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.
Ambrosia Day
National Ambrosia Day, celebrated every year on December 12th, honors a classic dessert that has roots in both Greek mythology and Southern American cuisine. The term “ambrosia” originally referred to the food of the gods, symbolizing immortality and divine indulgence. In the late 19th century, this name was adopted for a fruit-based dish that featured exotic ingredients like oranges and coconut, which were becoming more widely available at the time. Over the decades, ambrosia salad evolved into a creamy, sweet mixture of fruits, marshmallows, and whipped or sour cream, becoming a staple at holiday gatherings and potlucks. Today, National Ambrosia Day invites people to celebrate this nostalgic treat by preparing traditional recipes or experimenting with creative variations, sharing the dish with family and friends, and appreciating its unique place in culinary history.
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.
