Tom

Today is the National Day of Bhutan, a public holiday there. This holiday commemorates the coronation of the first King of Bhutan on this day in 1907.

Bhutan’s official name is the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is also known as “The Land of the Thunder Dragon.” This refers to Druk the mythical dragon, a national symbol of Bhutan.

Bhutan was first unified in the early 17th century by a Buddhist monk, Ngawang Namgyal. It was ruled under the Tibetan dual system of government led by the Zhabdrung – reincarnations of the mind, body and speech of Ngawang Namgyal. 

In the late 19th century, Bhutan was being pulled apart by conflicts with Tibet and the British Empire. This led to a power struggle between regional leaders with Ugyen Wangchuck, the Ponlop of Tongsa in central Bhutan emerging as the dominant figure in Bhutan, uniting the country and establishing better relations with British India.

The rise of Ugyen Wangchuck highlighted the ineffectiveness of the dual system and in November 1907, an assembly of religious leaders and, government officials was held, which decided to end the 300-year-old dual system of government and to establish a new absolute monarchy with Ugyen Wangchuck as the king.

December 17th 1907 saw the Coronation of His Majesty the First King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck. This established the Wangchuck Dynasty which continues to rule Bhutan. The Druk Gyalpo is the official title of the head of state of Bhutan, meaning “Dragon King” in Dzongkha.

---

Beer…

We’ve been getting some Christmas cards…

---

---

BADA BINGLE

I quit driving 10 years ago because Jesus never did take the wheel and my guardian angels are all in therapy.

If you don’t like tea, then a cup of tea is not your cup of tea.

I accidentally used my wife’s fabric scissors to cut wrapping paper and now the cops are here.

I accidentally signed a work email, “Should you have any questions, please don’t. Hesitate to ask.” It’s now my new email closing.

I thought growing old would take longer.

I don’t always have time to fold laundry, but when I do, I don’t.

Then Jesus said unto the sick, You better have insurance.”

Then Jesus said unto the stranger, “Are you here legally?”

Then Jesus said unto the hungry, “My taxes better not be paying for these loaves and fishes.”

Then Jesus said unto the poor, “This is your own fault.”

Someone said “30 years ago” and my mind went to the 1970s, but they meant 1994, and now I need to lie down.

If you’re having second thoughts, you’re two ahead of most people.

I hate it when people are at your house and ask, “Do you have a bathroom?” “No, we pee in the yard”.

Experts warn mass deportations could lead to a severe scapegoat shortage.

A special thanks to all the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, and Agnostic mail carriers who deliver Christmas cards without screaming that it goes against their beliefs.

Since I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize why Bigfoot stays away from people.

---

More holiday music. Here is a young Ariana Grande. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfCdkyQyaJ8

Today is the Day of Reconciliation, a public holiday in South Africa, held annually on December 16th. The intention is to celebrate the end of apartheid and foster reconciliation between different racial groups. The holiday came into effect in 1994 after the end of Apartheid.

Under the rule of apartheid, December 16th was commemorated as the Day of the Vow, also known as Day of the Covenant or Dingaan Day. The Day of the Vow was a holiday commemorating the Afrikaner victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River in 1838.

In the first part of the 19th century, many Afrikaner farmers left the eastern cape and moved inland. One group of farmers was the Voortrekkers, Afrikaners who were protesting against British colonialism and seeking their own independent republics on what they saw was empty land. But the land was not empty and clashes with the indigenous people were inevitable. In 1837 the Voortrekker leaders entered into negotiations for land with Dingane, the Zulu king.

In terms of the negotiations, Dingane promised the Voortrekkers land on condition they returned cattle to him stolen by Sekonyela (the Tlokwa chief). This Retief did and apparently he and Dingane signed a treaty on February 6th 1838. During the ceremony Dingane had Retief and his entourage murdered. In ensuing battles between Zulus and Voortrekkers over the next few months numerous lives were lost on both sides. On December 16th 1838 about 10,000 troops under the command of Dambuza (Nzobo) and Nhlela attacked the Voortrekkers, but the 470 Voortrekkers, with the advantage of gun powder, warded them off. Only three Voortrekkers were wounded, but more than 3,000 Zulus were killed during the battle.

December 16th is also the founding date of Umkhonto We Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, co-founded by Nelson Mandela in 1961 in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. With the advent of democracy in South Africa, December 16th retained its status as a public holiday and was first celebrated as Day of Reconciliation in 1995.

---

Budget storage solution – only costs a quarter

Slow down, Kathleen!!

Hmmm…

Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Benny Andersson, Swedish musician, composer. In October 1964 he joined the Hep Stars as keyboardist and they made a breakthrough in March 1965 with their hit ‘Cadillac’, eventually becoming the most celebrated of the Swedish 1960s pop bands. With ABBA they scored the UK 1974 No.1 single ‘Waterloo’, followed by 8 other UK No.1 singles and 9 UK No.1 albums and the 1977 US No.1 single ‘Dancing Queen. Andersson was co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!. For the 2008 film version of Mamma Mia!, he worked also as an executive producer. Since 2001, he is active with his own band Benny Anderssons orkester. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-crgQGdpZR0

Today is St. Lucia Day. It is the national day of St. Lucia and marks the Feast Day of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of the island.

The Windward Island now known as Saint Lucia was first discovered by Europeans in the late 15th or early 16th century. The first settlers were French and they named the island after Saint Lucia. It is the only country in the world named after a female.

In Saint Lucia, The National Festival of Lights and Renewal starts on the evening before Saint Lucy’s day heralding the Christmas period. Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia is illuminated by many light numerous decorative lights. Local workers will compete to make the best-decorated lantern and festivities end with a fireworks display.

Interestingly, Saint Lucia is also the patron saint of another small island – Malta, which also has a public holiday on December 13th. This is Republic Day, which marks the day in 1974 when Malta became a republic. She is the patron saint of the blind, throat infections, epidemics, writers, and salesmen.

---

Probably no books…

Today is the birthday, in 1989, of American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift. Her third single, ‘Our Song’, made her the youngest person to single-handedly write and perform a No.1 song on the US country chart. Swift is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with over 200 million units sold and a record seven albums that moved one million copies first-week. She is the highest-grossing touring act, the first billionaire with music as primary income, and the world’s richest female musician. Her accolades include 14 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, 40 American Music Awards, 30 MTV Video Music Awards, and 50 Billboard Music Awards, having won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year and the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year at least four times each. She is an advocate of artists’ rights and women’s empowerment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zHicybHGV0

Today is Jamhuri Day, a public holiday in Kenya. It is Kenya’s National Day. Jamhuri is Swahili for Republic and as such Jamhuri Day is also known as Republic Day or Independence Day. It marks two key events in the history of the country. It celebrates Kenya becoming a republic on December 12th 1964 and also marks Kenya’s independence from the United Kingdom a year earlier on December 12th 1963.

The first colonists from Europe to have a presence in Kenya were German, but in 1890, the region came under the control of the Imperial British East Africa Company, and Kenya was part of the British East Africa protectorate until it became a British crown colony in 1920.

Disputes over land were common, leading to the Mau Mau rebellion in 1952, which effectively put Kenya into a state of emergency for the next seven years.

The first direct elections took place in 1957, with the Kenya African National Union led by Jomo Kenyatta forming the first government. Kenya gained its independence on December 12th 1963 and was admitted into the Commonwealth as a republic exactly one year later, with Jomo Kenyatta as president.

---

Ice fishing or just drinking???

Cute…

More holiday music! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCBOVw7PErU

Today is Republic Day, a public holiday in Burkino Faso. This holiday commemorates the establishment of the Republic of Upper Volta on this day in 1958.

The region of modern-day Burkina Faso did not attract colonial attention until the late nineteenth century. By 1898, the kingdoms that now make up the majority of the region corresponding to modern-day Burkina Faso had become a French protectorate.

These territories were added to the Upper Senegal and Burkina Faso colony of French West Africa in 1904. Over the years, regions within the area were split apart into different colonies, before Upper Volta was created on September 4th 1947 becoming an overseas territory of the French Union.

On December 11th 1958, The Republic of Upper Volta became a self-governing autonomous republic within the French Community. It was nearly two years before Upper Volta gained its full independence from France in August 1960. Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso in August 1984.

---

Sines

More holiday music…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQb0DJZLhRM