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S04 theSun ON THURSDAY | DECEMBER 8, 2016
FROM PAGE S02
when four Scottish students
decided tomake an effort to inspire
nationalismamong the Scots to get
parliament to take Scotland
seriously. The plan they hadwas
simple but dangerous – steal the
Stone of Coronation from
Westminster Abbey and bring it
back to Scotland.
The four arrived in London a
fewdays before Christmas to
scrutinise the place, run through
their plan and finalise theminute
details of their brave heist. On
Christmas Day, they sneaked into
Westminster Abbey and literally
stole the Stone of Coronation and
made it out of Londonwithout
being detained. Although the police
managed to secure the stone three
and a half months later, rumours
heard that the stonemay be fake.
However, all that hardworkwas
not left in vain as in 1996, the Stone
of Coronationwas returned to
Scotland but under the condition
that Britainmay borrow it during
coronation. The heist became an
inspiration for Scottish nationalism
and a 2008 film, Stone of Destiny
was made.
FIRST CHRISTMAS
Lastly, there is no one personwho
can share of any significant
Christmas episode without
mentioning the first Christmas,
which is the birth of Jesus Christ.
Although there have been debates
on the actual day of Christ’s birth,
there is no denying that the birth of
Jesus is integral to Christians and
Catholics all
around the
world.
The birth
was promised to
God’s people
with the Old
Testament
prophets
echoing the
same prophecy
of the coming of
the Messiah.
According to
the Holy Book
the birth was
dated the year
of Herod the
Great and was
filled with miraculous events, from
angels announcing the birth to the
sight of a bright star and the arrival
of the three wise men from the
orient land.
Christmas, as it falls during year
end is also made a public holiday in
most countries around the globe.
While Christians gather in their
churches to celebrate the birth of
their Saviour listening to sermons
on the nativity, singing of carols
and enjoying family time, others
who do not observe the religious
celebration spend holiday time
with family and friends.
We hope that our tall stories
and short tales have made
interesting reading this festive
time. Though many strike a grim
and gloomy chord, they tell of
momentous times that have led to
consequential changes to lives and
nations, some impacting the world.
There are many more historical
events that occurred on Christmas
Day, some made known and many
close to each of our hearts.
With that, we hope this Christmas
will be special and pleasantly
meaningful to you, our valued
readers. With that, theSun wishes
all readers a Merry Christmas and
Happy Holiday.
Stylish time-tellinggifts
GLOBALLYrecognised Swiss watch
brand Rado takes pride in unveiling
its first creations showcased at the
2016 Baselworld – the Rado True
OpenHeart collection.
Relaunchedwith a new edge, the
Rado True family presents another
beautiful twist to its two new
designs, fabulously communicating
its brand philosophy “if we can
imagine it, we canmake it”.
STYLISHMECHANICS
The two new timepieces from the
True OpenHeart collection is
limited to just 500 individually
marked pieces. Exceptionally
crafted inmatt black or polished
white high-tech ceramic, both
watches offer designs that bear
clean lines of the Rado True
essence. The beautifully decorated
Swiss movement is framed by
stylised cutouts in the dial, lending
the piece an airy, spacious feel and
giving the wearer a glimpse into the
enigmaticmechanics within. An
ultra finemother of pearl layer
floats over the dial like a veil, subtly
exposing themysterious inner
workings of the watch.
Themother of pearl dial changes
colour according to lighting
conditions and the angle of view.
DID YOU KNOW?
Other momentous and almost
earth-shattering events that
need mentioning include:
 England adopts the
'Julian' calendar
In the year 597, England
adopted the “Julian” calendar,
otherwise known as the
modern day calendar. It was
a significant event as this
proved the beginning of a
completely new calendar and
date measuring system that did
not only become the standard
in England and the US, but the
entire world, uniting one and
all in the common way time is
looked at.
 Halley’s
Comet first
sighted
Many of us
have heard of
Halley’s Comet
but few are lucky
enough to have actually seen
it. On Christmas Day in 1758
a German farmer and amateur
astronomer Johann Georg
Palitzsch sighted the comet
and established the fact that
it makes its return in a 76-
year loop. Halley’s Comet has
reappeared in 1835, 1910 and
1986, and is due to return next
in 2061.
Depicting the captivating aurora
borealis on one’s wrist, the 0.6mm
dial evokes feelings of
weightlessness, as if floating
through time and space. Below this
is the bare nakedmovement or the
heart of the watch, which
effortlessly glides and twirls,
powering the precision instrument
to become a true object of beauty.
NOTABLY IMPRESSIVE
Housed in the brand’s signature
monobloc casemade fromRado’s
high-tech ceramic engineered from
ultra-fine zirconiumoxide powder
– this high-tech ceramic is
incredibly light, among the lightest
materials used in luxury
watchmaking, yet impressively
hard and durable, five times harder
than steel. The non-metallic
material is also gentle and
hypoallergenic, suitable to anyone
withmetal allergies or sensitive
skin.
Captivating are both timepieces,
exuding luxury, lightness, comfort
in true Rado elegance and style. For
more information, visit your Rado
authorised dealer or log on to the
Radowebsite.
Two of the surviving "thieves" KayMatheson and
Alan Stuart with Britishmember of Parliament Alex
Salmon (far left) and politicianWinnie Ewing during
the return of the stone.