December/Rhagfyr

If you were born Welsh or are of Welsh descent then there is something to celebrate (or comemmorate) on every day of the year. If you are looking to learn Welsh history one day at a time or just looking for an excuse to raise a glass and celebrate on any particular day this blog is for you. You will also find the birthdates of many famous Americans of Welsh descent. Though these pages are intended as a serious resource some of our contributors have a sense of humor. Consequently there are a few 'joke' items spread amongst the vast bulk of factual daily entries. We dont think you'll have too much trouble spotting them. To navigate to any date in the calendar please use the rollover menu or the search box above. This will take you to the monthly calendar pages or to individual entries. You might also wish to check out our list of some of the most important dates in the Welsh Calendar which can be found here

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1. Michael D Jones (founder of Welsh Settlement in Patagonia) died this day 1898
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1. Donny Osmond born this day 1957. YouTube		1. The Death of Llewellyn Ap Gruffudd
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	1.WilliamFloyd born today 1734 Wikipedia Welsh Americans 2. Zombi Cathod Mawr!	1. Peggy Cummins Actress born this day 1925		1. The last pit in the Rhondda closes 2. Cardiff becomes Capital of Wales 1955		1. Richey Edwards of the'Manic Street Preachers' born this day 1966
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		1. Nadolig Llawen!	1. Owen Edwards Historian born this day 1858 Google Books "A Short History of Wales'	1. Discovery of the Dan yr Ogof cave system 1912	1.Griffith Davies, actuary, born this day 1788.
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	1. Birth of Anthony Hopkins.

December/Rhagfyr

December is a month to remember Wales ( or at least 'Gwynedd's' ) independent past. The last native 'Prince of Wales' died on December 11th in 1282. Llewellyn Ap Gruffudd was killed in battle with the English at Cilmeri in Powys. He came close, for a short time, to uniting the people of Wales under his rule. Since his death the title of 'Prince of Wales' has been bestowed upon the eldest son of the English royal family. For a concise account of Wales constitutional evolution since that time see this blogpost. In terms of the Welsh contribution to the arts and popular entertainment December is also a significant month. Anthony Hopkins and Richey Edwards of the Manic Street Preachers were born in this month. This was also the month in which the Dan yr Ogof cave system, now one of Wales leading tourist attractions, was discovered in 1912.

The Welsh word for December is Rhagfyr.