Origin of the Christmas Song, "Carol of the Bells", Points to Soviet Ukraine

The Christmas song "Carol of the Bells", with its haunting four notes and almost ethereal arrangement, is one of the most popular songs sung during the holidays. The song was composed by Mykola Leontovych with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936.

Anthony Potoczniak, a Rice University anthropology graduate traced the origin of the song and found that the original musical composition was based on the Ukraninan folk song "Shchedryk" (meaning bountiful) that was written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich.

The song was sung on the eve of the New Year of the Julian Calendar - January 13. It was usually sung by young girls going house to house in celebration of the new year. As the girls sang the tune predicting good fortune, they were rewarded with baked goods or other treats.

As part of a mandate by the Ukranian government to promote Ukranian music, Shchedryk was first performed in the United States on October 05, 1921 in Carnegie Hall, 15 years before "Carol of the Bells".

Wishing You The Best of the Holidays!

This image is courtesy of the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Planetary Nebula, NGC B5189 resembles a gift ribbon in space. What better way to appreciate the universe than by gazing at this amazing and beautiful object.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! All the best to each and everyone!

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A swoosh in space: Merry Christmas from Hubble

Scientists Discover the Reason for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer's Red Nose

Researchers have discovered the scientific basis of why Rudolph the red nosed reindeer's nose is red.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer was created by Robert L. May. He first appeared in a 1939 booklet published by Montgomery Ward for its Christmas giveaway promotion. Prior to the booklet, Montgomery Ward was giving away coloring books and it was more economical for them to publish their own booklet.

Montgomery Ward was reported to have distributed 2.5 million of the booklets that year alone. The book featured the familiar story of Rudolph and how he became the lead reindeer of Santa Claus' sleigh.

Approximately ten years later, the song Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was recorded and since then has become one of the most popular holiday songs. The song was written by Johnny Marks, who was May's brother in law.

The song was first sung commercially by Harry Brannon on November 1949 before Gene Autry's recording came out that same year and became the number 1 song for the holiday season.

Rudolph has since been considered a Christmas icon next in popularity to Santa Claus. The embedded video below is a cartoon based on the original story of May. This version is the reissued version with the popular song inserted. It is written by Robert May and Joe Stultz, and directed by Max Fleischer.

May You Have A Merry Merry Quantum Christmas!

Hope all you guys have a Merry Merry Christmas!

Oh and the closest relevant science video I could get is umm.. MST3K's Patrick Swayze Christmas.