#6 january

[greendayauthority]

Backroom, Austin, TX, 6 January 1993

[newyorkthegoldenage]

A cop guards a cab at the Bell Transportation Garage during a taxi strike, January 6, 1939.

Photo: Underwood Archives/pixels.com

[sofiaflorina2021]

Merry Christmas, 6 January, 2026

Merry Christmas, 6 January, 2026 only for my Christian friends who follow the Armenian Apostolic Church. ☦️🎄🎉

[rabbitcruiser]

National Shortbread Day

Delicious buttery biscuits, perfect for any occasion, with a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth and a hint of sweetness.

There are very few foods in the world that can make a person think of Scotland quite so strongly as shortbread does. The only other close contender would be haggis–and that food tends to evoke rather mixed sentiments when mentioned to anyone outside of Scotland! Yeah, there are Scotch eggs too, but it seems an important reminder that while they are decidedly British in invention, it is somewhat harder to pin them particularly on Scotland.

Scotch whiskey is a beverage, after all, so it doesn’t really count when it comes to Scottish foods. While no Robert Burns Night observance would be complete without some shortbread, it seems that having a day dedicated to the making and eating of shortbread can’t really be a bad thing on its own.

After all, who doesn’t like shortbread? So now there are two different days where it is delightful (if not compulsory!) to enjoy shortbread. This is true, even though everyone knows that shortbread is good year round and no one really needs an excuse to make and enjoy shortbread on any day of the year!

Now it’s time to celebrate National Shortbread Day!

History of National Shortbread Day

For those who might be wondering about the history of shortbread itself, now is the time to learn a bit about it. As it turns out, shortbread has medieval origins and supposedly Mary, Queen of Scotland, invented modern shortbread in the 16th century by adding sugar to an existing recipe. Rumor has it that these were originally flavored with caraway seeds, but Queen Mary decided to sweeten it up a bit.

Of course, it can’t be verified whether or not that story is true, but it’s a fun idea to go along with. Honestly, that story sounds a bit like one of those popular myths such as George Washington’s cherry tree but, for all anyone knows, it could actually be based in fact.

What is known to be true is that Scotland has been inseparable from shortbread since the 18th century. After all, the first printed recipe for shortbread was published by one Mrs. McLintock back in 1736 and the association has stuck ever since.

While the mid-18th century was a critical period in Scottish history, even something as mundane as a recipe became a marker of national identity. Therefore, it is important to say that shortbread is delicious and is worthy of such an honor.

How to Celebrate National Shortbread Day

Celebrating National Shortbread Day is a delightful pursuit that brings with it thoughts of Scottish Highlands and plaid kilts. For ideas on how to celebrate the day, here are some ways to get started:

Eat Scottish Shortbread

Many people would probably say that the best way to celebrate National Shortbread Day would have to involve shortbread in some form or another! For some, that might mean going out to get those cute little boxes of imported Scottish shortbread in some specialty shops.

This sweet, crumbly, delicate treat is especially delightful when enjoyed with a cup of tea. Either keep it simple by having tea alone or with a friend, or go big and invite over a group of friends and family to celebrate by making and eating far too much shortbread!

Embrace Scottish Culture

Part of celebrating National Shortbread Day involves embracing a variety of cultural traditions and activities that are native to Scotland. This could be something small, like wearing a kilt to work for the day, or something large like taking a trip to Scotland. This would be a great day to spell everything in the British style by adding the ‘u’ (i.e., flavour, favour, labour and humour).

Learn Fun Facts About Shortbread

Made more for special occasions than everyday occurrences, shortbread comes with its own set of Scottish traditions. Learn about some of these bits of trivia and impress friends or coworkers by sharing them on National Shortbread Day:

Shortbread has been typically eaten for weddings, Christmas, New Year, and Burns’ Night, which is the celebration of Scottish poet Robert Burns.

For weddings, sometimes a decorated shortbread cake would be broken over the head of a new bride at the threshold of her new home.

Early on, Scottish bakers worked hard to defend their precious shortbread from being categorized as a ‘biscuit’ in order to keep it from incurring the special biscuit tax imposed by the government.

Shortbread is made in many shapes, including rounds, fingers or triangles (“petticoat tails”) which were reminiscent of the petticoats that would have been worn during the time of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Make Shortbread at Home

Some people might think that buying shortbread is not quite adequate. In this case, why not attempt to make your own version of shortbread right at home?

Although it might seem hard, it’s not really all that difficult to make shortbread. In fact, most recipes are fairly simple, basically involving just one part sugar, two parts butter and three parts flour. It is possible, of course, to add various things to it as well. Anything from dried fruits to chocolate chips to lavender would be a welcomed addition, but the basic recipe remains the same.

Source

[calabria-mediterranea]

La Befana: an Epiphany tradition in Italy

The Epiphany is a Christian festival celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world, the moment when the three Wise Men came to Jerusalem from Asia, Europe and Africa to worship the incarnation of God. For Western denominations, it is celebrated on 6 January, exactly 12 days after 25 December, Christmas Day. The etymology of the Epiphany is to be found in ancient Greek, used to indicate a divine manifestation or apparition.

The pagan meaning of Epiphany, however, is linked to propitiatory rites for agriculture between the 10th and 6th centuries B.C. and, between ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, to Roman winter solstice celebrations that continued for 12 days after 25 December, with each day representing one of the 12 months of the year.

In Italian folklore, the Befana is an old woman or witch who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Santa Claus or the Three Magi Kings.

In popular folklore, the Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good, or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. In many poorer parts of Italy and in particular rural Sicily, a stick in a stocking was placed instead of coal.

She is usually portrayed as a hag riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children's houses through the chimney.

Photo taken in Motta Filocastro (Calabria, Italy) by @mimmolarox

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[brummie-man-interests]

Sylvia Syms was an English actress.

[amy-love5]

Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes!

Even after 170 years…

You’re still the greatest and the most genius, famous detective the world has ever seen.

Remembered for your adventures with Dr. John Watson.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in Irish History | 6 January:

In the Liturgical Calendar, today is Epiphany and Little Christmas (Nollaig Bheag) and/or Women’s Christmas (Nollaig na mBan) and/or Twelfth Day (the traditional end of the Christmas season) and for Irish Roman Catholics, a Holy Day of Obligation. 1562 – Shane O’Neill submits to Queen Elizabeth at Whitehall, but rebels again within months. 1654 – Commissioners are appointed to allot the land of…

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