Chocolate Covered Anything Day
National Ugly Sweater Day is celebrated on the third Friday of December each year, making it a festive and fun tradition during the holiday season. In 2024, it falls on December 20. This quirky holiday is a lighthearted way to embrace holiday cheer by donning the tackiest, most over-the-top sweaters you can find.
Here are some notable historical events that happened on December 16th:
Events
1689 – English Bill of Rights: Parliament passed the Bill of Rights, which laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy in England and influenced democratic governance worldwide.
1773 – Boston Tea Party: American colonists, protesting the British Tea Act, dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This pivotal event escalated tensions leading to the American Revolution.
1770 – Ludwig van Beethoven Baptized: The iconic German composer and pianist was baptized in Bonn (his exact birthdate is uncertain but believed to be December 16th).
1775 – Jane Austen Born: Renowned English novelist, known for works like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England.
1811 – New Madrid Earthquake: One of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history struck near New Madrid, Missouri. The quake was felt across much of the United States.
1901 – First Nobel Prizes Awarded: The inaugural Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.
1917 – Arthur C. Clarke Born: The influential British science fiction writer and futurist, best known for 2001: A Space Odyssey, was born.
Significant Disasters
1920 – Earthquake in Gansu, China: A massive earthquake struck Gansu province, killing an estimated 200,000 people.
Other Notable Events
1944 – Battle of the Bulge Begins: Germany launched its last major offensive on the Western Front during World War II. The surprise attack in the Ardennes region led to one of the largest battles fought by U.S. troops.
1947 – Transistor Invented: Scientists at Bell Labs in the U.S. built the first working transistor, a critical milestone in modern electronics.
1971 – Independence of Bangladesh: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 ended with the surrender of Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
Notable Births
1485 – Catherine of Aragon: Spanish princess and first wife of King Henry VIII of England, whose marriage annulment led to the English Reformation.
1770 – Ludwig van Beethoven: German composer and pianist, a pivotal figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in music (baptism date; birthdate uncertain).
1775 – Jane Austen: English novelist whose works, including Pride and Prejudice and Emma, are literary classics.
1863 – George Santayana: Spanish-American philosopher, poet, and novelist known for works like The Sense of Beauty and the famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
1899 – Noël Coward: British playwright, composer, and actor known for his wit and works like Private Lives and Blithe Spirit.
1921 – Les Leston: British racing driver and broadcaster, an early participant in Formula One.
1928 – Philip K. Dick: American science fiction author, whose works, including Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, inspired films like Blade Runner.
1946 – Benny Andersson: Swedish musician and songwriter, a member of ABBA, known for hits like Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia.
1967 – Miranda Otto: Australian actress known for her role as Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings film series.
1979 – Flo Rida: American rapper and singer, known for chart-topping hits like Low and Whistle.
1981 – Krysten Ritter: American actress known for her role as Jessica Jones in Marvel’s Jessica Jones and The Defenders.
Let me know if you’d like to explore more about any of these personalities!
Notable Deaths
1672 – Johann Rudolph Glauber: German-Dutch chemist and apothecary, credited with discovering sodium sulfate (known as “Glauber’s salt”) and contributions to early chemistry.
1774 – François Quesnay: French economist and leader of the Physiocratic school, known for his Tableau Économique, one of the first works attempting to describe the economy systematically.
1921 – Camille Saint-Saëns: French composer, organist, and conductor, best known for Carnival of the Animals, Danse Macabre, and his symphonies.
1945 – Fumimaro Konoe: Japanese Prime Minister during the lead-up to World War II, who attempted to avoid conflict with the Allies but failed. He committed suicide after the war.
1950 – Wallace H. Carothers: American chemist who invented nylon, revolutionizing textiles and materials science.
1980 – Colonel Sanders: Founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Harland David Sanders became a symbol of entrepreneurial success and a cultural icon.
1989 – Silvana Mangano: Italian actress best known for her roles in films like Bitter Rice and Death in Venice.
Recent Figures
1997 – Nicolette Larson: American singer best known for her hit cover of Lotta Love, a Neil Young composition.
2011 – Christopher Hitchens: British-American author, essayist, and orator, known for his sharp wit and critiques of religion, politics, and culture.
2017 – Keely Smith: American jazz and pop singer, known for her collaborations with Louis Prima and her successful solo career.
