Gingerbread House 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.
Historical Events
1098 – The First Crusade Captures Ma’arrat al-Numan:
During the First Crusade, crusaders captured the Syrian city of Ma’arrat al-Numan, where reports of extreme violence and cannibalism emerged.
1787 – Pennsylvania Becomes the 2nd U.S. State:
Pennsylvania ratified the U.S. Constitution, becoming the second state to join the Union after Delaware.
1901 – First Transatlantic Radio Signal:
Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi successfully transmitted the first transatlantic radio signal from Cornwall, England, to Newfoundland, Canada.
1913 – The Mona Lisa is Recovered:
Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting was recovered in Florence, Italy, two years after being stolen from the Louvre in Paris.
1937 – Japanese Forces Commit the Nanking Massacre:
Japanese troops began a six-week campaign of mass violence in Nanking (now Nanjing), China, during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This horrific event resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians.
1963 – Kenya Gains Independence:
Kenya became an independent republic within the Commonwealth, with Jomo Kenyatta serving as its first president.
2000 – U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Bush v. Gore:
The Supreme Court ruled to halt the recount of votes in Florida, effectively awarding the presidency to George W. Bush.
2015 – Paris Agreement Signed:
Leaders from nearly 200 countries agreed to adopt the landmark Paris Climate Agreement to combat climate change.
Notable Births
1821 – Gustave Flaubert:
French novelist best known for Madame Bovary, a classic of 19th-century literature.
1863 – Edvard Munch:
Norwegian painter famous for his iconic work The Scream.
1893 – Edward G. Robinson:
Romanian-American actor known for his roles in classic Hollywood films like Little Caesar.
1915 – Frank Sinatra:
Legendary American singer and actor, nicknamed “Ol’ Blue Eyes.” Sinatra is celebrated as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
1923 – Bob Barker:
American television personality and longtime host of The Price Is Right.
1975 – Mayim Bialik:
American actress and neuroscientist, best known for her roles in Blossom and The Big Bang Theory.
Notable Deaths
1574 – Selim II:
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire known as “Selim the Sot,” who presided during a period of Ottoman expansion.
1985 – Anne Baxter:
American actress who won an Academy Award for The Razor’s Edge and starred in All About Eve.
2003 – Keiko the Whale:
Star of the Free Willy films, Keiko died in a Norwegian fjord after a years-long effort to release him into the wild.
