Today in 1892, the birthday of Fred Thomas, who had the unusual distinction of being an active duty member of the military while playing in baseball’s World Series. And his two jobs helped lead to a pretty big custom in modern American sports. Plus: this Sunday in Anchorage, Alaska, it’s the Winter Solstice Festival.

Fred Thomas (Society for American Baseball Research)

Winter Solstice Festival

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Today in 1620, people aboard the English ship Mayflower dropped anchor supposedly at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. Only the story of the rock came much later, and then people had a hard time keeping the rock in one piece. Plus: some online reviewers have not exactly been rocked by visiting Plymouth Rock.

Thomas Faunce: The Man Who Saved Plymouth Rock (New England Historical Society)

The Funniest Reviews of Plymouth Rock Left by Disappointed Tourists (Thrillist)

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Happy Hanukkah! In this episode from December 2022, we visit Hanukkah House in Houston. When most people mark Hanukkah with lights, they mean candles on a menorah. But Philip Grosman brings all the lights for the festival.

⁠Houston's famous Hanukkah house shines bright for the holidays⁠ (KHOU)

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