December 13 - National Violin Day

 

Happy National Violin Day! Honoring an instrument also known as the fiddle, National Violin Day on December 13 celebrates the bow stringed instrument loved around the world.  

By drawing the bow across the strings, the violinist manipulates the sound in several ways. 

A violinist uses numerous bowing techniques to master the violin. The strokes dictate not only notes, but the quality of the note played.  

While we associate the violin with classical music, it easily crosses genres. 

For instance, the violinist demonstrates the versatility of the violin by extensive use in baroque music, jazz, folk music, rock and roll, and soft rock.

 

“Violin” comes from the Medieval Latin work “vitula” which means stringed instrument. 

Although having ancient origins, violin-makers developed most of the violin’s modern characteristics in Italy during the 16th century. Further modifications formed in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

 

When is National Saxophone Day? 

 

Violin History 

It is believed that Turkic and Mongolian horseman from Inner Asia were the world’s earliest fiddlers. They played two-stringed upright fiddles strung with horsehair strings.  

Likewise, they played using horsehair bows and often featured a carved horse’s head at the end of the neck.  

The violins we play today (as well as the violas and cellos) with bows still strung with horsehair are a legacy of the nomads. 

• • 1555 – Andrea Amati receives credit for the oldest documented four-string violin, like the modern violins. 

  • The “Lady Blunt” brought a record dollar amount when it was auctioned on June 20, 2011. The Stradivari violin sold for $15.9 million.   
• • Musicians and collectors alike seek instruments made by Stradivari almost more than any other maker.  
• • A luthier makes or repairs violins. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
The holiday season offers an excellent time to listen to the violin in concert. 

Whether you attend a holiday presentation or give tickets to the local chamber orchestra, the violin will certainly be a part of the performance.  

Other ways to enjoy this holiday include: 

• • Listen to concerts on-line. 

  • Attend a school performance. 
• • Re-discover your violin skills and take a lesson or two. 
• • Offer a violin concert to a classroom. 
• • Add violin music to your playlist. 
• • Give the gift of music for the holidays. Buy season tickets or lessons for someone longing to learn to play. 
• • Learn about the histories of musical histories by reading 5 Tuneful Origins of Celebrated Musical Instruments. 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/5-tuneful-origins-of-celebrated-musical-instruments/ 

 
While celebrating the day, be sure to invite someone to enjoy it with you, too! Share your experience and use #NationalViolinDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

Undeterred by their research, National Day Calendar® continues seeking the origins of this musical holiday. 

#NationalViolinDay 

@strandny 

@nichecinema 

December 13 - National Day Of The Horse

 

Happy National Day of the Horse! On December 13, today encourages people of the United States to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of America. 

The domesticated horse we know today, also known as Equus caballus, was introduced into North America by Spanish explorers. Escaped horses eventually spread across the American Great Plains. 

Interestingly, there is a debate about the origin of E. caballus. Recent mitochondrial studies of an ancient horse called Equus lamei suggest that it is equivalent to the modern, domesticated horse.  

E. lamei once populated North America and died out more than 11,000 years ago. This could mean that E. caballus is technically a native species, and its evolutionary origin is North America. 

The North American Horse 

Aside from the anthropological debate, the horse has contributed significantly to the advancement of civilization in North America.  

Not only did the horse serve as vital transportation, but they cleared forests for farmland. They led the way westward and into battle and well. Horses diversified Native American hunting habits and defined the western cowboy. 

 

When is National Horse Protection Day? 

In North America, the legendary horse is embedded in our culture and runs deep into the roots of our history. As the country grew, our indebtedness to the horse grew, too.  

 
While few people see the horse as much more than a recreational animal today, they still serve on working ranches.  

 
As a therapy animal, horses relieve the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and other disorders. Long past their age as a plow horse or part of the cavalry, they continue connecting to humans, and we continue to rely on them. 

 
HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
Celebrate the horse and its contributions to North America. Explore their history and learn more about how the horse continues to play a vital role in North America today.

  

• • Read your favorite books about horses. Some of those might include The Red Pony (1933) by John Steinbeck or National Velvet (1935) by Enid Bagnold. 

  • For a more historical perspective, pick up The Horse in Human History (2009) by Pita Kelekna or The Horse: A Natural History (2019) by Catrin Rutland and Debbie Busby. 
• • You can also explore the horse in documentaries. Unbranded (2015), directed by Phillip Baribeau, follows four friends as they make an epic trip with sixteen mustangs from Mexico to Canada. 
• • The two-part television documentary series Equus: Story of the Horse (2019), directed by anthropologist-turned-filmmaker Gabit Baimbetov, Pavel Tarasov, and Niobe Thompson, follows the origins of horses around the world. 

Use #NationalDayoftheHorse to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

On November 18, 2004, the U.S. Senate Resolution 452 recognized December 13 as the National Day of the Horse. 

#NationalDayoftheHorse 

@pbs 

@SenateFloor 

@nichecinema