Did you know that on this day, December 19, 1843, A Christmas Carol by English author Charles Dickens was published?

Charles Dickens

Born: February 7, 1812
Died: June 9, 1870

British novelist Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England. Over the course of his writing career, he wrote the beloved classic novels Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations.

On June 9, 1870, Dickens died of a stroke in Kent, England, leaving his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished.

The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the Winter Solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as Midwinter or in contrast the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun’s daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest.

The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere

Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time. (From: Wikipedia, license: CCA-SA)

The text “Winter Solstice” has been taken from www.cute-calendar.com

Constitution of the United States

1787 New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the US Constitution

Source: onthisday.com

Dec 18, 1865 – U.S. Secretary of State William Seward issued a statement verifying the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The amendment abolished slavery with the declaration: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

December 18, 1865 – Secretary of State William Seward issued a statement verifying the ratification of the 13th Amendment.

· The first bill introducing the anti-slavery 13th Amendment was introduced into the House of Representatives by James Mitchell Ashley (Ohio), on December 14, 1864, nearly a year after President Lincoln issued the final executive order for the Emancipation Proclamation.

· The Senate Judiciary Committee drafted the final language for the 13th Amendment. The language of the amendment is simple. It is written in two sections.

· Section I of the 13th Amendment states; “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

· Section II of the 13th Amendment states; “Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

The 13th Amendment changed the way Americans live today. Mainly because the 13th amendment, became an instrument for Americans to change their views on African-Americans.

More importantly, the 13th Amendment became a way to stop slavery. The 13th Amendment opened many possibilities not only to African-Americans but also to other races who are now living in America.The 13th Amendment set a new perception that everyone is equal. That everyone has the right to live here in America equally. After all these years, the 13th Amendment still lives with us. It still lives inside the hearts of everyone that was affected by it. I believe that if it weren’t for the 13th Amendment, our lives are probably very different now. Slavery will continue to spread, wars will continue to have no end. Imagine not having the 13th Amendment, what do you think our lives would be now?

Resource: thirthteenthamendmentnhd.weebly.com