 48. #OTD in 2020 she was sworn in as the country's first female president, with 57.7% of the popular vote. She was re-elected in July 2021 on an anti-corruption ticket. pic.twitter.com/A2K2th52xp
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) December 24, 2021
On this day in 1865, Confederate veterans established the KKK in Pulaski, TN. Devoted to white supremacy, the KKK became America’s first domestic terrorist group. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/R5xSItFSp1
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) December 24, 2021
December 25th
1 1st Christmas, according to calendar-maker Dionysus Exiguus
800 Pope Leo III crowns Charles the Great (Charlemagne), Roman Emperor
1066 William the Conqueror is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, completing the Norman conquest of England
1741 Astronomer Anders Celsius introduces Centigrade temperature scale
1868 Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all persons involved in Southern rebellion (Civil War)
1991 Mikhail Gorbachev formally resigns as President of USSR in a televised speech
Did You Know?
Legendary "Christmas Truce" takes place on the battlefields of WWI between British and German troops. Instead of fighting, soldiers exchange gifts and play football
Would You Believe?
Japanese scientist achieve -271.8°C, coldest temperature ever recorded
This day 670 years ago – 25 December 1351 – William Buí O’Kelly (Uilliam Buidhe Ó Cellaigh) held a Christmas feast for the poets of Ireland in his home in Galey Castle in Co. Roscommon. He invited not only poets but bards, harpers, gamesters and jesters. (1/6)
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) December 25, 2021