December 12 – A Twice Special Day

December 12 has been traditionally celebrated as the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas.  For a detailed story of the origin of this celebration, check out my post Our Lady of Guadalupe – The Miracle Continues. 

Since 2002, December 12 has also been observed as National Poinsettia Day in the US, to commemorate the first U.S. minister to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett (March 2, 1779 – December 12, 1851). Originally from the warm regions of Mexico, poinsettias were domesticated in pre-Hispanic times and used in ceremonial rites, and as a textile dye .  After the Spanish conquest, poinsettias became a popular decoration for the Christmas season since at least the 17th century, due to the plant’s specialized top leaves, called bracts, which naturally changed to a bright red tone in the winter months, for what in Spanish, it is called flor de Nochebuena (Holy Night flower).  Shortly after Mexico became an independent nation, Poinsett was appointed as a US special envoy.  In 1828, he saw the plants for the first time; as a botanist, he was fascinated with them and sent some cuttings to his home in South Carolina, also giving some samples to his horticultural friends. A few years later, the current English name was chosen in his honour, and today, poinsettias are the best selling potted plants in North America.