FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

Edward Hibberd Johnson (January 4, 1846 – September 9, 1917) was an inventor and business associate of American inventor Thomas Alva Edison. He was involved in many of Edison’s projects, and was a partner in an early organization which evolved into General Electric. When Johnson was Vice President of the Edison Electric Light Company, a predecessor of Con Edison, he created the first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree at his home in New York City in 1882. Edward H. Johnson became the Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights.

TODAY’S ALMANAC

Question of the Day

Where did the term “cardinal sin” originate?A cardinal sin is the same as a deadly sin, a product of early Christian monasticism and Saint Gregory the Great of the late sixth century. The seven deadly sins are vainglory (pride), covetousness, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth. They were classified as “deadly” not only because they were serious moral offenses but also because they frequently resulted in the commission of other sins. These days, “cardinal sin” is popularly used for any major sin.

Advice of the Day

One today is worth two tomorrows. —Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1757

Home Hint of the Day

If a kerosene lamp smokes a lot, try adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt to the kerosene.

Word of the Day

ChionophobiaThe fear of snow

Puzzle of the Day

Why is a dog dressed more warmly in summer than he is in winter?Because in winter he wears a fur coat, and in summer he wears a fur coat and pants.

Born

• Giacomo Puccini (composer) – 1858
• Edwin Arlington Robinson (poet) – 1869
• Grote Reber (American astronomer) – 1911
• Claudia Lady Bird” Johnson” (U.S. First Lady) – 1912
• Diane Sawyer (journalist) – 1945
• Ralph Fiennes (actor) – 1962
• Lauralee Bell (actress) – 1968
• Jordin Sparks (singer; season 6 American Idol winner) – 1989

Died

• George Eliot (writer) – 1880
• Ferdinand V. Hayden (geologist) – 1887
• Beatrix Potter (author) – 1943
• Samuel Beckett (writer) – 1989
• Joe Strummer (singer) – 2002

Events

• Construction began for first schoolhouse west of Allegheny Mountains, in Schoenbrunn, Ohio– 1772
• Continental Fleet was organized by the rebellious American colonies under the command of Esek Hopkins– 1775
• American Bicycling Journal first published– 1877
• Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, created the first string of Christmas tree lights– 1882
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit the central California coast– 2003

Weather

• Lake-effect snows brought a heavy storm to Turin, New York– 1993

COURTESY www.almanac.com