The point where the Earth is closest to the Sun. It currently happens around 3rd January.
Perihelion
Fact of the Day
In 1850, cannabis was used in the US to treat tetanus, typhus, cholera, rabies, dysentery, alcoholism, anthrax, leprosy, and insanity.
Quote of the Day
"Who has appointed the Germans the judges of nations?
"
~ John of Salisbury
On This Day
1846 Scottish surgeon Robert Liston was the first European to use anaesthesia during an amputation. He could amputate a leg in two and a half minutes.
1898 Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium.
1937 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the world's first full-length animated film, premiered in the USA
1946 A tsunami caused by an undersea earthquake killed at least 1,362 and left thousands homeless in Japan.
1967 Louis Washkansky, the first man to undergo a heart transplant, died in Cape Town, South Africa, 18 days after his operation.
1988 Pan Am Flight 103 exploded as it was flying over Lockerbie, Scotland. All 243 passengers and 16 crew, and 11 residents of Lockerbie were killed