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Around the world – February 2015

Presidents’ Day Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22 — Washington’s actual day of birth — the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day was originally designed for people to let others know how much they love them. Today, Valentine’s Day has become a big business around the world. Each year, 141 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged, which does not include the cards you exchange in your classroom. Some of the most popular gifts include: • Chocolate • Flowers • Jewelry

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Around The World

Around the world – January 2015

Martin Luther King Jr. Day This year, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister. He was also a social activist. In fact, he led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until he was assassinated in 1968. While many people do not have to go to work or school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many choose to spend this day giving back to their community by participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. This movement is based on King’s statement “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” You can find out more about it at www.mlkday.gov. Happy New Year! We celebrate the new year on Jan. 1, but that was not always the case. The earliest recorded festivities celebrating a new year date back about 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox (the day in late March with an equal amount of sunlight and darkness) marked the start of a new year. They marked the occasion with a massive religious festival called Akitu (derived from the Sumerian word for barley, which was cut in the spring) that involved a different ritual on each of its 11 days. In addition to the new year, Atiku celebrated the mythical victory of the Babylonian sky god Marduk over the evil sea goddess Tiamat and served an important political purpose: It was during this time that a new king was crowned or that the current ruler’s divine mandate was symbolically renewed. Source: History.com

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Around The World

Around the world – December 2014

How Do You Say Merry Christmas? All over the world, people celebrate the Christmas season. While in America, we simply say, “Merry Christmas!” Here’s a list of how other people around the world wish each other the joy of the season! In Africa, they say “Geseende Kersfees!” while in the Czech Republic they say, “Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok!” Those are a little longer than our English version, but here is a list of a few more: Danish: Glaedelig Jul Finnish: Hyvaa Joulua French: Joyeux Noel German: Froehliche Weihnachten Greek: Kala Christouyenna Hawaiian: Mele Kalikamaka Italian: Buon Natale Spanish Feliz Natal And, if you are wondering what children around the world call Santa Claus, try these out: Belgium: Pere Noel Brazil: Papai Noel Finland: Joulupukki France: Pere Noel Hawaii: Kanakaloka Italy: Babbo Natale Norway: Julenissen Russia: Ded Moroz United Kingdom: Father Christmas New Year’s Eve All over the word, people gather to ring in the new year. One of the biggest celebrations occurs in New York City in Times Square. The celebration first occurred in 1904. The first bash commemorated the official opening of the new headquarters of The New York Times. The newspaper’s owner, German Jewish immigrant Alfred Ochs, had successfully lobbied the city to rename Longacre Square, the district surrounding his paper’s new home, in honor of the famous publication. The night was such a rousing success that Times Square instantly replaced Lower Manhattan’s Trinity Church as “the” place in New York City to ring in the New Year. Before long, this party of parties would capture the imagination of the nation, and the world.

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Around The World

Around the world – November 2014

Thanksgiving Traditions Many people in the United States look forward to Thanksgiving all year long because of the many traditions associated with the holiday. For kids, one of the most exciting traditions is watching the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade originated in New York City in 1924. Macy’s employees marched to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. The parade also included floats and professional bands. At the end of that first parade, and every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. The parade was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event. And today, an estimated 3.5 million+ people gather in the streets to watch the parade, and 50 million watch from home. For Dads, one of the favorite traditions is watching football. The first Thanksgiving football game was played in Detroit, Michigan in 1934, when the Detroit Lions decided to host a game on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game each year since 1934, with the exception of a brief interruption during World War II. The inaugural game, held in the Motor City in 1934, saw the defending-champion Chicago Bears defeat the host Lions 19-16. For Moms, one of the traditions is Black Friday shopping. Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year and kicks-off the Christmas season. Stores offer great deals and some people start shopping at midnight and shop all night long and into the next day. While these traditions are fun, the best tradition is spending time with family and taking the time to reflect on all of the good things in your life and to be thankful for them.

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Kids

Around the World – October 2014

Halloween If you are like most kids, you’ve probably already started thinking about what you would like to dress up as for Halloween. Each year, there are new costumes that are at the top of the list and then there are the old standbys. Whether you dress up as a super hero, a cartoon character or something scary, it’s very important that you stay safe if you go out trick-or-treating. The following tips come to you from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: • Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. • Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups with a trusted adult • Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags so drivers can see you. • Examine all treats for tampering. Limit the amount of treats you eat. • Hold a flashlight to ensure that you can see and be seen. • Look both ways before crossing the street. • Walk on sidewalks • Visit only well-lit homes and never go inside unless a trusted adult is with you. Marwar Festival If you find yourself in Jodhpur, India, Oct. 7-8, you will have a chance to participate in the Marwar Festival, which celebrates of the culture of the Rajasthan’s Marwar Region. It’s held for two days over the full moon, in memory of the state’s medieval heroes. The highlight of the festival is classic folk music and dance, which bring alive the myths and legends of the area. The festival also includes horse riding, polo and, well, even though it sounds odd, tattooing camels!!!!   National Harvest Festival You’ve heard the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” In Arendtsville, Pennsylvania, they are not so worried about the doctor — instead, they are celebrating everything to do with apples at the National Apple Harvest Festival. Held at local fairgrounds, the festival is an “apple-palooza;” visitors can bob for apples, drink fresh pressed apple cider, eat apple dumplings and apple sauce and even eat fresh apples straight off the tree. If you find yourself stuffed from apples, you can square dance or join native-American dancers as they perform traditional dances!

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Around The World

Around the World – Sept 2014

Alo PaoPao Samoa Alo PaoPao Samoa 2014 begins Monday, Sept. 15. You might ask yourself what Alo PaoPao Samoa is. And, that’s a good question. Alo PaoPao is an annual boat race and festival in American Samoa. The boats used in the race are outriggers. Outriggers are traditional canoes that were initially used in the Pacific Rim where they played an important role in the Polynesian exploration of the Pacific. Using strong, stable outriggers, the Polynesians traveled to many of the islands in the Pacific, establishing communities on some of them. The outrigger continues to be an important part of Polynesian life. Traditional outriggers are made by craftsmen who want to preserve Polynesian heritage. The Alo PaoPao Festival is a week-long event which is centered on a series of competitive outrigger races around Samoa. International Literacy Day Reading is an important part of our lives. Reading helps us learn, but it also helps us imagine. Many people in the United States do not know how to read. So in September, we focus on literacy (the ability to read) on International Literacy Day, which is on Monday, Sept. 8. The day was first celebrated in 1965 and designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. So on Monday, Sept. 8, grab a friend, grab a book and read. You’ll be surprised how far it will take you. Grandparents Day The first Grandparents Day was celebrated in 1970 by Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a West Virginia homemaker and also a mother of 15 children. To celebrate Grandparents Day, she solicited support of businesses, political leaders, churches and civic groups. In 1973, West Virginia Governor Arch Moore declared the first public celebration of Grandparents Day. Today, Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Monday following Labor Day. The purpose of the day is to unite Grandparents and their grandchildren for a day of sharing and learning about each other and their family. In many schools, Grandparents Day teas or breakfasts are held. If your school does not celebrate Grandparents Day, make sure you give your grandparents a phone call, or if you are lucky enough to live near them, stop in and visit and spend some time showing them how much you love them.

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Around The World

Around the World – July 2014

When you think of the 4th of July, you might think about fireworks, parades and picnics, all of which have become traditions. But do you know what those traditions celebrate? The 4th of July is also called Independence Day, and it has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. But people have been celebrating since 1776, when the U.S. Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4. That declaration, written by one of our presidents, Thomas Jefferson, declared America’s independence from England. Now that’s something to celebrate! The Palio di Siena is the Italian equivalent to the Kentucky Derby horse race. Known in Italy as Il Palio, the race is held two times each year – once on July 2 and again on Aug. 16 in Siena, Italy. During the race, 10 horses, representing the districts in the city, are ridden around the Piazza del Campo three times. The race usually only lasts abut 90 seconds. What makes the race even more interesting is that the horses are not saddled. The riders are riding bareback. The lack of saddle results in many of the riders being thrown from their horses during the short race. Ouch! Boston is a city that celebrates its place in America’s history. Every year during the 4th of July, The festival celebrates the colonial and maritime (or sailing ) history of the city. The festival features Revolutionary war reenactments, concerts, historical tours and you can even see the tall ships with their massive sails come into the harbor. The festival, which runs July 2-6 this year has fun events every day and ends with one of the biggest fireworks shows you will ever see!!!

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Around The World

Around The World – June 2014

Many New Zealanders celebrate the Queen’s Birthday on the first Monday of June each year, as New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of the United Kingdom being the head of state. Many people have the day off on the Queen’s birthday, which is the official opening of the ski season. It’s usually held on a Monday so it is part of a long weekend. The Queen’s Honours list is released around the time of the Queen’s birthday public holiday. This list has hundreds of recipients, who are honoured and recognized for public service, from services to television to services to prisoner welfare.   Flag Day People across the United States celebrate Flag Day on June 14 each year to honor the United States flag and to commemorate the flag’s adoption. On the same day, the United States Army celebrates its birthday. Flag Day falls within National Flag Week, a time when Americans reflect on the foundations of the nation’s freedom. The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days. During both events, Americans also remember their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice, and observe the nation’s unity. Many people in the United States honor this day by displaying the American flag at homes and public buildings. Other popular ways of observing this holiday include: flag-raising ceremonies; Flag Day services; school quizzes and essay competitions about the American flag; musical salutes; street parades; and awards for special recognition. Fathers Day Father’s Day is June 15, 2014 in many countries. It is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, but it is also celebrated widely on other days. Father’s Day was created to complement Mother’s Day, a celebration that honors mothers and motherhood. Father’s Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children. After hearing a sermon about Jarvis’ Mother’s Day in 1909, she told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father’s birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.

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Around The World

Around the World – May 2014

Humpback Whale Migration If you were to travel to Monterey Bay, near Big Sur in California, this month is a perfect time to watch for humpback whales. During this time, the whales are migrating from their winter home off the coast of Mexico to their summer and fall feeding areas off the coast of California. The whales can be seen from the highways as they jump through the water, and, if you take a whale watching boat, one might just come up to say, “hello!”     Antarctic Polar Plunge You may have heard of people taking the polar plunge in places like New York and Alaska, but people, usually those traveling aboard cruise ships, take an Antarctic Polar Plunge in the waters off Deception Island, too. Because of its volcanic activity, Deception Island is a typical hot-spot where the brave take the icy plunge. The steam rising off of the shoreline fools many people into thinking that the water is warm. But they have been deceived – it’s freezing! Now you know how the island got its name!     The Kentucky Derby On Saturday, May 3, the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby will occur in Louisville, Kentucky. The race, held the first Saturday in May, is known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports” for its duration and is also called the “Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the winner.

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Around The World

Noche de Brujas, Fallas, Holi

Noche du BrujasNight of the Witches, as it is translated, is celebrated the first Friday of March at Cerro Mono Blanco in Catemaco, Mexico. This festival, which features song and dance performances as well as a marketplace for all things magical, is just the place to go if you are looking for a lucky rabbit’s foot or a love potion. It is held on Laguna Catemaco, which is made up of several islands, including Isla de los Mono (Monkey Island). The island is home to dozen of macques. FallasFallas is celebrated March 12-19 in Valenica, Spain. It is also a celebration of spring. Throughout the festival, fallas, which are huge sculptures of papier mâché on wood built by teams of local artists, are placed throughout the city. Just like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, local community groups and neighborhoods sponsor their own fallas. More than 350 of these giant puppets are placed throughout the city. On the last day of the festival, the fallas are set on fire by the use of fireworks. HoliHoli is an annual festival held throughout India and Nepal. It occurs for three days around the March full moon. Holi is a celebration of the end of winter and a welcome to spring. On the last day of the festival, the people celebrate the Festival of Colors, where children and adults run through the street throwing colorful powder over each other and dump buckets of dyed water all over each other.

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