Catherine of Aragon

 Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII was born on 16 December 1485 https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-catherine-of-aragon/

1918 Election

 On 14 December 1918, an election was held in Britain. It was the first time in British history that all men could vote. It was also the first time that women were allowed to vote in a general election. localhistories.org/a-history-of-women's-rights

The South Pole

 On 14 December 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole. Well done Mr. Amundsen. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-antarctica/

Corporal Punishment

 An article in Psychology Today about the harm done by corporal punishment https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/moral-landscapes/202112/ending-corporal-punishment-children?fbclid=IwAR1ijFl5e5tmwoEJkO1Hf4n2wwDpLd6wUOVlyztxAcVg3vFo86M2fAHUApw

Tasmania

 On 13 December 1642 Abel Tasman sighted Tasmania https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-tasmania/

Kenya

 Kenya became independent on 12 December 1963. Happy Independence Day.

John Milton

 John Milton was born on 9 December 1608. Not only was he a great writer he was also a great defender of freedom of speech. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-john-milton/

Tudor Christmas

 If you like Tudor history here is Wendy's superb article about Tudor Christmas: https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-tudor-christmas/

Whipping

 In Britain whipping women was banned in 1820 but for men, it went on well into the 20th century. From 1862 the courts could order whipping with the cat o'nine tails or birching (which meant hitting a man on the bare backside with a bundle of birch rods). Birching gradually replaced whipping, although cases of the latter were recorded in Britain until 1947. In 1948 whipping or birching civilian men was abolished but it was legal in prisons until 1967. Find out more in my history of corporal punishment

Christmas Myth

Nobody knows what time of year Jesus was born. Its often said that 25 December was chosen because it replaced a pagan festival. But that is probably a myth. This historian argues that the reason why early Christians thought Jesus was born on 25 December had nothing to do with pagan religions.

 https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/myth-pagan-origins-christmas/?fbclid=IwAR3kFcLafYFJWGQqddbWRJU7NSavx1Fgmij-CbUgXclPeIXsFauq5aQ-kTI