Did you know that the Queen has two birthdays - her actual birthday and an official one, on which the country celebrates? Either way, this is the year that Her Majesty will be 90, and it's a great excuse for a celebration, or two, or a few more! Many people will be marking this special landmark birthday in the UK and all around the Commonwealth, as we recognise the achievements of this country'slongest serving and well-loved monarch. Will you be joining in with a 90th birthday street party or picnic, or other tribute?
The Queen's actual birthday is on 21st April, and that's when the celebrations will start, with a walkabout in Windsor. In the evening the Queen will light the first of 1,000 beacons stretching across the country and around the world!
On 12th - 15th May at Windsor Castle there will be a spectacular 4-day birthday party event, the finale of which will be broadcast live on Sunday night. The extravaganza will celebrate Queen's Elizabeth's life, her love of horses, her dedication to the Commonwealth and her support of our Armed Forces.
On 11th June it's time for the official birthday celebration and Trooping the Colour, followed by a balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace from the royal family and an exciting fly-by.
People in Wales and those of Welsh origin celebrate the life of their patron saint, St David, and the Welsh culture on March 1 each year. Many people pin a daffodil or leek to their clothes and some, especially children, wear traditional costumes.
St David is the patron saint of Wales. March 1 is a day of celebration of both St David’s life and of the Welsh culture in Wales and in countries such as Canada and the United States. Many people attend special church services, parades, choral recitals or Welsh literature readings. Schools plan celebrations, often involving choirs, on the day.
The Welsh flag, a red dragon on a white and green background, is displayed prominently and a festive mood prevails. Children, particularly girls, and some adults wear traditional costume. Other people may pin a daffodil or a leek to their clothes as these are symbols of Wales. The traditional meal on St David's Day is cawl. This is a soup that is made of leek and other locally grown produce.
Public Life
St David's Day is not a public holiday in the United Kingdom or countries such as Canada and the United States. Therefore government offices, schools, post offices and businesses are open.
However, it is a day of celebration so many schools, institutions and even businesses will have a special program for the day. Some villages and towns hold special parades so there may be some local disruption to traffic or public transport.
Background
St David plays a very important role in Welsh culture but little is known about his life. It is believed that he lived to be 100 years old and that he died in 589, but the first texts on his life only appeared around five hundred years after his death. This means that it is difficult to tell which aspects of the St David’s story are true and which are legend. He was supposed to have been very gentle and physically strong and tall despite eating a frugal diet. His parents were Sant, the grandson of a prince of Ceredigion in south-west Wales, and Non, a niece of the legendary King Arthur.
St David travelled widely throughout Wales, Cornwall in the south-west of England, Brittany in France and possibly to Ireland and Jerusalem. He founded several churches and a monastery in Wales and eventually became an archbishop. St David was canonized in 1120 and March 1 was included in the church calendar as St David's Day. People started making pilgrimages to St David’s monastery after he was canonized. A cathedral still stands on its original site.
Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom (UK) honors the heroic efforts, achievements and sacrifices that were made in past wars. The main observance is on the second Sunday in November, but 2 minutes of silence is also made on November 11.
People stop work to observe a moment of silence at 11am on November 11, which is the time and date when hostilities formally ended after more than four years of battle during World War I. Poppies are worn as a symbol of respect and tribute on Remembrance Sunday and/or November 11.
The day is also marked by events such as memorial services, church services and parades. A national commemoration takes place at Whitehall, a road in the City of Westminster in central London.
Public life
Remembrance Day is an observance and not a public holiday in the UK. Many businesses may temporarily pause activity at 11am for 2 minutes of silence on November 11.
About Remembrance Day
Also referred to as Poppy Day or Armistice Day, Remembrance Day is observed in Commonwealth countries, including Australia and Canada. Other countries such as the U.S. have similar observances like Veterans Day. November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended World War I hostilities between Allied nations and Germany in 1918.
Want to know what November 5 was made famous for? Read on.
1. Guy Fawkes joined a group of English Catholics and attempted to plant gunpowder in the cellar of the Palace of Westminister in 1605, planning to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of England’s Parliament. He was discovered by Thomas Knyvett, the keeper of the Whitehall Palace on November 5. He found Guy (who was posing as John Johnson), along with about 900 kg of gunpowder. The group he was involved with was planning to assassinate the Protestant King James.
2. The holiday was celebrated by fireworks because those in London were encouraged to celebrate the safety of the king by lighting fires. The celebrations were actually repealed in 1859. The celebration has become less and less each year, but many have fireworks to remember the Gunpowder plot.
3. Those who searched the palace actually found out about the assassination plan from an anonymous letter!
4. “Remember, Remember, the fifth of November” is the line from a poem that took on the nature of a nursery rhyme. Here is the full verse:
Remember, remember the fifth of November, The gunpowder, treason and plot, I know of no reason Why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.
Wales, known to Welsh speakers as Cymru, is part of the United Kingdom.
King Edward 1st conquered the nation following the death of the Welsh leader in 1282, which eventually led to a legal union with England in 1536.
A feature of the warring factions of the Middle Ages is the large number of defensive castles built by nobles, which provide tourists with an insight into the torrid history of the region.
Self rule, in the form of a new devolved National Assembly, was won after the referendum in 1997.
Wales has lovely sandy beaches on the Gower Peninsula as well as beautiful National Parks, for example mountainous Snowdonia, which are justly popular with hikers.
Rugby is the National Sport, with the national team, drawn from a mere 3 million population, often excelling against the much larger nations of England and France.
Whilst famed for its countryside, the majority of people live in modern thriving cities such as Cardiff.
Saint David is the patron saint of this country.
DO YOU SPEAK WELSH?
Here are some words related to traditional Welsh culture:
Remember, remember! The fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason and plot…
Known as Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, Gunpowder Day focuses on the plot by Guy Fawkes and other conspirators to blow up Britain’s parliament in 1605. Rebelling against the persecution of Catholics by King James I, they planned to kill the monarch during his visit to parliament. But the scheme was foiled and the traitors executed.
On Gunpowder Day, families construct an effigy of Guy Fawkes to be burned on a bonfire that evening. Fireworks are also set off to add to the celebrations. Public displays are also held and the biggest celebration of Gunpowder Day is in Lewes in East Sussex, England. Six bonfire societies host their own fireworks displays and gargantuan bonfires. After sunset, a large procession of all of the societies moves through Lewes. Many members carry flame torches and a river of fire can be seen flowing through the town during the evening.
St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17. It particularly remembers St Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century.
What do people do?
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially by Irish communities and organizations. Many people wear an item of green clothing on the day. Parties featuring Irish food and drinks that are dyed in green food color are part of this celebration. It is a time when children can indulge in sweets and adults can enjoy a “pint” of beer at a local pub. Many restaurants and pubs offer Irish food or drink, which include:
Irish brown bread.
Corned beef and cabbage.
Beef and Guinness pie.
Irish cream chocolate mousse cake.
Irish coffee.
Irish potato champ, also known as poundies, cally or pandy.
Get your frying pans at the ready folks, Tuesday March 4 2014 is Shrove Tuesday and this year's pancake action need not be confined to the kitchen. Pancake races across the country will see everyone tossing their way towards the finish line.
What is Pancake Day all about?
Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent, traditionally a period of abstinence, associated with clearing your cupboards of goods such as sugar, fats and eggs. It's commonly known as Pancake Day because it represents a good opportunity to use such ingredients ahead of the fasting period.
Pancake Day takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday. Because the date of Easter Sunday is dictated by the cycles of the moon, Pancake Day can occur anytime between February 3 and March 9.
