February - and all its 28-29 days

NIELS JØRGEN THØGERSEN

FEBRUARY And all its 28-29 days Niels Jørgen Thøgersen Where does the name February come from ?

It comes from the Latin word FEBRUARE, which means PURIFICATION. It was in this month that the Romans organised their purification parties. The main one took place on February 15.

Some people believe that the name rather comes from the pre-Roman Etruscan god FEBRUUS. But the one does not exclude the other.

The old Danish word for this month was BLIDEMÅNED. Blid normally means soft. But in this case it meant light and white ( snow ).

Originally the Romans only had ten months in a year. The first month was March. The two winter months did not count. But around 713 BC king Numa Pompilius introduced January as well as February. In this way the year was more in line with the lunar year.

This calendar was many centuries later replaced by the Gregorian calendar, where February is the second month of each year. It was introduced in Denmark around 1700.

See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html

FEBRUARY 1 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called BRIGIDA’s DAY. She was an Irish saint, who according to the legend already as a child was so pious that a flame was burning above her home. She managed to make a cow give milk three times in a row. She founded a monastery in Kildare southwest of Dublin.

Here she lived in a cave under an oak tree until her death at the monastery in the year 523 AC. She is Ireland’s patron.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1958: Egypt and Syria becomes one country with the name United Arab Republic.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Did you bring your gun – or are you just happy to see me? - where does that remark come from?

Two famous persons were dancing with each other. Suddenly she says to him: Did you bring your gun – or are you just happy to see me? Who was that?

As you perhaps already know, it was the remark of the actor Mae West (1893-1980) to the humourist etc. W.C.Fields (1880-1946) when they once were dancing together.

The remark has been used later at several occasions in films. It was also used in Mae West’s last film Sextette in 1978.

And some people claim that chancellor Angela Merkel used it when she some time ago met the Dutch prime minister!

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Plimsoller - what is the origin of that word? And what does it stand for?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The key idea in art is that people should not have what they like.

This was once said by the Danish architect and artist Poul Henningsen 2. Today’s quote: If you think about your wife, when you watching football, you are still in love with her.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day:

1894: 1898: 1901: 1931: 1942: 1958:

John Ford ( died 1973 ) Enzo Ferrari ( died 1988 ) Clark Gable ( died 1960 ) Boris Jeltsin ( died 2007 ) Terry Jones ( ”Monty Python” ) Søren Lerby

4. Famous people died on this day: 1851: 1966: 1976: 2002:

Mary Shelley ( 53 years ) Buster Keaton ( 71 years ) Werner Heisenberg ( 75 years ) Hildegard Knef ( 77 years ) FEBRUARY 2

TODAY’s NAME: Today is CANDLEMAS DAY. The name comes from the Latin Missa Candelarum that means celebration for the lights. The tradition can certainly be traced back to the 6th century. It refers to the fact that it was on this day - 40 days after Jesus' birth - his mother, the Virgin Mary, was brought up in the temple to be purified. The day is, therefore, also sometimes called Mary Mas. And why should she be made clean? Because you considered women who had given birth to be unclean. Only when they had been cleaned in the temple, they could attend church services again.

It is also on this day that the church blesses all the lights to be used in the forthcoming years.

In Denmark, Candlemas was a holiday until 1770. This year stopped by Mr. Struensee in his rationalization activities. Candlemas together with 9 other small Danish religious holidays were abolished and replaced by the so-called Great Prayers Day. It was one of the few reforms that were retained even after his execution.

The word kyndel is an old Danish version of the word Kandel (light).

Candlemas was mainly in Jutland often called Kjørmes Knud . Knud in this context means: hard frost. On this day half of the winter had passed, and brighter times were ahead. Kjørmes Festivals were organised - one of the eight ancient seasonal celebrations. On this day, it was a sort of Dutch treat parties with pork, and whatever else was suitable to be stored in barrels.

There was brandy and dancing till dawn. Besides pork, there was also a tradition of eating rye-pancakes.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1709: Alexander Selkirk was rescued from a ship wreck on a desert island. It inspired Daniel Defoe to write the book Robinson Crusoe.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Plimsoller – what the origin? And what does the word mean?

This name comes from a British politician Samuel Plimsoll (1824-98). He was fighting very actively against ships, which were not seaworthy (so-called “coffin ships”). They were sailing, often very much overloaded, because the owners wanted them to be wrecked. In this way they could cash in the insurance money. Plimsoll wanted to save British seamen from drowning due to these circumstances. In 1875 he succeeded to have a law about it passed in the British parliament. This law made such ships unlawful. One of the instruments which was introduced was socalled load lines on the outside of any ship, so that you could see, if the the load was heavier than permitted. They are still in use.

In other words: the name a Plimsoller means a ship, which is not seaworthy. It’s a “coffin ship”.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A Trojan horse - what’s the origin? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: If you think about your wife, when you watching football, you are still in love with her.

This was said by the American actor Clark Gable.

2. Today’s quote: Ireland is like an old sow, which eats her own piglets.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1882: James Joyce (died 1941) 1886: Peter Freuchen (died 1957) 1911: Jussi Björling (died 1960) 1926: Valéry Giscard d'Estaing 1927: Stan Getz (died 1991) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1594: 1970: 1987: 1996:

Giovanni da Palestrina ( 69 years ) Bertrand Russell ( 98 years ) Alistair MacLean ( 65 years ) Gene Kelly ( 84 years )

FEBRUARY 3 TODAY’s NAME: This day has two names: ANSGAR’s DAY. And BLASIUS’ DAY. The benedictine monk Ansgar is also called the Nordic Apostle. He was born in September 801 in Amiens in today’s France. He became Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, which then also had the entire Nordic region under its responsability. First he built in agreement with the King a church in Hedeby. Later came the first church in Ribe at around 855 AC. Ansgar was soon expelled from Denmark and went to Sweden. Here he founded the Church of Sweden at Birka.

Ansgar died in Bremen on 3 February 865. He was later made a saint.

Blasius was a bishop who had to live as a hermit because of his faith. He blessed all wild animals. He was killed because of his faith in 316 AC. He has since become the patron of doctors. In the Middle Ages everyone with a sore throat praied for his help.

This day is in Denmark also called Blæsemisse ( Blasius Mas ). It was the feast of all horn blowers. And ythe saying was that on this day you should put some straw or hay on your staircase. If it blew away, the spring was on its way. The wind would show a change in the weather so cold and frost was about to disappear. If the straw stayed, spring was delayed.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1981: Gro Harlem Brundtland becomes the first female prime minister of Norway.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Trojan horse – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

It comes from ancient Greece. The Greek poet Homer ( 8th century BC) writes in his book The Odyssee about the 10-year Greek siege of Troy in Asia Minor. Then they built a huge horse of wood. A number of Greek soldiers were hiding inside the horse. Then the Trojans were tempted to bring the nice horse inside their city. And during the night the Greek soldiers came out and conquered and ravaged the city of Troja.

The expression a Trojan horse is, therefore, since used to describe a special war trick. The same method was used by some prisoners in a German KZ camp to get out of the camp hidden in a big box.

The indirect sense of the expression means that you use sneaky, hidden methods to obtain what you want.

In the Internet world a Trojan horse is a small programme, which looks useful, but which in reality risks destroying a lot in your computer.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Peter Principle – what is that? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Ireland is like an old sow, which eats her own piglets.

This was said by the famous Irish poet James Joyce.

2. Today’s quote: People get throughout the day so much information that they lose their common sense.

Who among today’s persons said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1809: 1857: 1874: 1889: 1898: 1907: 1947: 1948:

Felix Mendelsohn Bartholdy ( died 1847 ) Wilhelm Ludvig Johannsen ( died 1927 ) Gertrude Stein ( died 1946 ) Carl Th. Dreyer ( died 1968 ) Alvar Aalto ( died 1976 ) James A. Mitchener ( died 1997 ) Paul Auster Henning Mankell ( died 2015 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 865: 1468: 1924: 1959:

Ansgar ( 64 years ) Johann Gutenberg ( 70 years ) Woodrow Wilson ( 68 years ) Buddy Holly ( 33 years ) FEBRUARY 4

TODAY’s NAME: This day is called VERONICA’s DAY. She was the girl, who according to the legend wiped the sweat off Jesus’ face on his way on Via Dolorosa to Golgatha. Later a picture of Jesus appeared on the cloth she had used.

The legend also tells that emperor Tiberius later was cured just by looking at this cloth.

The name Veronica is Latin and comes from the Greek girls name Berenice. In Christianity it also seems to come from “Vera Icon”, which means a true picture.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1945: The Yalta conference on Crimea starts with Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill as participants. The discussed and agreed how Europe should be divided after the war. The conference lasted until February 11.

TODAY’s QUESTION: The Peter Principle – what is that? And what does it mean today: This expression tells that there is a tendency to promoting all employees beyond what their skills can manage. This naturally leads to incompetence and people being useless or worse in their jobs. The expression was in its most recent form described by the Canadian Lawrence J. Peter in 1969 (hence the name), The Peter Principle.

But already in 1910 Jose Ortega e Gasset wrote that all employees ought to be degraded to the level under the one they are actually working at. This would according to him give the best work.

To this description can be added – as others have done – that in such a situation (ruled by the Peter principle) staff often manages to manipulate with their incompetent superiors in such a way that they do not interfere in their work. It is often called Managing upwards.

As an old hand in the EU I wonder, if this principle still lives today  QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Panic fear – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: People get throughtout the day so much information that they loose their common sense.

This was said by the American-born French poet Gertrude Stein.

2. Today’s quote: The power in lead used for bullets is nothing compared to the power in lead used for writing.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1740: Carl Bellmann ( died 1795 )

1842: 1871: 1897: 1902: 1947:

Georg Brandes ( died 1927 ) Friedrich Ebert ( died 1925 ) Ludwig Erhard ( died 1977 ) Charles Lindbergh ( died 1974 ) Dan Quayle

4. Famous people died on this day: 1894: Adolphe Sax ( 80 years ) 1983: Karen Carpenter ( 33 years ) 1987: Liberace ( 68 years ) FEBRUARY 5 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is AGATHE’s DAY. She was a young girl in Sicily. She lived in the years 225 – 251 AC. When she as a Christian refused to marry the local Roman governor she was put in prison and killed following very tough torture. Among other things her breasts were cut off.

In the Middle Ages all nursing women were praying to Saint Agathe. And she is the patron for nursing women and for nurses.

According to the legend this evening is very well suited for warnings about coming fiancés. If you fast the whole day and perhaps eat a bit of salt around bed time, you will dream about your coming fiancé / fiancée.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1936: The film “Modern Times” by and with Charles Chaplin is shown for the first time in the US. TODAY’s QUESTION: Panic fear – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

In ancient Rome people were of the opinion that a sudden loud noice – panicus casus, in Latin – often was made by Pan. He was a god in the Greek mythology - the god for shepherds and for wild animals in the mountains. He had horns, legs and a tale like a goat. He moved around on grazinggrounds and in forests. When people met him they were terror-stricken. Especially when they came to wake him up he made them really frightened. It gave them a panic fear. They panicked.

This is the historical, mythodological origins of the expression panic fear.

Its meaning today is a sudden fear, which people can hardly control.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:

To go to Canossa – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The power in lead used for bullets is nothing compared to the power in lead used for writing.

This was said by the Danish writer Georg Brandes.

2. Today’s quote: The future has waited long enough. If we do not take hand of it, other hands will do so.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1804: 1878: 1900: 1911: 1914: 1919: 1972: 1985:

Johan Ludvig Runeberg ( died 1877 ) André-Gustave Citroën ( died 1935 ) Adlai E. Stevenson ( died 1965 ) Jusse Björling ( died 1960 ) William S. Burroughs ( died 1997 ) Andreas Papandreou ( died 1996 ) Mary ( Elizabeth Donaldson ) Cristiano Ronaldo

4. Famous people died on this day: 1881: Thomas Carlyle ( 85 years ) 1947: Hans Fallada ( 53 years )

FEBRUARY 6 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is DOROTHEA’s DAY. She was a young Christian girl, who refused to marry the local Roman governor, because he was a non-Christian. Therefore, she was condemned to death by hanging. On her last day she organised from her cell that a flower basket was delivered to the judge. This made him change his mind, and she was not executed.

She died a natural death in 300 AC. The holy Dorothea has since been the patron of emergency aid.

TODAY’s EVENT:

1958: A plane with the football team of Manchester United crashes in Munich airport, and 8 players are killed.

TODAY’s QUESTION: To go to Canossa – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This expression comes from the German emperor Heinrich IV and his fight with pope Gregor VII. Heinrich governed in the years 1056-1106. When the emperor at the diet in Worms in 1076 declared the pope dismissed, a very serious conflict began. The pope excommunicated Heinrich. But the conflict ended when the emperor barefooted and dressed in repentant clothes the following year walked to the long way to the pope’s castle in Canossa south of Parma. He had to wait for 3 days in bitter winterly cold in the courtyard of the castle, before the pope accepted to forgive him.

The expression to go to Canossa became very famous much later, when chancellor Bismarck in the 1870ies started a serious fight with the Vatican. We are not going to Canossa, Bismarck declared again and again. At the end negotiations ended the conflict. And it was naturally afterwards often discussed, if Bismarck actually indirectly had to go to Canossa.

Today the expression to go to Canossa means that you give totally in in a conflict. You cry for mercy without getting anything else in return.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Bird Phoenix – what’s the origin of this expression? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The future has waited long enough. If we do not take hand of it, other hands will do so.

This was said by the American politician and diplomat Adlei Stevenson II 2. Today’s quote: A successful leader is someone who can give all responsability to others, blame other people in case of criticism and take all the glory for himself.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1905: Wladyslaw Gomulka ( died 1982 )

1911: 1912: 1917: 1932: 1945: 1976:

Ronald Reagan ( died 2004 ) Eva Braun ( died 1945 ) Zsa Zsa Gabor Francois Truffaut ( died 1984 ) Bob Marley ( died 1981 ) Princess Marie

4. Famous people died on this day: 1793: Carlo Goldoni ( 85 years ) 1918: Gustav Klimt ( 56 years ) 1952: King George VI ( 56 years ) 1993: Arthur Ashe ( 50 years )

FEBRUARY 7 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called RICHARD’s DAY. It refers in all likelihood to the English legend king Richard, who died on this day in Lucca on his pilgrimage trip to Rome.

Some people believe that it has its name from the later English king Richard I ( Lionheart ) 1157-99. But this is not true.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1964: The Beatles arrive for the first time in the US, and they are received by 10.000 American supporters in Kennedy airport in New York.

TODAY’s QUESTION: The Bird Phoenix – what’s the origin of this expression? And what does it mean?

This is a legend animal, which appears in the works of the poets in ancient Greece. The feathers of the bird were set on fire by the sun, and the bird burns on its nest. But from the ashes a new bird, the bird Phoenix, arises. That’s where the expression to raise like the bird Phoenix comes from.

The legend also appears in another form: The bird Phoenix is the only bird of that sort in the world, and it has been living for 500 years in the Arab desert. One day it collects sweetscented wood for a fire. It is ignited by the sun. And from the ashes the bird arises again, but in a younger and more beautiful shape.

Today the expression to arise as the bird Phoenix means that something very unexpected is happening – almost out of nothing. It is positive – but also unreal. Almost magical.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Honeymoon – what is the origin of that word? And the meaning and importance today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A successful leader is someone who can give all responsability to others, blame other people in case of criticism and take all the glory for himself.

This was once said by the American president Ronald Reagan.

2. Today’s quote: If there were no bad people, then there would be no good lawyers either.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1478: 1812: 1834: 1885: 1927:

Thomas More ( died 1535 ) Charles Dickens ( died 1870 ) Dimitrij Mendelejev ( died 1907 ) Sinclair Lewis ( died 1951 ) Juliette Greco

4. Famous people died on this day: 1848: Christen Købke ( 38 years ) 1979: Josef Mengele ( 68 years ) 1999: Kong Hussein ( 74 years )

FEBRUARY 8 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CORINTHA’s DAY. She was a Christian woman, who was killed in Alexandria around 250 AC because of her belief. She was later made a saint. Apart from that we don’t know much about her.

TODAY’s EVENT:

1904: The Japanese-Russian war starts with a Japanese surprise attack on Port Arthur in China.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Honeymoon - where does that word come from? And what does it stand for?

The old English expression hony moone from the 16th century was the name for the very first days in the marriage of newly weds. That was where they started their new life and probably also laid the ground for a larger family. In the early 19th century it became a habit for new couples (in the upper classes) in England that they went on a trip immediately after the wedding. They were often accompanied by family and friends on the trip. They either went to see family, who had not been able to come to the wedding. Or to other places. The French Riviera and Italy ( Rome, Verona and Venice) were the most popular places. In France the same habit started in the 1820’es (“English style voyages”). And in the so-called Belle Epoque ( 1871-1914) the honeymoon trips were in a way the start of mass tourism.

In Denmark honeymoon is called hvedebrødsdage (white bread days). Why? Because normally people in the old days only had rye bread to eat. In the days after the wedding they had the more expensive wheat breat or white bread for a few days.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: To throw down the gauntlet - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: If there were no bad people, then there would be no good lawyers either.

This is a quotation from nthe English poet Charles Dickens.

2. Today’s quote: A dictatorship is a state where your life is in danger, if you keep a parrot.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1828: Jules Verne ( died 1905 ) 1925: Jack Lemmon ( died 2001 ) 1931: James Dean ( died 1955 ) 4. Famous people died on this day:

1587: Mary 2. Stuart ( 44 years ) 1999: Iris Murdoch ( 79 years )

FEBRUARY 9 TODAY’s NAME: This day is APOLLONIA’s DAY. She was an elderly Christian woman in Alexandria. When she refused to go against her Christian faith, she was put to prison by the Roman emperor Decius, tortured, had all her teeth pulled out and at the end burnt on the bond fire. She died around 250 AC. Apollonia was later made the patron of dentists.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1947: Stalin gets 100 % of all votes in his election district in Moscow, and there are no other candidates.

TODAY’s QUESTION: To throw down the gauntlet - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

It comes from the Medieval Ages. In the tournaments of the knights a knight would throw his gauntlet in front of another knight to challenge him in a duel.

Before that tradition a gauntlet (a glove) had for centuries been the symbol of a hand – which again was the symbol of a person.

Today the expression to throw down the gauntlet still means to challenge somebody. Not in a duel, but in a more peaceful way.

The expression is sometimes changed into: to throw the gauntlet into the ring. This is wrong. It should be to throw the towel into the ring. This means to surrender, to give up. So this in a way is the opposite of throwing down the gauntlet.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Cobbler stick to your last - what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A dictatorship is a state where where your life is in danger, if you keep a parrot.

This was once said by the American actor Jack Lemmon.

2. Today’s quote: I think the best definition of man is: an ungrateful two-legged creature!

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1940: J. M Coetzee 1942: Carole King 1945: Mia Farrow 4. Famous people died on this day: 1881: Fjodor Dostojevskij ( 60 years ) 1991: Bill Haley ( 56 years ) 1984: Jurij Andropov ( 70 years ) 1998: Halldor Laxness ( 95 years ) 2001: Herbert Simon ( 85 years )

FEBRUARY 10 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called SCOLASTICA’s DAY. She was a twin sister to the holy Benedict, who founded the Benedictine order. She died in a thunderstorm in 542 AC. Her brother according to the legend saw her soal fly to heaven.

TODAY’s EVENT: 49 BC: Julius Caesar crosses the river Rubicon with his troops. He pronounces the famous words: The die is cast ! The Roman civil war has started.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Cobbler stick to your last - what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean?

This expression goes all the way back to Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). His painter at the court was called Apelles. He was known to exhibit his works in such a way that he – without anybody noticing him – could study peoples’ reactions. One day he changed a detail on a shoe on a painting to see the reaction from visitors. A shoemaker noticed the mistake. But when he

continued his criticism of the way the legs were painted Apelles could not stand listening to him anymore. He said: A shoemaken should never judge anything but shoes. Later the expression has developed into today’s saying: Coppler – stick to your last.

Today this expression means that you should never talk about things you don’t know anything about.

How the world would change, if everybody followed that rule  QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A Dutch treat – what’s the origin? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I think the best definition of man is: an ungrateful two-legged creature!

This was said by the Russian author Fjodor Dostojevski 2. Today’s quote: Culture is habits!

Who of today’s persons said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1890: Boris Pasternak ( died 1960 ) 1894: Harold Macmillan ( died 1986 ) 1898: Bertolt Brecht ( died 1956 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1755: Charles Secondat Montesquieu ( 66 year ) 1948: Sergej Eisenstein ( 50 years ) 2005: Arthur Miller ( 89 years )

FEBRUARY 11 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is EUPHROSYNES DAY. She was a Christian woman in Egypt, who refused to marry a non-Christian. To avoid that she dressed like a monk and was hiding in a

monastery. When the abbot found out that she was a woman she was locked up in a room, where she died 36 years later. She died around 412 AC. TODAY’s EVENT: 1929: The Vatican becomes an independent state.

TODAY’s QUESTION: A Dutch treat – what’s the origin? And what does it mean?

This expression comes originally from the rivalry between the English and the Dutch in the 17th century. The two nations and their people did not always talk nicely about each other.

The English was of the opinion that the Dutch were always trying to avoid paying their share.

They wanted to save their money.

This is perhaps not totally surprising. The Calvinist religion – to which many Dutch belonged and still belong – encourages people to save as much money as possible. The more money you have when you die, the greater your chance is to get to heaven. So why take the risk and use the money during one’s lifetime ?!

Nowadays the expression a Dutch treat often means, that everyone pays for himself, when you go together to a restaurant or a bar. You can also say: going Dutch. This has the same meaning.

In some cases Dutch people get offended, when they hear the expression. In other cases they use it themselves to make a bit of fun.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A black sheep – where does the expression come from? And it means what?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I think the best definition of man is: an ungrateful two-legged creature!

This was said by the Russian author Fjodor Dostojevski.

2. Today’s quote: Culture is habits.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1638: Niels Steensen ( died 1686 )

1847: 1902: 1920: 1934: 1936:

Thomas Edison ( died 1931 ) Arne Jacobsen ( died 1971 ) King Faruk ( died 1965 ) Mary Quant Bert Reynolds

4. Famous people died on this day: 1650: René Descartes ( 54 years ) 1795: Carl Michael Bellmann ( 55 years ) 1950: Hartvig Frisch ( 57 years ) 2000: Roger Vadim ( 72 years )

ON: FEBRUARY 12 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called EULALIA’s DAY. She was a 13 years old girl in Barcelona, who critisised the Roman emperor’s idolatry. Therefore, she was crucified in the year 385 AC and thereby became a martyr. According to the legend her soal flew to heaven as a dove. __________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s EVENT: 1912: China’s last emperor abdicates, and the country becomes a republic.

TODAY’s QUESTION: A black sheep – where does the expression come from? And it means what?

In the old days a legend said that it would bring bad luck to have one or more black sheep in the flock. The reason was that you were paid less for black wool than for white wool.

Today you talk about the family’s black sheep, when you think of a member of the family, who differs from the rest of the family in a negative way. It might be in behavior or in intelligence.

In other words: it isn’t meant positively, when somebody is described as a black sheep.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Cobbler stick to your last - what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Culture is habits.

It was once said by the Danish politician Hartvig Frisch.

2. Today’s quote: You do not help the poor by eliminating the rich.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1809: Charles Darwin ( died 1882 ) 1809: Abraham Lincoln ( died 1865 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1804: Immanuel Kant ( 79 years )

February 13 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called BENIGNUS DAY. Begignus came from Umbria in Italy and became priest in Dijon in the eastern part of present day France. He was killed around 300 AC because of his Christian faith by the the Roman emperor Diocletian. His tomb is where the city’s cathedral and the St. Benigne monastery later were built.

Benignus is the patron of Dijon.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1975: The Turkish-Cypriots in the Turkish occupied part of the north of Cyprus declare their area an independent country.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Cobbler – stick to your last - what’s the origin? And what does it mean?

This expression goes all the way back to Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). His painter at the court was called Apelles. He was known to exhibit his works in such a way that he – without anybody noticing him – could study peoples’ reactions. One day he changed a detail on a shoe on a painting to see the reaction from visitors. A shoemaker noticed the mistake. But when he continued his criticism of the way the legs were painted Apelles could not stand listening to him anymore. He said: A shoemaken should never judge anything but shoes. Later the expression has developed into today’s saying: Coppler – stick to your last.

Today this expression means that you should never talk about things you don’t know anything about.

How the world would change, if everybody followed that rule  QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Better late than never – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: You do not help the poor by eliminating the rich.

This was said by the American president Abraham Lincoln.

2. Today’s quote: The most important thing for an artist is to be able to sneak under the skin of people.

Who from today’s list has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1888: 1903: 1924: 1933:

Georgios Papandreou ( died 1968 ) Georges Simenon ( died 1989 ) Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber ( died 2006 ) Kim Novak

4. Famous people died on this day: 1883: Richard Wagner ( 70 years ) 1916: Vilhelm Hammershøi ( 52 years )

FEBRUARY 14 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is very well known by most people – VALENTINE’s DAY. But few are aware that at least three men have contributed to the name. They were all catholic priests and were killed because of their faith.

The first Valentinus lived in the 2nd century AC. He was born around 100 AC in the area near the Nile delta and got his education in Alexandria. He became quickly a follower of the Christian Theudes, who had been one of the apotle Paul’s followers. Later he founded a special Christian movement, the Gnosticians, which had great influence in the early Christian church for more than 600 years. It spread out through Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. I was based upon “mystical knowledge” and on “how Chritianity should have been”.

Valentinus moved to Rome and was offered to become bishop, but declined. The Catholic

church after a while took distance to Valentinus, as he did not follow the official doctrines.

Later he moved from Rome to Cyprus.

Here he ran into conflicts with the Roman authorities, as he cured the blind daughter of a judge and made to whole family Christians. He was put into prison and beheaded in 160 AC. The second Valentinus is perhaps a legend. The roman emperor Claudius II ( 268-70 ) ordered his soldiers not to marry. Still the priest Valentinus continued to marry them. He was arrested and killed on February 14. The Catholic church made him a saint in 496 AC under the name Saint Valentine.

The third Valentinus was bishop in Rhaetius ( present day Tirol in Austria ) and was beheaded around year 470 AC. It is probably the second Valentinus who has given name to the Saint Valentine’s Day tradition, which started in the US. Lovers Holiday, it is also called. In the US alone more than 200 million Valentine postcards are sent on this day.

Some historians think that Valentine’s Day in reality comes from the Roman Lupercalia festival, which took place on February 15 and which should promote fertility.

Others say that it is exactly on February 14 that the birds start mating.

Everything comes together under the happy name VALENTINE’s DAY and its traditions.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1349: 2000 Jews are burnt in Strasbourg.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Better late than never – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This is an English proverb. It is expressed with a degree of sarcasm, apparently saying something positive, but in fact noting somebody’s lateness.

The mediaval English author Geoffrey Chaucer put this proverb into print in The Yeoman’s Prologue and Tale, Canterbury Tales”, in 1386: For bet than never is late (Better than never is late).

The meaning today is that to arrive or do something later than expected isn’t good, but it is better than not at all.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The vessel of the Danaids – what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :

1. Yesterday’s quote: The most important thing for an artist is to be able to sneak under the skin of people.

This is said by the Belgian author Georges Simenon.

2. Today’s quote: The butler is the solemn procession of the individual.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1913: 1942: 1946: 1951:

Jimmy Hoffa ( died 1975 ) Michael Bloomberg Gregory Hines ( died 2003 ) Kevin Keegan

4. Famous people died on this day: 1779: James Cook ( 51 years ) 1975: P.G. Wodehouse ( 93 years )

FEBRUARY 15 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called FAUSTINUS’ DAY. Faustinus and his brother Jovita were Christians, who had a terrible death in Rome in 120 AC. First they were thrown in front of the wild animals.

But they refused to eat them and attacked and killed the Roman soldiers instead. After that the two brothers were tortured with red-hot iron and had fluid lead put into their throats. At the end they were beheaded.

The brothers are today the patrons of the area Brescia in the north of Italy.

TODAY’s EVENT: 2005: The video-sharing service YouTube starts on the Internet. From 2006 Google has been the owner, and today it contains millions of small (and less small) free videos uploaded by people all over the world. I have also made my own YouTube channel. I call it NJTube  I will very soon add more videos. You can see, what it offers right now here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=niels+j%C3%B8rgen+th %C3%B8gersen&sm=3 TODAY’s QUESTION:

The vessel of the Danaids – what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean today?

Danaos or Danaus was in Greek mythology the son of a king in Egypt. He had 50 daughters – called the Danaids. They were forced to marry 50 men. But when 49 of then during the wedding night killed their husbands they were afterwards condemned to pour water into a vessel, which had no bottom. And according to the legend they continue to do that all the time until this very day. In other words: this is a work which never ends.

So the expression the vessel of the Danaids refers to a task, which is futile and useless, and which never ends.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Money doesn’t smell - what’s the origin of that expression? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Do not give poor people any help. Because if you do they there will be more of them. And then they will become even more poor.

This was once said by the English political philosopher – and priest – Thomas Malthus.

2. Today’s quote: A person who does not lose his head over anything has nothing to lose.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1564: Galileo Galilei ( died 1642 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1781: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing ( 52 years ) 1928: H.H. Asquith ( 76 years ) 1965: Nat King Cole ( 46 years ) 1988: Richard P. Feynmann ( 69 years )

FEBRUARY 16

TODAY’s NAME: Today is called JULIANE’s DAY. Altogether three different saints who were killed because of their faith have given their name to the day.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1558: The whole population in the Netherlands was condemned to death by the romancatholic church because of heresy.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Money doesn’t smell - what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean?

This expression comes from an event during the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian (9-79 AC). He had decided to introduce a special tax on public toilets. His son Titus was strongly against it. Then Vespasian took a coin and put it under the nose of his son and asked, if it smelled. When Titus replied NO the emperor said: And it is actually coming from the toilets.

After Vespasian the public toilets in Paris are actually often called Les Vespasiennes.

Today the expression money does not smell means that it is of no importance, where money comes from. Also if it comes from activities, which are more or less illegal. Money is money is another expression. In other words: the expression money does not smell is not a very positive one.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Blood is thicker than water - Origin? Meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A person who does not lose his head over anything has nothing to lose.

This was said by the German poet and philosopher Gotthold Ephraim Lessing.

2. Today’s quote: Anyone with wife and children knows that tennis belongs to the easy things in life.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1831: Nikolaj Leskov ( died 1899 ) 1921: Hua Guafeng ( died 2008 ) 1926: John Schlesinger ( død 2003 )

1941: Kim Jong-Il ( died 2011 ) 1959: John McEnroe 4. Famous people died on this day: 1992: Angela Carter ( 52 years ) 1999: Björn Afzelius ( 52 years )

FEBRUARY 17 TODAY’s NAME: The name comes from several English-Irish Christians, who after their deaths were nominated as saints.

One of them was an Irish monk, who was so pious that he lived from mouldy bread and muddy water. Later he founded the monastery Clooneenagle in 548, and was its first abbot.

He died in 603.

Another was an English bishop around 660.

And a third was an Irish Christian, who liberated his sister from the vikings. He died at a monastery in Switzerland in 878.

TODAY’s EVENT: 2008: The Serbian province Kosovo becomes an independent country.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Blood is thicker than water – where does than come from? And what does it mean?

This is a very old expression in many languages. Already in 1180 you see it in some German texts. And later the Danish story collector Peder Syv (1631-1702) is using it. Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) makes it well known in his work Guy Mannering. And later the German emperor Wilhelm II (1859-1941) uses it frequently in his speeches.

The meaning of the expression has always been and still is that family bonds are closer than those of outsiders.

It is in a way strange that emperor Wilhelm used it so often. He was the grand child of Queen Victoria. And still he was a main initiator of World War I between Germany and Britain (and many more).

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Great minds think alike – origin? Meaning today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Anyone with wife and children knows that tennis belongs to the easy things in life.

This is said by the American tennis player John McEnroe.

2. Today’s quote: It is easy to make fun of medical doctors, as long as you are not ill.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1854: 1929: 1930: 1934: 1941: 1957: 1981:

Friederich Alfred Krupp ( died 1912 ) Patricia Routledge Ruth Rendell ( died 2015 ) Barry Humphries ( ”Dame Edna” ) Gene Pitney ( died 2006 ) Lars Brygman Paris Hilton

4. Famous people died on this day: 1673: Molière ( 51 years ) 1856: Heinrich Heine ( 59 years ) 1891: Theophilos Hansen ( 78 years )

FEBRUARY 18 TODAY’s NAME: CONCORDIA’s DAY is the name of today. She was a young Christian virgin in Rome at the time of emperor Decius ( 249-51 AC ). The name means Agreement. A non-historic legend tells that she had relations with the house of Saint Hippolytus. She died around 250. __________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s EVENT: 1929: The Oscar ceremony takes place for the first time.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Great minds think alike – Origin? Meaning?

Great minds think alike' isn't especially old as proverbs go, but the thought behind it dates from at least the early 17th century. The impressively named Dabridgcourt Belchier wrote this in Hans Beer-Pot, 1618: Though he made that verse, Those words were made before. Good wits doe jumpe.

That citation uses 'jump' with a meaning long since abandoned in everyday speech, that is 'agree with; completely coincide'. Laurence Sterne repeated that usage in Tristram Shandy, 1761: Great wits jump: for the moment Dr. Slop cast his eyes upon his bag the very same thought occurred.

The 'think alike' version wasn't found in print until sometime after that. The earliest example that I have found is in Carl Theodor von Unlanski's biography The woful history of the unfortunate Eudoxia, 1816: It may occur that an editor has already printed something on the identical subject - great minds think alike, you know.

Thomas Paine, the English-born revolutionary who became one of the founding fathers of the USA, like many today, had a different response to the idea that 'great minds think alike', that is, "No, they don't". He expressed that opinion in the 1792 political pamphlet The Rights of Man, edition 2 : I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all. It is only those who have not thought that appear to agree.

Today the expression great minds think alike normally means that “I just thought that” – when somebody is saying something. Or more negatively in the sense: Fools seldom differ!

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Out of sight – out of mind – where does that come from? And it means what? __________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is easy to make fun of medical doctors, as long as you are not ill.

This was said by the French playwright Molière.

2. Today’s quote: It is neither advisable nor undangerous to play around with one’s conscience.

Who among today’s personalities has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1516: 1849: 1898: 1932: 1933: 1954:

Maria 1. Tudor ( ”Bloody Mary” ) ( died 1558 ) Alexander Kielland ( died 1906 ) Enzo Ferrari ( died 1988 ) Milos Forman Yoko Ono John Travolta

4. Famous people died on this day: 1405: Timur Lenk ( 69 years ) 1546: Martin Luther ( 63 years ) 1564: Michelangelo di Lodovico Buanarrotti Simoni ( 89 years )

FEBRUARY 19 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called AMMON’s DAY. He was as a number of his friends Christian and at the same time soldiers in the Roman army. They did not tell anybody about their faith. But when one of his friends under torture was about to abandon his faith Ammon encouraged him to stick to it. This costs both of them their lives in the year 250.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1990: The East-German authorities start the removal of the Berlin Wall. It had already lost its importance, when it opened in the evening of November 9, 1989.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Out of sight – out of mind - where does that come from? And what does it mean?

The meaning of this phrase is that something is easily forgotten or dismissed as unimportant if it is not in our direct view. Or you easily forget people you do you see often or are not in contact with frequently.

The background for the expression is many hundred years old. The use of 'in mind' for 'remembered' and 'out of mind' for 'forgotten' date back to the at least the 13th century. The earliest printed citation of a link with memory and the sight of something is in John Heywood's Woorkes. A dialogue conteynyng prouerbes and epigrammes, 1562, as reprinted by the Spenser Society, 1867: "Out of sight out of minde."

The phrase is used as an example of the supposed comic results that early computer translation and speech recognition programmes came up with. The phrase 'out of sight, out of mind' was supposed to have been translated by a computer as 'invisible idiot', 'blind and insane' etc. This is on a par with 'computers can wreck a nice peach' (computers can recognise speech), which is also used as an example of how computers lack the general knowledge to compare with humans at speech recognition.

These reports lack consistency and are too neat to be anything other than inventions. There's no evidence to support the stories but they do illustrate that although 'anyone can make a mistake, but to really foul things up you need a computer'. Even using recent (2007) programs to translate 'out of sight, out of mind' into Russian and then back to English the best they could do was 'from the sighting, from the reason'.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: When in Rome – do as the Romans do - Origin? Meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is neither advisable nor undangerous to play around with one’s conscience.

This was once said by Martin Luther.

2. Today’s quote: The masses will follow a leader, who is 20 steps ahead. But if he is a thousand steps ahead of them, they do not see him, and they do not follow him.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1473: Nicolaus Kopernikus ( died 1543 ) 1865: Sven Hedin ( died 1952 ) 1924: Lee Marvin ( died 1987 )

1948: 1952: 1960: 1966:

Pim Fortuyn ( died 2002 ) Amy Tan Prins Andrew Enzo Scifo

4. Famous people died on this day: 1927: Georg Brandes ( 85 years ) 1951: André Gide ( 82 years ) 1952: Knut Hamsun ( 93 years ) 1997: Deng Xiaoping ( 93 years )

FEBRUARY 20 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called EUCHARIA’S DAY. He was a man who against his will was nominated bishop of Orléans. Later he was put to prison, because he as bishop worked against king Charles Martel, who wanted to be the head of the church. After Martel’s victory over the Moors he wanted to get all the belongings of the church. Consequently, Eucharias was sent to a monestary near Cologne. He died here in 743.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1962: John Glenn is the first American astronaut to circle around the earth in his space ship.

TODAY’s QUESTION: When in Rome, do as the Romans do - what’s the origin? And what does it mean?

This is an interesting and lengthy historical explanation: This expression means: It is polite, and possibly also advantageous, to abide by the customs of a society when one is a visitor.

Why should an English proverb single out Rome and Roman values as especially to be emulated? Couldn't we have had a 'when in Ipswich, do as the Ipswichians do' for example?

As it turns out, it's all to do with the travel arrangements of a couple of early Christian saints.

St Augustine: Letters Volume I was translated from the Latin by Sister W. Parsons and published in 1951. Letter 54 to Januarius contains this original text, which date from circa 390 AD: Cum Romanum venio, ieiuno Sabbato; cum hic sum, non ieiuno: sic etiam tu, ad quam forte ecclesiam veneris, eius morem serva, si cuiquam non vis esse scandalum nec quemquam tibi, which was translated as: When I go to Rome, I fast on Saturday, but here [Milan] I do not. Do you also follow the custom of whatever church you attend, if you do not want to give or receive scandal.

Januarius, who was later canonised as a martyr saint, was Bishop of Naples at the time.

The above dates the source of the proverb to at least as early as the beginnings of the Christian church. The implied flexibility on dogma and acceptance of the religious and social practices of other cultures seems to be more akin to the contemporary Buddhist teachings of the Dalai Lama than those of present day Christian authorities.

The use of the proverb in English isn't recorded until much later - well into the Middle Ages.

Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy was first published in 1621. Burton makes oblique reference to the phrase, without using it explicitly: ...like Mercury, the planet, are good with good, bad with bad. When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done, puritans with puritans, papists with papists He was slightly predated by Henry Porter, who came a little nearer to the present day version of the proverb in his play The pleasant history of the two angry women of Abington, 1599: Nay, I hope, as I have temperance to forbear drink, so have I patience to endure drink: Ile do as company dooth; for when a man doth to Rome come, he must do as there is done.

The Interesting letters of Pope Clement XIV [a.k.a. Lorenzo Ganganelli] were published in 1777. Letter XLIV [to Prior Dom Galliard] contains the earliest version of the proverb as currently used in English that I have found in print: The siesto, or afternoon's nap of Italy, my most dear and reverend Father, would not have alarmed you so much, if you had recollected, that when we are at Rome, we should do as the Romans do - cum Romano Romanus eris.

The proverb is so clichéd as to have been adapted to suit many other locations - this web search brings up thousands. Its familiarity, and the expectation that everyone knows the ending, has caused it also to be used in the shortened version - 'when in Rome...'. This dates back to at least the 1930s when a play of that title, written by Charles Faber, was performed in New York.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Strike when the iron is hot - where does that come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The masses will follow a leader, who is 20 steps ahead. But if he is a thousand steps ahead of them, they do not see him, and they do not follow him.

This was said by the Danish poet Georg Brandes.

2. Today’s quote: I don’t like TV talk shows. You are slowly fried on the camera grill, and the interviewer is all the time blowing the charcoal.

Who among this day’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1904: 1911: 1925: 1927:

Alexei Kosygin ( died 1980 ) P.V. Glob ( died 1985 ) Robert Altman ( died 2006 ) Sidney Poitier

4. Famous people died on this day: 1685: Sophie Amalie ( 57 years ) 1920: Robert Peary ( 64 years ) 1963: Jacob Gade ( 84 years ) 1966: Chester Nimitz ( 81 years ) 2007: Carl-Henning Pedersen ( 94 years ) 2010: Alexander Haig ( 85 years )

FEBRUARY 21 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is SAMUEL’s DAY. He was a man mentioned in the Old Testament and also in the old Jewish books. He was a judge. And he was the one who selected and blessed the kings Saul and David. He was also the military leader of the Jews in their fight against the Philistines.

Samuel’s year of death is not known.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1972: US president Richard Nixon starts his historical visit to China to improve relations between the two countries.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Strike while the iron is hot – Where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

This old proverb clearly alludes to the imagery of the blacksmith or farrier at his forge. If he delays in shaping the iron when it is hot and pliable the metal soon cools and hardens and the opportunity is lost.

The expression is recorded in Richard Edwards’, The excellent comedie of two the moste faithfullest freendes, Damon and Pithias, circa 1566 I haue plied the Haruest, and stroke when the Yron was hotte.

The meaning today is to act decisively and take your opportunities when they arise. Or: Don’t be too late. Because then you will lose a great opportunity.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The early bird catches the worm - Background? Meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I don’t like TV talkshows. You are slowly fried on the camera grill, and the interviewer is all the time blowing the charcoal.

This was said by the American actor Sidney Poitier.

2. Today’s quote: Love never dies a natural death. It dies, because we do not know how to supply its sources, it dies from blindness and mistakes and treason. It dies from illness and wounds, it dies from fatique. It languishes, it gets tarnished. But it never dies a natural death.

Anybody could be accused of murdering his own love.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1893: Andrés Segovia ( died 1987 ) 1903: Anaïs Nin ( died 1977 ) 1924: Robert Mugabe 4. Famous people died on this day: 1677: Baruch de Spinoza ( 45 years ) 1984: Mikhail Sjolokhov ( 79 years ) 2008: Ben Chapman ( 83 years )

FEBRUARY 22 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called PETER’s DAY or PETER’s CHAIR. This was the day when the close friend of Jesus, the fisherman Simon, named Peter by Jesus, started his job as bishop in Antiochia ( in the southeastern part of today’s Turkey, near the Syrian border and in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean ). He was a bishop here for 7 years. While he was here he made a boy who had been dead for 14 years alive again. As a consequence the Roman prefect and many more became Christians. They built a church and made a big chair for Peter in the middle. That’s why it is called Peter’s Chair as well as Peter’s Day. The Catholic church has celebrated Peter’s Chair – the Chair of the Pope – since the 4th century. One it the purposes was to push an old non-Christian celebration on this day out.

After the job in Antiochia Peter became the first bishop in Rome and thereby the first pope.

Today’s pope is still also bishop of Rome.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1969: The Beatles are playing as a group for the last time.

TODAY’s QUESTION: The early bird catches the worm – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This expression is first recorded in John Ray’s A Collection of English Proverbs 1670. It is at the time quoted like that: The early bird catcheth the worm.

It means – then and now – that success comes to those, who prepare well and put an effort.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Money is the root to all evil - what’s the origin of this expression? And it means what?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Love never dies a natural death. It dies, because we do not know how to supply its sources, it dies from blindness and mistakes and treason. It dies from illness and wounds, it dies from fatique. It languishes, it gets tarnished. But it never dies a natural death.

Anybody could be accused of murdering his own love.

This was said by the French author Anaïs Nin. 2. Today’s quote: Diplomats would not be diplomats, if they did not see it an an honour to make simple things complicated, and first and foremost being it a noble art todelay any important initiative.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1732: 1788: 1810: 1857: 1932: 1943: 1969:

George Washington ( died 1799 ) Arthur Schopenhauer ( died 1860 ) Frédéric Chopin ( died 1849 ) Robert Baden-Powell ( died 1941 ) Edward Kennedy ( died 2009 ) Horst Köhler Brian Laudrup

4. Famous people died on this day: 1512: Amerigo Vespucci ( 58 years ) 1797: Baron von Münchhausen ( 77 years )

1942: Stefan Zweig ( 61 years ) 1987: Andy Warhol ( 59 years )

FEBRUARY 23 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is PAPIAS’ DAY. Papia was a bishop in the city of Hierapolis in the beginning of the 2nd century AC. The city was in the Western part of present day Turkey and was known for its hot springs and many caves. The name of the city means the Holy City. The place is today called Pamukkale and is under UNESCO’s protection.

Papia had contact to the apostle Filippus. He was killed by the Roman authorities because of his faith in the year 150 AC. TODAY’s EVENT: 1455: Johannes Gutenberg is starting the printing of the bible in Mainz. This is the first time in history that printing takes place.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Money is the root of all evil - where does it come from? And means what today?

This expression comes from the bible. But it has been misquoted over the centuries. St. Paul said according to the bible: The love of money is the root of all evil. And this is, of course, a very different story from giving money itself all the blame.

The meaning of the expression today is rather: don’t let money decide everything. It is nice to have  But there are other values in life too.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Beware of Greeks bringing gifts - what’s the origin of that? And what does it mean today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Diplomats would not be diplomats, if they did not see it an an honour to make simple things complicated, and first and foremost being it a noble art todelay any important initiative.

This was once said by the Austrian poet Stefan Zweig.

2. Today’s quote:

As none of today’s persons have left a remarkable quote you will get one more by yesterday’s Stefan Zweig: Love is making most noice when it becomes silent.

3. Famous people born on this day: 1685: 1850: 1883: 1899: 1940:

Georg Friedrich Händel ( died 1759 ) César Ritz ( died 1918 ) Victor Fleming ( død 1949 ) Erich Kästner ( died 1974 ) Peter Fonda

4. Famous people died on this day: 1821: John Keats ( 25 years ) 1934: Edward Elgar ( 77 years ) 1965: Stan Laurel ( 75 years )

FEBRUARY 24 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is MATTHIAS’ DAY. It has the name from the apostle Matthias, who was selected instead of Judas. It is unknown, if Matthias died a natural death, was beheaded, stoned or crusified.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1819: The 9 year old wunderkind Fréderic Chopin has his first public performance in Warsaw.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Beware of Greeks bearing gifts - where does that come from? And what does it mean today?

The origin of this expression is an allusion to the story of the wooden horse of Troy, used by the Greeks to trick their way into the city. It is recorded in Virgil's Aeneid, Book 2, 19 BC: "Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts."

Of course, that English version is a translation. Another translation, by John Dryden, has "Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse."

The same thought was also recorded by Sophocles (496 - 406 BC), in Ajax: Nought from the Greeks towards me hath sped well.

So now I find that ancient proverb true, Foes' gifts are no gifts: profit bring they none.

The Classics are no longer widely taught or read, so this phrase is now little used, although it was resurrected in a sideways reference during a 1990s copyright dispute. There was considerable discussion then, in Internet chat rooms etc., regarding the company Compuserve, which owned the copyright to the GIF image format, and their possible intentions to restrict its use. Some people feared that they might be taken to law by Compuserve, if they received and viewed GIF images without permission. The phrase "beware of geeks bearing gifts" was coined to sum that up.

Today the expression simply means that do not trust people just because they bring gifts or favours. They might have a hidden agenda. Watch out – until their real intentions are clear and confirmed.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Charity begins at home - the origin of that expression? And the meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Love is making most noice when it becomes silent.

This was said by the Austrain poet Stefan Zweig.

2. Today’s quote: Why do we still have to do concerts? Stravinsky is not present either, when his music is played.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1500: 1786: 1885: 1932: 1955:

Charles Quint ( died 1558 ) Wilhelm Grimm ( died 1859 ) Chester Nimitz ( died 1966 ) Michel Legrand Steve Jobs ( died 2011 )

4. Famous people died on this day:

1815: Robert Fulton ( 50 years ) 1975: Nikolai Bulganin ( 80 years ) 1994: Dinah Shore ( 78 years ) 2006: Dennis Weaver ( 82 years )

FEBRUARY 25 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is VICTORINUS DAY. He was a pious Christian in Egypt. When he due to his faith refuse to take part in a sacrifice to the god Jupiter he was killed by emperor Decius’ soldiers in 285.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1956: Nikita Krushjov makes his famous secret speech in Moscow about the crimes of Stalin. __________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s QUESTION: Charity begins at home - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

‘Charity begins at home’ isn’t from the bible but it is so near to being so that it is reasonable to describe it as biblical. The notion that a man’s family should be his foremost concern is expressed in 1 Timothy 5:8, King James Bible, 1611: But if any prouide not for his owne, & specially for those of his owne house, hee hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

John Wyclif had expressed the same idea as early as 1382, in Of Prelates, reprinted in English Works, 1880: Charite schuld bigyne at hem-self.

John Fletcher came very close to using the phrase in the comedy Wit without Money, circa 1625: Charity and beating begins at home.

Sir Thomas Browne was the first to put the expression into print in the form we now use, in Religio Medici, 1642: Charity begins at home, is the voice of the world: yet is every man his greatest enemy.

The meaning of this English proverb expresses the overriding demands of taking care of one's family, before caring for others.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Faith will move mountains – Origin? Meaning today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Why do we still have to do concerts? Stravinsky is not present either, when his music is played.

This was once said by George Harrison from The Beatles.

2. Today’s quote: A minister’s political colour is of no more importance than his hair colour.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1841: 1873: 1888: 1917: 1917: 1943:

Pierre-Auguste Renoir ( died 1919 ) Enrico Caruso ( died 1921 ) John Foster Dulles ( died 1959 ) Erhard Jakobsen ( died 2002 ) Anthony Burgess ( died 1993 ) George Harrison ( died 2001 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1634: Albrecht von Wallenstein ( 51 years ) 1723: Christopher Wren ( 91 years ) 1983: Tennessee Williams ( 72 years ) 2006: Thomas Koppel ( 62 years )

FEBRUARY 26 TODAY’s NAME:

Today is called INGER’s DAY. This does not come from a known saint. It came into the Calendar in 1729. Before that it was called NESTORIUS DAY. The name Inger comes possibly from a French princess with this name. It can also come from the man’s name Inge. Or from a Germanic god called Ingvio.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1815: Napoleon escapes from his prison at the island of Elba and travels to Paris.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Faith will move mountains - origin? Meaning?

This expression comes from the Bible. It is recorded in the 1582 Rheims Bible, in Matthew XXI 21, as: "If you shal haue faith, and stagger not, ... and if you shal say to this mountaine, Take vp and throw thy self into the sea, it shal be done."

It basically means that Faith is immensely powerful. You see it in many religions and religious wars. And you also use it to say that if you strongly believe it, it might be true.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: To put your best foot forward - what is the origin? And its meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A minister’s political colour is of no more importance than his hair colour.

This was once said by the colourful and witty Danish politician Erhard Jakobsen.

2. Today’s quote: It is precisely the books a man owns, but hasn’t read which are the most suspicious proof against him.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1802: Victor Hugo ( died 1885 ) 1829: Levi Strauss ( died 1902 )

1846: 1852: 1928: 1932:

Buffalo Bill ( William Frederic Cody ) ( died 1917 ) John Harvey Kellogg ( died 1943 ) Fats Domino Johnny Cash ( died 2003 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1926: P.E. Lange-Müller ( 76 years ) 1969: Karl Jaspers ( 86 years )

FEBRUARY 27 TODAY’s NAME: Today is LEANDER’s DAY. He was a bishop in Sevilla, who managed to convert mant Gothic people into Christianity. He died in the year 600 AC. TODAY’s EVENT: 1782: A monastery in Moscow informs the authorities that a Russian woman has given birth to 69 children. This is still a world record. The 69 kids came as 16 twins, 7 triplets and 4 quadruplets. Only two of the children died as babies. It all happened during the period 172565.

TODAY’s QUESTION: The Cimbrians – who were they? And what did they do?

“Kimbrer” is what I am. Or “Cimbrian” in English.What is that? Where did they come from? And where are they/we now? Listen: A “Cymbrian” belongs to a very brave and energetic tribe in the north of Denmark. From the part of Jutland called Himmerland – or rather “Kimbrerland”.Our first appearance are traced back to several centuries before year 0. While the Romans grew stronger in the south of Europe we Cimbrians grew bigger and stronger up north. Our symbol was – and is – a BULL. A strong one!

One sunny day – about 105 B.C. – our chief Cimbrian declared: “Let’s conquer Rome!!” Off we went – thousands of us. Heading south. With men, warriors, women, children, animals, equipment – and a strong will. A colourful crowd, which got bigger and stronger and more determined as we approached the Romans. One Roman Legion after the other was beaten up and destroyed. In the Gallic area (now France), in the south of Germany and Austria. The Roman Empire was in panic! Also when they saw our Cimbrian warriors use their shields as huge sledges down the Alps! When the Cymbrian approached Rome from the north the last Roman legion under the command of Marius did nothing. It let the thousands and thousands

of Cimbrians pass. And the Romans were especially uneasy, when the Cimbrian worriors shouted at the passive Roman soldiers: “We will say hello to your wives in Rome, when we get there”!

But victories without defeats: all of a sudden the mean Romans attack from the back – where all the women and the children were. Thousands were tortured and killed. The Cimbrians were in total panic, and on that day – 101 B.C. – the Cimbrians were totally defeated. Rome was saved.

Only a few thousand Cimbrians managed to escape. Up north into the Dolomites! And they are still there – or rather their descendants! About 70.000 of them – with fair hair, blue eyes and a language which certainly has direct links back to the language of the Cimbrians at the time. The place – about 50 km north of Verona – is called Ljetzan (or Giazza in Italian).I visited Ljetzan in April 2004. A beautiful place in a beautiful nature. And with a very nice CimbriMuseum – telling this story.

Have a look at this site:www.rcvr.org/cittaepr/cimbri/welcome Living history. Visit Himmerland (see:www.europe-today.com/denmark/himmerl.html ) -andLjetzan!

PS: A thousand years later many of the strongest VIKINGS sailed from Himmerland to conquer England and Normandy.The descendants of the Cimbrians!

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A Dutch treat – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is precisely the books a man owns, but hasn’t read which are the most suspicious proof against him.

This was once said by the French poet Victor Hugo.

2. Today’s quote: It is strange. When a poet gets out of breath his sentences do not get shorter, but longer.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 274: Constantine the Great ( died 337 ) 1861: Rudolf Steiner ( died 1925 ) 1902: John Steinbeck ( died 1968 )

1923: Dexter Gordon ( died 1990 ) 1932: Elizabeth Taylor ( died 2011 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1892: Louis Vuitton ( 71 years ) 1936: Ivan Pavlov ( 86 years ) 1939: Nadezhda Krupskaja ( 70 years ) 2008: Ivan Rebroff ( 76 years )

FEBRUARY 28 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is HILDEGARD’s DAY after the German abbess Hildegard in Rupertsberg.

She died in 1169.

In leap years this day is called Leander’s Day ( like the day yesterday – and February 29 is called Hildegard’s Day ( what old mess  ) TODAY’s EVENT: 1986: The Swedish prime minister Olof Palme was shot and killed in a street in Stockholm.

TODAY’s QUESTION: A Dutch treat – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

This expression comes originally from the rivalry between the English and the Dutch in the 17th century. The two nations and their people did not always talk nicely about each other.

The English was of the opinion that the Dutch were always trying to avoid paying their share.

They wanted to save their money.

This is perhaps not totally surprising. The Calvinist religion – to which many Dutch belonged and still belong – encourages people to save as much money as possible. The more money you have when you die, the greater your chance is to get to heaven. So why take the risk and use the money during one’s lifetime ?!

Nowadays the expression a Dutch treat often means, that everyone pays for himself, when you go together to a restaurant or a bar. You can also say: going Dutch. This has the same meaning.

In some cases Dutch people get offended, when they hear the expression. In other cases they use it themselves to make a bit of fun.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Danish (pastry) – What is that ? And what is the history?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is strange. When a poet gets out of breath his sentences do not get shorter, but longer.

This was said by the American author John Steinbeck.

2. Today’s quote: Politics is the will do things.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1533: 1683: 1833: 1901: 1916: 1942: 1944: 1946:

Michel de Montaigne ( died 1592 ) René de Réaumur ( died 1757 ) Alfred von Schlieffen ( died 1913 ) Linus Pauling ( died 1994 ) Svend Asmussen Dino Zoff Sepp Maier Robin Cook ( died 2005 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1648: Christian IV ( 71 years ) 1916: Henry James ( 73 years ) 1986: Olof Palme ( 65 years) FEBRUAY 29 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called HILDEGARD’s DAY. She was a German abbess, who lived from 1098 – 1179. She was one of the most important personalities in the Middle Ages. She had a very strong faith and grew up in the Catholic church. Around 1150 she founded two monestaries – one in Bingen and another one near present day Rüdesheim. She was a very skilled researcher and doctor. Some of her medical treatments, against epilepsy and other illnesses, are still used today. She was also a multi-artist, not least in music. She was the first at her time, who got music into the church, even though it basically was not allowed.

She had many nicknames such as: Hildegard of Bingen, Sibylla of the Rhein, Protissa Teutonica, God’s Envoy, Clairvoyant, and many more.

She died in 1179.

Her thoughts and work have later been written down by her collaborators.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1952: The island of Heligoland was given back to Germany by the British.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Danish (pastry) – What is that ? And what is the history?

The historical origin of this bread is Vienna in early 19th century. The bakers there made a special sort of bread called Kipfel. Some of them brought it to Copenhagen, where is became common from around 1840. Towards the turn of the century a creative Danish baker called L.C. Klitteng decided to make it much lighter by adding a lot of butter. The bread was called Wienerbrød (bread from Vienna). This is to this day a very popular pastry in Denmark – with a lot of calories! The same word is used in French: Viennoise (though it is not exactly the same bread).

Baker Klitteng decided to make his bread known all over Europe and later all over the world.

He named himself Advisor for Bakers and travelled the world. And he experienced a great success. His bread became popular everywhere. In The US it was – and still is – sold under the name DANISH (pastry). He became extra famous, when he in 1915 was asked to deliver Danish for the wedding of president Wilson.

He also planned to “conquer” China and Japan in the 1930ies with his pastry. But he had to abandon his plans, as he suddenly became blind.

And finally it is interesting that the same pastry in the city of its origin, Vienna, is neither called Wienerbrød nor Danish. Its name is: Kopenhagener.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: March - where does the name of that month come from? And what is linked to it?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Politics is the will do things.

This was said by former Swedish prime minister Olof Palme.

2. Today’s quote: As none of today’s persons has said anything worth quoting you get one more quote from Olof Palme: Revolutions never solve anything. The morning after the revolution the troublesome problems of every day start again.

3. Famous people born on this day: 1756: 1792: 1896: 1904: 1916:

C.F. Hansen ( died 1845 ) Gioachino Rossini ( died 1868 ) Morarji Desai ( died 1995 ) Jimmy Dorsey ( died 1957 ) Dinah Shore ( died 1994 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1528: Patrick Hamilton ( 24 years ) 1744: John Theophilus Desaguliers ( 61 years ) 1944: Pehr Evind Svinhufvud ( 82 years )

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen kimbrer@gmail.com www.niels-jorgen-thogersen.dk