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Presidential Proclamation: Wright Brothers Day On December 17, 1903, after years of determination and creativity, Orville and Wilbur Wright's wooden aircraft sailed the steady winds of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They conquered the age-old dream of manned flight. That day, the two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, could only imagine what we now know. Those moments aloft in the North Carolina sky would send mankind on a revolutionary journey and modernize transportation. On this day, we celebrate their historic accomplishment, the limitless potential they represent, and the vision they spurred for the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs. The Wright brothers' monumental achievement solidified their place in history and earned them status as American and global icons. They moved aviation from a curiosity into an indispensable global industry. Self-taught and relentless in their years of work and experimentation, the brothers were a shining illustration of the limitless capacity of human intellect and the resourcefulness of the American entrepreneur. As part of an era of great visionaries, Orville and Wilbur Wright helped hasten an age of discovery and significant technological advancement. Their unyielding pursuit of powered flight stands as a proud example for young and curious minds eager to transform and advance the world around them. Just as the Wright brothers' breakthrough led to a new industry that forever altered our world, a new generation of space pioneers is now following in their footsteps and setting our Nation's sights even higher. Working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, leaders in spaceflight are making significant progress in ushering in a new commercial space industry. America's long technological leadership and innovation history have been the product of learning and ingenuity. To maintain this tradition and propel it forward, America must empower the next generation of doers and makers. We must ensure our Nation's students receive the world-class mathematics and science education they need to challenge the boundaries of human knowledge and realize tomorrow what we can only dream today. We must also ready our children to become entrepreneurs whose tenacity and creativity will power the engine of our Nation's economy for centuries to come. On Wright Brothers Day, remembering that celebrated flight, let us recommit to preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs to create a future of promise and progress. The Congress, by a joint resolution, approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as "Wright Brothers Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2010, as Wright Brothers Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. BARACK OBAMA

Africa

Dec

Arabic Language Day, Intl.: December 18

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Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and one of three surviving Semitic languages. The other official languages of the United Nations are Chinese, Spanish, Russian, French, and English. Each language gets its day each year. Arabic is the fourth most spoken language in the world after Mandarin, Spanish, and English.

Africa

Dec

Bake Cookies Day, Ntl.: December 18

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National Bake Cookies Day is an unofficial holiday with no sponsor that grew out of the tradition of baking Christmas Cookies in the West. Christmas cookies are a big part of the annual holiday celebration, and each family has recipes handed down from generation to generation. It’s a common tradition to bring plates of cookies into the office during the holidays to share with coworkers. Another tradition is cookie parties. For a cookie party, each person attending brings 3-4 dozen of their favorite family recipe. These are distributed among all participants to create unique cookie plates and taken home or to the office to share. The best way to celebrate today is to bake and share a batch of cookies with friends and family. Merry Christmas!

Africa

Dec

Migrant's Day, Intl.: December 18

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International Migrant's Day occurs before the Christmas holiday and honors migrants and their tremendous courage. People migrate for several reasons. Some are fleeing war, environmental destruction, or political situations, and others are seeking a better life with more opportunities, seeking religious tolerance, or joining the family. "On this International Migrants Day, I call on the international community to act on the global compact on safe, regular, and orderly migration as an important contribution to building a world of peace, prosperity, dignity, and opportunity for all." — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon On September 19, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a set of commitments during its first-ever summit on large movements of refugees and migrants to enhance the protection of refugees and migrants. These commitments are known as the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (NY Declaration).

Africa

Dec

Qatar National Day (QA)(1878): December 18

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December 18, 1878, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Thani, who would defeat the Ottomans and erase them from his land, succeeded his father, Sheik Jassem, to the throne and founded the nation of Qatar. It would fall under the British empire after the Ottomans until it gained independence on September 3, 1971. National Day in Qatar is a national holiday.

Africa

Dec

Republic Day, (NE)(1958): December 18

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Malta's Republic Day marks the anniversary of December 13, 1974, when the island nation ended the monarchy and became a republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Dec

Roast Suckling Pig Day, Ntl.: December 18

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National Roast Suckling Pig Day celebrates a dish made from piglets (baby pigs) aged two and six weeks—"suckling" because the piglets have yet to be weened. The pig is roasted whole until its skin turns crisp. Its meat is so tender and succulent that someone named an entire holiday after it.

Africa

Dec

Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day, Ntl.: December 18

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Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day is a silly holiday without origin meant to remind people not to take life too seriously, and it falls smack dab at the height of the hectic holiday in December. If the season's stress is getting to you, put a plunger on your head, look in the mirror, and laugh. There. Isn't that better?

Africa

Dec

Evergreen Day: December 19

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Evergreen Day pays tribute to the iconic Christmas Tree, which is usually a conifer in the genus Pinus (pine tree). Evergreen is a lay term used to describe trees and shrubs that do not lose their leaves in the fall and stay green year around. These include conifers (Hemlock, Redwood), tropical hardwoods (Mahogany, Eucalyptus), and temperate broadleaf trees (Holly, Rhododendron).

Africa

Dec

Moon—First Quarter: December 19

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The first quarter moon occurs when the moon is one-half illuminated by the sun. Each day forward increases the amount of the moon you can see. The 1st quarter typically occurs seven days after the new moon.

Africa

Dec

Oatmeal Muffin Day: December 19

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Oatmeal Muffin Day celebrates the miniature cakes made of oatmeal flour often eaten for breakfast. Oatmeal was initially food for horses, and the plant was a weed. The Scottish first cooked it and ate it as porridge. The slightly sweet taste of oatmeal quickly made it a favorite. Russia, Canada, the United States, Finland, and Poland are the world’s top producers of oats. To this day, the majority of oats are consumed by livestock. However, the versatility of oats and their health benefits, being high in fiber, low fat, and multiple vitamins, have made oatmeal and oatmeal muffins a breakfast favorite and an excellent alternative to wheat.

Africa

Dec

Caroling Day, Go Ntl.: December 20

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A few nights before Christmas is Go Caroling Day. Caroling, or wassailing, is an English Christian oral tradition of singing songs and walking the neighborhood passed down from generation to generation. The original word, wassailing, is derived from the Old Norse, "ves heill," or "to your health / luck / happiness." Hard cider, mead, or ale usually played a part in traditional wassailing. Originally, caroling occured any time of year. In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi began to incorporate wassailing in his Christmastide sermons. Assisi wrote down the songs, and the tradition of singing them at Christmas and sharing them with friends and family carried on. In 1582, his collection of carols was published, upon which they became a standard for holiday celebrations throughout Europe and later the Americas.

Africa

Dec

Human Solidarity Day, Intl.: December 20

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International Human Solidarity Day appreciates and demonstrates camaraderie towards our fellow human beings and focuses on working together for a better tomorrow. It's a day to celebrate diversity and focus on sustainable solutions that allow people to escape poverty, hunger, and disease.

Africa

Dec

Mudd, Dr. Samuel, Day (1833): December 20

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"That's it, young lady," My mother would often say, "Your name is mud!" Okay, so I wasn't always an angelic child, but I always wondered what mud had to do with misbehaving. In Old English, mud meant "a stupid twaddling fellow." Well, I have indeed resembled that comment in my life, except for the fellow part. Mudd Day, marked on December 20 each year, has nothing to do with being called mud and everything about legal issues and trying to clear your name. Dr. Samuel Mudd was born on December 20, 1833. In adulthood, he advocated for slavery and supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. He often expressed his dislike and hatred for then-President Lincoln and his policies. John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln on April 14, 1865, but in the course, broke his leg. Escaping the authorities searching for him, he ended up at Dr. Mudd's home, where the doctor treated his leg and let him go. It is believed Dr. Mudd did not know about the assassination then. However, after learning he helped the president's assassin, he waited 24 hours before reporting to the police. Mudd was convicted of aiding and conspiring with several others in the murder of President Lincoln. In 1869 President Andrew Johnson pardoned and released Mudd and two others from jail. Eventually, the doctor was able to get his family on even footing and re-establish his practice. He became active in politics and supported several initiatives in his hometown. He died of pneumonia in 1875 at the age of 49. After a century of lobbying by the family, Mudd's conviction was cleared on July 27, 1979.

Africa

Dec

Asarah B'Tevet (J): December 21/22

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The tenth day of the Jewish month of Tevet is a fasting day to commemorate the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem in the sixth century BCE. In Israel, it is a public holiday honoring the dead whose date of death is unknown.

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