[Fact 1: Extra Pins Day]
December 4 is celebrated as Extra Pins Day, a day to give and exchange extra bowling pins. This tradition originated in bowling alleys, where many bowlers end up with spare pins. It’s now become a fun and humorous tradition for bowling enthusiasts.
[Fact 2: National Dice Day]
In the United States, December 4 is recognized as National Dice Day. This is the perfect day to bring out the board games and engage in some family-friendly competition. Celebrate by playing your favorite dice-based games or just learning new games.
[Fact 3: The Mary Celeste Mystery]
On December 4, 1872, the British-American ship Mary Celeste was found deserted in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Azores Islands. The ship was in perfect condition, with plentiful supplies, but the crew was mysteriously missing, never to be found. This incident has been a source of countless theories and remains one of the greatest maritime mysteries.
[Fact 4: The birth of rapper Jay-Z]
Shawn Corey Carter, widely known as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969. He is one of the most successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, with a net worth estimated at $1 billion by Forbes.
[Fact 5: The Start of Hostess Twinkies Production]
In 1930, on December 4, James Dewar began mass production of the popular snack food, Hostess Twinkies. Since then, the golden, cream-filled sponge cake has become a cultural icon of the United States.
[Fact 6: The Louisville Water Company Established]
The Louisville Water Company was established on December 4, 1854. Today, it provides water to more than 800,000 people in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as parts of Bullitt, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, and Spencer Counties.
[Fact 7: The Mars Rover, Spirit, Launched]
The Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit – was launched on December 4, 2003. It spent six years exploring Mars before it lost communication with Earth in March 2010.
[Fact 8: The Death of Frank Zappa]
The influential musician and composer Frank Zappa died on December 4, 1993. Zappa is recognized for his innovative approach to rock, jazz, and orchestral music.
[Fact 9: The Hoover Dam Construction Completed]
On December 4, 1935, construction of the Hoover Dam was completed. The dam, located on the border between Arizona and Nevada, is a towering testament to human achievement, offering its benefits in power generation, water storage, and flood control.
[Fact 10: The Release of the Film "Scarface"]
On December 4, 1983, the film "Scarface," directed by Brian De Palma and starring Al Pacino, was released. The film became a classic gangster movie and is well-regarded in popular culture.
[Fact 11: The Birth of Scottish Philosopher, Thomas Carlyle]
On December 4, 1795, Thomas Carlyle, a well-known Scottish philosopher and writer was born. His works, which include 'On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and The Heroic in History,' had a significant impact on the Victorian era.
[Fact 12: Indian Navy Day]
In India, December 4th is celebrated as Navy Day to commemorate the start of Operation Trident during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
[Fact 13: End of Prohibition]
On December 4, 1933, Utah ratified the 21st Amendment, providing the three-quarters majority of states necessary to end Prohibition. This made December 5, the first day after Prohibition's repeal, a day of celebration.
[Fact 14: Mawlid Un-Nabi]
In many Islamic countries, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, known as Mawlid Un-Nabi, is celebrated around December 4, although the exact date changes every year due to the Islamic lunar calendar.
[Fact 15: The Grand Canyon Declared a National Monument]
President Theodore Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a national monument on December 4, 1908. This was later upgraded to a national park status in 1919.
[Fact 16: Apollo 17 Launches]
Apollo 17, the final Apollo moon mission, was launched at 12:33 a.m. on December 4, 1972. It’s the night launch that makes Apollo 17 unique among Apollo missions.
[Fact 17: The Great Fire of Kingston, Jamaica]
On December 4, 1862, Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, was nearly destroyed by a massive fire that lasted for four days and razed much of the town.
[Fact 18: Opening of the Grunwald Bridge in Poland]
December 4, 1910, saw the opening of the Grunwald Bridge in Wrocław, Poland. The bridge, a significant connector across the River Oder, is an impressive example of early 20th-century architecture and engineering.
[Fact 19: Establishment of the Leningrad Oblast]
The Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, was established on December 4, 1927. It's officially known as "the green lungs of Russia," due to its nature reserves and national parks.
[Fact 20: First Woman Elected to U.S. Senate]
On December 4, 1931, Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband.