According to Seinfeld, December 23 is Festivus. It's a made-up TV holiday that has roots in a real family's tradition, though it may be even more inexplicable than the famous version. Plus: December 23 in Oaxaca, Mexico is known as “Night of the Radishes.”

What is Festivus? The 'Seinfeld' holiday has real 'sinister' origins (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Mexico's Night of the Radishes, a Quirky Christmas Tradition (How Stuff Works)

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Today in 1882, a big moment in holiday decorations: thanks to inventor Edward H. Johnson, for the first time, a Christmas tree festooned with colorful electric lights. Plus: Iceland has a fascinating Christmas tradition: the Yule Cat.

Who invented electric Christmas lights? (Library of Congress)

A festive feline: Iceland's terrifying Christmas Yule Cat (History.co.uk)

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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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