NIELS JØRGEN THØGERSEN
OCTOBER And all its 31 days Niels Jørgen Thøgersen The name October comes from the word octo. This is the Greek and the Latin name for the figure eight. The reason is that this month was the 8th month in the old Roman calendar, which originally was made by king Numa Pompilius around 500 BC. In this calendar March was the first month in the year. This calendar was many centuries later replaced by the Gregorian calendar, where January is the first month of each year and where October consequently is month no. 10. This calendar was introduced from around 1580. It Denmark it happened in the year 1700. In the old days this month was in Denmark ( and the other Nordic countries, I believe ) called SÆDEMÅNED ( SEED MONTH ). Why ? Because this was the month when the winter seed ( i.e. rye ) had to be sowed.
And here is the old verse of this month: Now you have to plough and sow the rye and fill up the casks with new lovely wine. Now cold times will be part of our daily life, so a warming stove is just what I like There are also a number of old Danish weather warnings for this month:
October is bad tempered because the old summer has passed away If the trees do not let their leaves go this month, it will be a very cold winter
And if you look at the weather as it actually has been over the years you have a number of interesting weather records when Denmark is concerned:
1905: Coldest October: + 5,2 degrees in average ( from +14,6 to – 8,9 degrees ) 2006: Warmest October: +12,2 degrees in average ( from +20,5 to – 0,9 degrees ) 1976: The lowest number of hours of sunshine in October: 26 hours 2005: The highest number of hours of sunshine in October: 162 hours
See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html
OCTOBER 1 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is REMIGIUS’ DAY after bishop Regius. He lived from 438 to 533 AC. Already as 22 years old he became bishop in Reims in the eastern part of present day France. He was the patron for France. This day is also the United Nations Day of Older Persons And it is the World Vegetarian Day.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1795: Belgium becomes part of the French Republic.
TODAY’s QUESTION: October - where does that word come from? And what is linked to that month?
The name October comes from the word octo. This is the Greek and the Latin name for the figure eight. The reason is that this month was the 8th month in the old Roman calendar, which originally was made by king Numa Pompilius around 500 BC. In this calendar March was the first month in the year. This calendar was many centuries later replaced by the Gregorian calendar, where January is the first month of each year and where October consequently is month no. 10. This calendar was introduced from around 1580. It Denmark it happened in the year 1700.
In the old days this month was in Denmark ( and the other Nordic countries, I believe ) called SÆDEMÅNED ( SEED MONTH ). Why ? Because this was the month when the winter seed ( i.e. rye ) had to be sowed. And here is the old verse of this month: Now you have to plough and sow the rye and fill up the casks with new lovely wine. Now cold times will be part of our daily life, so a warming stove is just what I like There are also a number of old Danish weather warnings for this month:
October is bad tempered because the old summer has passed away If the trees do not let their leaves go this month, it will be a very cold winter
And if you look at the weather as it actually has been over the years you have a number of interesting weather records when Denmark is concerned:
1905: Coldest October: + 5,2 degrees in average ( from +14,6 to – 8,9 degrees ) 2006: Warmest October: +12,2 degrees in average ( from +20,5 to – 0,9 degrees ) 1976: The lowest number of hours of sunshine in October: 26 hours 2005: The highest number of hours of sunshine in October: 162 hours
See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Volvo - where does that name come from?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: There are no guts in Danish theatre . Danish theatre lacks sensuality. This was said by the Danish ballet dancer Flemming Flindt. 2. Today’s quote: I am tired of putting taxes on poor people in our rich country to send the money to the rich people in the poor countries. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day:
1881: 1908: 1920: 1924: 1935:
William Boeing ( died 1956 ) Herman D. Koppel ( died 1998 ) Walter Matthau ( died 2000 ) Jimmy Carter Julie Andrews
4. Famous people died on this day: 1684: Pierre Corneille ( 78 years ) 1874: Ludvig Bødtcher ( 81 years ) 1979: Roy Harris ( 81 years )
OCTOBER 2 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is DITLEV’s DAY. The origin has been forgotten. It is only known that the name has been linked to this day since 1725. There are no known saints with this name.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1870: Rome becomes the capital of the newly established Italy.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Volvo - where does that name come from?
When the Swedish founders of the car company Volvo many years ago had to decide a name for the new car they could have chosen to call it Viking, Thor or another Nordic name. They didn't. They decided to go for a Latin name. The Latin verb Volvere means driving - rolling. And when you want to say: I drive it is in Latin: Volvo. The owners wanted to make a car, which could drive everywhere, even in the sometimes harsh Scandinavian weather conditions. So they chose the brand name: VOLVO. Simple and clear. The fact that the company today is owned by the Chinese has not changed the name. It wouldn't be clever either. About Volvo driving everywhere: Many years ago the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel had a picture of a Volvo car on its front page. The text was: Schnellste Traktor der Welt (fastest tractor in the world).
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:
Carte blanche - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I am tired of putting taxes on poor people in our rich country to send the money to the rich people in the poor countries. This was once said by the former American president Jimmy Carter. 2. Today’s quote: If you have the skills you also have the duty! Who among today's persons said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1452: 1847: 1869: 1876: 1890: 1904: 1951:
King Richard III ( died 1485 ) Paul von Hindenburg ( died 1934 ) Mahatma Ghandi ( Mohandas Karamchandh ) ( died 1948 ) A.P. Møller ( died 1965 ) Groucho Marx ( died 1977 ) Graham Greene ( died 1991 ) Sting (Gordon Mathew Thomas Sumner)
4. Famous people died on this day: 322 BC: Aristotle ( 62 years ) 1920: Max Bruch ( 82 years ) 1935: Georg Jensen ( 69 years ) 1985: Rock Hudson ( 59 years ) (Roy Harold Scherer) OCTOBER 3 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is METTE’s DAY. It has its name from the pious Mechtild from Magdeburg in Germany. She lived in the 13th century and had many enemies among the monks, because she criticized their way of life.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1906: SOS becomes the international sign of emergency. "Save Our Souls". "Save Our Ship"
TODAY’s QUESTION: Carte blanche - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
This term comes from French and means white card or white paper. In was used in the old days in connection with negotiations – political, economic or military negotiations. The person who was given the mandate to negotiate and to make the final agreement received a piece of white paper ( a carte blanche) only with the signature of the top boss (the king, the prime minister, the general). Then he or she could fill out the rest with the agreement made – and it was all done. Today the expression carte blanche is still used meaning full power of attorney. In the EU Commission the president receives a carte blanche letter from each member of the Commission only with their signature on. Then he alone can decide when they have to step down.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: French visit - what is it? And what is it called in other languages?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: If you have the skills you also have the duty! This was said by the Danish shipowner A.P.Møller (Maersk). 2. Today’s quote: The voice of a clear conscience would be a better advisor, if we did not always had to prompt what to say. Who ha said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1867: 1938: 1941: 1976: 1981:
Pierre Bonnard ( died 1947 ) Eddie Cochran ( died 1960 ) Chubby Checker Seann William Scott Zlatan Ibrahimovic
4. Famous people died on this day: 1226: Francis of Assisi ( 44 years ) 1929: Gustav Streseman ( 51 years ) 1931: Carl Nielsen ( 66 years )
1987: Jean Anouilh ( 77 years ) 1988: Franz Josef Strauss ( 73 years )
OCTOBER 4 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called FRANCISCUS DAY – after Francis of Assissi. He was born in 1182 as a son of a rich merchant of clothes. His father wanted, that he should be called Franciscus, which means “the small French”. His mother was from the south of France. Later Francis went into the service of the church and founded the Order of the Franciscans. The legend tells that he on his body had the same wounds as Jesus. He died in 1226. The present pope Francis (2016) has also taken his name from Francis of Assissi.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1957: The Soviet Union launched the first satellite called Sputnik I.
TODAY’s QUESTION: French visit - what is it? And what is it called in other languages?
This is an old expression in many countries such as France, England, Germany and the Netherlands. It meant that somebody came for a short visit, said something nonimportant and left without saying goodbye. And it was at the time not considered to be bad manners. In France and Germany the expression English Visit was now and then used with the same meaning. Today a French visit means that you make a very brief visit – and leave very quickly again.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Seven sleepers' day - what is that? And what is the legend behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:
The voice of a clear conscience would be a better advisor, if we did not always had to prompt what to say. This was said by the French dramatist Jean Anouilh. 2. Today’s quote: A comedian is somebody, who makes funny things. A great comedian is somebody, who makes things funny. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1814: Jean-Francois Millet ( died 1875 ) 1895: Buster Keaton ( died 1966 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1669: Rembrandt ( Harmensz van Rijn ) ( 63 years ) 1947: Max Planck ( 89 years ) 1970: Janis Joplin ( 27 years ) OCTOBER 5 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called PLACIDUS DAY. He was the son of a rich Roman, and he assisted Benedict in the building of his monastery for monks. Later he became one of the disciples of Benedict, and he was killed because of his faith around year 500.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1864: Calcutta is almost completely destroyed by a cyclone. About 60.000 people are killed.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Seven sleepers' day - what is that? And what is the legend behind it?
June 27 is called SEVEN SLEEPERS’ DAY. It comes from the legend about seven Christian brothers, who were hiding in a mountain cave to get away from the soldiers of the Roman emperor Decius. When they were discovered the soldier blocked the entrance to the cave to make sure that the brothers would starve to death. When some shepherds two hundred years later ( 447 AC) found the seven brothers they woke up again due to
the fresh air. After that they could happily die (again), when they found out that Christianity in the meantime had won. Old Danish weather warnings for this day say, that rain on seven sleepers’ day will bring a wet harvest – and sunshine on this day is a warning of sunshine during the coming weeks.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Indian summer - what is that? And what is the story behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A comedian is somebody, who makes funny things. A great comedian is somebody, who makes things funny. This was once said by the American comedian Buster Keaton. 2. Today’s quote: Ignorance is closer to truth than prejudices. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1713: 1864: 1936: 1944: 1951:
Denis Diderot ( died 1784 ) Louis Lumière ( died 1948 ) Vaclav Havel ( died 2011 ) Nils Malmros Bob Geldorf
4. Famous people died on this day: 1791: 1880: 1943: 1972:
Grigorij Potemkin ( 52 years ) Jacques Offenbach ( 61 years ) Ole Olsen ( 70 years ) Børge Mogensen ( 58 years ) OCTOBER 6
TODAY’s NAME: This day is called BRODERUS’ DAY. Nobody knows today the origin of this name.
The day is also one of the 32 so-called Tycho Brahe days. These are days which the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 17th century - based on his observations - named as particularly unfortunate days. What old nonsense
TODAY’s EVENT: 1981: Egypt’s president Anwar Sadat is killed in a coup in Cairo.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Indian summer - what is that? And what is the story behind it? The weather in September-October in parts of the northern hemisphere is called Indian Summer. The legend tells that an American Indian was late in harvesting, because he was ill. His family had no food, so he prayed to God, if he couldn't organise an extra summer. God arranged that. And the Indian could harvest. This time of the year is in particular wonderful because of the very nice colours of the leaves on the trees and on the vines. And Indian Summer in New England in the US is so beautiful, that people come from all corners of the world to see it.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Belgian Flag - how does it look like? And what is the history behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Ignorance is closer to truth than prejudices. This was said by the French author Denis Diderot. 2. Today’s quote: A house is a machine to live in. And an arm chair is a machine to sit in. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1742: 1808: 1820: 1866: 1887:
Johan Herman Wessel ( died 1785 ) Frederik 7. ( died 1863 ) Jenny Lind ( died 1887 ) Nina Bang ( died 1942 ) Le Corbusier ( Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris ) ( died 1965 )
1914 : Thor Heyerdahl ( died 2002 ) 1930 : Hafez Al-Assad ( died 2000 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1981: 1985: 1989: 2011:
Anwar Sadat ( 63 years ) Nelson Riddle ( 66 years ) Bette Davis ( 81 years ) Steve Jobs ( 56 years ) OCTOBER 7
TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is AMALIE’s DAY. This is not a saint. And it is not known from whom the day has its name.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1950: China invades Tibet.
TODAY’s QUESTION: The Belgian Flag - how does it look like? And what is the history behind it?
It is black, yellow and red. The black colour has to be closest to the flagpole (meaning to the left). The flag is almost 200 years old. It was agreed by the Belgians as the national flag in 1831, when Belgium became an independent country. Before that it was part of the Netherlands - and before that again a part of France. Why does it have these three colours? Because it was the colours of an old important region of what is now called Belgium. This region was - and still is - called Brabant. That is where we live. And the colours of that region was for many, many years black, yellow and red. And why are the colours presented in vertical form - and not in horizontal form like most other flags? Because the Belgians wanted to make it look a bit like the French flag, the Tricolore: three colours beside each other.
The Belgian flag is used all over Belgium. On government and other public buildings. And by the Belgian king. And also by private people. But unlike in Denmark and in many other countries the Belgians normally do not have a flagpole at home. When they use the flag to celebrate something, they hang it out from a window in their house. The Belgian flag has no special name. But the Belgian national song since 1830 is called "La Brabanconne" - also called after our region Brabant. You can listen to it here: http://www.nationalanthems.me/belgium-la-brabanconne/
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Waterloo 1815 - what is the story about that battle?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A house is a machine to live in. And an arm chair is a machine to sit in. This was said by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. 2. Today’s quote: Experience has shown, and a true philosophy will always show it, that a very large part, perhaps the biggest part of truth comes from something which apparently is irrelevant. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1810: 1885: 1900: 1931: 1943: 1952:
Peter Faber ( died 1877 ) Niels Bohr ( died 1962 ) Heinrich Himmler ( died 1945 ) Desmund Tutu Oliver North Vladimir Putin
4. Famous people died on this day: 1849: Edgar Allan Poe ( 40 years ) 1972: Erik Eriksen ( 70 years ) 2006: Anna Politkovskaya ( 48 years )
OCTOBER 8 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called INGEBORG’s DAY. Nobody knows why. She is not a saint.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1982: Helmut Kohl becomes federal chancellor of West Germany.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Waterloo 1815 - what is the story about that battle? It was near the small town of Waterloo 20 km south of Brussels that Napoleon in 1815 saw his final defeat. His 200.000 man Grande Armée et the allied armies under the Duke of Wellington and was just about to win the battle, when the Prussian general Blücher in the very last moment came to Wellington’s assistance. And they won. The battle lasted for 3 days, and about 72.000 soldiers died or were wounded. Napoleon asked for political asylum in England, but was instead taken prisoner and sent to the small British island Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. Here he died six years later. He wrote his memoires while he was there. In June 2015 – 200 years later – the battle was re-enacted with 6.000 “soldiers” and 120.000 spectators over two days.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Marianne - who is she? And a symbol for whom?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Experience has shown, and a true philosophy will always show it, that a very large part, perhaps the biggest part of truth comes from something which apparently is irrelevant. This was said by the American poet Edgar Allan Poe. 2. Today’s quote: Now grows together what belongs together!! Who among today's persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1895: Juan Peron ( died 1974 ) 1941: Jesse Jackson 4. Famous people died on this day: 1842: 1953: 1967: 1992:
C.E.F. Weyse ( 68 years ) Kathleen Ferrier ( 41 years ) Clement Attlee ( 84 years ) Willy Brandt ( 79 years ) OCTOBER 9
TODAY’s NAME: Today is called DIONYSIOS’ DAY. He was a Greek bishop who was promoting Christianity in France in the 3rd century AC. He was killed in the year 258. The legend says that he after the beheading himself carried his head from Montmartre to St. Denis. Today is also the United Nations’ international postal day.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1000: The Viking Leif den Lykkelige ( Leif Ericson ) lands in Wineland ( now New Foundland in Canada )
TODAY’s QUESTION: Marianne - who is she? And a symbol for whom? The name is originally Aramaic. This is the language spoken in the Middle East at the time of Jesus. It means the loved one, the beautiful. In Hebrew it was considered to come from the names Maria and Anna. And the Christian interpretation of the name was that it refers to the names of Virgin Mary and her mother Anna. This name is today used about France. It was started by the revolutionaries during the French revolution. It is mentioned for the first time in 1792. It symbolizes the republic – in contrast to the then very male dominated French monarchy. And it stands for liberty and reason. The name is made from the two most common female names in France at that time: Marie (Mary) and Anne. The name Marianne is today still used by all French authorities. It has its own special logo:
It is also the Marianne figure and its meaning, which inspired France’s gift to the United States in 1886: The Statue of Liberty in New York harbor.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Black sheep - what is that? And where does this expression come from?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Now grows together what belongs together. This was said by the former West German chancellor Willy Brandt during the festivities at the occasion of the German reunification in October 1990. 2. Today’s quote: It is better to activate two muscles to laugh instead of thirteen muscles to knit one's brows. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1899: Thorkil Kristensen ( died 1989 ) 1908: Jacques Tati ( died 1982 ) 1940: John Lennon ( died 1980 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1967: 1974: 1978: 1995:
Ernesto ”Che” Guevara ( 39 years ) Oskar Schindler ( 66 years ) Jacques Brel ( 49 years ) Alec Douglas-Home ( 92 years )
OCTOBER 10 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is GEREON’s DAY. According to the legend he was a Christian officer, who was in charge of 10.000 knights.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1971: The London Bridge is re-opened in Lake Havarsu City in Arizona.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Black sheep - what is that? And where does this expression come from? 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: Blood is thicker than water - where does that come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is better to activate two muscles to laugh instead of thirteen muscles to knit one's brows. This was said by the French filmmaker and actor Jacques Tati. 2. Today’s quote: Idiots are one of nature's clever things, as it allows stupid people to consider themselves to be clever. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day:
1813: 1861: 1901: 1906: 1913:
Giuseppe Verdi ( died 1901 ) Fridtjof Nansen ( died 1930 ) Alberto Giacometti ( died 1966 ) Leo Mathisen ( died 1969 ) Claude Simon ( died 2005
4. Famous people died on this day: 1659: 1982: 1985: 1985: 2000: 2004: 2010:
Abel Tasman ( 56 years ) Leonid Brezhnev ( 76 years ) Orson Welles ( 70 years ) Yul Brynner ( 65 years ) Sirimavo Bandaranaike ( 84 years ) Christopher Reeve ( 52 years ) Joan Sutherland ( 84 years ) OCTOBER 11
TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is PROBUS’ DAY. The background is not known. There is no known saint with that name.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1689: Peter the Great becomes zar of Russia.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Blood is thicker than water - where does that come from? And what does it mean? This is a very old expression in many languages. Originally it comes from the Old Testament in the Bible. It was linked to the tradition that animals were slaughtered when treaties were signed. 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: Panic fear - where does that expression come from? And what is it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Idiots are one of nature's clever things, as it allows stupid people to consider themselves to be clever. This was said by the American actor Orson Wells. 2. Today’s quote: Taste the cup of joy, but never empty it. With courage you empty the cup of sadness! Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1677: 1782: 1884: 1937:
Frederik IV ( died 1730 ) Steen Steensen Blicher ( died 1848 ) Eleanor Roosevelt ( died 1962 ) Bobby Charlton
4. Famous people died on this day: 1531: 1896: 1963: 1987: 2008:
Ulrich Zwingli ( 47 years ) Anton Bruckner ( 72 years ) Edith Piaf ( 48 years ) Uwe Barschel ( 43 years ) Jörg Haider ( 58 years ) OCTOBER 12
TODAY’s NAME: This day is called MAXIMILIAN’s DAY. This comes from bishop Maximilian, who was killed in 285 AC and later made a saint. He is today the patron of Austria. It is Spain’s national day today.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1492: Christopher Columbus lands on the Bahama Islands. He believes it is India and calls it West Indies.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Panic fear - where does that expression come from? And what is it? 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 grazing-grounds 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: Salomonic solution - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Taste the cup of joy, but never empty it. With courage you empty the cup of sadness! This was written by the Danish poet Steen Steensen Blicher in the 19th century. 2. Today’s quote: Irony is the last stage of disappointment. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1866: Ramsay MacDonald ( died 1937 ) 1920: Christopher Soames ( died 1997 ) 1935: Luciano Pavarotti ( died 2007 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1730: 1870: 1915: 1924:
Frederick IV ( 59 years ) Robert E. Lee ( 63 years ) Edith Cavell ( 50 years ) Anatole France ( 80 years )
1997: John Denver ( 50 years ) OCTOBER 13 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called ANGELUS’ DAY – after the monk Angelus ( Latin for angel ), who was killed in Africa around 1050 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1923: Ankara becomes the capital of Turkey – replacing Istanbul.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Solomonic solution - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? A salomonic solution is a solution, which is clever and just. It tries to look after the interests of both parties in a conflict or discussion. The expression comes from the biblical king Solomon, who was born around 1000 BC, and who was one of the sons of king David. He was king in Israel in the years 970-928 BC. And according to the legends he built the first temple in Jerusalem. King Solomon has always been described as very wise and clever. That is why his name is used in the expression a solomonic solution. A solution which unfortunately often is rarely seen.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Honeymoon - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Irony is the last stage of disappointment. This was said by the French author Anatole France. 2. Today’s quote: If you want something said in politics you contact a man. If you want something done you contact a woman. Who among today's persons has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1703: 1798: 1919: 1921: 1925: 1934: 1941:
Otto Thott ( died 1785 ) Herman Wilhelm Bissen ( died 1869 ) Poul Møller ( died 1997 ) Yves Montand ( died 1991 ) Margaret Thatcher (died 2013) Nana Mouskouri Paul Simon
4. Famous people died on this day: 54: Claudius ( 64 years ) 1928: Empress Dagmar ( 81 years ) 1985: Tage Danielsson ( 57 years ) OCTOBER 14 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called CALIXTUS’ DAY. It has its name from pope Calixtus, who in the early 3rd century introduced four special days, when the church each year should deal with problems related to peoples’ marriages. He was taken to prison, because he promoted Christianity. And when he continued to do so in the jail the prison guards put a big stone around his neck and threw him into a well. He died in the year 222 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1964: Martin Luther King receives Nobel’s Peace Prize.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Honeymoon - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? 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: Holy flame - what is the history? And what is it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: If you want something said in politics you contact a man. If you want something done you contact a woman. This was said by the British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Who else! 2. Today’s quote: Ideologists are people who believe that mankind is better than man. Who said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1890: 1927: 1939: 1940:
Dwight D. Eisenhower ( died 1969 ) Roger Moore Ralph Lauren Cliff Richard
4. Famous people died on this day: 1941: 1944: 1959: 1960: 1977: 1990: 1996: 1999:
Hjalmar Söderberg ( 73 years ) Erwin Rommel ( 53 years ) Errol Flynn ( 50 years ) Sigurd Hoel: ( 70 years ) Bing Crosby: ( 74 years ) Leonard Bernstein ( 72 years ) Hermod Lannung ( 101 years ) Julius Nyerere ( 77 years )
OCTOBER 15 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called HEDEVIG’s DAY. She was a Polish duchess, who after having given birth to 3 boys and 3 girls decided to live alone for the rest of her life. She built a monastery in Trebnitz ( now in German Sachsen-Anhalt ). She died in 1243.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1946: Ten top nazi leaders are executed in Nürnberg.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Holy flame - what is the history? And what is it? This is the name of the permanent fire in the temples in the ancient times. It is known from many religions. To the ancient Greeks fire was sacred. They believed it had been stolen from the gods by Prometheus. In the Christian religion it is mentioned in the Law of Moses, where God asks Moses to ensure that the flame on the alter will burn permanently. From there comes the tradition with a burning lamp in Jewish synagogues. It is also known in the Catholic church. When you see a permanent flame on monuments for killed soldiers in wars, f.ex. on the tomb of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is comes from the same tradition. The Olympic flame has the same origin. Some time in advance of Olympic Games a special ceremony is organized in front of the Hera temple at Olympus in Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games took place. The flame is ignited by the beams of the sun, and a torch with the flame is transported over long distances, often by a runner, to the place, where the games take place. At the end of the games the flame is extinguished again.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Casanova - who was that? And what is the history behind?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Ideologists are people who believe that mankind is better than man. This was said by the American general and president Dwight D. Eisenhower also called Ike.
2. Today’s quote: The Danes are people full of irony. Non-Danes often complain that they never know what we think. This is the back of irony. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 70. BC: Virgil ( died 19 BC ) 1844: Friedrich Nietzsche ( died 1900 ) 1908: John Kenneth Galbraith ( died 2006 ) 1924: Lee Iacocca 4. Famous people died on this day: 1917: 1934: 1946: 1964: 1993: 2004:
Mata Hari ( 41 years ) Raymond Poincaré ( 74 years ) Hermann Göring ( 53 years ) Cole Porter ( 73 years ) Dan Turell ( 47 years ) Per Højholt ( 76 years ) OCTOBER 16
TODAY’s NAME: This day is called GALLUS’ DAY. It has its name from the Irish monk, who lived in the 7th century. He started as monk in Switzerland in 613, and he refused to take a number of important positions in the church. He died in his cell in 640 and was also buried there. About a hundred years later the monastery St. Gallen was built above his grave. The legend tells that many wonders happen at his grave. St. Gallen is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1978: The Polish cardinal Karol Wojtyla is nominated as pope John Paul II.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Casanova - who was that? And what is the history behind? Giacomo Casanova (1725-98) was an Italian from Venice. He described in details life in Europe in the 18th century. And he is in particular known for being a very active “womanizer”. That is why his name today is used to describe exactly that – men who are very successful with women. I believe you are a real Casanova!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: To play fandango - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The Danes are people full of irony. Non-Danes often complain that they never know what we think. This is the back of irony. This was said by the Danish poet Per Højholt - also my former entertaining colleague as teacher in a peoples' high school. 2. Today’s quote: Agitators are trouble-makers, who make a satisfied population dissatisfied. Therefore, agitators are necessary. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1854: 1886: 1888: 1890: 1908: 1927:
Oscar Wilde ( died 1900 ) David Ben-Gurion ( died 1973 ) Eugene O’Neill ( died 1953 ) Michael Collins ( died 1922 ) Enver Hoxha ( died 1985 ) Günter Grass ( died 2015 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1750: Ernst Henrich Berling ( 42 years ) 1793: Marie Antoinette ( 38 years )
OCTOBER 17 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called FLORENTINUS DAY. The name comes from bishop Florentinus in Orange in Vaucluse in the south of France. He died in 525.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1979: Mother Teresa receives Nobel’s Peace Prize.
TODAY’s QUESTION: To play fandango - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? Fandango is a Spanish dance for couples with guitar, castanettes or hand-clapping. It is known from early in the 18th century and is a sort of Flamenco. It can be danced or be a song. And it can become quite wild and seducing. When you use the expression that somebody is playing fandango it can also mean that he or she behaves in a wild way or is making fun. And if you hear the expression: do not play fandango with me it normally means: don't be too smart!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Volkswagen - what is the history behind that company?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Agitators are trouble-makers, who make a satisfied population dissatisfied. Therefore, agitators are necessary. This was said by the Irish author Oscar Wilde. He was also behind the expression: I can resist anything but temptations! 2. Today’s quote: The older you get, the more fun life becomes. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1900: Jean Arthur ( died 1991 ) 1915: Arthur Miller ( died 2005 ) 1918: Rita Hayworth ( died 1987 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1757: Rene-Antoine de Réaumur ( 74 years ) 1849: Frédéric Chopin ( 39 years )
OCTOBER 18 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called LUKE's DAY after the evangelist, who followed the apostle Paul from around 50 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1867: The US buy Alaska from Russia for the amount of 7,2 mill. Dollars.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Volkswagen - what is the history behind that company? This German car factory - which today is the second biggest in the world after Japanese Toyota - was started in 1937 at the direct order of Hitler. He wanted a car, which would be cheap enough for people in general to buy. Until then only 1 out of 50 Germans owned a car. The first production took place in Stuttgart. But from 1938 the VW factory was build in the new town called KdF Stadt (nowadays Wolfsburg). KdF was a very much used nazi expression: Kraft durch Freude (Strength through Joy). The first cabriolet VW was given to Hitler at his 50th birthday in 1939. But during the war the VW car war exclusively used for the war machine. And 80 % of the work force was slave workers from nearby concentration camps. After the war the VW factory was in the British occupation zone. The Brits did not not know what to do with it. They even offered it to FORD in the US. But after having looked at them the refused to take over. They are not worth a dime! as they said. But from 1948 VW became a very important part of the new German recovery (Wirtschaftswunder). And it has been so ever since. In 2013 they solk 9,7 million cars.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Cravat - where does that expression come from? And what is it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The older you get, the more fun life becomes. This was said by the American playwright Arthur Miller, one of Marilyn Monroe's husbands.
2. Today’s quote: Perplexity and dissatisfaction are preconditions for progress. It could have been said by Oscar Wilde. But it isn't. Who is behind it? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1547: 1777: 1920: 1926: 1926: 1927: 1939:
Justus Liptius ( died 1606 ) Heinrich von Kleist ( died 1811 ) Melina Mercouri ( died 1994 ) Chuck Berry Klaus Kinski ( died 1991 ) George C. Scott ( died 1999 ) Lee Harvey Osvald ( died 1963 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1889: 1931: 1966: 1982:
Antonio Meucci ( 81 years ) Thomas Edison ( 84 years ) Elizabeth Arden ( 88 years ) Pierre Mendes-France ( 75 years ) OCTOBER 19
TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is BALTHASAR’s DAY. It has its name from one of the Three Wise Men. He was dark and had a dark beard. The legend tells that he came from Ethiopia. It was him who brought myrrhe to baby Jesus. Myrrhe is the suc of the Commiphora tree. It grows in Africa and Arabia. It has an aromatic smell and a bitter taste.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1453: The hundred years’ war ends with the conquest by the French troops of Bordeaux from the British.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Cravat - where does that expression come from? And what is it? This was a special article of clothing for the neck in the 17th century in Croatia (before the necktie). It was in particular used in the military. The Croatian soldiers used it – also when they served in foreign armies like the French under Louis XIII (1601-43) and Napoleon.
In this was this special clothing from Croatia got the name Cravatte in French. Today this is simply the normal word for tie. The same word with the same background is used in German (Krawatte). The English word Cravat has, of course, the same origin. But it continues to refer to the special clothing used in the old days: A wide fabric band worn as a necktie by men, having long ends hanging in front.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Sisyphonean labour - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Perplexity and dissatisfaction are preconditions for progress. This was said by the American inventor and business man Thomas Edison. 2. Today’s quote: Editorials is not something you read. It is something you quote. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1792: 1862: 1915: 1927: 1931:
Peter Heering ( died 1875 ) Auguste Marie Lumière ( died 1954 ) Hjalmar Havelund ( died 1997 ) Pierre Alechinsky John le Carré ( David Cornwell )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1216: John Lackland ( 50 years ) 1745: Jonathan Swift ( 78 years ) 1937: Ernest Rutherford ( 66 years ) OCTOBER 20 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is FELICIANUS’ DAY. It has its name from bishop Felicianus. He was taken to prison by the Roman emperor Decius during the persecutions of the Christians around 250 AC. On his way to Rome he was tortured to death.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1973: The Opera House in Sydney is inaugurated.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Sisyphonean labour - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? The Greek poet Homer (about 8 centuries BC) tells in the Odyssee about the Greek king Sisyphos. At a certain moment he has to suffer for his many sins, including his frequent excitements. He is, therefore, asked to roll a big stone to the top of a big mountain. Just before the top the stone rolls back each time. So he has to start all over again. That is why the expression Sisyphonean Labour today means very hard and very useless work, which does not give any results.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Muse - what is it? And what is the history (legend) behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Editorials is not something you read. It is something you quote. This was once said by my old friend, editor Hjalmar Havelund. 2. Today’s quote: Sex appeal is a reputation you do not hear, but see! Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1632: 1859: 1891: 1917: 1946:
Christopher Wren ( died 1723 ) John Dewey ( died 1952 ) Jomo Kenyatta ( died 1978 ) Jean-Pierre Melville ( died 1973 ) Elfriede Jelinek
4. Famous people died on this day: 1920: Max Bruch ( 82 years )
1964: Herbert Hoover ( 90 years ) 1994: Burt Lancaster ( 81 years ) OCTOBER 21 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is URSULA’s DAY. Or THE 11.000 VIRGINS’ DAY. These names come according to the legend from an event in the year 451 AC. Ursula was a Christian English princess – daughter of the king. Together with 10.999 other virgins she left England to go to Rome on a journey of penance. But during the trip they were near Cologne in Germany attacked by the Huns. They were all killed – except one virgin, who managed to hide from the attackers. A church was built in Cologne in remembrance of this event.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1805: Admiral Lord Nelson was killed in the battle of Trafalgar.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Muse - what is it? And what is the history (legend) behind it?
This is a word from Greek mythology. They were the inspiration for the Gods for innovations and discoveries in literature, science and arts. They were the source of knowledge. There were 9 muses. They were all daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Each of them looked after a special field: Clio: Thalia: Erato: Euterpe: Polyhymnia: Calliope: Terpsichore: Urania:
history comedy poetry of love song hymns epic poetry dance astronomy
Nowadays, you still see the connection between some of these names and a number of words linked to the 9 special fields. And today you also use the expression: a man’s muses. This means that there are women behind him to inspire and encourage him.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: SOS - what is it? And what is the history behind?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Sex appeal is a reputation you do not hear, but see! This was said by the American actor Burt Lancaster. 2. Today’s quote: I should like to invent a material or a machine with an ability to mass destruction, so that war would be impossible for ever. Who among today's persons had this dream? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1833: 1905: 1912: 1949:
Alfred Nobel ( died 1896 ) Mads Clausen ( died 1966 ) Georg Solti ( died 1997 ) Benjamin Netanyahu
4. Famous people died on this day: 1266: Birger Jarl ( 56 years ) 1805: Lord Horatio Nelson ( 47 years ) 1984: Francois Truffaut ( 52 years ) OCTOBER 22 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CORDULAS’ DAY. She was the only one of the 11.000 virgins, who survived the attacks by the Huns in the year 451 AC near Cologne in Germany ( see October 21 ). But when she the following day came out from her hide she was killed too. Her remains were placed in the Johannis Kirche in Cologne in 1278.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1962: President John F. Kennedy says in a TV transmitted speech that the USA has started a blockade of Cuba, because Soviet missile bases have been detected on the island. This is the start of the Cuba crisis.
TODAY’s QUESTION: SOS - what is it? And what is the history behind? This is from 1908 the international signal which is used - in particular by ships - in an emergency situation. In the morse language it is very simple: . . . - - - . . .
It can, of course, also be used as a light signal. See this small YouTube video on how it sounds and how it looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKZ6rlqu-pg A popular interpretation of it is either SAVE OUR SHIP or SAVE OUR SOALS. Both make a lot of sense. The SOS signal was in use until 1999, when is was replaced by: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Contrafactual history - what is that?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I should like to invent a material or a machine with an ability to mass destruction, so that war would be impossible for ever. This was said by the Swedish industrialist and inventor, Alfred Nobel. The inventor of dynamite. As he was often doing his dynamite tests in his garden his neighbours asked him to move! 2. Today’s quote: A wise woman always asks a man to do a little bit more, but never so much more that he gets disheartened. Who has said that?
3. Famous people born on this day: 1811: 1844: 1917: 1919: 1943:
Franz Liszt ( died 1886 ) Sarah Bernhardt ( died 1923 ) Joan Fontaine (died 2013) Doris Lessing (died 2013) Catherine Deneuve
4. Famous people died on this day: 1906: Paul Cezanne ( 67 years ) 1995: Kingsley Amis ( 73 years ) 1998: Eric Ambler ( 91 years )
OCTOBER 23 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called SEVERIN’s DAY. He was a bishop in Cologne in Germany around 380 AC. He was according to the legend able to do miracles. He died around 400 AC In Denmark Severin is the patron for holy and miraculous springs. And during a drought it was a very good idea to send your prayers to him to ask for rain. According to old Danish traditions Severin’s Day is a good day to start slaughtering the pigs.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1956: The Hungarian uprising against the Soviet Union starts.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Contrafactual history - what is that? You can also call it if now history. A sort of speculative writing about the past. Trying to describe, what would have happened, if Sweden in 1659 had managed to conquer Copenhagen and thereby have occupied the whole of Denmark? Or if the Serbian student Gavrilo Princip in 1914 had not shot the Austrian-Hungarian crown prince? Or if Hitler had been killed as a German soldier in West Flanders during WW I? Or if the Romans had not been defeated in the Varus battle near Osnabrück in German in year 9 AC? There are no real sources to be used for this writing. On the other hand there are serious historians, who consider it to be of importance. And many authors have also been
writing contrafactual history. Sometimes close to science fiction. There are also several films in this area. My own conclusion is that it is very good and often entertaining gymnastics for the brain, when you in this way without being too much disturbed by facts make history a result of your own imagination. And it is a good way to combine that with one's factual knowledge about how historical events and developments actually happen.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Black Jack - who was that? And which events are linked to him?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A wise woman always asks a man to do a little bit more, but never so much more that he gets disheartened. This was said by the French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923). 2. Today’s quote: There are no small roles in theatre - only small actors. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1902: 1918: 1925: 1940: 1945:
Ib Schønberg ( died 1955 ) Ulrik Neumann ( died 1994 ) Johnny Carson ( died 2005 ) Pelé Kim Larsen
4. Famous people died on this day: 1950: Al Jolson ( 64 years ) OCTOBER 24 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called PROCLUS DAY after a bishop in the 5th century in Cyzicus ( in today’s Anatolia in Turkey ). He was dismissed because of his special views on Jesus, and he died in 446 AC.
This day is also United Nations Day, because it was on October 24, 1945 that the UN treaty came into force. All five permanent members of the Security Council and more than half of UN’s member states had ratified the treaty by that day.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1945: The United Nations come into force.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Black Jack - who was that? And which events are linked to him? This was the nickname of the American supreme commander during World War I, general John Pershing (1860-1948). He got that name, because he at several occasions during his career was in charge of unit with only black Americans. The US military was organised that way at the time. John Pershing was on his father's side of German origin. And throughout his military career he took part in battles with the American Indians, with the Spaniards in the war about the Philippines and Cuba in 1898 and with Mexico. Militarily he was strongly in favour of frontal attacks by the infantery. It was very costly in human lives, and he was also critisized for it from several sides, after most other countries had left this tactics in the time of the machine gun. Still he was the mentor for all the important American generals in World War II such as Eisenhower, Marshall (who worked closely with Pershing), Bradley and Patton. An interesting initiative from Pershing was that he before the war ended suggested that the offensive should continue until Germany accepted an unconditional surrender. This was never accepted by president Wilson. But if you think about it it would certainly have changed many things in the following years. And it would have cost the lives of many more soldiers. Perhaps also my two uncles, who both were American soldiers in France at that time. And later president Franklin Roosevelt said publicly, that this proposal would have been a better solution at the time. In the same way general Patton suggested towards the end of World War II that the Americans and their western allies should continue against Moscow, "as we already have the US forces over here!". This suggestion got no political support either!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: La Belle Époque - what is that? And what happened during that period?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: There are no small roles in theatre - only small actors. This was said by the - big - Danish actor Ib Schønberg. 2. Today’s quote: Women are beyond any doubt the best we have of that kind! Who of today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1915: Bob Kane ( died 1998 ) 1930: Johan Galtung 1985: Wayne Rooney 4. Famous people died on this day: 1375: 1601: 1914: 1948: 1957: 1974:
Valdemar 4. Atterdag ( 55 years ) Tycho Brahe ( 55 years ) Gustav Wied ( 56 år ) Franz Lehár ( 78 years ) Christian Dior ( 52 years ) David Oistrach ( 66 years ) OCTOBER 25
TODAY’s NAME: Today is called CRISPINUS’ DAY. He was a Christian shoemaker, who was killed together with his brother because of their faith. The executioners cut out their skin in strips. He has later become the patron of shoemakers and tanners.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1962: The American author John Steinbeck receives the Nobel Prize in literature.
TODAY’s QUESTION: La Belle Époque - what is that? And what happened during that period?
This is the name for the period between the end of the German-French war in 1871 and the start of World War I in 1914 - altogether 43 years, when a lot happened in Europe. It was a period of optimism, regional peace, increasing prosperity, technological, scientific and cultural innovations, and a florishing art life, not least in Paris. Among the new inventions were the car, the airplane, the film, the bactereological breakthroughs like those of Pasteur. In architecture the art nouveau style became dominant. And in art Van Gogh and many others were an important part of this period. And there were in reality free movement of people over the European borders. On that background it is not surprising that the outbreak of the world war in August 1914 came as a shock. As historians described it: The lights went out in Europe!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Bird Phoenix - what is this? And what is the legend behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Women are beyond any doubt the best we have of that kind! This was said by the Danish author and satirist Gustav Wied. He was also behind another well-known phrase: You have to feed your gold fish, make your whisky stronger and let God take care of the rest! 2. Today’s quote: The secret of art is not what you look for, but what you find. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1825: Johann Strauss the Younger ( died 1895 ) 1838: Georges Bizet ( died 1875 ) 1881: Pablo Picasso ( died 1973 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1400: Geoffrey Chaucer (57 years ) 1992: Roger Miller ( 56 years )
OCTOBER 26 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called AMANDUS DAY. He was a very popular bishop in Maastricht in Holland. But we was also a very aggressive person. He died in 679 AD.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1863: The Red Cross is started by Henri Dunant. It came into function for the first time in the Danish-Preussian war in 1864.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Bird Phoenix - what is this? And what is the legend behind it?
This is a legendary animal, which is described by the ancient Greek poets. The feathers of the bird were put to flames by the sun, and it burns in its nest. But from the ashes a new Bird Phoenix arises. That’s where the expression to arise like the bird Phoenix comes from. Another version of this legend goes as follows: The bird Phoenix is the only one of its kind in the world. It has lived for 500 years in the Arab desert. Then it collects sweetscented wood for a fire. This is ignited by the sun. And from the ashes the bird Phoenix arises again – this time in a younger and a more beautiful form. Today the expression to arise like the bird Phoenix means that something very unexpected is happening – almost out of nothing. It is positive, but close to being unreal. Almost magic.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Halloween - what is it? And what is the history behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The secret of art is not what you look for, but what you find. This was once said by the Spanish painter etc., Pablo Picasso. 2. Today’s quote: Beware of holy people. If not the devil will be loose.
Who said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1759: 1873: 1879: 1911: 1916: 1947:
Georges Danton ( died 1794 ) Thorvald Stauning ( died 1942 ) Lev Trotskij ( died 1940 ) Mahalia Jackson ( died 1972 ) Francois Mitterrand ( died 1996 ) Hilary Clinton
4. Famous people died on this day: 1972: Igor Sikorski ( 73 years ) 1979: Park Chung Hee ( 62 years ) OCTOBER 27 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is SEM’s DAY. He was according to the Old Testament the oldest of Noa’s three sons. He was a patriarch and the ancestor of the Hebrews. It is from Sem that the name semites originates. This is the people, which Jews as well as Arabs belong to.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1981: The Soviet submarine U-137 strands on the rocks near the Swedish naval base in Karlskrona. It is 10 km inside Swedish territorial waters. The NATO name for this sort of Soviet subs is the whisky class. People were therefore talking about “Whisky on the rocks”.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Halloween - what is it? And what is the history behind it? Most people know that it takes place on October 31 in the evening. But what is the history? The name is an abbreviation of All Hallows' Evening, which is that night. The tradition came with Irish and Scottish emigrants to America and goes back to the Celtic Samhain festival. It is pronounced: sah-win. It was the celebration of the end of harvesting. And at the same time many people believed that the night between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 was an overlap between the world of the living and the world of the dead. And that the dead on that night often came back spreading illness and misfortune.
The celebration took and still takes many forms. With playing tricks on other people, bonfires, costume parties and by lightening the so-called jack-o-lanterns. This is a very old tradition from East England, where people cut pumpkins or turnips into funny, often frightening, figures with a candle light inside. Perhaps it was also meant to try to scare the dead back to their own world again. Halloween was until a few decades ago almost exclusively an Anglo-Saxon phenomenon. But now it has spread to most parts of the world, not least in Europe. Perhaps also encouraged by people, who expected it to bring good business ! And then finally: remember to have some sweets ready, when children in often scaring dress on Halloween knock on your door. If you cannot give them anything you risk they will never leave. Or perhaps they will say like the Salvation Army: Give me your money or we will start singing!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Bed of roses - what is that? And where does the expression come from?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Beware of holy people. If not the devil will be loose. This was said by the first Danish social-democratic prime minister Thorvald Stauning. 2. Today’s quote: The most successful politician is the one who says what everybody thinks and says it loudest! Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1466: 1728: 1782: 1858: 1939: 1946:
Erasmus of Rotterdam ( died 1536 ) James Cook ( died 1779 ) Niccolò Paganini ( died 1840 ) Theodore Roosevelt ( died 1919 ) John Cleese Peter Martins
4. Famous people died on this day: 1975: Rex Stout ( 89 years )
OCTOBER 28 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is SIMON’s AND JUDA’s DAY. It has its name from the two apostles, who tried to bring Christianity to Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia. According to the legend they were both killed by hits from clubs in Persia in the year 71 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1886: The Statue of Liberty in New York’s harbour is inaugurated. It is a present from France at the occasion of 100 years of US independence. It was built in a backyard in Paris and sailed to New York in 200 boxes.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Bed of roses - what is that? And where does the expression come from?
This expression comes from the time of the decay of the Roman empire around the 3rd and 4th century AC. People did a lot of decadent things in that period. One of them was to have roses in masses all over the place – to live with lots of roses everywhere and at all times. The beds were often filled with leaves of roses. The floors were covered with roses. This habit was sometime continued in the Medieval Ages at special occasions. So the expression a bed of roses still today means that you have a good life. A life without problems.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Hubertus' Day - what is it? And what is the history behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The most successful politician is the one who says what everybody thinks and says it loudest! This was said by the American president Theodore Roosevelt. 2. Today’s quote: Money is like fertilizers. They are only useful, if you spread them out.
Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1690: 1818: 1846: 1909: 1955: 1967:
Peter Wessel Tordenskjold ( died 1730 ) Ivan Turgenev ( died 1883 ) Auguste Escoffier ( died 1935 ) Francis Bacon ( died 1992 ) Bill Gates Julia Roberts
4. Famous people died on this day: 1704: John Locke ( 72 years ) OCTOBER 29 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is NARCISSUS’ DAY. He became a bishop in Jerusalem, when he was already quite old. And according to the legend many miracles happened around him. He was probably of Greek origin. He died around the year 220 AC, when he was 116 years old. Narcissus is also part of Greek mythology. But this has nothing to do with the bishop.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1923: Turkey becomes a republic after 400 years with the Osmannic government.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Hubertus' Day - what is it? And what is the history behind it? It is on November 3 every year - as a celebration of the transfer of the remains of Saint Hubertus from Liège to Saint Hubert in the Ardennes in Belgium in the year 825. But who is this Hubertus? He was born in a noble family in Toulouse in France in 658. Later on he was married to a noble lady from Brabant. But when she died giving birth to their child he withdrew to the forests in the Ardennes. He lived from hunting. The legend tells that one day when he was about to kill a deer he suddenly saw a crusifix between its antles. And at the same time he heard a voice asking him to go to the bishop in Maastricht to get further orders. He did so and was called upon to serve God for the rest of his life. He did so, and at the age of 40 he became bishop of Liège. He died in Tervuren outside Brussels in 727 and was buried in Liège.
He was also called the Apostle of the Ardennes. That is probably why his remains as already mentioned were moved from Liège to Saint Hubert in the Ardennes on November 3, 825. Hubertus made many rules about hunting, including the rule that you never shoot a female deer with kids. There are good reasons why Hubertus is the patron of hunters. That is also why the socalled Hubertus Hunts take place on November 3. In some countries they are for practical reasons instead organised on the first Sunday in November. By the way, Hubertus is a very busy man, as he is also the patron for matematicians, opticians and metal workers!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Europe's father-in-law: who was that? And what is the history behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Money is like fertilizers. They are only useful, if you spread them out. This was once said by the British philosopher and politician Francis Bacon. 2. Today’s quote: A good, un-biased press thinking of the good for society, with enough intelligence to know what is right and courage to do it, can secure the public integrity - without which a government elected by the people is humbug and a parody. A cynical, mercenary, demagogical press will over time create a population which is as mean as it is itself. The power to form the future of the republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations. Who among today's persons has said that? It can almost only be one. 3. Famous people born on this day: 1507: Duke of Alba ( died 1582 ) 1879: Franz von Papen ( died 1969 ) 1897: Joseph Goebbels ( died 1945 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1618: Walter Raleigh ( 64 years ) 1917: Joseph Pulitzer ( 70 years ) 1933: Albert Calmette ( 70 years )
1981: Georges Brassens ( 60 years ) OCTOBER 30 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is ABSALON’s DAY. It comes from king David’s son, Absalon ( or Absalom ). According to the old testament he was very pretty. But he lost his life during an escape, because his hair got caught by a tree
TODAY’s EVENT: 2005: Frauenkirche in Dresden is re-inaugurated after 13 years of reconstruction. It was destroyed in February 1945. The reconstruction was done with a large donation from the United Kingdom, and prince Charles was present at the inauguration.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Europe's father-in-law: who was that? And what is the history behind it? He was king Christian IX of Denmark. He lived in the years 1818-1906 and was king from 1863-1906. He came from the Glücksburg family - which was related to the Oldenburg family, which had reigned Denmark since 1448. But as the last king of the "Oldenburgers", Frederik VII, had no children, Christian from the other branch of the family was asked to take over. Christian IX had six children. And four of them got married into royal positions: Frederik VIII (1843-1912) as king of Denmark - succeeding his father, Alexandra (18441925) as queen of the United Kingdom, Georg (1845-1913) as king of Greece, and Dagmar (1847-1928) as zarina of Russia. When the family had its frequent get-togethers at the castle of Fredensborg north of Copenhagen most of the royalty in Europe was there. That is why Christian IX got the nickname "The father-in-law of Europe". Among today's royal families in Europe the following are in direct family relationship with Christian IX: queen Margrethe of Denmark, queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, king Philippe of Belgium, king Harald of Norway, king Felipe of Spain and grad duke Henri of Luxembourg. So you can say that "the father-in-law of Europe" has a long-term effect!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: November - where does that word come from? And which history and events are linked to that month?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A good, un-biased press thinking of the good for society, with enough intelligence to know what is right and courage to do it, can secure the public integrity - without which a government elected by the people is humbug and a parody. A cynical, mercenary, demagogical press will over time create a population which is as mean as it is itself. The power to form the future of the republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations. This was said by the American journalist and editor Joseph Pulitzer. 2. Today’s quote: Despotism or limited reign is the same for the majority in a referendum, an aristocratic council, an oligarchical junta or an emperor. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1735: 1821: 1932: 1960:
John Adams ( died 1801 ) Fjodor Dostojevskij ( died 1881 ) Louis Malle ( died 1995 ) Diego Maradona
4. Famous people died on this day: 1910: Henri Dunant ( 82 years ) 1975: Gustav Ludwig Hertz ( 88 years ) OCTOBER 31 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called LOUISE’s DAY. It has its name after queen Louise, married to king Frederik VIII of Denmark. She was born on this day in 1851. Tonight is called All Saints Night. According to the legend all witches, ghosts and the forces of darkness are free and around this evening. And in many places people tell ghost stories and take warnings. It is also called Halloween, coming from the two words hallow and evening.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1517: Martin Luther is publishing his famous 95 thesis on the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg.This day is considered to be the start of the Reformation.
TODAY’s QUESTION: November - where does that word come from? And which history and events are linked to that month? The name November comes from the word novem. This is the Latin name for the figure nine. The reason is that this month was the 9th month in the old Roman calendar, which originally was made by king Numa Pompilius around 500 BC. In this calendar March was the first month in the year. This calendar was many centuries later replaced by the Gregorian calendar, where January is the first month of each year and where November consequently is month no. 11. This calendar was introduced from around 1580. It Denmark it happened in the year 1700. In the old days this month was in Denmark ( and the other Nordic countries, I believe ) called SLAGTEMÅNED ( SLAUGHTER MONTH ). Why ? Because the weather was now so cold that there were no risk in slaughtering the animals and salt the meat for the winter. If you look at the weather as it actually has been over the years you have a number of interesting weather records when Denmark is concerned:
1919: Coldest November: + 0,7degrees in average ( from +10,1 to – 16,1 degrees ) 2006: Warmest November: +8,6 degrees in average ( from +16,6 to – 6,7 degrees ) 1993: The lowest number of hours of sunshine in November: 19 hours 1989: The highest number of hours of sunshine in November: 99 hours
See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Madeira - what is special about this Atlantic island?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 5. Yesterday’s quote:
Despotism or limited reign is the same for the majority in a referendum, an aristocratic council, an oligarchical junta or an emperor. This was said by the American politician and president John Adams. Good to think about, if you believe that referenda is the best form of democracy! 6. Today’s quote: History is the best school teacher with the most inattentive students! Who among today's persons has said that? 7. Famous people born on this day: 1632: 1795: 1887: 1929: 1937: 1964:
Johannes Vermeer ( died 1675 ) John Keats ( died 1821 ) Chiang Kai-shek ( died 1975 ) Bud Spencer (born Carlo Pedersoli) ( died 2016 ) Tom Paxton Marco van Basten
8. Famous people died on this day: 1984: Indira Gandhi ( 67 years ) 1993: Federico Fellini ( 73 years ) 2006: P.W. Botha ( 80 years )