Singapore's new flag was officially unveiled December 3, 1959 to coincide with its self governing status. State flag of Singapore National Day 1960 The national flag of Singapore comprises two equal horizontal sections – an upper red section and a lower white section. A white crescent moon occupies the upper left red section, with five […]
French cinematographer Claude Renoir was born December 4, 1914 in Paris, France. This is an interesting Cinderella stamp. Cinderellas are non postal stamps used for advertising purposes. This one was issued to promote the 1930 International Cinematographic Phonographic Radiophonic Show in France. Claude Renoir, 79, a cinematographer and grandson of Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Renoir […]
On December 5, 1848 US President James Polk stood before Congress and confirmed rumours of a massive gold strike in California, setting off one of the largest gold scrambles in history. An estimated 300,000 people from around the world packed up their belongings and headed to the mine fields around Sutter's Mill to try their […]
On December 6, 1912, Egyptologists Ludwig Borchardt uncovered the bust of Queen Nefertiti during the excavation of a sculptor's workshop at Tell el-Amarna. ... I am convinced that my words cannot convey the impression of this work of art Ludwig Borchardt, 1913 Queen Nefertiti Issued by Egyptian post in 1953 The portrait bust of Nefertiti […]
On December 7, 1962, Norwegian opera singer Kirsten Flagstad died. Renowned as a Wagnerian soprano, Flagstad was considered "‘Greatest Singer of the 20th Century’" Kirsten Flagstad, by many considered the greatest dramatic soprano ever, created a huge sensation when she made her debut at the Metropolitan on 2 February 1935. At Metropolitan she sang all […]
The Netherlands buried Queen Willemina on December 8, 1962 at Nieuwe Kerk, Delft. Born August 31 1880, Willemina was Queen for fifty-eight years. She became Queen in 1890, on the death of her father. She abdicated in favour of her daughter, Juliana on September 4, 1948. Princess Wilhelmina 1893-1896 Issued in 1896 Designers: Richard Kameke […]
Perennial favourite A Charlie Brown Christmas aired for the first time on December 8, 1965. In 1965, the year A Charlie Brown Christmas debuted, the media focus was not what it is today. There were just three television Networks, and no VCRs, so once the special played, audiences had to wait a year before seeing […]
On December 10, 1909, Oglala Lakota leader, Red Cloud, Maȟpíya Lúta, died on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. The Oglala were the largest division of the Sioux Nation, and Red Cloud became perhaps the most important field commander among the Sioux and Cheyenne. He was strongly opposed to the westward expansion of the whites […]
December 11 is National Tango Day in Argentina. Tango is one of the most influential and famous dances of the modern history, originating from the streets of 18th century Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay as the favorite dance of the European immigrants, former slaves, working and lower classes of people. The quick […]
The 1st transatlantic radio signal was received on December 12, 1901. On 12 December 1901, Guglielmo Marconi and his assistant, George Kemp, heard the faint clicks of Morse code for the letter "s" transmitted without wires across the Atlantic Ocean. Milestones:Reception of Transatlantic Radio Signals, 1901 - Engineering and Technology History Wiki Canada has issued two stamps celebrating Marconi's […]
Canadian painter and author Emily Carr was born December 13, 1871, in Victoria, BC. “Emily Carr is one of Canada’s best-known artists. Her life and work reflect a profound commitment to the land and peoples she knew and loved. Her sensitive evocations reveal an artist grappling with the spiritual questions that the Canadian landscape and […]
On December 14, 1546 Danish astronomer and owner of a truly magnificent mustache, Tycho Brahe was born. 400th Anniversary of Birth of Tycho Brahe Issued 1946 by Danish post Designer: Viggo Bang Engraver: Sven Ewert Brahe was probably the greatest pre-telescopic astronomer. He was sent by his family to study in Copenhagen, then to […]