People without knowledge of their history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots. Therefore, it is imperative to know about our history and work on it for a better future.
Now let us discuss the events that happened on December 6 in history.
1160 – Jean Bodels” Jeu de St Nicolas” premieres in Arras
The Jeu de Saint Nicolas, written by Jean Bodels, is a vernacular mystery play. It is premiered in Arras on December 6, 1160, less than ten years after the disastrous Third Crusade. The popular play tells the story of a Muslim king whose lands are invaded by Christians. Le Jeu de Saint Nicolas treats a theme earlier presented in Latin, notably by Hilarius.
The play is famous for its crusading fervor, piety, and satirical wit. It gave it a new form and meaning by relating it to the Crusades. However, in Bodel’s play, the saint’s image, to which the sole survivor of a Christian army was found praying. Also, it becomes the agent of a miracle that causes the Saracen king and his people to convert to Christianity.
Wikipedia.com
1534 – Quito, Ecuador, founded by Spanish
Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro arrived and took Atahualpa captive in 1532. However, Atahualpa was executed in 1533, which turned unconquered Quito against the Spanish invaders, which is still much beloved. Two different conquest expeditions converged on Quito on December 6, 1534, led by Pedro de Alvarado and Sebastián de Benalcázar.
The people of Quito were formidable warriors and vigorously fought the Spanish, most notably at the Battle of Teocajas. Benalcázar arrived first only to find that general Rumiñahui had razed Quito to spite the Spanish.
1631 – 1st predicted transit of Venus (Kepler) observed
Johannes Kepler first predicted a transit of Venus on December 6, 1631. Still, it was not observed by anyone because Kepler’s predictions were not accurate to indicate that the transit would not be visible in most of Europe.
In 1639, Jeremiah Horrocks examined Kepler’s calculations and realized that there would be a Venus transit a few months later. However, this transit would be the first five globally: Horrocks, his friend, and correspondent William Crabtree and his family. Crabtree and Horrocks used a helioscope to observe the transit of Venus safely.
pinterest.com
1865 – The 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery
On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment was ratified to the U.S. Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery. However, the ratification came eight months after the end of the war. Still, it represented the climax of the struggle against slavery. At the starting of the war, few in the North were against fighting what they saw as a crusade to end slavery.
Although people opposed many northern Democrats and conservative Republicans to slavery’s expansion, they were ambivalent about outlawing the institution entirely. However, after the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, the war’s escalation in July 1861 caused many people to rethink the role of slavery in creating the conflict.
1967 – Adrian Kantrowitz performs the first human heart transplant
On December 6, 1967, Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the first human heart transplant in the United States of America. The surgeon experimented with prosthetics and transplantation at Maimonides hospital in Brooklyn. However, two days earlier, Kantrowitz’s heart transplant between two infants took place. It was the world’s first successful human heart transplant and was performed by Christiaan Barnard in Cape Town, South Africa.
Reference Source: onthisday.com
