Boston Tea Party

 The Boston Tea Party took place on 16 December 1773. In the late 18th century the British imposed a tax on tea in the North American colonies, which was bitterly resented by the colonists. Then in 1773, three ships were sent to Boston with 298 chests of tea. On 16 December 1773 men dressed as Indians boarded the ships and threw the tea into the sea.

Suffragette Bomb

 On 15 December 1913 suffragettes used dynamite to try and blow up the wall of Holloway prison. They did not succeed but the prison wall was badly damaged. (Suffragettes were held in Holloway for arson, smashing windows etc.)

Wuthering Heights

 Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, was published on 13 December 1847 

Christmas Carols

 A carol was originally a dance with an accompanying song. Carols were once sung all year not just at Christmas. However, Christmas carols were first mentioned in English in 1426. But most of the carols we sing today were written in the 18th century and 19th century.

At first, people sang carols in pubs, not in churches. The first carol service was created in 1880 by the Bishop of Truro, Edward White Benson. He wrote a service called the Nine Lessons with Carols. (He hoped he could draw people away from pubs to church!)

Santa's Reindeer

 Santa’s reindeer were first mentioned in writing in 1821. Their names were first recorded in 1823 - except for one. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 by Robert L. May. He wrote a story about the famous reindeer. 😊

Happy St Nicholas Day

 6 December is St Nicholas Day. As I am sure you know he morphed into Santa Claus. St Nick is the patron saint of children. He is also the patron saint of sailors.

In Portsmouth, the Garrison Church was originally called the Domus Dei (House of God). It was a hostel for pilgrims. It was dedicated to John the Baptist and St Nicholas. There is a St Nicholas Street in Old Portsmouth, so named because it led to the Domus Dei, dedicated to St Nick.

Christmas Pudding

 Christmas pudding was once called plum pudding or plum pottage (plum was a generic term, it included raisins and sultanas). But it was eaten all through the year. In the 19th century, it became associated with Christmas and people began calling it Christmas pudding.