December 9th : Themes for celebration and contemplation
If you are looking for some themes and points of interest to add to your advent countdown, the Bulldogz Christmas spirit is in full flow and we can provide you with some of the fun, serious and little known points of celebration for each day on this magical countdown.
The Christmas Film World Cup Group Stages are coming toward a conclusion. Group A & B finish their head to head matches today, while open voting will still continue until the 12th. Big points available and in both groups all four competitors can still qualify. Find out more and take part here.
December 9
International Anti Corruption Day
A UN awareness day entered into the calendar in 2005 to raise awareness of corruption. This all seems fairly self explanatory and the UN provides some resources here
The UN also provides a secondary teaching guide here
World Techno Day
This probably doesn't need too much explanation. An excuse to celebrate Techno music. The date of December 9th was chosen as Juan Atkins, part of the Belleville Three was born on this date in 1962. The Belleview Three are recognised as the group credited with the invention of Detroit Techno. Mixcloud host a series of Techno mixes especially created for this celebration here.
An article and interview with the Belleview three on how "Techno" was born can be found at Ask Audio magazine here.
December 9th in History
Events
1688 – Glorious Revolution: Williamite forces defeat Jacobites at Battle of Reading, forcing flight of James II from the country.
1868 – The first traffic lights are installed, outside the Palace of Westminster in London. Resembling railway signals, they use semaphore arms and are illuminated at night by red and green gas lamps.
1931 – The Constituent Cortes approves a constitution which establishes the Second Spanish Republic.
1960 – The first episode of Coronation Street, the world's longest-running television soap opera, is broadcast in the United Kingdom.
Births
1608 – John Milton, English poet and philosopher (d. 1674)
1916 – Kirk Douglas, American actor, singer, and producer (d. 2020)
1950 – Joan Armatrading, Kittian-English singer-songwriter and guitarist
1953 – John Malkovich, American actor and producer
Deaths
1993 – Danny Blanchflower, Northern Irish footballer and manager (b. 1926)
2012 – Patrick Moore, English lieutenant, astronomer, and educator (b. 1923)
Christmas films
A vintage Hollywood film starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who, despite his best efforts to escape, remains the bedrock of the small town of Bedford Falls.
One of the most acclaimed and adored Christmas films in the genre, a tear jerking, heart warming tale that captures small town nostalgia and a tale of generosity and love in the face of challenges at the most wonderful time of the year.
Group H Second Seed. 2014 Champion.
Christmas music
The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping" is a little known Christmas cracker. The story behind the song is fascinating and you can discover some of the story at the song homepage here.
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole is an ever present favourite in the Christmas song playlists the world over since it was first written in 1945. Listen to the 1961 recording and learn more about the song here.