December 21, 2015 – CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY – NATIONAL FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY – PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY – HUMBUG DAY

                                            CROSSWORD PUZZLE DAY

This day celebrates the birth of the popular and often challenging word game. December 21st is Crossword Puzzle Day.
The first crossword puzzles were published in England in children’s books and other publications. They were simple word games derived from the word squares where letters were arranged in a square so that the words read the same across and down.
The object of a crossword puzzle is to fill in the white spaces of a grid with the correct words from the hints provided along side the grid. The black spaces separate individual words. The clues of more difficult puzzles are more like riddles, making the game more challenging.
Many tout the benefits of of crossword puzzles. Not only are they fun, but challenging crossword puzzles may help delay the affects of dementia or sharpen the brain for problem solving. They can also increase vocabulary and even relieve the mind from the stress of the day by focusing on something other than worldly problems.
OBSERVE
Buy a crossword book or find one online. Use #CrosswordPuzzleDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Journalist Arthur Wynne from Liverpool is credited as the inventor of word game we know today.  He created what is considered the first known published crossword puzzle.  The puzzle appeared in the December 21, 1913 edition of the New York World newspaper.

National French Fried Shrimp Day – December 21

NATIONAL FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY

National French Fried Shrimp Day is observed annually on December 21

Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood.

The word “prawn” is used loosely to describe any large shrimp, sometimes known as “jumbo shrimp”.   Some countries use the word “prawn” exclusively for all shrimp.
Preparing the shrimp for consumption usually involves the removal of the head, shell, tail and “sand vein”.  There are many ways to cook shrimp.  Common methods of preparation include baking, boiling, broiling, sauteing  frying and grilling.

Cooking time is delicate for shrimp and they are at their best when not over cooked.

A healthy food, shrimp is low in calories and high in levels of omega-3s, calcium, iodine, and protein.  Shrimp is also known to be considered good for the circulatory system.   *The preparation of the shrimp does impact the caloric count.
OBSERVE
Enjoy one of the following “tried and true” recipes:
French Fried ShrimpFried Shrimp
Use #FrenchFriedShrimpDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Within our research we were unable to find the creator and the origin of National French Fried Shrimp Day, an “unofficial” national holiday.

Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day – December 21

PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY

Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day is observed annually on December 21. Phileas Fogg is the illustrious main character in the classic novel Around the World In 80 Days by French Novelist, Jules Verne.
During an argument about the possibility of traveling around the world in 80 days, Fogg is challenged by fellow members of the Reform Club to do just that. He accepts the wager of £20,000 (equal to about £1.5 million today).
He departs on his with his newly hired valet, Passepartout at 8:45 P.M. on Wednesday, October 2, 1872. In order to win the wager he must arrive back at the Reform Club at the same time on Saturday, December 21, 1872.
As you can imagine, Fogg and his valet encounter many trials, obstacles and adventures along the way.  Does Phileas Fogg win a wager?
OBSERVE
Start reading Around the World in Eighty Days.  Use #PhileasFoggWinAWagerDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
December 21st is the anniversary of the day Phileas Fogg was due back at the Reform Club to win his wager.  

Humbug Day – December 21

HUMBUG DAY

When the stresses of the holiday season have piled up, many of us start to feel a bit like Scrooge.  This day was created to allow us an opportunity to express our frustrations.  Humbug Day is celebrated annually on December 21.