Dec 22nd “FOREFATHERS’ DAY”

Each year, Forefathers’ Day commemorates the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1620.

The Old Colony Club of Plymouth, Massachusetts, introduced the observance in 1769. The town observes the holiday on December 22nd (unless on Sunday, then on the following Monday).

Carrying on the traditions established in 1769, the Old Colony Club recognizes the forefathers with several events. The celebration begins at 6:00 AM with a march by members to the top of Cole’s Hill next to Massasoit’s statue.

Next, they read a proclamation honoring the forefathers, followed by a ritual firing of the club’s cannon.

The Old Colony Club and the Mayflower Society both include a succotash dinner as part of their celebration. Sauquetash was recorded as a part of the first celebration. Unlike later versions of succotash, in Plymouth, succotash is served as a broth containing large pieces of fowl and meat that are sliced at the table. And the Old Colony Club did not call the Forefathers “pilgrims” either. The name didn’t come along until much later. 

Well into the 1800s from New England to Los Angeles, churches and other organizations celebrated the day with meals they called “New England” dinners. Speeches reflected on the lessons the years since the Plymouth settlers arrived. Others recounted their history. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #ForefathersDay

Learn more about your forefathers. Find out about the pilgrims in your history and the history of the country. Discover the story behind the Mayflower and more. Use #ForefathersDay to post on social media.

While the day remembers the forefathers who helped establish colonies on the continent, there were many women who did their part, too. Discover some of their names and stories by reading 5 Foremothers Who Helped Shape The United States.

FOREFATHERS’ DAY HISTORY

Descendants of the Mayflower formed the Old Colony Club and established Forefathers’ Day on December 22, 1769, “to honor the forefathers.” When adjusting the date to the Gregorian calendar, the anniversary of the landing was mistakenly calculated to be December 22nd instead of December 21st. 

Two noted celebrations occurred 100 years apart. The first in 1820 when the Pilgrim Society held its first celebration at First Parish Church. Daniel Webster spoke movingly about the pilgrims. It was Webster’s moving speech that put Plymouth Rock into the patriotic spotlight. On Forefathers’ Day that year, he made it a landmark like had never been before.

The largest Forefathers’ Day celebration took place in 1920 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day as Pilgrims’ Day on December 21st, reflecting the more accepted conversion to the Gregorian calendar.

Dec 20th “WINTER SOLSTICE”

The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs annually between December 20th and December 23rd.

The winter solstice is marked by the point at which the North Pole is at its farthest from the sun during its yearly orbit around the sun. It will be approximately 23 degrees away from the sun. Despite the temperature outside, the winter solstice is considered the astronomical beginning of winter. Meteorological winter begins December 1st and lasts until the end of February. It’s marked by the coldest average temperatures during the year.

Depending on how far north a person is in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter, their day can range from 9.5 hours to absolutely no sunrise at all.  On the bright side, the days will gradually become longer in the Northern Hemisphere until the summer solstice in June. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same day marks the summer solstice and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year.

The vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox conventionally mark the beginning of spring and fall respectively and occur when night and day are approximately equal in length.

Around the world since ancient times to modern-day, celebrations, festivals, rituals, and holidays recognizing the winter solstice have varied from culture to culture.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WinterSolstice

Winter lovers, enjoy the shortest day of the year. Those longing for more sunlight, prepare to celebrate. Longer days are ahead. Use #WinterSolstice to post on social media.

WINTER SOLSTICE HISTORY

Since the marking of time and the earliest calendars, this day marked the hardest time of the year for early people.  Survival was paramount when food and heat are not reliable.  In all corners of the Earth, there are ancient remains that seem to have been built around marking the winter solstice.

• Probably the most famous of these is Stonehenge, England. Every year when the sun sets on the winter solstice, the sun’s rays align with two of the giant stones known as the central Altar and the Slaughter stone.
• As the sun rises the day of the winter solstice, its rays illuminate the main chambers of the monument dating back to 3200 B.C. at Newgrange, Ireland.
• In Tulum, Mexico an ancient Mayan city stands deserted. At the top of one of these buildings, a small hole casts a starburst when the sun rises on the winter and summer solstices.

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!

Solstice FAQ

Q. What’s the difference between a solstice and an equinox?
A. A solstice marks the Sun’s farthest and nearest points from the Equator. An equinox marks the point where the Sun is directly over the Earth’s equator and an equal distance from the north and south poles. There are two solstices (winter and summer) and two equinoxes (vernal and autumnal).

Q. What’s the difference between meteorological seasons and astronomical seasons?
A. Astronomical seasons are determined by the amount of sunlight hitting the Earth. Meteorological seasons are based on the weather on Earth including temperature and types of precipitation.

DATES
December 21, 2021
Check back in 2031 for a date change.

Dec 19th “Dylan Winter and the Starling Murmurations”

At dusk on a winter evening in southern England a flock of 200,000 European starlings congregate to soar in breathtaking formations before roosting for the night.

These incredible displays of aerial precision and biological engineering are captured in this memorable sequence from FLIGHT: THE GENIUS OF BIRDS.

The DVD & Blu-ray are available for purchase now – visit www.illustramedia.com for more information.

Use Coupon Code YTIM15 to save 15%!

artfantasies

7 years ago

Wonder-ful, simply wonderful and beautiful to see.

Reminding me on my youth where still big flocks of birds were here to watch.

Amazing, thank you for uploading 🙂 … never thought I would see something like that again.

Dec 19th “GO CAROLING DAY”

Tune-up your voice on December 20th so you can join others on Go Caroling Day! Caroling is the practice of singing Christmas songs from door to door as a form of celebration. The word carol means a joyful song or dance.

The tradition of singing carols has roots in pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice. Carols were later adopted by the Christian faith to celebrate the nativity during the 4th and 5th centuries and were primarily sung in Latin. St. Francis of Assisi improved the popularity of singing carols when he paired the songs with stories (canticles), and the songs were performed in modern languages. The Victorian era saw a surge in caroling, and many popular caroling songs still sung today were written during this era.

Though caroling is not as popular as it once was, it’s still a tradition many families, communities, and churches look forward to every year. Some popular caroling songs include:

• Here Comes Santa Claus
• Jingle Bells
• O Christmas Tree
• Silent Night
• We Wish You A Merry Christmas
• Joy to the World
• Let it, Snow!

So, on Go Caroling Day, gather your best voices and sing your favorite Christmas songs door to door in your neighborhood.

HOW TO OBSERVE #GoCarolingDay

Go Caroling Day is an easy celebration that spreads joy and cheer. If you’ve never caroled before, select 3-4 easier songs and friends who are in the holiday spirit. Not everyone can carry a tune, but that won’t matter when you’re surrounded by loved ones who share in your enthusiasm. Visit friends and neighbors and sing the songs with all the joy in your heart. Afterward, return home for hot chocolate and cookies. Caroling is a simple way to give back to others. Share your event using #GoCarolingDay on social media.

GO CAROLING DAY HISTORY

Go Caroling Day began to appear in 2001 on December 19th. The day has since moved closer to the winter solstice and is now observed on December 20th.

Caroling FAQ

Q. Do people still carol at Christmastime?
A. Yes. Though the tradition is less popular now than in past times, people still carol from door to door. Sometimes, carolers are hired for special events and holiday parties like those at Olde Towne Carolers. 

Q. If carolers stop at my house, do I have to invite them in?
A. No. However, showing your gratitude is appreciated. Whether you offer a smile, applause, or a treat before the carolers move on to the next house is up to you. You can also request a song to show your appreciation.

Q. How should we dress for caroling?
A. First and foremost, dress for the weather. No special costume is required to carol, though you may add festive hats and scarves to your attire.