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Post by pennmom on Dec 31, 2021 13:33:57 GMT
National Heroes Day (Timor-Leste) – December 31, 2021~Timor-Leste
National Heroes Day, which falls on December 31 each year, gives East Timorese people the opportunity to revisit their short but bloody history that led to their independence. They took part in a violent independence struggle against Indonesia under the leadership of Nicolau Lobato, who was ultimately captured and killed by the invading army. To this day, Lobato is revered as a national hero and is regarded as a symbol of the national resistance against foreign occupation.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HEROES DAY (TIMOR-LESTE)
National Heroes Day is a public holiday in East Timor that marks the death anniversary of politician Nicolau Lobato.
National Heroes Day is observed each year in December to pay tribute to Lobato, the first Prime Minister of East Timor. The main reason behind celebrating National Heroes Day is to honor his valor and bravery. The entire nation pays tribute to the sacrifices Lobato made for his homeland. East Timor, which was once a part of Portugal, became an independent state in 1975. Later, it was invaded by Indonesia. Lobato played a key role in making East Timor an independent state.
Lobato was born in Soibada, Portuguese Timor, and fought against the Indonesian occupying military forces. Unfortunately, he was shot in the abdomen and killed by these forces near Mount Mindelo. His body went missing and could not be handed to the East Timor government. To this day, the East Timor government is still in search of the lost body of their first Prime Minister, no one knows what was done with his remains. East Timor’s airport was also renamed after Lobato to honor all the sacrifices he made for his country.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 31, 2021 13:36:23 GMT
Restoration Day in Geneva – December 31, 2021~Switzerland
Restoration Day in Geneva is celebrated on December 31 every year. It is a day to commemorate the restoration of the Republic of Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva is a city in Switzerland that lies in western Switzerland, at the southern tip of Lake Geneva. Geneva enjoys a great landscape due to being surrounded by the Alps and Jura Mountains. It is seen as a global city due to it being the headquarters of many international organizations like the United Nations, the Red Cross, the International Baccalaureate, and so forth. It also has a very significant French influence since it is surrounded mostly by France.
HISTORY OF RESTORATION DAY IN GENEVA
The first group of people to inhabit the region that is known as present-day Geneva were the Allobroges. Since then, the region has been inhabited by the Roman Empire, the Burgundians, the Kingdom of Burgundy, and the Holy Roman Empire. In 1416, the Duchy of Savoy, a country that existed in western Europe, tried to annex Geneva and failed. In 1526, Geneva chose to ally itself with the Old Swiss Confederacy in order to get protection from further annexation attempts by the Duchy of Savoy.
Of all the other cities in Switzerland, Geneva was closely connected to the cities Bern and Fribourg. After both these cities chose Protestantism over Catholicism, Geneva did the same. Due to this conversion, the bishop of the city excommunicated the entire population of Geneva and all of its Catholic clergies left the city in 1535. Many months later, the Duchy of Savoy’s military attempted to siege Geneva again but fortunately, the city was able to defend itself with the help of Bern, and was able to achieve independence in 1536. In 1541, Geneva was proclaimed a republic under John Calvin and his church reforms. Geneva lost its republic status in 1798 when it was invaded by the French, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. For 15 years, the French remained in Geneva, and in that duration, it had no independence. In 1813, the French army left Geneva once Napoleon’s power began to dwindle and in 1815, Geneva’s republic status was restored and it joined the Swiss Confederation.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 31, 2021 13:38:32 GMT
World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day – December 31, 2021~Azerbaijan
World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day is observed annually in the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 31. It is a public holiday that commemorates the solidarity of the people of Azerbaijan, known as Azerbaijanis. The history of the day is traceable to 1989 when the border fences separating Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran were dismantled. It also commemorates the collapse of the Berlin Wall in Germany. The holiday is celebrated not only by people in Azerbaijan but also by Azerbaijanis in the diaspora.
HISTORY OF WORLD AZERBAIJANIS SOLIDARITY DAY
In 1989, the people of Azerbaijan pulled down the border in the former Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (A.S.S.R.) in order to reunite with the Azerbaijan people living in Iran. At the time, eight million Azerbaijan people lived in Iran, a staggering figure when compared to the 6.8 million people living in the motherland. The dismantling of the wall was not only a physical exercise but a symbolic demolition of the barriers between the people of Azerbaijan who longed to reunite with one another.
Another event that was thought to have inspired the dismantling of the wall was the historic collapse of the Berlin Wall in Germany. The passionate Azerbaijanis who tore down the Azerbaijan-Iran border might have drawn inspiration from that event.
In 1991, Heydar Aliyev — who later became President but was still the Chairman of the Nakhichevan A.S.S.R. at that time — promoted the idea of creating a holiday to celebrate the unity of Azerbaijanis. This initiative was presented before the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR. However, it wasn’t until 1992 that it was declared a public holiday by the decree of former President Abulfaz Elchibey, to be observed on December 31.
On Solidarity Day, public festivals and feasts are held by Azerbaijanis both home and abroad. Around 50 million people from Azerbaijan are spread across multiple countries on five continents while 10 million live within the country itself. This special holiday is a reminder that no matter where they are in the world, Azerbaijanis are united in spirit.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 31, 2021 13:41:18 GMT
World Peace Meditation Day – December 31, 2021~World
Every year, World Peace Meditation Day is held on December 31 as the whole world contemplates the start of a new year. It bears the promise of ushering in a new era of peaceful relations in the world by making people more mindful of concepts like self-control and personal development. It is commonly known that when people are at peace with themselves, they are more likely to seek out and build peaceful relationships in their community and country. Even in those parts of the world that are affected by war, meditation can help those affected by violence to overcome their loss and avoid being negatively affected by the events taking place around them.
HISTORY OF WORLD PEACE MEDITATION DAY
World Peace Meditation Day is celebrated every year on December 31. The aim of World Peace Meditation Day is to unite people of different races and backgrounds on a global platform. The World Peace Meditation Day also promotes diversity and peace through meditation and collaborating with people of different religions. This ultimately helps to establish world peace and prevent war and violence.
Over the years, researchers and social scientists have conducted various studies and experiments to determine the causes of war to develop preventative measures. In the 1980s, a social experiment was conducted in Jerusalem to check if practicing meditation could promote peace. More than a thousand people took part in the experiment and the participants were asked to practice meditation in groups. The experiment was a success.
During the experiment, peace and tolerance were evident with reduced amounts of street crime and violence in all the major cities of Lebanon. Similarly, researchers noticed that those groups of people that practiced meditation remained calm and relaxed. They were less likely to get affected by the adverse effects of war in the country. World Peace Meditation Day is celebrated by different nations with different names. Some people call it World Healing Day while some celebrate it as Universal Hour of Peace. Different types of meditative exercises are practiced to evoke feelings of peace and harmony in people.
Over the years, researchers have conducted various studies, which reveal that meditation has various positive effects on our physical and emotional health. Celebrating World Peace Meditation Day has helped people stay positive, making it easier for different nations to deal constructively with social and religious diversity.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 31, 2021 13:43:25 GMT
No Interruptions Day – December 31, 2021~U.S.
On December 31 every year, we celebrate No Interruptions Day in an effort to reduce the intrusion of electronic gadgets and devices in the workplace. These devices are notorious for being distracting and for preventing people from focusing on their tasks. By celebrating No Interruptions Day, people learn to redirect their focus towards completing their tasks and being more mindful about their actions.
HISTORY OF NO INTERRUPTIONS DAY
In the early 1920s, Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik proposed a theory on the psychological effects of interruptions at work. According to the theory, people are more likely to remember incomplete or interrupted tasks better than completed ones. While dining at a restaurant, Zeigarnik observed that the waiters working there were able to remember pending orders better than those that have been completed and served to the customers.
Similarly, another researcher named Maria Ovsiankina proposed The Ovsiankina Effect, which posits that people have a strong desire to return to an interrupted task or project until it’s complete.
During the 1940s, the adverse effects of interruptions in the aviation industry were highlighted by psychologists Paul Fitts and Richard Jones. In their research, it was revealed that interruptions were one of the major reasons for pilot errors and accidents.
Since the 1990s, some of the main causes of interruptions for office employees have been emails and phone calls. In a research study conducted by Gloria Mark on the adverse effect of technologies at the workplace, it was revealed that an employee, once distracted, usually requires 30 minutes or even more to resume an interrupted task.
Common examples of workplace interruptions include email and SMS notifications received in the middle of fast-paced tasks like typing or evaluating search results. Receiving and answering notifications interrupt the task performance of employees. And it is usually difficult to recover full attention to the task or activity at hand.
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Post by pennmom on Dec 31, 2021 13:47:08 GMT
New Year's Eve – December 31, 2021~World
New Year’s Eve comes but once a year on December 31, the last day of the last month of what usually feels like the longest year ever but somehow passed too quickly.
Most of us give little thought as to why we ceremoniously say goodbye to one year and  to a new one on December 31. Even those who don’t make special plans to greet the arrival of a new year at the stroke of midnight on December 31 pay homage to the rite with thoughts of the year gone by and hopes for the year to come.
Why do we end each year on December 31 and begin a new one on January 1 anyway?
WHEN IS NEW YEAR'S EVE 2021?
New Year’s Eve is on December 31, the last day of the year. There are a lot of mixed feelings on this day — it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past year with all its highs and lows, but we also get ready to party our way into the New Year. Here’s to a new day, new year, and new beginnings!
HISTORY OF NEW YEAR'S EVE
New Year’s Eve on December 31 marks the final day of what is known as a Gregorian calendar year. Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar as the global standard, most of the ancient world ran on many different and diverse calendaring systems to track the passage of time.
The Gregorian calendar we use today was introduced by the Vatican in Rome under Pope Gregory XIII in October 1582. The Gregorian calendar is based on the solar year and replaced an ancient Roman calendar that was based on the lunar cycle of the earth’s moon. The Gregorian calendar is a modified version of the Julian calendar that was introduced by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar during his reign around 44 B.C., at the suggestion of Greek astronomer and mathematician Sosigenes of Alexandria.
The transition from a lunar cycle calendar to a solar year calendar on October 4, 1582, necessitated that a few days be eliminated. The day after October 4, 1582, was therefore declared by Pope Gregory to be October 15, 1582. Don’t ask us what happened to all the poor souls whose birthdays were on October 5 to 14.
Along with the implementation of a new calendar on October 4, 1582, the pope also decreed that each year would officially begin on January 1 instead of April 1 as had been the custom under the old lunar calendar system. This decision had no actual astronomical basis and was influenced by the ancient feast celebrating the Roman god Janus, the god of doorways and beginnings. The first of January seemed like a good starting-over point on a new calendar.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:04:15 GMT
Apple Gifting Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
Apple Gifting Day is celebrated every year on January 1, as part of the many traditional ways of marking New Year’s Day. Because apples symbolize good health, giving people apples on New Year’s Day is wishing them good health for the rest of the year. The best thing about apples is that there are varieties of them: candied apples, apples for tarts and sweet dishes, and apples for raw eating. So this Apple Gifting Day, give an apple to your loved ones.
HISTORY OF APPLE GIFTING DAY
The history of giving apples as gifts goes way back before Christ. In ancient Greek and Roman empires, it was a tradition to give fruits on the occasion of the arrival of the new year. Even in the Celtic cultures, the gifting of mistletoe, gilded nuts, and branches of sacred trees was a great tradition that, under the influence of Greek and Roman empires, spread throughout Europe.
Until the 17th century, the generic term for fruits other than berries was ‘apple.’ Giving apples as a gift was considered to be a sign of wealth and perhaps that is the reason apples serve as a symbol for many things such as love, knowledge, bounty, beauty, and good health. Small gifts were usually given to  and friends on New Year’s Day, but assorted fruit gifts, especially apples, were considered valuable on such occasions.
As advancements in science were made and Europeans started spreading out to distant lands, the traditions of giving gifts on New Year’s Day followed them. The same thing happened in the U.S. that the tradition of giving fruits to people became a custom, and the European settlers retained this tradition, which had become a part of American culture.
During the early years of American History, teachers were often given apples as payments. This custom of giving apples continued even after teachers started receiving cash remunerations, but then apple gifts were reduced to a mere token of gratitude from students.
Today the tradition has become quaint and merely historic. But it’s still ideal, nonetheless.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:06:26 GMT
New Year’s Dishonor List Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
What may seem like a joke to most is actually celebrated as New Year’s Dishonor List Day, at Lake Superior State University (L.S.S.U.), Michigan, on every January 1, New Year’s Day. What happens on this day is that a P.R. team in L.S.S.U. collect nominations of different words and phrases from all around the U.S., and then select the most overused ones, which are featured on the dishonored list and published on the school’s website for removal from the English Language. Words and phrases that, because of overuse, have become catchphrases are voted for removal by a panel from the University.
HISTORY OF NEW YEAR’S DISHONOR LIST DAY
New Year’s Dishonor List Day was first celebrated by Lake Superior State University in 1976. The university’s Public Relations, Director W.T. Rabe, began the practice of celebrating this day by honoring the English Language through the removal and dishonoring of words that were considered useless and redundant in the language. At that new year’s party, a list of words and phrases was created and published for banishment.
Despite the slow media coverage on New Year’s Day, that list gained much attention, and so became an annual event, observed as New Year’s Dishonor List Day. In 2020, as people grew tired and sick of the words and phrases related to COVID-19, more than 1,500 nominations for words and phrases were received by the university, and the No.1 ranked suggested word for banishment was ‘COVID-19.’
While maintaining and emphasizing the need to keep the English Language well-adjusted and polished, and to preserve its overall excellence, the university strongly discourages the use of overused, ‘exhausted,’ and redundant words and phrases. And it is for this reason we observe the New Year’s Dishonor List Day on January 1.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:08:27 GMT
Commitment Day – January 1, 2022~International
Commitment Day, commemorated every January 1, is a time to demonstrate your affections by committing, in one way or the other, to that person or persons close to your heart. Did you know the first recorded act of commitment between two persons was 4,350 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia when two people were joined together in a marriage ceremony? Marriage has always been the greatest act of commitment — a show of affection, respect, undying love, and the willingness to spend a lifetime together. Commitment is not only limited to saying “I do” or “till death do us apart.” You can also make a commitment to yourself in areas of personal or professional development, or in simply living a healthier lifestyle.
HISTORY OF COMMITMENT DAY
There is no commitment as important or as strong as the commitment in matrimony, to love someone for the rest of your life.
The first recorded marriage ceremonies can be traced to 2350 B.C., in ancient Mesopotamia. Until the 16th century, people did not marry primarily for love. Nor had religion any place in marriage. Marriage was mainly for political or aristocratic alliance and diplomatic and trade ties. Mutual consent was not a thing, and the married couples were subject to their parent’s wishes.
In the ancient Hebrew, Greece, and Roman cultures, brides had little to no rights in marriage and were mostly seen as high-ended properties. The men were required to take care of the wife properly and were allowed to take concubines. In contrast, the women’s duty was to tend to the household and produce offspring.
As the church’s influence in society increased, consent became necessary for a marriage to be binding. In the 16th century, the Council of Trent ruled that a marriage is only valid when presided over by a priest and before two witnesses. Also, the Council authorized a Catechism, which defined marriage as “The conjugal union of man and woman, contracted between two qualified persons, which obliges them to live together throughout life.” Actions such as these and the spread of Christianity allowed the idea of free choice in selecting marriage partners to thrive and traditional customs of arranged marriage and the influence of patriarchy to diminish.
With the introduction of the Marriage Act in 1753 by Lord Hardwicke, formal marriage ceremonies became a requirement in England and Wales. Not only was the marriage to be done by a priest before two witnesses, but there must also be a marriage registration.
Another Marriage Act was instituted in 1836 in England and Wales and Germany. This Act offers an alternative to religious marriage, leading to the rise of civil marriage ceremonies. It was also at this time that the English government began keeping national statistics for marriage.
Love entered the marriage institution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries That was made possible by the French and American revolutions and the blurring of economic lines. With the rise of industrialization, couples didn’t have to depend on their parents for finances; they moved to urban centers to earn wages. Because women began joining the workforce, they no longer needed to marry for economic reasons. They could choose a spouse based on love and willingness to commit to a lifetime relationship.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:10:21 GMT
Copyright Law Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
Copyright Law Day, celebrated every January 1, is set aside for all creatives to appreciate the role of copyright law in ensuring legal use of their creations and encourage people to support and uphold copyright law. Did you know the first copyright statute was enacted over 311 years ago by the British parliament? Copyright law is a set of rights automatically vested on someone who creates an original work of authorship. These rights include reproduction, derivative works, distribution, public performance and display, and digital distribution. Copyright covers all literary works, software, movies, and songs. Copyrights are exclusive to the creator, preventing other people from using their work without permission.
HISTORY OF COPYRIGHT LAW DAY
While the first copyright statute was enacted in Britain in the 18th century, the earliest-recorded case law on the right to copy was in ancient Ireland. A case arose in 6th century Ireland when there was a dispute about the ownership of the Cathach, one of the oldest Irish writings. In settling the case, King Diarmait Mac Cerbaill said, “To every cow belongs her calf, therefore to every book belongs its copy.” This ruling eventually led to the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne.
Ancient Roman, in all its glory and magnificence, didn’t have copyright law. That was because there wasn’t any need. Books, which were expensive to buy and maintain, were copied by literate slaves. That means anyone who tries to copy someone else’s work would have to spend much money as a professional publisher. However, there was no protection for the original authors, so publishers exploited them.
With the introduction of the printing press in the 1400s and 1500s, government authorities saw an increasing need to control book publications. The English government first developed a Licensing Act in the 16th century. This Act conferred the Stationers’ Company — an organization of English printers — the power to require all lawfully printed books to be entered into its register. When the Act came to an end in 1695, the English Parliament chose not to renew it.
In 1710, the English parliament enacted the Statute of Anne, the first Copyright Act. This statute granted publishers legal protection of 14 years on any book they publish, including 21 years of protection for any book already in print. This statute, however, did not apply in America, even though it was a British colony. But in 1787, proposals were submitted by both James Madison of Virginia and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina to Congress for limited copyright and patents. That eventually led to the Copyright Clause in the United States Constitution. Copyright has evolved ever since with each successive court rulings and senate modification.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:15:26 GMT
Ellis Island Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
Ellis Island Day is observed every January 1 to celebrate an island that served as a gateway to America during the immigration wave of 1892 through 1954. Can you imagine that during the peak years of immigration operation through Ellis Island, an average of 1,900 people passed through the station every day? Between 1892 and 1954, about 17 million people immigrated to America through the immigration station at Ellis Island. Currently, such an operation no longer exists on the island, which can only be accessed by ferry. The island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, including the Statue of Liberty, a national museum of immigration, and Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital.
HISTORY OF ELLIS ISLAND DAY
Long before it became the site of the immigration processing stations of 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was a public execution site for pirates. It was supposedly used during the 1760s to hang pirates on a tree called ‘Gibbet Tree.’ Years later, the island was sold to a colonial New York merchant, Samuel Ellis, who tried to resell it but was unsuccessful.
In 1808, the United States government fully acquired the island for the sum of $10,000. The government converted it into a military fort to protect the New York Harbor from possible British and French armed attacks. The military upgraded the island to include a 14-gun battery, mortar battery, magazine, and barracks. After its fortification, Ellis Island was renamed Crown Fort but later changed to Fort Gibson, after the War of 1812.
After the war, Fort Gibson changed hands and went through various states of disuse. By 1881, the island had had almost all its firepower removed. Its administration passed to the Navy’s Bureau of Ordnance. In 1890, the U.S. government ordered the remaining firepower to be removed and the island converted to a federal immigration station, with its administration handed over to the Department of the Treasury.
The immigration station started receiving immigrants on January 1, 1892, and by June 15, 1897, before its wooden structures were razed in a fire accident, it had processed about 1.5 million immigrants. After the reconstruction and expansion, the immigration station was again opened on December 17, 1900. But it closed for the final time on November 12, 1954. The closure was due to new laws limiting immigration, the aftermath of the second world war, the cost of keeping the station running, and the federal government’s plan to construct a replacement facility in Manhattan.
In 1965, Ellis Island was added to the Statue of Liberty National Monument, and in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson approved its redevelopment. In 1990, the island’s main building, a museum, was opened to the public. The American Immigration History followed that in 2001, and the ferry building in 2007.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:18:33 GMT
Euro Day – January 1, 2022~International
Euro Day is celebrated every January 1 in memorial of when 11 European nations adopted the euro, ushering in a new era for the continent. Did you know that the idea of a European currency was raised as early as 1929? But it wasn’t until 70 years later that the euro finally came into existence. The euro is a currency used as a legal tender by 19 countries, including Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, and Hungary. It is also used by non-E.U. member territories such as Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
HISTORY OF EURO DAY
The idea of a single currency for the European continent was first proposed before the League of Nations by Gustav Stresemann, in 1929. This idea came as a result of the aftereffect of World War I, in which more European nations were created, leading to more economic divisions.
The idea of an economic and monetary union in Europe did not take root until 1969, when the European Council tasked the then Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Pierre Werner, to develop plans for reducing currency exchange rate volatility. However, these plans for the European monetary union suffered a setback when the U.S. removed the gold backing from the U.S. dollar, crashing all major currencies.
In 1979, the plan was revived with the introduction of the European Monetary System to stabilize exchange rates and counter inflation by fixing exchange rates onto the European Currency Unit. In 1988, monetary cooperation with a central bank was proposed at the European Council summit. The European Commission, France, and Italy agreed to it, but the British were in opposition. But it didn’t stop other European leaders from signing the Maastricht Treaty on February 7, 1992, forming the European Union.
The name “euro” was adopted for the new currency in 1995, and January 1, 1999, was set as the launch date. At midnight on 1 January 1999, the euro was introduced in non-physical form, and the currencies of the participating nations officially ceased to exist, although their physical currencies (coins and notes) continued to be used as legal tender until January 1, 2002, when euro notes were introduced.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:21:03 GMT
Jo
First Foot Day – January 1, 2022~International
First Foot Day, celebrated on New Year’s Day on January 1, honors the custom of ‘first footing.’ It was a popular tradition in England and Scotland during the 19th century where the first person to enter the home on January 1 is seen as a bringer of good fortune for the coming year. Did you know that similar practices of first footing are also found in many traditions including Greek and Georgian traditions? This is not just it, many more interesting things surround this festival!
HISTORY OF FIRST FOOT DAY
The first-footer or the person who steps into the home following the start of a new year is seen as a bringer of good fortune. This person can be an occupant of the house but cannot be someone who was in the house when the clock strikes midnight.
The first-footer is expected to bring symbolic gifts such as a silver coin, shortbread, black bun, salt, coal, or whisky, and will be given food and drink in return by the inhabitants. But wait, there’s more! According to ancient folklore and tradition, the person who is first footing into the household should be a man, dark-haired, not fair, and must have flat feet.
Unfortunately, the history and origin of the first footing tradition and First Foot Day is uncertain and all the existing folklores vary from place to place. However, historians suggest that the tradition may have a connection to the ‘Viking Invasion’ of the British Isles. At those times, the arrival of a blond stranger at your door means you are being invaded, causing fear and alarm. In some traditions, first-footing is celebrated with group singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
The craze for First Foot Day was so popular in England and Scotland that, in those days, on New Year’s Day between midnight and one o’clock in the morning, the streets were more crowded than the homes as everybody wanted to first foot their way in. Today, the custom of first footing and the First Foot Day celebrations are observed in the U.K., U.S., and many areas places.
National First-Foot Day – January 1, 2022~International
National First-Foot Day, on January 1, is about celebrating the New Year as per the Scottish and North England tradition of bringing good luck upon your home by being the first person to set foot inside at the beginning of the year. The belief is that the one who will first set foot in your house cannot be someone who was inside when midnight struck. It’s OK if an occupant of the house deliberately stays outside till midnight and then enters after midnight. Therefore, to observe this holiday, people stay just outside their homes until midnight of New Year’s Eve before going in.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FIRST-FOOT DAY
The origins of the First-Foot traditions go as far back as the late 8th century Vikings’ invasions of England and Scotland. Some people say it was brought by the Vikings themselves. Back in the day when the Englanders and Scottish people used to get scared at the sight of a blond-haired stranger in their midst, the people used to shut their doors and pray for hope and luck to escape the dreadful invaders. In those times, the entry of a dark-haired person into a person’s home was considered a symbol of hope and relief for the people.
Since then, this act has become a tradition in Scotland and Northern England where it is celebrated every year on January 1, at midnight, when the new year begins. As the people from the British Isles traveled to other areas, especially the U.S., the tradition followed and became part of cultures and societies in those areas.
The first footer must come bearing gifts: If he (traditionally male) carries coins, that would mean financial prosperity; short-bread is a sign of full rations in food; salt represents flavor; coal means warmth; and whiskey means celebration. Similar traditions have also been part of other cultures such as in Greece, Georgia, and Serbia, where a more or less similar concept is kept close to the heart and is celebrated on the same day.
Traditionally, young boys have been the first-footers for the communities. Dark-haired boys visit peoples’ homes in different areas and sing poems for them. For the inhabitants, the arrival of these boys would be a symbol of good fortune for the year, and as a token of their gratitude, they would share quality food and drink with the boys. Ever since the tradition of National First Foot Day has been kept alive and is celebrated every year on New Year’s Day.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:23:32 GMT
Global Day – January 1, 2022~International
Celebrated every year on January 1, Global Day starts the new year with a positive message of unity to the world. Yes, believe it or not, we are all one! Cultures and religions across the world may be different but, the truth is, all of mankind is a large that can survive and succeed only if united. And yes, this is a goal that can be achieved — all that is required is spreading the message of peace and unity.
HISTORY OF GLOBAL DAY
Global Day, also known as World Peace Day, is celebrated every year to promote the concept of harmony and unity in the world. Furthermore, it emphasizes the idea of the world as a global village in which we are all , regardless of citizenship, borders, or race.
It all started in 1997 when the United Nations General Assembly launched the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World — as of the first day of the new millennium. Linda Grover was a key figure in promoting this in the U.S. and other efforts to promote it included books such as “One Day in Peace – January 1, 2000”. This book revolved around the concept of a day in the future where there is only peace and no war.
However, this was just the beginning of a new peaceful world and, in 1999, all U.N. member states received an invitation to formally dedicate the first day of that particular year to develop strategies towards peacebuilding. Seeing the positive impact of the day, Global Day was declared an annual event by the U.N. in 2001.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:25:20 GMT
National Bloody Mary Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
National Bloody Mary Day falls on January 1, which is convenient for everyone who may have partied a little too much the night before. Ring in the year by celebrating with the famous cocktail that consists of vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, cayenne, and salt. We’ll note that while it can alleviate hangover symptoms, it can further dehydrate you, so drink responsibly. Still, Bloody Marys are the No. 1 brunch cocktail in the U.S. Take that, mimosas.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:32:25 GMT
National Hangover Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
New Year’s Eve is often a time to seriously party. If you’re like many, there’s a decent chance you’re greeting the new year with one or two (or six) cocktails. Unfortunately, drinking too much can bring some rather unpleasant results. Alcohol can get pretty unfriendly 12 hours after the fact. So, if New Year’s Day turns into National Hangover Day, read on for some tips and tricks to feel better on January 1. After all, tomorrow’s a work day.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:34:58 GMT
Play Outside Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
National Play Outside Day, which is celebrated on the first Saturday of every month, on January 1 next, gives us the chance to switch off from the virtual world and to explore the great outdoors at least once a month. In the age of the internet, we are constantly being bombarded with information left, right, and center. Going outdoors to simply breathe is a rejuvenating break in and of itself. Moreover, we have the opportunity to let our imaginations run free using the natural elements around us instead of being stimulated by the online world. National Play Outside Day is great, especially for kids who the day is geared towards. Get your kids up and going because the outside world is beckoning!
HISTORY OF PLAY OUTSIDE DAY
National Play Outside Day was started in 2011 by Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda D. Abeyta. They’d discussed with friends how children had become so preoccupied with their digital devices that going outside to play wasn’t seen as fun anymore. From games, TV shows, and movies, to social media platforms, the digital era provided kids with “better” hobbies. Wiggans and Abeyta were concerned about the effects that the increased screen time was having on children’s physical and mental wellbeing. That’s when they had the idea to celebrate National Play Outside Day on the first Saturday of every month. The day aimed to highlight the importance of playing outside and how it could benefit those who did it regularly. Apart from delivering a mental boost, it also helps to strengthen immunity, muscles, and bones.
A mere 30% of all kids in America play outside — a stark contrast to the number of kids who would have played outside even 30 years ago. While we do have the digital era to blame for the declining numbers, things like the news media and highly pressurized, busy adult lifestyles have left many feeling cautious about allowing their children to play outside. National Play Outside Day encourages people to let go of their fears and, in a safe/monitored environment, let their kids play freely. You can plan ahead by discussing preferred activities with your kids. It could be hiking, swimming, biking, playing catch and throw, or a number of other things. What is exciting is that the changing seasonal patterns will prompt you and your kids to take part in new activities each month.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:36:46 GMT
Polar Bear Plunge Day – January 1, 2022~U.S.
Polar Bear Plunge Day on January 1 is not for the faint of heart or the very timid. Ice swimming is for the bold and daring. Plunging into January’s frigid waters is nothing short of the most insane yet invigorating way to celebrate the first day of every new year. Those courageous – some might say foolish – souls who don swim trunks and bikinis to splash their way into icy cold winter waters claim they are ‘freezin’ for a reason’ — usually to raise money for a good cause. Then again, there are polar-bear swimmers who just like the idea of doing something wild and crazy that doesn’t involve alcohol to kick off the New Year.
HISTORY OF POLAR BEAR PLUNGE DAY
A polar bear plunge, also known as a polar bear swim or ice swimming, is a cold-weather winter event. Participants gather at a designated time on the edge of a local body of water where they all plunge into the water at the same time, usually at the shrill blast of a starter whistle. Most plungers rush to make their way in and out of the bone-chilling water quickly. Others try easing their way in. A few daredevils throw themselves into the icy wetness with abandon, usually the first-timers. Regardless of the speed at which they enter, everyone is eager to leave the water and escape the effects of the biting cold on their naked skin.
Polar bear swim clubs have been around in the United States for more than a century. The oldest-documented New Year’s Day polar bear plunge event took place in 1904 when the L Street Brownies, a swim club founded in 1902 in South Boston, Massachusetts, took their first icy cold plunge together into Dorchester Bay. They’ve been celebrating the arrival of each New Year with a polar bear plunge ever since.
Long before the L Street Brownies discovered the thrill of a New Year’s Day polar bear swim, Scandinavians were enjoying ice swimming. It may seem bizarre, but ice swimming is common in Nordic cultures, and not just on New Year’s Day. Ice-hole swimming — yes, as in cutting a hole in frozen lakes and dropping in for an icy dip — is a traditional Finnish outdoor activity. Denmark has more than 20,000 registered ‘icebreakers’ in more than 75 winter swim clubs. And the Danes, in particular, enjoy plunging naked. But why?
There are both mental and physical benefits said to be derived from cold-water swimming. Some studies confirm that even taking a cold shower can elevate blood levels of the body’s own mood-regulating- and painkilling hormones. These naturally occurring chemicals are essential in combating depression. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a mood disorder common in the most northern latitudes where sunlight can be scarce for extended months, may be the reason why ice swimming has been practiced for many generations in Nordic cultures. Wellness spas around the world have embraced the very Nordic practice of a hot sauna followed by an ice-water plunge ritual on their menu of wellness treatments.
Regular ice water swimmers say the thrill of the chill increases energy levels and sharpens the mind. And although there seem to be some actual health benefits to skinny dipping in cold water, we’ve heard you can achieve the same result just by getting a  ’s sleep.
But then, where is the thrill in that?
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:39:17 GMT
Public Domain Day – January 1, 2022~International
Public Domain Day or International Public Domain Day is observed on January 1. This is the day when copyrights to certain works expire (mostly 70 years after the death of the last known author or creator) and the projects enter public domain, where it is freely accessible to everyone. This year, works like Disney’s “Winnie-the-Pooh” will be entering the public domain. The significance of this day is that as soon as any content or work (books, poetry, painting) becomes public domain, anyone can build on it, revise it, add it to new works, or use it for new publications without needing permission. The content becomes easily and freely accessible to the general public. Although the duration for copyright laws varies from country to country, in the U.S. and most other countries it’s 70 years after the death of the last known author.
HISTORY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN DAY
It is unclear when the world formally began celebrating Public Domain Day, but the earliest mentions of this day date back to 2004 by Lawrence Lessig. Lawrence is an American attorney, academic, and political activist who works on the relaxation of laws supporting copyright and trademarks issues regarding technology.
Ever since he founded his non-profit organization, Creative Commons, he has been devoted to creating creative works and making them available for others to build upon and to share legally. His project, Project Gutenberg, under Creative Commons, is dedicated to digitizing and archiving public domain works, making them digitally accessible to a wider user base. The organization aims to transform as many classic works as possible into ebooks available to the public.
Public Domain Day has been celebrated at a conference level since 2005, and such conferences have been hosted on various dates in various countries, including Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Israel. The first hosting and observance of this day as a proper day to celebrate works entering the public domain was in 2011. With continuous support from other organizations, the day, which was celebrated only in the U.S., cut the attention of the media and has become widespread.
Although observing this day became a practice in many countries and was hosted by various other N.G.O.s, the first practically significant Public Domain Day in America was celebrated in 2019, as it was the first year when the copyrights of classical and meaningful works would expire.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 1, 2022 17:41:25 GMT
Rose Bowl Game – January 1, 2022~U.S.
The Rose Bowl Game is played every January 1 as one of the New Year’s Six bowls that host one of the College Football Playoffs’ (C.F.P) triennial semi-final games. It also hosts the conference champions from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences during non-C.F.P. years. Did you know that the Rose Bowl Game started 120 years ago, and it was the one that began the tradition of New Year’s Day bowl games? Rose Bowl Game is an annual postseason bowl game that takes place at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The stadium boasts a seating capacity of 92,542 and has claimed to be a sellout event since 1947. The champion of the Rose Bowl Game is usually awarded the Rose Bowl Game trophy, also known as the Leishman Trophy.
HISTORY OF ROSE BOWL GAME
We can trace the history of the Rose Bowl Game to the early beginnings of the Rose Parade. The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade, was an annual event started by the members of Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club. The parade resulted from the club members looking for an avenue to showcase their new California home’s mild winter weather. During their discussion at a club meeting, Professor Charles F. Holder — a club member — proposed holding a festival to showcase their paradise to the world.
In 1890, the Valley Hunt Club organized the first parade, which included horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers, foot races, polo matches, and a game of tug-of-war. Seeing the number of flowers used in the display, Professor Charles F. Holder suggested that the parade be called Tournament of Roses.
In 1895, as the event became more than the club could manage, the members founded the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to manage the Tournament of Roses. On January 1, 1902, the association featured its first football game, played between Michigan and Stanford University. The game was initially titled the ‘Tournament East-West football game.’ The association added the game to the Rose parade to help fund the cost of organizing the parade. Because of how poorly organized the football game was, it didn’t return to the Rose Parade for 14 years.
On January 1, 1916, the organizers decided to bring back the game to the parade, and it has been played annually since then. On January 1, 1923, The Rose Bowl stadium hosted its first Tournament East-West football game. Before then, the game was played annually at Pasadena’s Tournament Park. Afterward, the Tournament East-West football game was changed to the Rose Bowl Game.
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to a new one on December 31. Even those who don’t make special plans to greet the arrival of a new year at the stroke of midnight on December 31 pay homage to the rite with thoughts of the year gone by and hopes for the year to come.
and friends on New Year’s Day, but assorted fruit gifts, especially apples, were considered valuable on such occasions.
’s sleep.