Cocoa Day
Gingerbread House Day is celebrated annually on December 12th and is a delightful holiday that encourages creativity, craftsmanship, and a love of holiday traditions. It’s a time for families, friends, and bakers of all skill levels to come together and build festive gingerbread creations. Gingerbread House Day is a perfect opportunity to embrace holiday cheer, unleash your creativity, and share in a tradition that’s as delicious as it is fun.
December 13th has been a significant date throughout history, marked by notable events, birthdays, and historical milestones.
Historical Events:
1545 – The Council of Trent Begins:
The Catholic Church convened the Council of Trent in northern Italy to address the Protestant Reformation, leading to major reforms and the Counter-Reformation.
1642 – Abel Tasman Reaches New Zealand:
Dutch navigator Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand.
1769 – Dartmouth College Chartered:
The ninth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, Dartmouth College, was chartered in Hanover, New Hampshire.
1937 – The Nanjing Massacre Begins:
Japanese forces captured the Chinese city of Nanjing, leading to six weeks of atrocities against civilians and prisoners of war.
1967 – First Human Heart Transplant in the US:
Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the first human heart transplant in the United States in Brooklyn, New York.
1972 – Eugene Cernan Becomes the Last Human to Walk on the Moon:
Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan took his final steps on the lunar surface, marking the last human mission to the Moon.
2003 – Saddam Hussein Captured:
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces near Tikrit, Iraq, during Operation Red Dawn.
Notable Birthdays:
1533 – Eric XIV of Sweden:
King of Sweden from 1560 to 1568, known for his complex personality and tragic downfall.
1818 – Mary Todd Lincoln:
First Lady of the United States and wife of President Abraham Lincoln.
1925 – Dick Van Dyke:
Iconic American actor, comedian, and entertainer, known for The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Poppins.
1989 – Taylor Swift:
Internationally renowned American singer-songwriter and pop icon.
Notable Deaths:
1250 – Frederick II (Holy Roman Emperor):
Known as “Stupor Mundi” (the Wonder of the World), Frederick was a significant ruler of the Holy Roman Empire who was both a military leader and a patron of science and the arts.
1466 – Donatello:
A pioneering Italian sculptor of the Renaissance, known for works like the bronze statue of David and his contributions to the development of realistic perspective in sculpture.
1784 – Samuel Johnson:
British writer, lexicographer, and literary critic, Johnson compiled A Dictionary of the English Language, a groundbreaking work of its time.
1931 – Gustaf Dalén:
Swedish engineer and Nobel Prize laureate in Physics (1912), recognized for his innovations in lighthouse technology and contributions to safety mechanisms.
1961 – Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses):
An American folk artist who gained fame for her paintings in her later years, Grandma Moses became an icon of self-taught art.
2000 – Gwendolyn Brooks:
An influential American poet, Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1950). Her works often reflected African American urban life.
2010 – Richard Holbrooke:
An American diplomat best known for brokering the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War in 1995. Holbrooke served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and other key positions.
2012 – Ravi Shankar:
Renowned Indian sitar virtuoso and composer, Shankar popularized Indian classical music worldwide and influenced artists like George Harrison of The Beatles.
2016 – Thomas Schelling:
American economist and Nobel laureate, known for his work in game theory and strategies related to conflict resolution and international relations.
