December 23rd

December 23rd Celebrations

This date has always been a day of celebration for me, because it is my birthday. This year, I decided to look for more reasons to celebrate this particular date (the more - the merrier!). Here is what I found, but I must add that there are always good reasons to celebrate, each and every day!

The Coat of Arms of the
Imperial Household of Japan

Japanese Emperor's Birthday:

Since the founding of Japan in about 600 B.C., the Imperial Household of Japan (in Japanese, "Koshitsu") has been the unbroken line of Emperors as the only dynasty in Japan for over 2600 years. Therefore, the Imperial Household of Japan is the oldest monarchical family in the world. More than 90% of Japanese people profess loyalty to the Imperial Household and His Majesty the Emperor: The Imperial Household remains the symbol of the unity of the Japanese nation. The Imperial Household has changed over time, as the Japanese nation and Japanese society have changed.
His Imperial Majesty AKIHITO, the 125th Emperor of Japan, Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Order of the Rising Sun, Order of the Sacred Treasure, KG (Great Britain), Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav (Norway), is the elder son of the late Emperor Showa (Hirohito) and the Empress Dowager Nagako. The Emperor was born on December 23, 1933, in Tokyo. Originally titled Tsugo-no-miya (Prince Tsugo), His Imperial Majesty married Her Imperial Majesty MICHIKO (Michiko Kogo), Empress of Japan, on April 10, 1959.
His birthday, December 23, is a national holiday. National flags hang in front of houses and the speech he gives at the Japanese emperor's palace in Tokyo is televised.

Feast Of The Radishes:

A night festival which takes place in Oaxaca, Mexico, during the last hours of December 23. During this event, huge radishes are carved into animals, humans, saints, and other figures. The radish creations are exhibited in a contest of creativity and skill.