DECEMBER 23 - Today in Food History
- National Pfeffernuesse Day
- Mexico: Feast of the Radishes
- Iceland: St. Thorlak's Day - A traditional pre-Christmas dish of 'skate hash' is served. A dish said to be so unappetizing that any subsequent food seems that much more delicious.
- Dec 17-23: Saturnalia - Ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest.
1675 On December 23, 1675, Charles II of England, issued a proclamation suppressing Coffee Houses. The public response was so negative that he revoked it on January 8, 1676.
A Proclamation for the Suppression of Coffee Houses.
“Whereas it is most apparent that the multitude of Coffee Houses of late years set up and kept within this Kingdom...and the great resort of idle and disaffected persons to them, have produced very evil and dangerous effects; as well for that many tradesmen and others, do herein misspend much of their time, which might and probably would be employed in and about their Lawful Calling and Affairs; but also for that in shcu houses...divers, false, malitious, and scandalous reports are devised and spread abroad to the Defamation of His Majesty's Government, and to the disturbance of the Peace and Quiet of the Realm; his Majesty hath though it fit and necessary, that the said Coffee Houses be (for the Future) put down and suppressed...”
1901 Sir Joseph Henry Gilbert died. An English chemist, he is the co-inventor (with John Bennet Lawes) of superphosphate fertilizer.
1940 Jorma Kaukonen of the music group 'Hot Tuna' was born.
|
