December 14th: 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.
Two last 16 matches to be decided today in the Christmas Film World Cup. Vote for your favourites here.
December 14
Monkey Day
This is an "unofficial" international celebration started by a pair of artists from Michigan State University in 2000.
The humorous artistic affection for simians has expanded to cover a day when "Monkey business" was encouraged.
Events have covered zoo and animal sanctuary celebrations, art exhibitions, fundraising drives and even movies. Peter Jackson's King Kong was released on Monkey Day!
The teaching ideas website has a series of downloadable worksheets for Monkey Day activities
December 13th in History
Events
1542 – Princess Mary Stuart becomes Queen of Scots at the age of one week on the death of her father, James V of Scotland.
1896 – The Glasgow Underground Railway is opened by the Glasgow District Subway Company.
1918 – The 1918 United Kingdom general election occurs, the first where women were permitted to vote.
2004 – The Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the world, is formally inaugurated near Millau, France
Births
1895 – George VI of the United Kingdom (d. 1952)
1960 – Chris Waddle, English footballer, manager, and sportscaster
1979 – Michael Owen, English footballer and sportscaster
Deaths
1788 – Charles III of Spain (b. 1716)
1799 – George Washington, American general and politician, 1st President of the United States (b. 1732)
1861 – Albert, Prince Consort of the United Kingdom (b. 1819)
1963 – Dinah Washington, American singer and pianist (b. 1924)
2013 – Peter O'Toole, British-Irish actor (b. 1932)
2020 – Gérard Houllier, French Football manager (b. 1947)
Christmas films
The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve.
Who doesn't love the Muppets? Who adores Sir Michael Caine? Why would you not want to see these two working together? It is a little known fact that this is the role that is Michael Caine is most fond of.
The Group C Second Seed qualified in second place and will face defending champion Die Hard in the Last 16 on 16th December : Best previous performance a Quarter Final defeat to Scrooged in 2018
Christmas music
Mike Oldfield's In Dulce Jubilo is a much loved Christmas classic that was eliminated in the 2020 CSWC group stage by a solitary point. Enjoy this perennial classic here.
December 14th marks the start of the knock out stages of the Christmas Song World Cup as two matches take place daily until the 17th.