The night of Sunday, Jan. 20 and into the early morning of Monday, Jan. 21 is of particular excitement for anyone interested in astronomy.  

While they may not literally “steal Christmas” per se, “Grinches” seem to be alive and well across the country during the holiday season — especially in the Carolinas.  

Most of the Western world now recognizes Jan. 1 as “New Year’s Day,” but, just as is true with the majority of our American holidays and customs, the history of how we came to acknowledge and commemorate this particular date as the commencement of a new year is a bit less than straightforward.

Yet another perspective regarding the date of the birth of Jesus is the practical application of noted events, specifically the implementation of the Roman census and the collection of taxes.

As the actual date of the birth of Jesus has been debated throughout the centuries, there have been proposals to alter the recognized celebration away from the arguably arbitrary Dec. 25.  

One perspective regarding the birth date of Jesus is that, according to early Christian thought, the Annunciation (when Mary was informed of the impending birth of a “very special” child) occurred on March 25, so the nine-month gestation period would lead to an approximate birth date of Dec. 25.

When was Jesus born? 

Why, Dec. 25 of Year One, you say? 

Golden Age of Piracy: Top 10 Countdown Part X

This is Part A of the tenth and final installment of a series focusing upon the ten most successful pirates (as determined by the estimated total value of their combined hauls) of the Golden Age of Piracy (generally considered to have begun around 1700 and ended with the killing of Barthlomew “Black Bart” Roberts in 1722).

Golden Age of Piracy: Top 10 Countdown Part IX-B

This is the second of two sections of the ninth installment of a series focusing upon the ten most successful pirates (as determined by the estimated total value of their combined hauls) of the Golden Age of Piracy (generally considered to have begun around 1700 and ended with the killing of Barthlomew “Black Bart” Roberts in 1722).

Golden Age of Piracy: Top 10 Countdown Part IX-A

This is the first of two sections of the ninth installment of a series focusing upon the ten most successful pirates (as determined by the estimated total value of their combined hauls) of the Golden Age of Piracy (generally considered to have begun around 1700 and ended with the killing of Barthlomew “Black Bart” Roberts in 1722).