December 2021
FIRST DAY OF WINTER
Winter begins today at 12:59PM Atlantic Standard Time Today is the shortest day of the year, which means that it’s the day in which we experience the least amount of daylight. Logically, it would make sense to assume that this is also the coldest day of the year, since we are exposed to less warmth-giving sunlight on this day than at any other time. But this is not true. The coldest day of the year is usually in January (something to…
Find out more »FESTIVUS
Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season. Originally created by author Daniel O'Keefe, Festivus entered popular culture after it was made the focus of the 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Strike", which O'Keefe's son, Dan O'Keefe, co-wrote. The non-commercial holiday's celebration, as depicted on Seinfeld, occurs on December 23 and includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the "Airing of Grievances" and…
Find out more »CHRISTMAS EVE
Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day is observed around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day. Together, both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and Western society. Christmas celebrations in the denominations of Western Christianity have long begun on Christmas Eve, due in part to the Christian liturgical…
Find out more »CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas (or Feast of the Nativity) is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. Popular modern customs of the holiday include: gift giving completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath Christmas music and caroling viewing a Nativity play an exchange of Christmas cards church services a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights,…
Find out more »BOXING DAY
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day, thus being the second day of Christmastide. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. Boxing Day is on 26 December, although the attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place either on that day or one or two days later. In Nova Scotia Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday. It is, however,…
Find out more »NEW YEAR’S EVE
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve (also known as Old Year's Day or Saint Sylvester's Day in many countries), the last day of the year, is on 31 December. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening parties, where many people dance, eat, drink, and watch or light fireworks. Some Christians attend a watchnight service. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into New Year's Day, 1 January. The Line Islands (part of Kiribati) and Tonga, are…
Find out more »HRM VIRTUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE
Mayor Mike Savage and members of Regional Council are inviting residents to tune into this year’s virtual New Year’s Eve celebrations. At 11 p.m. on Friday, December 31, the Halifax Regional Municipality’s YouTube channel will feature two broadcasts for viewing: Broadcast 1 – Golden Era of Music (1971) tribute created by Terra Spencer. Hosted by Travis Lindsay, Neon Dreams and Iron Tide tribute to the Winter Solstice plus a welcome message from Mayor Mike Savage. This broadcast can also…
Find out more »January 2022
Birthday – CITY OF DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth was initially a sawmill and agricultural outpost of Halifax. In the mid-19th century, though, it grew, first with the construction of the Shubenacadie Canal and more importantly with the rise of successful industrial firms such as the Dartmouth Marine Slips, the Starr Manufacturing Company, and the Stairs Ropeworks. In 1873, Dartmouth was incorporated as a town, and a town hall was established in 1877. In 1955, the town was permanently linked to Halifax by the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge,…
Find out more »NATIONAL SHORTBREAD DAY
January 6 is National Shortbread Day. National Shortbread Day is actually an ambassador for Scotland as far as the very first shortbread was cooked there. Scottish shortbread appeared in the 12th century, but its refinement is credited to Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th century. This is a good reason to cook shortbread for a dessert. (after all, we live in "New Scotland"!)
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