Santa Claus and his many names

“He had a broad face and a round little belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly, He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself” Clement Moore, “A Read More …

Henry Van Dyke, “Keeping Christmas”

There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas. Are you willing… to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, Read More …

A Visit from Saint Nicholas (‘Twas the night before Christmas) by Clement Clark Moore

A Visit from Saint Nicholas (‘Twas the night before Christmas) by Clement Clark Moore photo credit: via flickr ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with Read More …

Apollo 17

Apollo 17, the final manned mission to the moon and the first night launch of a U.S. manned spacecraft, lifted off from Cape Canaveral on this date in 1972. Astronauts Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt spent twelve days in space, three of which Read More …

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS, by Francis Pharcellus Church

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or Read More …

National Day of Mourning

On Thanksgiving Day, many Native Americans and their supporters gather at the top of Cole’s Hill, overlooking Plymouth Rock, for the “National Day of Mourning.” The first National Day of Mourning was held in 1970. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts invited Wampanoag leader Frank James to deliver Read More …

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 2021

Apple TV+ became the home of the comic strip’s iconic holiday specials last year, pulling them from airwaves and making them exclusive to the streamer. However, following massive public outrage and a new deal with PBS, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” aired on the streamer service, Read More …

The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day by Lydia Maria Child

Lydia Maria Child wrote the poem titled “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day,” in 1845. It is best known for its opening lines “Over the river and through the wood, to grandfather’s house we go.” Her poem gained its lasting popularity in 1874 when Read More …

National Harvey Wallbanger Day

National Harvey Wallbanger Day on November 8th recognizes a fruity and spirited cocktail made with 3 parts vodka, 1 part Galliano and 6 parts orange juice. Pour it into a highball glass and garnish it with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. In 1968 Read More …

The First Thanksgiving was on Florida’s First Coast

In 1562, French explorers landed on Florida’s northeast coast and traveled up the St. Johns River into present-day Jacksonville. Two years later, on June 29, 1564, French colonists led by Captain René Goulaine de Laudonnière (1529-74) constructed one of the first European forts in what Read More …