FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
The Nobel Prizes (/noʊˈbɛl/ noh-BEL; Swedish: Nobelpriset [nʊˈbɛ̂lːˌpriːsɛt]; Norwegian: Nobelprisen [nʊˈbɛ̀lːˌpriːsn̩]) are five separate prizes that, according to Alfred Nobel’s will of 1895, are awarded to “those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist most famously known for the invention of dynamite. He died in 1896. In his will, he bequeathed all of his “remaining realisable assets” to be used to establish five prizes which became known as “Nobel Prizes.” Nobel Prizes were first awarded in 1901.
Nobel Prizes are awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace (Nobel characterized the Peace Prize as “to the person who has done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the establishment and promotion of peace congresses”). In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) funded the establishment of the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, to also be administered by the Nobel Foundation. Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards available in their respective fields.
The prize ceremonies take place annually. Each recipient (known as a “laureate“) receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award. In 2021, the Nobel Prize monetary award is 10,000,000 SEK. A prize may not be shared among more than three individuals, although the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to organizations of more than three people. Although Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it, the prize is presented.
The Nobel Prizes, beginning in 1901, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, beginning in 1969, have been awarded 609 times to 975 people and 25 organizations. Five individuals and two organisations have received more than one Nobel Prize.
TODAY’S ALMANAC
Question of the Day
What can you tell me about Halcyon Days?
Halcyon Days, which have come to mean any time of happiness and contentment, are actually the 14 days around the winter solstice. The halcyon, or kingfisher, builds its floating nest at that time, during which the gods had promised calm seas for the nesting and hatching time. Learn more about the Halcyon Days here.
Advice of the Day
Caraway seeds keep pigeons from straying.
Home Hint of the Day
If you’re repairing or replacing a Colonial floor, remember that subfloors in those days were usually made of boards only 1/2 inch thick. When you’re working on them, always step on the subfloor only where your weight will be supported by the floor joists.
Word of the Day
Whangdoodle
An imaginary creature, or an undefined character.
Puzzle of the Day
What stones are never seen together?
Milestones
Born
- Melvil Dewey (librarian) – 1851
- Susan Dey (actress) – 1952
- Michael Clarke Duncan (actor) – 1957
- Kenneth Branagh (actor) – 1960
- Raven-Symoné (actress & singer) – 1985
Died
- Alfred Nobel (chemist, engineer, and the inventor of dynamite. In his last will, he used his enormous fortune to institute the Nobel Prizes.) – 1896
- Otis Redding (singer) – 1967
- Ed Wood (filmmaker) – 1978
- Armand Hammer (industrialist) – 1990
- Alice Tully (philanthropist) – 1993
- Richard Pryor (comedian & actor) – 2005
Events
- Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state– 1817
- The Nobel Prizes were awarded for the first time– 1901
- President Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize– 1906
- Duke Ellington recorded Mood Indigo”“– 1930
- Ralph Bunche became the first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize– 1950
- William Faulkner accepted his Nobel Prize in literature which was awarded to him in 1949– 1950
- Colonel John P. Stapp attained 632 mph on rocket sled– 1954
Weather
- Bend, Oregon, had 28 inches of snow within 24 hours– 1919
- The temperature reached 70 degrees F in New York City– 1946
COURTESY www.almanac.com
