Friday links

Before Seinfeld: The Origins of Festivus.

Chocolate meltdown closes German road.

.

One of the Biggest Meteor Showers of the Year Returns This Week — Here’s How to See It.

In 1863, Santa Claus entered the fray on the side of the Union.

Dec. 14, 1799: The excruciating final hours of President George Washington.

The real history of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ - it all started with a Montgomery Ward marketing campaign in 1939.

ICYMI, Wednesday's links are here, and include lots of ugly Christmas sweaters (plus instructions for making your own), how McDonald's got started, why woodpeckers don't get concussions, how your apps are tracking you (and who they're sharing the info with), and advice from c. 1200: on how to survive the winter (don't forget to lay off the purging and blood-letting, and keep your hands and feet covered in wolf grease).