World’s first electrically lit Christmas tree in 1882

 

On December 22, 1882, Edward Hibberd Johnson, a close business associate of Thomas Edison, displayed the world’s first electrically lit Christmas tree at his townhouse in New York City. 

Key Historical Details

• The Inventor: Edward H. Johnson was the vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company. While Edison is credited with inventing the first strand of outdoor lights in 1880, Johnson was the first to apply them to a Christmas tree.
• The Display: The six-foot tree featured 80 hand-wired, walnut-sized electric bulbs in red, white, and blue. To make the display even more impressive, the tree sat on a rotating pedestal.
• A Safer Alternative: Before this, families decorated trees with wax candles, which posed a severe fire hazard. Johnson's invention provided a safer, though initially expensive, alternative.
• Public Impact: A reporter from the Detroit Post and Tribune witnessed the event on December 22, describing it as a "most picturesque and uncanny aspect". However, it took decades for the tradition to become widespread due to the high cost of electricity and specialized installation. 

Crossword Puzzle Day

 

December 21st marks an occasion that brings together vocabularians, puzzle enthusiasts, and casual readers alike: Crossword Puzzle Day. Celebrating the joy of wordplay and the satisfaction that comes from piecing together clues, this day invites all to appreciate the cultural phenomenon that is the crossword puzzle. To honour this fun-filled day, let's explore the origins of the crossword puzzle, its evolution over the years, and some fascinating facts that every puzzle fan should know.

The Origins of Crossword Puzzles

The first modern crossword puzzle was created by journalist Arthur Wynne, who designed it for the New York World newspaper in 1913. His creation, which he called a "Word-Cross," featured a diamond shape and initially omitted the now-common black squares. Wynne's artistic vision laid the groundwork for what would become a staple in newspapers worldwide by introducing a new form of wordplay that also challenged critical thinking.

The puzzles quickly gained popularity, inspiring other newspapers to create their own, and by the 1920s, crosswords had officially become a cultural phenomenon. This era also witnessed the introduction of the term "crossword" when Wynne rotated the title, resulting in the puzzles we know today. Since then, they have evolved into various forms, with some using creativity and humour, while others adopt more serious, academic tones.

International Human Solidarity Day

International Human Solidarity Day is observed annually on December 20. Established by the United Nations, it serves as a global celebration of unity in diversity and a reminder of the shared responsibility needed to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice. 

Core Objectives

The United Nations identifies several key purposes for this day:

• Celebrate Unity: Honouring the global community's ability to stand together despite national, cultural, or religious differences.
• Raise Awareness: Educating the public on the importance of solidarity in international relations and community development.
• Action for Poverty: Encouraging new initiatives and reminding governments to fulfil their commitments to eradicate poverty.
• Support Global Goals: Promoting cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). 

History and Origin

 

• 2000: The UN Millennium Declaration identified solidarity as a fundamental value for the 21st century.
• 2002: The UN General Assembly established the World Solidarity Fund (Resolution 57/265) on December 20 to tackle poverty in developing nations.
• 2005: The General Assembly officially proclaimed December 20 as International Human Solidarity Day (Resolution 60/209). 

 

Foundation Day of the Asian Development Bank

 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) celebrates its Foundation Day on December 19th, marking the date of its official establishment in 1966 to promote economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, with operations starting in 1967 from its Manila headquarters. 

Key Facts about ADB's Foundation:

• Established: December 19, 1966.
• First Operations: Started in 1967.
• Purpose: To foster economic development and cooperation in Asia.
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
• Founding Members: Began with 31 countries, expanding to 69 members today (50 from the region, 19 non-regional).
• Role: Provides loans, grants, technical assistance, and equity investments to support development.

World Arabic Language Day

 

World Arabic Language Day is celebrated annually on December 18th, established by UNESCO in 2012 to honour Arabic as a pillar of human diversity, recognizing its rich history, influence on culture, science, and its role as the sixth official language of the United Nations since 1973, with celebrations focusing on its beauty, heritage, and digital future.

Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī's Death Anniversary

Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, commonly known simply as Rumi, who passed away on 17 December 1273, in Konya (present-day Turkey), aged 66, was a 13th-century Sufi mystic, poet, and Islamic scholar whose works have had a profound and lasting influence across the Muslim world and beyond. He is one of the most widely read and best-selling poets in the world today. 

Boston Tea Party in 1773

The Boston Tea Party was a pivotal political protest that took place on December 16, 1773, at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts.  It served as a primary catalyst for the American Revolutionary War by uniting the colonies against British rule. 

Key Facts of the Event

• The Protest: Frustrated by "taxation without representation" and the British East India Company's monopoly on tea, a group of colonists—many from the Sons of Liberty—boarded three ships: the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver.
• The Action: Disguised as Native Americans (specifically Mohawk Indians) to hide their identities, they smashed and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor over the course of three hours.
• Monetary Loss: Approximately 92,000 pounds of tea were destroyed, valued at nearly £10,000 in 1773, which is equivalent to roughly $1.7 million to $2 million today.
• Outcome: In retaliation, the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts (known in the colonies as the Intolerable Acts) in 1774, which closed Boston Harbor and established formal military rule in Massachusetts.