This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
The connection that we have to nature, plants, and the land is integral to our health and all that we are.
Earth Day reminds us to take care of our planet—whether it’s cleaning up litter, planting more trees, recycling and repurposing, or going on a walk in a green space amidst the wildflowers. Celebrate!
The “green things growing” whisper me Of many an earth-old mystery. –Eben Eugene Rexford
Listen to Michael Jackson's Earth Song and get inspired!
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) is one of the most prolific writers of all time and possibly the most famous author of Victorian Britain.
Dickens was born in Portsmouth and left school young, when his father was thrown in to debtors prison and he needed to financially support the family.
Many of Dicken's stories covered the realities of poverty and life for the working classes and reflected his own early life.
Most of his novels were published in serial form meaning that they were accessible to the lower classes of society who would pay a contribution to hear them read.
Many of the most famous literary characters come from Dicken's stories; Scrooge, Fagin, Miss Havisham, Mr Micawber and many more.
Charles Dickens was born on 7th February, and that's a good excuse to celebrate his birthday by finding out a little about him and enjoying some of his stories!
Elton John has over a thousand pairs, Canadian singer Corey Hart only wears his at night, and you can tell the good guys from the bad guys in The Matrix by the shape of theirs. What am I talking about? Sunglasses, of course! There’s nothing quite as stylish as a pair of shades, so get out your aviators or your wayfarers and start celebrating Sunglasses Day!
Although the origins of Sunglasses Day are unknown, the history of sunglasses stretches as far back as 14th century China, where judges used eyewear made of smoke-coloured quartz to mask their emotions. Fast-forward 600 years and modern sunglasses as we know them today were first marketed by entrepreneur Sam Foster on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
One other thing to remember is that sunglasses also help protect your eyes from harmful UV light, so channel your inner-cool and slip on those shades on Sunglasses Day!
Choose your favourite style:
A little bit of humour...
Find out how to find the PERFECT sunglasses for you:
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.
