18 July 13

Monday (15 July) was the birthday of Clement Moore (1779-1863), writer of "A Visit From St. Nicholas," which is also known popularly by its opening line, "'Twas the night before Christmas . . . " Clement Moore died 150 years ago this month (10 July). His poem contains the first known historical reference to the eight reindeer that pull the present-laden sleigh through the lower atmosphere. The mechanical principles by which the sleigh flies have never been explained.