169 B.C. Temple of Jerusalem plundered by Antioch IV.

165 B.C. Judas Maccabeus begins a revolt against Antioch IV.

37 B.C. Herod the Great made king of Judea by the Romans.

JOHN THE BAPTIST -  The angel Gabriel promises the birth of John to Zachariah: “He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1)

WORLD EVENTS: 102 B.C. first Chinese ships reach east coast of India; ball bearings used in Danish cart wheels; 100 B.C. Julius Caesar, first emperor of Rome, born; 55 B.C. Romans conquer England and make it part of Roman empire until A.D. 442; 51B.C. Cleopatra becomes last independent Egyptian ruler of the ancient world; 44 B.C. Julius Caesar elected dictator for life, then assassinated the same year; 30 B.C. Cleopatra and her lover, Marc Antony both die by suicide