Fruitcake Day
National Fruitcake Day is observed annually on December 27 in the United States. It celebrates the traditional holiday dessert known as fruitcake, a dense, sweet cake made with a variety of dried or candied fruits, nuts, and spices. Sometimes soaked in alcohol, fruitcakes have a long shelf life and are often associated with Christmas and holiday festivities.
Here are some significant historical events, notable births, deaths, and observances associated with December 27:
Historical Events
1512 – Spanish Crown Enacts Laws of Burgos: The first set of laws governing the behavior of Spanish settlers toward Indigenous peoples in the Americas. These laws aimed to regulate their treatment but were often poorly enforced.
1831 – Darwin Sets Sail on HMS Beagle: Charles Darwin embarked on his historic journey aboard the HMS Beagle, which ultimately led to the development of his theory of evolution.
1900 – Proclamation of the Irish Flag: In Dublin, Ireland, a green flag bearing a golden harp was unfurled as a symbol of Irish nationalism.
1927 – Showboat Premieres on Broadway: The musical “Show Boat,” with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, opened on Broadway, introducing a new era of musical theater.
1932 – Radio City Music Hall Opens: The iconic entertainment venue in New York City opened its doors, becoming a major cultural landmark.
2007 – Bhutto Assassinated: Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority country, was assassinated during a political rally in Rawalpindi.
Notable Births
1571 – Johannes Kepler: German astronomer and mathematician, known for his laws of planetary motion, which laid the groundwork for modern celestial mechanics.
1822 – Louis Pasteur: French biologist and chemist, famous for his groundbreaking work in microbiology, including the development of vaccines and pasteurization.
1901 – Marlene Dietrich: German-American actress and singer, known for her roles in films like The Blue Angel and Witness for the Prosecution.
1948 – Gérard Depardieu: French actor with a long career in both French and international films, including Cyrano de Bergerac and The Man in the Iron Mask.
Notable Deaths
1595 – Alonso de Ercilla: Spanish soldier and poet, best known for his epic poem La Araucana, which chronicled the Spanish conquest of Chile.
1923 – Gustave Eiffel: French civil engineer and architect, most famous for designing the Eiffel Tower and contributing to the Statue of Liberty’s structural framework.
2016 – Carrie Fisher: American actress and writer, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series.
