This Day in History - December 24th, Today is the last day of Hanukkah: The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts. --History. 1851: A devastating fire at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroys about two-thirds of its 55,000 volumes, including most of Thomas Jeffersons personal library, sold to the institution in 1815. --History. 1927: Mary Higgins Clark was born on December 24, 1927, in the Bronx. She published her first short story in 1956. Widowed in 1964 and with five children to care for, Clark decided to try her hand at books. Her first suspense novel, Where Are the Children? was an instant bestseller. Clark was president of Mystery Writers of America and has an award named for her. She lives in Saddle River, New Jersey. --Bio. 1973: Stephenie Meyer, born on December 24, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, is the best-selling author of the Twilight book series. Inspired by a dream, she wrote the first book and attracted the attention of agent Jodi Reamer, who secured her a three-book publishing deal. The books have sold more than 250 million copies, been translated into 37 languages, and adapted for a hit film series that includes five installments. --Bio. Todays This Day in History was provided by HISTORY and BIO. If youd like to learn more, we can help!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:00:02 +0000
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