In Scotland, December 31 is known as Hogmanay, the word children use to ask for their traditional present of an oatmeal cake (which is why this is also called Cake Day). It’s believed that Hogmanay originated with the invading Vikings who celebrated the passing of the winter solstice with much revelry.
Immediately after midnight it is traditional to sing Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne”—
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”
Along with fireworks, “First footing” (or the “first foot” in the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. The first person to cross the threshold into one’s home, called the first footer, is an indication of the year to come. Although the tradition varies, if the first footer is tall and dark, the year will be a good one.
Of course, the entire spirit of a Hogmanay party is to welcome both friends and strangers with warm hospitality and of course lots of kissing all-around!
Daily Calendar for Sunday, December 31, 2023
Question of the Day
I’ve heard a lot lately about how good apple cider vinegar is for you. Is it really that good?
Indeed it is; it’s the all-purpose bromide — seasoning, preservative, cleanser, purifier, and healing agent. Mixed with rosemary and water, it can make hair shiny and keep skin soft. It can relieve sunburn and retard the onset of old age (believers advise two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water at least twice a day). It’s advocated for minor ailments ranging from hay fever to heartburn to sore throat. Further, it has at least 40 household uses, from washing windows to deodorizing a fishy skillet, and it’s a lot cheaper than specialty products.
Advice of the Day
When you pack up your holiday decorations, add cinnamon sticks or whole cloves to the boxes.
Home Hint of the Day
To soften a water-based glue that has hardened in the container, add a few drops of vinegar. This will not work with superglue, however.
Word of the Day
Nephophobia
Fear of clouds
Puzzle of the Day
When you speak to a lady, you’ll find that this name read backward or forward is always the same.
Madam
Born
- Jacques Cartier (explorer) –
- Henri Matisse (artist) –
- Jule Styne (composer) –
- Odetta (American folk singer) –
- Anthony Hopkins (actor) –
- Ben Kingsley (actor) –
- John Denver (singer) –
- Donna Summer (singer) –
- Val Kilmer (actor) –
- Nicholas Sparks (author) –
- Gabby Douglas (gymnast, Olympic gold medalist) –
Died
- Rick Nelson (singer) –
- Edward Herrmann (actor) –
- Natalie Cole (singer) –
- Pope Benedict XVI –
Events
- A window tax was imposed in England, causing many shopkeepers to brick up their windows to avoid the tax–
- Baltimore, Maryland was incorporated–
- Ottawa selected by Queen Victoria as capital of Province of Canada–
- The cornerstone for the Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii, was laid–
- Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians first played Auld Lang Syne” at midnight”–
- C. B. Darrow received a patent for his Monopoly game–
- Entertainer Roy Rogers and actress Dale Evans were married–
- Helium-filled sun shade patented–
- The last new Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strip was published–
- An extra second, or leap second, was added to clocks worldwide–
Weather
- Los Angeles received 7.36 inches of rain in 24 hours, causing flooding–
- For the month of December, Kansas City, Missouri, received a total snowfall of 16.6 inches.–
- New Year’s Eve snowstorm hit the deep South: Meridian, Mississippi, received 15 inches of snow–
- Concord, New Hampshire, set a new December snowfall record with 44.5 inches for the month–