On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up for a white man on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. It was a customary practice for people of color to move to the back under the Jim Crow segregation laws and those who refused to yield to a white person were arrested, as was Rosa Parks. Four days later
On this day in 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor Napoleon I of France in Paris. At the Notre Dame Cathedral, he took the emperor’s crown from the Pope and placed it on his head himself. Bonaparte started as a young military officer during the French Revolution and advanced quickly after multiple battle victories. In 1799, he orchestrated a coup against the French
An extra tip for the bartender is customary today if you can swing it. This holiday was created by famous tattoo artist, Sailor Jerry, to honor our hard-working bartenders.
Music Du Jour: Some good backdrop tunes at the bar
The first shout-out to cookies in America was in 1703, when some New York Dutch immigrants brought 800 cookies (from the Dutch word “koekje”) to a funeral. Lots of people are making Christmas cookies today, but you’ll find several bakers are offering special deals for National Cookie Day as well.
Krampusnacht was celebrated in medieval Germany and is making a resurgence. Krampus is a mythical half-demon, half-goat (think evil Pan with fangs and claws) wearing a belt of cowbells and carrying a switch made of birch sticks for whipping naughty children. The name Krampus comes from the German word “krampen,
The Feast Day of Saint Nicholas was traditionally accepted to be this day as he is said to have died on December 6 in either 343 or 345 AD. Known as the patron saint of children (also Brewers!), Nicholas eventually became the bishop in Myra, Turkey and was known for donating his handsome family inheritance to the poor
On this day in 1941, Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, was attacked at 7:48 AM by 177 planes from the Imperial Japanese Navy that had stealthily positioned themselves in striking range. The attack was a concerted effort with attacks on British,
There are pockets of Time Traveler enthusiasts around the globe who celebrate this holiday by dressing in something futuristic, or by watching their favorite time travel film, yet no one knows who set this date as the official Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day.
On this day in 1965, CBS aired the first animated TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz. Highlights of the program included Linus’ speech about the true meaning of Christmas, and the iconic little Charlie Brown Christmas tree that could barely hold one ornament.
As we celebrate one of the most popular beers in the world, especially in America, we give a shout out to the father of the modern lager, 18th century beer genius Benjamin (Benno) Scharl. “Lager” literally means “to store.”
On this day in 1936, Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, announced in a radio broadcast that he had abdicated the throne in favor of marrying Wallis Simpson,
Gingerbread sculptures have a special distinction among baked goods that few people remember. In 17th century Europe, only professional gingerbread bakers were allowed to work with gingerbread except on Christmas and Easter,
The Persians are said to be the inventors of ice cream around the 6th century B.C. when they flavored fresh snow with grape juice. However, the Sobetiere was invented in 1841 by American Nancy Johnson featuring a tall bucket with crank.
On this day in 1566, Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer and mathematician, lost the front of his nose during a sword duel versus Manderup Parsbjerg. The conflict began, as it often did with Tycho, with an argument over a math formula (the exact equation is a mystery).
The story goes that the Chinese began drinking tea nearly 5,000 years ago when Emperor Shen Nung drank from a pot of boiled water that contained some tree leaves that had blown into the pot. Tea has since become one of the most consumed beverages in the world with more than 20,000 varieties.
Two men from Vancouver Canada coordinated an ugly holiday sweater party in 2002 to raise money for their friend’s cancer treatment. The idea stuck and has spread to multiple nations. In countries celebrating Christmas, it has become Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, featuring parties where friends try to out-ugly their peers — a brilliant marketing campaign that has turned
When single shines the triple sun,
What was sundered and undone
Shall be whole, the two made one,
By Gelfling hand or else by none.
When you’re thirsty for a little Christmas spirit, there’s nothing like Buddy the Elf. A simple imitation is a great way to spread some Christmas cheer today. Next time you answer the phone say: “<Insert your Name> the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”
Oliver Twist has been Britain’s favorite tragic orphan since he first appeared in the novel by Charles Dickens in 1838. The story was a flashlight for the upper classes to reveal the harsh treatment of the poor and vulnerable souls trying to survive in Victorian London. When Oliver finishes his meager ration of gruel at the orphanage, he says, “Please, sir, I want some more.”
Greeks and Romans would often add sugar and spices to their wines, sometimes chilled, sometimes heated. This type of wine was called hippocras, honoring the 5th century BC inventor of the cone-shaped bag they used to filter additives. Hippocrates (yes, the same physician responsible for the Hippocratic Oath
For many cultures and religions, this a spiritual time of year with shared references to light coming out of darkness. It is this same symbolism that led early Christian leaders to adopt this time of year to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, claiming the pagan Germanic
On this day in 1958, The Chipmunks song became the #1 single in America and went on to win three Grammys. It was the first time that rodents reached the Top 100, but it wouldn’t be the last.
Chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were adopted by songwriter/manager David Seville, who provided them stability, a schedule of gigs, and parental reprimands.
Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most important artists of the 19th century. He expressed his view of the world with unique colors and paint strokes that made his works instantly identifiable with a mesmerizing combination of texture and light. His art will be ever overshadowed by this anniversary, however.
Born on this day in 1905 in Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes built Houston’s first wireless radio transmitter when he was 11 years old. By age 19, both of his parents had died and he inherited the Hughes Tool Company from his father. He first spent his money producing films, flying
On this day in the year 800, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, which made him the most powerful leader in Europe, founded a new structure of confederation that would become the Holy Roman Empire, and birthed a hierarchy of nobility that would last for more than a millennium.
The day after Christmas is when Lords gave their employees, servants, tradesmen, and the poor gift boxes as thanks for their good service throughout the year and out of genuine charitable kindness. This started sometime in the 17th century and continues to this day.
On this day in 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City. Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. partnered with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and architect Donald Deskey to deliver an iconic Art Deco event space
You’ve spent all your money. You’re hungover from consuming too much booze and food. You’ve already said all you wanted to say to the friends and relatives with whom you’ve shared the holidays but you are still sharing the same space
On this day in 1947, Edward Bridge Danson III was born in San Diego, CA, and was mostly raised in Flagstaff, AZ. He appeared in multiple TV shows in the 1970s with small parts and found his breakthrough role in 1982 as the owner/bartender of Cheers,
As Rasputin’s character is inseparable from the fall of the Romanovs, the subsequent Bolshevik takeover, and the desperate and politically minded people who have told his story, it is difficult to know for sure which of the fantastic rumors about him are true. His death, how
Tom Marvolo Riddle was born on this day in 1926, in Wool’s Orphanage, London. The product of a union between Merope Gaunt, a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, and Tom Riddle Sr., a Muggle. Early signs of his extraordinary magical abilities surfaced during his childhood, catching the attention of Albus Dumbledore, who saw potential in the boy.
