NIELS JØRGEN THØGERSEN
S E PT E M B E R And all its 30 days Niels Jørgen Thøgersen The name September comes from the Latin word Septem, which means seven. This month was the year’s seventh month, according to the old Roman Numa calendar. The years began on March 1. In our contemporary calendar this month as we know is the 9th of the year. The old Danish name for this month is Fiskemåned ( Fish Month ). The reason was now that the fishermen caught the fat autumn herrings, which were salted and stored for the winter. These herrings were also a welcome product for the fast period in the Catholic countries. The scale of the export of these fat autumn herrings was the economic basis of Denmark's position as a superpower in the 17th century. September also had its own specific verses in the old days in Denmark: Now, the farmers can treat the grain, And the fishermen catch the herring fresh. Lard I like much to eat and lovely sheep's milk and goat's milk too. The old Danish weather warnings also have something to contribute to September: • It will be a mild weather at Christmas, if the migratory birds have gone before September is over • Thunderstorms this month promise a cold Christmas with a lot of snow • Many acorn on the oaks warn about snow and cold weather at Christmas There are two so-called Tycho Brahes Days this month: the 16th and the 18th. The day’s length in Denmark decreases by 2 hours and 16 minutes during the month. The lowest temperature in September was measured in 1886 and was at minus 5.6 degrees. The highest temperature was measured in 1906 and was at 32.3 degrees. The rain for the whole month has been between 18 mm (1947) and 162 mm (1994).
September 23 is autumnal, i.e. that day and night are of equal length. Finally, in September that migratory birds fly south. And the eels begin their long journey to the Saragossa Sea near Latin America. See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html SEPTEMBER 1 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called AEGIDIUS’ DAY. He was born in Greece and settles later down as a hermit in Provence in Gallia ( France ). He lives from the milk of a hind, which comes to see him. He builds the monastery Saint-Gilles next to his hollow in the forest – with help from the local king Wamba, and he is its abbot until he dies on this day in the year 721 AC. Aegidius is considered to be one of the Christians helping people in difficulties. And he is famous for helping persons who are paralysed or who suffer from cancer. He also gives special help to nursing mothers TODAY’s EVENT: 1715: King Louis XIV ( The Sun King) dies after 72 years reign. He is the longest serving monarch in European history. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Married to the left hand - what does that mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Today’s quote: After me the inondation - who said once that ? 2. Famous people born on this day: 1875: Edgar Rice Burroughs ( author of Tarzan ) ( died 1950 ) 1906: Aksel Schiøtz ( died 1975 ) 1946: Barry Gibb 1962: Ruud Gullit
3. Famous people died on this day: 1715: Louis XIV ( The Sun King ) ( 77 years ) 1980: Albert Speer ( 75 years ) SEPTEMBER 2 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is ELISA’s DAY. He was according to the Old Testament a profet, who lived around 850 BC. The older profet Elias ( 873 – 851 BC ) selected Elisa as his disciple and his successor. It happened while Elisa was ploughing his parents’ land. The legend tells, that Elias blessed Elisa before he himself went to heaven on board a fire carriage. TODAY’s EVENT: 1945: The Second World War ends with Japan’s official surrender. TODAY’s QUESTION: To marry to the left hand - what does that mean? It means that a king could marry a normal, non-royal girl. The expression comes from the fact that the king at the wedding gave his bride the left hand. This was a sign that neither the wife nor their children would be heirs to the king. And the king could at the same time marry a royal woman. In the Catholic church marriage to the left hand has been accepted for centuries, not only for kings, but also for noble men - and even for noble women, giving them the possibility to marry someone below their status. And without giving the right be heirs. Concrete cases have been many, such as: 1. 1850: the Danish king Frederik VII and Louise Rasmussen (Countess Danner) 2. 1880: the Russian zar Alexander II and Eketarina Dolgorukova 3. 1900: the Austrian-Hungarian arch-count Franz Ferdinand and Sophie von Chotek. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Danish flag - what is its history? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: After me the inondation - who said once that ?
This is the famous quotation of the French "Sun King", Louis XIV: "Apres moi le déluge!". The French revolution started 74 years after his death. 2. Today’s quote: Women has only one role in sport - to give the winners their prizes. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1917: Bodil Kjer ( died 2003 ) 1925: Russ Conway ( died 2000 ) 1952: Jimmy Connors 4. Famous people died on this day: 1872: N.F.S. Grundtvig ( 89 years ) 1910: Henri Rousseau ( 64 years ) 1937: Pierre de Coubertin ( 74 years ) 1969: Ho Chi Minh ( 79 years ) 1973: J.R.R. Tolkien ( 81 years )
SEPTEMBER 3 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called SERAPHIA’s DAY. She was a young slave from Antiochia in Syria. She was a Christian, and she managed to convince her master, Saint Sabina of Umbria, to become a Christian too. For that reason she had a lot of trouble with the Roman authorities. And at the end she was in the year 120 AC condemned as a witch and beheaded, because two soldiers who had raped her became ill afterwards. TODAY’s EVENT: 301: San Marino is founded. The state is the world’s smallest and oldest republic, which still exists. TODAY’s QUESTION: The Danish flag - what is its history?
It is called DANNEBROG. Danne means Danish and Brog means a piece of clothes (in the old days). The story tells that Dannebrog was seen for the very first time, when the Danish king and his troops were fighting in a country called Estonia - not far from Denmark. It was in June 1219. A looong time ago. Suddenly Dannebrog came down over the battlefield from the sky. And the Danes won! It happened on June 15, 1219. The the birthday of Dannebrog is therefore each year celebrated on June 15. The day is also called Valdemar's Day. Why? Because the king was called Valdemar. So remember to say congratulations to the Danish flag next year on June 15. But one important thing more: Until less than 200 years ago it was only the king, who was allowed to use the flag. Now everybody can use it! You can use it too! And one very important thing more about the Danish flag: The law says that you can only put it up in the hamp at the earliest at 8 o'clock in the morning. And it has to be taken down at the latest at sunset in the evening. It may never be used outside during the dark night. And remember one more thing: when to carry the flag to put it up or after you take it down it is not allowed to touch the ground! So be very careful! There is also a Danish song about the flag. You want to hear it? Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkKTPiGwoc0 QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The British Flag Union Jack - what is the history behind that? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Women has only one role in sport - to give the winners their prizes. This was said by the French founder of the modern Olympic Games from 1896, Pierre de Coubertin. He would probably not have success with that quote today ! 2. Today’s quote: It is not advisable for an artist to marry. An unhappy marriage can perhaps
contribute to his talent. But a happy marriage is a very bad idea for him. Who among today's personalities has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1875: Ferdinand Porsche ( died 1951 ) 1900: Urho Kekkonen ( died 1986 ) 1947: Kjell Magne Bondevik 4. Famous people died on this day: 1658: Oliver Cromwell ( 59 years ) 1883: Ivan Turgenjev ( 65 years ) 1948: Edvard Benes ( 64 years )
SEPTEMBER 4 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is THEODORA’s DAY. She was a 17 year young Christian girl in Caesarea ( which is between Haifa and Tel Aviv in today’s Israel ). She comforted other Christians who had been condemned to death. As a punishment she was herself killed by the Romans. First they cut one of her breasts off, and then they drowned her. TODAY’s EVENT: 1944: Allied forces liberate Brussels and Antwerp from the Germans. TODAY’s QUESTION: The British Flag Union Jack - what is the history behind that?
It is called UNION JACK. Or the UNION FLAG. Why is it called that? Because it was in 1801 - more than 200 years ago - adopted as the flag for the Union (the cooperation) between three different nations: England, Scotland and Ireland. This is why it is called the Union Flag. But why is it also called Union Jack? Because the king in 1801 was
called James. And the name James is in Latin language Jacobus. And a short word for Jacobus is Jack. So Union Jack is the flag used all over England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - and also in Wales. If you look at it you can also see, if it has been turned upside down. How do you see that? You see the red stripes going from one corner to the other. The flag is shown correctly, if those red stripes to the left are at the bottom of the white stripes - and on the top of the white stripes on the right side of the flag. Many people do not know that. So often they put Union Jack in a wrong way. Now YOU know what is the correct way to show the flag. And you can tell people about it. But how was Union Jack made into the look it has? It was made as a combination of the flags of England, Scotland and Ireland. Here is England's very old flag - with Saint George's red cross:
As you see it is a white flag with a red cross in the middle. And here is Scotland's old flag - with Saint Andrew's white cross on a blue background:
And finally, Ireland's old Saint Patrick's flag with a red cross on white background.
All three flags have a cross. Why? Because all three nations were - and are - Christian nations. And as you know the symbol for Christianity is always a cross. How is Union Jack then made from those three flags? You start with the English flag. Then you put the Scottish flag on the top of it. And finally you put the Irish flag on the top of both of them. But you have to make the red cross in the Irish flag more narrow. If you do not do that, you cannot see anything of the white Scottish cross. You see?
Hello there, where is Wales in all that? They are also part of Britain, the United Kingdom. They were for a very long time coved by the English flag - also in 1801, when Union Jack was made. But later Wales has also got its own flag. It is called the Red Dragon.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Australia's flag - how does it look like? And what is the history behind it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is not advisable for an artist to marry. An unhappy marriage can perhaps contribute to his talent. But a happy marriage is a very bad idea for him. This was said by the Russian author Ivan Tugenjev ("Fathers and Sons"). 2. Today’s quote: The question: Who should be boss? is like asking: Who should be tenor in the quartet? The man who can sing tenor, of course. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1824: Anton Bruckner ( died 1896 ) 1917: Henry Ford II ( died 1987 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1907: Edvard Grieg ( 64 years ) 1963: Robert Schuman ( 67 years ) 1965: Albert Schweitzer ( 90 years ) 1989: Georges Simenon ( 86 years )
SEPTEMBER 5 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is REGINA’s DAY. She was a young girl in Eastern France. She was brought-up as a Christian by her nurse. For this reason she was thrown out of her home by her non-Christian father. She was put in prison, tortured and at the end killed by the Roman authorities in 250 AC. TODAY’s EVENT: 1800: French occupation troops on Malta surrender to the British. TODAY’s QUESTION: Australia's flag - how does it look like? And what is the history behind it?
It was "born" in 1901. The government asked different artists to make a proposal. And this one won. You want to have an explanation of the flag? First of all, it is - as you see - blue. Dark blue. Perhaps because Australia on all sides is surrounded by the dark blue oceans. In the upper left corner (the "north-west" corner) you have the British flag, Union Jack. Why? Because Australia for many years was a British colony. It belonged to Britain. The Australians want to keep that link in their memory. I have written about the British flag earlier and explained what it looks like it does. Underneath Union Jack you see a big seven-pointed star. It symbolizes the different parts of Australia: the 6 states (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia) and the Northern Territories. Seven all together. The star is called the Commonwealth Star, because Australia with its states and territories is also called the Commonwealth of States. To the right of the flag you have the so-called Southern Cross. They are a special constellation of 5 bright stars, which you can see on the southern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere (f.ex. in Britain, in Denmark and in Greece) we cannot see the Southern Cross. We can always see another very well-know star constellation. It is called the Great Bear. And it cannot be seen on the Southern hemisphere.
The Southern Cross on the Australian flag has five stars. They have names with the first five letters in the Greek alphabet: Alpha Crucis, Beta Crusis, Gamma Crusis, Delta Crusis and Epsilon Crusis. The Southern Cross has been used as a symbol for Australia for many hundred years. The Australian flag was flown for the first time on 3 September 1901. Therefore, the day September 3 is still today The Australian National Flag Day. Everybody can use the flag. But you are not allowed to use it at night - unless you put a spotlight on it. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Greek flag - what is its history? And why does it look as it does? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The question: Who should be boss? is like asking: Who should be tenor in the quartet? The man who can sing tenor, of course. This was said by the American industrialist Henry Ford II. 2. Today’s quote: Women who already with their clothes on show everything has nothing to make the man curious. Who among today's personalities has said those wise words? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1638: Louis XIV ( ”The Sun King ”) ( died 1715 ) 1791: Giacomo Meyerbeer ( died 1864 ) 1940: Raquel Welch 4. Famous people died on this day: 1997: Mother Teresa ( 87 years ) 1997: Georg Solti ( 85 years )
SEPTEMBER 6 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is MAGNUS’ DAY. There are probably three people who are the origin of the name: The first one is a Christian with this name. He was persecuted during the reign of emperor Decius in 250 AC. The second Magnus lived in the 7th century AC. He first lived as a hermit near Saint Gallen. Later he started missionary work in Bauern. And at the end he founded a Benedictine monastery in Saint Mang near Füssen. The legend tells that he wins a fight with a dragon and with his stick drives away bears and snakes. The third Magnus was killed in 1115, and at his grave in the Orkney Islands lots of wonders happened later on. TODAY’s EVENT: 1991: The Soviet Union accepts the declarations of independence from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. TODAY’s QUESTION: The Greek flag - what is its history? And why does it look as it does?
It is called the "sky-blue-white flag". It has a blue and white cross in the upper left corner. And then it has 9 horizontal stripes: 5 blue stripes and 4 white ones. The top and buttom stripe is always blue. The flag has in many ways looked the same, since Greece became independent from Turkey in 1821, almost 200 years ago. The white cross symbolises the Greek ortodox religion, which for many centuries has been the religion in Greece. The 9 stripes represent the number of syllables in the famous Greek phrase: Eleftheria i Thanatos meaning Liberty or Death. It was the motto of the Greek revolution 200 years ago, when they got their freedom after 400 years under Turkish rule.
Why is the main colour of the flag blue? It symbolises the blue Hellenic Sea. And the white colour symbolises the restless waves coming on the sea (the waves which the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite came from according to the legend). Others say that the blue colour refers to the blue Greek sky and the white colour to the few white clouds on the sky. Everybody has the right to use the Greek flag. It has like all flags to be treated with respect. The Greek national song also refers to the flag. You can hear it and see the text in Greek and in English of this song here: https://youtu.be/5VkPRU6C-JQ QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Magna Carta - what is that? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Women who already with their clothes on show everything has nothing to make the man curious. This was once said by the American actress Raquel Welsh. Though one could think it was said by a man! 2. Today’s quote: The art of taxation is to pick a maximum number of feathers of the goose with a minimum of screaming. Who among today's personalities has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1757: Marquis de Lafayette ( died 1834 ) 1888: Joseph P. Kennedy ( died 1969 ) 1943: Britt Ekland 4. Famous people died on this day: 1683: Jean Baptiste Colbert ( 64 years ) 1901: William McKinley ( 58 years ) 1907: Sully Prudhomme ( 65 years )
1962: Hanns Eisler ( 64 years ) 1966: Hendrik Verwoerd ( 65 years ) 2007: Luciano Pavarotti ( 72 years )
SEPTEMBER 7 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called ROBERT’s DAY. He was a cardinal in Rome in the late 16th century. He is best known for his book from 1576. In that book he was arguing strongly against the protestants. TODAY’s EVENT: 1986: Bishop Desmund Tuto becomes the first black leader of the Anglican church in South Africa, when he is appointed archbishop of Cape Town. TODAY’s QUESTION: Magna Carta - what is that? And what does it mean?
This old British Charter – also called the Great Charter of the Liberties – was signed on June 15, 1215 by king John and a group of rebellious English barons. The text was drafted by the archbishop of Canterbury. Its purpose was to get peace between the unpopular king and the barons. The main articles gave protection of church rights, protection of barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations to feudal payments to the crown. It other words: it was a charter, which concerned the king and the nobility. Not the population as such. It was renewed almost ever since, when new kings or queens took over. Magna Carta is by many considered to be the start of parliamentary democracy – though it has very little to do with today. It inspired many initiatives much later such as the American declaration of independence and its liberties, the French revolution and later democratic constitutions. Now 800 years later there are still 4 copies of the original Magna Carta in existence. One of them is in the cathedral in Salisbury – very close to where it was originally written. And in good British tradition big festivities are organized now and then to celebrate the Carta, its contents and its importance.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:
Fata morgana - where does this expression come from? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The art of taxation is to pick a maximum number of feathers of the goose with a minimum of screaming. This was once said by king Louis XIV's famous minister of finance Jean-Baptiste Colbert. He needed to collect a lot of "feathers"! 2. Today’s quote: If you do not get a nice experience just from walking on your own street there is no reason to travel far away to try to get it. Who among today's personalities has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1533: Elizabeth I ( died 1603 ) 1913: Anthony Quale ( died 1989 ) 1923: Peter Lawford ( died 1984 ) 1930: Baudouin I ( died 1993 ) 1936: Buddy Holly ( died 1959 ) 1944: Bertel Haarder 4. Famous people died on this day: 1962: Karen Blixen ( 77 years ) SEPTEMBER 8 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is MARY’s BIRTHDAY. Virgin Mary was born on this day. It is also called Our Lady’s Day. Her parents were Joachim and Anna. According to the early Christian faith Mary was the mother of Jesus as well as the second Eve. He corrected the sins of Eve by giving birth to the saviour of the world. This day is also the United Nations’ international day for the ability to write and read. In other words: the day against illiteracy.
Old Danish weather warnings say about this day:
Today the summer will end If there are no clouds on the sky today the autumn will be very mild The swallows will leave today and hide on the buttoms of lakes and moors. And they will return on March 25 – Mary’s Annunciation Day
TODAY’s EVENT: 1664: The Dutch colony in America Nieuw Amsterdam is transferred to the British, who in 1669 re-name the area to New York. TODAY’s QUESTION: Fata morgana - where does this expression come from? And what does it mean?
This is an Italian expression. In its original form it was: feen morgana, and it referred to a preternatural creature, which was believed to create mirages. She was also the sister of King Arthur of the Round table. The meaning of the expression today is still mirage or optical illusions. QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Plimsoller - what is that? And where does the word come from? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 4. Yesterday’s quote: If you do not get a nice experience just from walking on your own street there is no reason to travel far away to try to get it. This was once said by the Danish author Karen Blixen. 5. Today’s quote: A bigamist is a man, who will also make two mistakes at other occasions. Who among today's persons has said that? 6. Famous people born on this day: 801: 1157: 1783: 1841: 1925: 1963:
Ansgar ( or Oscar ) ( died 865 ) Richard Lionheart ( died 1199 ) N.F.S. Grundtvig ( died 1872 ) Antonin Dvorak ( died 1904 ) Peter Sellers ( died 1980 ) Whitney Houston ( died 2012 )
7. Famous people died on this day: 1895: Adam Opel ( 58 years ) 1949: Richard Strauss ( 85 years ) 2003: Leni Riefenstahl ( 101 years ) SEPTEMBER 9 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called GORGONIUS’ DAY. He was employed at the imperial court in Rome in the beginning of the 4th century. But as a Christian he was persecuted by emperor Diocletian and was killed. At first he was severely wounded and then the soldiers poured salt and vinegar. After that he was burnt on the bonfire. This have him later the status as a martyre. Gorgonius is the patron of the notaries. TODAY’s EVENT: 1850: California becomes the 31st state in the USA. TODAY’s QUESTION: Plimsoller - what is that? And where does the word come from?
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: Murphy's law - what is the history behind that expression? And what is it? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A bigamist is a man, who will also make two mistakes at other occasions.
This was once said by the British actor Peter Sellers. 2. Today’s quote: Our culture is international, and it has always been so. There is no such thing as a special Danish style. It is all reproduction. Who among today's personalities ahs said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1828: 1894: 1941: 1960:
Lev Tolstoj ( died 1910 ) Poul Henningsen ( died 1967 ) Otis Redding ( died 1967 ) Hugh Grant
4. Famous people died on this day: 1569: 1901: 1960: 1976: 2010:
Pieter Breughel ( 42 years ) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec ( 37 years ) Jussi Björling ( 49 years ) Mao Zedong ( 83 years ) Bent Larsen ( 75 years ) SEPTEMBER 10
TODAY’s NAME: Today is called BURCHARDT’s DAY. It comes from the Christian man Burchhardt. He came originally from Wessex in England. But he went to Germany to help Bonifacius in his work to preach the gospel. At the end he became archbishop in Würzburg in Germany. He died in the year 754 AC. Today is also one of the 32 so-called Tycho Brahe days. They are days, which the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 17th century on the basis of his calculations considered to be specifically unfortunate. ( What old nonsense ! )
TODAY’s EVENT: 2002: Switzerland becomes member state no. 190 of the United Nations.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Murphy's law - what is the history behind that expression? And what is it?
It comes from England. We don’t know exactly, who this Murphy was. But it is certain that it refers to an Irishman (Murphy is a typical Irish name). This Irishman was electrician. And the English had no confidence in his technical skills. Things always went wrong, when he tried to do something. In this way the expression Murphy’s Law came to mean, that if anything can go wrong it will go wrong. This is not nice or just to the Irish. But history and traditions are not always nice and just
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Pour oil on stormy waters - what's the origin of that expression?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Our culture is international, and it has always been so. There is no such thing as a special Danish style. It is all reproduction. This was said by the Danish architect and multi-artist Poul Henningsen. 2. Today’s quote: You tiny country enjoying life in your bed while the world is in flames around you! Who among today's persons said that? And at which occasion? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1659: 1852: 1866: 1890: 1914: 1924: 1945:
Henry Purcell ( died 1695 ) H.N. Andersen ( died 1937 ) Jeppe Aakjær ( died 1930 ) Franz Werfel ( died 1945 ) Robert Wise ( died 2005 ) Putte Wickman ( died 2006 ) José Feliciano
4. Famous people died on this day: 1797: 1898: 1933: 1983:
Mary Wollstonecraft ( 38 years ) Empress Elisabeth ( Sisi ) of Austria-Hungary ( 60 years ) L.A.Ring ( 79 years ) John Vorster ( 68 years )
SEPTEMBER 11 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called HILLEBERT’s DAY. He was bishop in Tours in France. And he was a famous psalm poet. He died in 1134.
TODAY’s EVENT: 2001: The Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York were destroyed by a terrorist attack. More than 3.000 people died.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Pour oil on stormy waters - what's the origin of that expression?
This expression comes from the monk and priest Beda. This was what he suggested a young priest to do, when a storm was about to start. Today the meaning is that you try to calm down a situation of anger and excitement. Beda was a monk and priest, who worked in England around 700 AC. He was born in 672 in Northumbria. Already at the age of 7 he started at a monestary. Later he was also an author and a poet of psalms. And it was him who suggested that our calendar should start with the birth of Jesus. It was also Beda, who wrote a lot about religion in England before Christianity. Beda died in 735 – 53 years of age.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Go to Canossa - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: You tiny country enjoying life in your bed while the world is in flames around you! This was written by the Danish poet Jeppe Aakjær during World War I, when Denmark was neutral while the war happened all around her.
2. Today’s quote: I like to write when I feel vicious. It is like having a great sneeze. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1546: 1786: 1881: 1885: 1917: 1945: 1957:
Arild Huitfeldt ( died 1609 ) Friedrich Kuhlau ( died 1832 ) Asta Nielsen ( died 1972 ) D.H. Lawrence ( died 1930 ) Ferdinand Marcos ( died 1989 ) Franz Beckenbauer Preben Elkjær
4. Famous people died on this day: 1971: Nikita Khrustjov ( 77 years) 1973: Salvador Allende ( 65 years ) 2003: Anna Lindh ( 46 years ) SEPTEMBER 12 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called GUIDO’s DAY. He was a young Belgian tradesman from Anderlecht. One day he decided to leave his work, his home and his city to go on a 7 year pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem. When he came back he continued his pious life. And when he died on this day in the year 1112 the legend tells that a large column of fire raised above him.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1905: The new City Hall of Copenhagen was opened. The architect was Mr. Martin Nyrop, and he had used the old City Hall of Siena as a model.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Go to Canossa - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
The background is the German emperor Heinrich IV’s fight with pope Gregory 7. Heinrich governed in the years 1056-1106. When the emperor at the Diet of Worms in 1076 fired the pope it started a very serious conflict. The pope excommunicated the emperor. A year later Heinrich decided to make an end to the fight by walking barefooted all the way to the pope’s castle in Canossa south of Parma in northern Italy.
Here he had to wait for 3 days in winterly weather in the courtyard of the castle, before the pope forgived him. The expression to go to Canossa became very much known much later, when the German chancellor Bismarck started a serious fight with the Catholic church in the 1870ies. We will never go to Canossa, Bismarck stated at several occasions. But through negotiations the conflict was brought to an end. And many asked themselves afterwards, if Bismarck in reality went to Canossa to finalise the conflict. Today the term to go to Canossa means that you give totally in in a conflict.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The Neanderthal man - what is the history behind?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I like to write when I feel vicious. It is like having a great sneeze. This was said by the British poet and playwright D.H. Lawrence. 2. Today’s quote: A woman's good reputation depends on the silence of several men. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1852: 1865: 1888: 1913: 1944:
Herbert Henry Asquith ( died 1928 ) Sophus Claussen ( died 1931 ) Maurice Chevalier ( died 1971 ) Jesse Owens ( died 1980 ) Barry White ( died 2003 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1977: 1992: 1993: 2003:
Steven Biko ( 31 years ) Anthony Perkins ( 60 years ) Raymond Burr ( 76 years ) Johnny Cash ( 71 years )
SEPTEMBER 13
TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CYPRIANUS’ DAY. He wrote many of the very first descriptions of the Christian church and is there a very important source about those times. During emperor Decius’ persecutions of the Christians he was beheaded in the year 258 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1993: Israel and PLO make an agreement on peace at negotiations in Washington.
TODAY’s QUESTION: The Neanderthal man - what is the history behind?
Just 12 km to the east of Düsseldorf you can visit your very old ancestor, the Neandertal Man. He is more than 60.000 years old. The village is called Mettmann and is very close to the motorway (Autobahn) from Wuppertal to Düsseldorf). The valley is called Neandertal – created by the small river Düssel. It was named after the German priest, writer and painter Joachim Neander (1650-80), who loved to come to this valley. It was here that some workers in 1859 found human bones, which were examined by specialists. They came from human beings who lived there about 60.000 years go. They got the name the Neandertal Men. Afterwards the place where they were found was forgotten. And it was rediscovered only about 50 years ago. Now you can visit a very interesting Neandertal Museum in the village. It illustrates in a very lively way the development of mankind over thousands, even millions, of years. And the explanations are in German as well as in English. See more here: http://www.neanderthal.de/en/
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Taste blood - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:
A woman's good reputation depends on the silence of several men. This was once said by the French actor and entertainer Maurice Chevalier. 2. Today’s quote: A denial in diplomacy is a negative confirmation of news, which so far was only a rumour. Who among today's personalities has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1813: 1860: 1874: 1894: 1905: 1916: 1944:
Clara Schumann ( died 1896 ) John Joseph Persching ( died 1948 ) (“Black Jack”) Arnold Schönberg ( died 1951 ) J.B. Priestley ( died 1984 ) Claudette Colbert ( died 1996 ) Roald Dahl ( died 1990 ) Peter Cetera
4. Famous people died on this day: 81: 1321: 1598: 1949: 1982: 1998:
Emperor Titus Flavius ( 42 years ) Dante Aligheri ( 56 years ) Philippe II of Spain ( 71 years ) August Krogh ( 75 years ) Marcus Wallenberg Jr. ( 81 years ) George Wallace ( 79 years )
SEPTEMBER 14 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called the CROSS’s EXALTATION DAY. Emperor Heraclius made in the year 631 AC this day a holiday as a remembrance of the victory over the Persians in 614. At this occasion the holy cross from the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was taken back from the non-Christians.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1949: Konrad Adenauer was elected as the first West German chancellor. He won with 1 vote in the Parliament. You can say that it was his own vote. He remained in office until 1963.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Taste blood - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
This expression comes originally from the world of wild animals. It is well know that when a lion, a tiger or a panther bites another animal to eat it it gets even more wild and energetic from the moment it can taste blood. This is more or less an automatic reaction. A cat reacts perhaps the same way when it can taste the blood of a mouse. When you say that a person tastes blood you mean that she or he is getting extra energy – getting really focused on finishing a job or a task.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Casanova - where does that word come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A denial in diplomacy is a negative confirmation of news, which so far was only a rumour. This was once said by the British author J.B. Priestley. 2. Today’s quote: Humour is what you do not possess the moment you try to explain what it is. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1760: 1769: 1886: 1949: 1965:
Maria Luigi Cherubini ( died 1842 ) Alexander von Humboldt ( died 1859 ) Jan Masaryk ( died 1948 ) Tommy Seebach ( died 2003 ) Dmitri Medvedev
4. Famous people died on this day: 1937: 1971: 1982: 1992: 2005:
Tomas Masaryk ( 87 years ) Harald Lander ( 66 years ) Grace Kelly ( 53 years ) Finn Søeborg ( 76 years ) Robert Wise ( 91 years )
SEPTEMBER 15 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is ESKILD’s DAY. It is named after the monk Eskild. He was probably an Englishman, and he was by the church sent to Sweden to promote Christianity. Here he was stoned to death, and his dead body was pulled through the area until it went into many pieces. The legend tells that he – following a sign from heaven – was buried on the place, which today is called Eskilstuna. It happened in the year 1016.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1959: Nikita Krustjov visits as the first Soviet leader ever the United States.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Casanova - where does that word come from? And what does it mean?
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: Paint the town red - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Humour is what you do not possess the moment you try to explain what it is. This was once said by the Danish poet and humourist Finn Søeborg. 2. Today’s quote: I never liked journalists. So in all my books they suffer a very painful death. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1857: William Taft ( died 1930 )
1876: 1890: 1894: 1914: 1925:
Bruno Walter ( died 1962 ) Agathe Christie ( died 1976 ) Jean Renoir ( died 1985 ) Jens Otto Krag ( died 1978 ) Helle Virkner ( died 2009 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1945: 1973: 1978: 1980: 2006:
Anton Webern ( 62 years ) Gustav 6. Adolf ( 91 years ) Willy Messerschmidt ( 80 years ) Bill Evans ( 51 years ) Oriana Fallaci ( 77 years ) SEPTEMBER 16
TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is EUFEMIAS’s DAY. She was a young Christian daughter of a politician in Chalcedon ( which was a town in what is today part of the Asiatic half of Istanbul ). She was persecuted terribly during the reign of emperor Diocletian, but she did not die from the treatment. Only when a bear one day bate her head off she perished. It happened in the year 290 AC. The legend tells that many wonders happened at her grave afterwards. Today is also the United Nations’ international for the preservation of the ozon layer.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1795: England conquers Cape Town in South Africa.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Paint the town red - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
This expression comes from the US. Originally it comes from an Irish-American ballade, which says: the beacon hills were painted red. It referred to a tradition that the hills with the beacons were actually now and then painted red to signal that a big festival was about to start. There is also proof that the expression comes from the Missisippi river. The captain of an old steam ship had big difficulties in competition with the new steam ships. One day he said to his crew: Paint her red, boys! From then on his business was very good again.
In German you talk about Rot anstreichen (to paint something red). It refers to the tradition that you make a red mark in your calendar/diary for days when some festivities are expected to happen. Nowadays the expression to paint the town red is – as you know – still used. It means you are going to have a great evening out. Normally without painting anywhere.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: September - what does that name come from?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I never liked journalists. So in all my books they suffer a very painful death. This was said by the British author Agathe Christie. 2. Today’s quote: As none of today's personalities has said anything unforgettable you get another quote of Agathe Christie: The happy people are failures, because they are so satisfied with themselves that they do not care about being failures. 3. Famous people born on this day: 1891: 1925: 1926: 1956:
Karl Dönitz ( died 1980 ) Charles Haughey ( died 2006 ) B.B. King ( died 2015 ) David Copperfield
4. Famous people died on this day: 1736: 1865: 1977: 1987:
Gabriel Fahrenheit ( 50 years ) Christian de Meza ( 73 years ) Maria Callas ( 53 years ) Christopher Soames ( 66 years )
SEPTEMBER 17 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is LAMBERTUS’ DAY. He was a highly esteemed bishop in Maastricht, and he was also a very energetic missionary. He was murdered in his home by French
noble men, whom he had attacked for living a very sinful life. It happened in the year 703 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1787: The American constitution is signed in Philadelphia by 39 out of 42 delegates. 1939: This day in 1939 Soviets invaded Poland from the East, occupied Western Ukraine and Western Belarus and made them part of USSR through Soviet-style votings of specifically elected for that deputies in Dec. 1939. The Soviet army met the German Army several days later and they held a common military parade in Brest on Sep.22nd, 1939: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/German %E2%80%93Soviet_military_parade_in_Brest-Litovsk
TODAY’s QUESTION: September - what does that name come from?
The name September comes from the Latin word Septem, which means seven. This month was the year’s seventh month, according to the old Roman Numa calendar. The years began on March 1. In our contemporary calendar this month as we know is the 9th of the year. The old Danish name for this month is Fiskemåned ( Fish Month ). The reason was now that the fishermen caught the fat autumn herrings, which were salted and stored for the winter. These herrings were also a welcome product for the fast period in the Catholic countries. The scale of the export of these fat autumn herrings was the economic basis of Denmark's position as a superpower in the 17th century. September also had its own specific verses in the old days in Denmark: Now, the farmers can treat the grain, And the fishermen catch the herring fresh. Lard I like much to eat and lovely sheep's milk and goat's milk too. The old Danish weather warnings also have something to contribute to September: • It will be a mild weather at Christmas, if the migratory birds have gone before September is over • Thunderstorms this month promise a cold Christmas with a lot of snow • Many acorn on the oaks warn about snow and cold weather at Christmas There are two so-called Tycho Brahes Days this month: the 16th and the 18th. The day’s length in Denmark decreases by 2 hours and 16 minutes during the month. The lowest temperature in September was measured in 1886 and was at minus 5.6
degrees. The highest temperature was measured in 1906 and was at 32.3 degrees. The rain for the whole month has been between 18 mm (1947) and 162 mm (1994). September 23 is autumnal, i.e. that day and night are of equal length. Finally, in September that migratory birds fly south. And the eels begin their long journey to the Saragossa Sea near Latin America. See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Trojan horse - what's the history behind that expression? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The happy people are failures, because they are so satisfied with themselves that they do not care about being failures. This was once said by the British author Agathe Christie. 2. Today’s quote: It is with cars as with women: you never forget the first one in your life! Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1883: 1906: 1918: 1929: 1931:
William Carlos Williams ( died 1963 ) Frederick Ashton ( died 1988 ) Chaim Herzog ( died 1997 ) Stirling Moss Anne Bancroft ( died 2005 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1179: 1948: 1994: 1996: 1997:
Hildegard of Bingen ( 81 years ) Folke Bernadotte ( 53 years ) Karl Popper ( 92 years ) Spiro Agnew ( 78 years ) Red Skelton ( 84 år )
SEPTEMBER 18 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called TITUS DAY. He was a friend and companion of the apostle Paulus. You can say that he was his secretary, as he was the one writing things down. Titus was twice sent alone to Ephesus and to Corinthia. When Paulus leaves Crete he nominates Titus as the local bishop. Titus dies according to the legend in 107 AC. He was 95 years old.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1973: West Germany and East Germany become members of the United Nations.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Trojan horse - what's the history behind that expression? 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 Troja 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: Where the pepper grows - what's the history behind that expression? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is with cars as with women: you never forget the first one in your life!
This has been said by the British motor race driver Stirling Moss. 2. Today’s quote: People often raise their voice when they instead should have strengthened their argument. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1709: 1786: 1905: 1971:
Samuel Johnson ( died 1784 ) King Christian VIII ( died 1848 ) Greta Garbo ( died 1990 ) Lance Armstrong
4. Famous people died on this day: 1961: Dag Hammarskiöld ( 56 years ) 1970: Jimi Hendrix ( 27 years ) SEPTEMBER 19 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CONSTANTIA’s DAY. She was a close relative of emperor Constantine the Great ( who lived in the years 285 – 337 AC ). The legend tells that she was cured from a serious illness by the The holy Agnes. This day is also International Day for Talk like a Pirate” – a special day invented in 1995 by the two American John Baur and Mike Summers.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1946: Winston Churchill suggested in a speech in Zurich the creation of a United States of Europe.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Where the pepper grows - what's the history behind that expression? And what does it mean?
To be sent to the place where the pepper is growing is a very old expression, which originally comes from France. They had – and still have – an area in the north of South America called Guyane. It has always had a very tough and unpleasant tropical climate, where nobody wanted to go. At the same time a lot of pepper is growing in the area. The
name Cheyenne pepper is very well known. During and after the French revolution from 1789 prisoners were sent to Guyane to terrible conditions. So the threat to be sent to the place where the pepper grows comes from that habit. Today the expression is used in an indirect sense. If anybody tells you that he or she wants to send you there it is probably not one of your best friends. Or at least not any longer!
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Seven Sleepers' Day --
what is the history behind that expression?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: People often raise their voice when they instead should have strengthened their argument. This was said by the British author Samuel Johnson, also the author of the first English dictionary. 2. Today’s quote: The host says to his guest at the end of the evening: May I help you taking your coat on? And the guest replies: No thanks. It is already complicated enough! Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1551: 1882: 1911: 1934: 1949:
King Henri III ( died 1589 ) Storm P. (Robert Storm Petersen) ( died 1949 ) William Golding ( died 1993 ) Brian Epstein ( died 1967 ) Twiggy (Leslie Lawson)
4. Famous people died on this day: 1710: Ole Rømer ( 66 years ) 1881: James Garfield ( 50 years ) 1927: Michael Ancher ( 78 years )
SEPTEMBER 20 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is TOBIAS’ DAY. He was a young, religious Jewish man, who lived around 200 before Christ. Once he went on a long and very dangerous trip to Media ( an ancient country in present day Kurdistan ) to pick up money for his blind father Tobit. The legend tells that he on the trip was protected by the angel Raphael.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1946: The first film festival in Cannes takes place.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Seven Sleepers' Day --
what is the history behind that expression?
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: Hand on your heart - what is the history behind this act? And what is it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The host says to his guest at the end of the evening: May I help you taking your coat on? And the guest replies: No thanks. It is already complicated enough! This was once said by the Danish humourist Storm P. (Robert Storm Petersen)
2. Today’s quote: Emancipation would be more credible, if it were not often promoted by women with no luck in love. Who among today's personalities has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1851: 1918: 1934: 1937:
Henry Festing Jones ( died 1928 ) Bjørn Wiinblad ( died 2006 ) Sophia Loren Monica Zetterlund ( died 2005 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1863: Jacob Grimm ( 78 years ) 1957: Jean Sibelius ( 92 years ) 2005: Simon Wiesenthal ( 97 years ) SEPTEMBER 21 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called MATTHEW’s DAY – named after the evangelist Matthew. He was originally a customs officer and his symbol is a man with wings. There is some doubt, if he really is the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1919: After a pause during World War I the Orient Express resumes its tours between Paris and Istanbul.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Hand on your heart - what is the history behind this act? And what is it?
This has since ancient times been a symbol of honesty. In the Middle Ages priests and women put their hand at their heart when taking the oath. But already in the very old times people in the north (Cimbrians, Vikings, etc.) put their right hand on the heart when meeting other people to show that they did not carry a weapon in that hand – that they were peaceful. This has later been replaced by holding out one’s right hand when saying hello. This proves that you do not carry arms in that hand. The Americans put their right hand on the heart when the national anthem is played. This is meant to show loyalty to the country.
___________________________________________________________________________ QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: The European Flag - what is it? And what is the history and explanation behind it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Emancipation would be more credible, if it were not often promoted by women with no luck in love. This was once said by the Italian actress Sophia Loren. 2. Today’s quote: It is the blessing of age that you can look at a woman with pleasure, but without desire. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1866: 1909: 1931: 1934: 1947: 1957:
H.G. Wells ( died 1946 ) Kwame Nkrumah ( died 1972 ) Larry Hagman ( died 2012 ) Leonard Cohen Stephen King Kevin Rudd
4. Famous people died on this day: 19 BC: Virgil ( 51 years ) 1558: Charles V ( Charles Quint ) ( 58 years ) 1832: Sir Walter Scott ( 63 years ) 1860: Arthur Schopenhauer ( 72 years ) 1957: Haakon 7. ( 85 years ) SEPTEMBER 22 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called MAURITIUS’ DAY after the army leader Mauritius from Jerusalem. He was together with his 6.666 soldiers killed by the Roman emperor Maximian’s troops, because they refused to give gifts to non-Christian gods and to take part in the persecution of the Christians.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1862: US president Abraham Lincoln declares all slaves free.
TODAY’s QUESTION: The European Flag - what is it? And what is the history and explanation behind it?
It is blue with 12 golden stars in a circle. It was created in 1955 by the Council of Europe – more than sixty years ago. Why is it blue? Because it symbolises the blue oceans and seas almost all around Europe. And perhaps also the blue sky above it. And why 12 golden stars in a circle? The is a tradition from ancient Greece. They are a symbol for unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. It always has to be 12 stars - not more, not fewer. Each star is a 5-pointed star. And it has to stand on two "feet". It has to look like a person. If it stands on its head, that flag has been put up in a wrong way. When you see a European flag next time, try to check that it is not put upside down! The European Flag can be used by everybody. It is almost always used by European presidents and prime ministers, when they have a press conference or make a speech. It is also always put up in front of all European embassies and consulates all over the world. And the flag is in particular used every year on May 9. Why? Because that day is Europe Day. A day when we all celebrate Europe.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Money doesn't smell - where does that expression come from? And it means?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:
It is the blessing of age that you can look at a woman with pleasure, but without desire. This was once said by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, probably in his older days. 2. Today’s quote: As none of today's persons has left great quotations you get one more by Arthur Schopenhauer: Modesty by people with mediocre abilities is honesty. With very talented people it is hipocricy. 3. Famous people born on this day: 1791: 1931: 1932: 1940: 1953:
Michael Faraday ( died 1867 ) Fay Weldon Ingemar Johansson ( died 2009 ) Anna Karina (born Hanne Karin Blarke Bayer) Ségolène Royal
4. Famous people died on this day: 1985: 1989: 1999: 2001:
Axel Springer ( 73 years ) Irving Berlin ( 101 years ) George C. Scott ( 71 years ) Isaac Stern ( 81 years ) SEPTEMBER 23
TODAY’s NAME: This day is called LINUS DAY – named after pope Linus in Rome. He was the first pope after Saint Peter, and he died in 79 AC. Today is also autumn equinox. This means that day and night are equally long. On the southern hemisphere they, of course, have spring equinox today.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1941: Charles de Gaulle creates a French government-in-exile in London.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Money doesn't smell - where does that expression come from? And it means?
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: Gordian knot - what is the history behind this expression? And what does it mean?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Modesty by people with mediocre abilities is honesty. With very talented people it is hipocricy. This is said by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. 2. Today’s quote: When all think alike, then no one is thinking. Who on today's list has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 480 BC: Euripedes ( died 406 BC ) 1889: Walter Lippmann ( died 1974 ) 1916: Aldo Moro ( died 1978 ) 1926: John Coltrane ( died 1967 ) 1930: Ray Charles ( died 2004 ) 1938: Romy Schneider ( died 1982 ) 1943: Julio Iglesias 1949: Bruce Springsteen 4. Famous people died on this day:
79: 1241: 1666: 1939: 1973:
Pope Linus ( age unknown ) Snorri Sturluson ( 63 years ) Francois Mansart ( 68 years ) Sigmund Freud ( 83 years ) Pablo Neruda ( 69 years ) SEPTEMBER 24
TODAY’s NAME: This day is called TECLA’s DAY. It has its name from a young, beautiful girl from Lydia ( which was an area in what is now southern Turkey ) – a daughter of a local grocer. She converted to Christianity after she had heard the apostle Paul. After that she leaves her husband, cuts her hair short, pretended to be a man and accompanies Paul on his travels. Due to that she experiences a lot of persecutions, and she ends up living as a hermit in a cave in Seleukia near the river Tigris. She becomes very old and dies in her cave in the year 90 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1862: Otto von Bismarck is nominated prime minister in Germany by king Wilhelm I.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Gordian knot - what is the history behind this expression? And what does it mean? This expression comes from Apollon’s Oracle in Delphi – the centre of the world in ancient Greece. The Oracle had predicted that the person who could undo a knot on the harness on a pole of a wagon in the temple of Zeus in Gordion would become the ruler of the world. Then came Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) and solved the problem by cutting the knot with his sword. And he actually became the ruler of the known world at the time. Today, the expression to untie the Gordian knot means that you solve a problem, which seems unsolvable.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Flamenco - where does that word come from? And what is it?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:
When all think alike, then no one is thinking. This was said by the American journalist Walter Lippmann. 2. Today’s quote: Gratitude is an important investment in future favours. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1717: 1725: 1890: 1896: 1941: 1972:
Horace Walpole ( died 1797 ) Arthur Guinness ( died 1803 ) Alan Patrick Herbert ( died 1971 ) Francis Scott Fitzgerald ( died 1949 ) Linda McCartney ( died 1998 ) Pierre Amin Gemayel ( died 2006 )
4. Famous people died on this day: 1904: Niels Finsen ( 44 years ) 1945: Hans Geiger ( 63 years ) 2004: Francoise Sagan ( 69 years ) SEPTEMBER 25 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CLEOPHAS’ DAY. He was one of the disciples of Jesus. According to the bible Jesus appeared before him and his brother, when they were on their way to Emaus.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1972: A referendum in Norway about membership of the EU gives 46,51 % YES and 53,49 % NO.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Flamenco - where does that word come from? And what is it?
It is well known that flamenco is a lively Spanish song with guitar music, a forceful dance and loud clapping with the hands. It is in particular known in Andalusia in the south of Spain.
Originally it was the culture of poor people. It goes back to the 16th century and comes from gipsy music and somewhat also from the Moorish culture, also after the Moors were thrown out of Europe by 1492. Flamenco is mentioned for the first time in 1774. And when the first Flamenco Café opened in Andalusia in 1842 it was no success from the beginning. Where does the word flamenco then come from? Flamenco – also today – in Spanish means Flemish. How come? Because people in Spain thought in the 16th century that the gypsies came from Flanders (including present day Belgium). It was under the Spanish king from 1556-1713. So perhaps there is some truth in it.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Flying Dutchman - what is the history behind that expression?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Gratitude is an important investment in future favours. It was said by the British Horace Walpole in the 18th century. 2. Today’s quote: Intelligence is the ability to accept the surroundings. Who among today’s persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1644: 1764: 1897: 1906: 1938: 1944:
Ole Rømer ( died 1710 ) Fletcher Christian ( died 1793 ) William Falkner ( died 1962 ) Dmitrij Sjostakovitj ( died 1975 ) Jonathan Motzfeldt ( died 2010 ) Michael Douglas
4. Famous people died on this day: 1849: Johan Strauss the Elder ( 45 years ) 1970: Erich Maria Remarque ( 72 years ) 1983: Ex-king Leopold III of Belgium ( 82 years )
SEPTEMBER 26 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is ADOLF’s DAY. It is called after the young man Adolf, who had a Christian mother and a Muslim father. When the father had died, his relatives told the authorities that Adolf and his brother John were Christians. And they were both executed. It happened in the year 824 AC. Today is also “The European Day for Languages”
TODAY’s EVENT: 1580: Francis Drake comes back to England after having sailed around the world in 33 months in his ship “The Golden Hind”.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Flying Dutchman - what is the history behind that expression?
The origin of this expression is a legend from the 16th century. It tells about a Dutch merchant ship, which constantly sails over the oceans and never goes into any port. It is in particular seen in the seas around Cape of the Good Hope in South Africa. Seeing this ship gives other ships a warning that an accident is coming up. The legend also tells that the ship is there as God’s punishment of the Dutch captain Vanderdecken for blasphemy. The topic has often been treated in literature and other forms of art, including in Richard Wagner’s opera The Flying Dutchman. Today we would rather talk about a so-called ghost ship. This is a ship which is sailing without any crew. Such ships exist. It is, though, not dangerous just to see them. It only becomes a real problem, if you run into them. And fortunately this happens very rarely.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Altona -- where does that name come from? And what is the history behind this place?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:
Intelligence is the ability to accept the surroundings. This was said many years ago by the American author William Faulkner. 2. Today’s quote: Aphorisms are necessarily for intellectuals. There are no rolling skates for handicapped. Who among today's persons has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1849: 1888: 1889: 1898: 1936: 1945: 1948:
Ivan Pavlov ( died 1936 ) T.S. Elliot ( died 1965 ) Martin Heidegger ( died 1976 ) George Gershwin ( died 1937 ) Winnie Mandela Bryan Ferry Olivia Newton-John
4. Famous people died on this day: 1902: 1917: 1937: 1945:
Levi Strauss ( 73 years ) Edgar Degas ( 83 years ) Bessie Smith ( 39 years ) Béla Bartok ( 64 years )
SEPTEMBER 27 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is COSMAS’ DAY. She was like her twin brother Demianus a medical doctor, who treated people without being paid. Due to their Christian faith they were both beheaded during the persecutions of emperor Diocletian. It happened in the year 287 AC.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1825: The world’s first public railway is inaugurated between Stockton and Darlington in England. It is 27 miles, has 32 wagons and runs with a speed of 10 miles per hour.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Altona -- where does that name come from? And what is the history behind this place?
The city of Altona is today part of Hamburg. It has 241.000 inhabitants. But it has an interesting history with close connections to Denmark. It was founded at the river Elbe by the Danish king Christian III in 1535. The purpose was that it should compete with the near-by German city of Hamburg. That is also where it got its name from. Altona comes from the expression in the German dialect Plattdeutsch al to naar. It means alles zu nah - or far too near. It is uncertain, if it was the citizens of the city or those of Hamburg, who invented this name. The name with the same origin exists in other parts of Germany - such as the old manor (now hotel) Gut Altona near Wildeshausen. There is also an Altona near Melbourne in Australia. Altona became a very important harbour city in the Danish monarchy. That is why its first railway was build in 1844 between Altona and Kiel. And when Altona was lost to Germany in 1864 the Danes soon started building a totally new harbour in Esbjerg, especially for the trade by sea with Britain. Altona is also known because it was the famous Johann Struensee's home town. He was a doctor here, before king Christian VII brought him to Copenhagen as his personal doctor. With all the political and personal consequences which followed. Altona never succeeded to win the competition with Hamburg. On the contrary. And as of 1937 it has been a part of the city of Hamburg.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Goulash barons -- what was that? And where does the expression come from?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Aphorisms are necessarily about intellectual matters. There are no rolling skates for handicapped. This was said by the Danish author Jacob Paludan. 2. Today’s quote: None of today's personalities has left any important quotes. 3. Famous people born on this day: 1601: 1722: 1862: 1942: 1958:
King Louis 13. ( died 1643 ) Samuel Adams ( died 1803 ) Louis Botha ( died 1919 ) Alvin Stardust Shaun Cassidy
4. Famous people died on this day: 1891: Ivan Gonchasov ( 79 years ) 1917: Edgar Degas ( 81 years ) SEPTEMBER 28 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called WENCESLAUS’ DAY. It has its name after Bratislaus, duke of Bohemia. He lived in the years 907 – 35 AC. His brother Boleslaus was jaloux at Wenceslaus, not so much because he was a devoted Christian, but because he was very popular. Therefore, he hired a number of criminals to kill him. The legend tells that God afterwards punished the murderers by making them insane. The main street in Prague has its name from Wenceslaus.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1066: William the Conqueror arrives in Hastings in the south of England.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Goulash barons -- what was that? And where does the expression come from?
During World War I the German troops were most of the time eating canned food, especially goulash in many forms. The soldiers called their kitchens in the field GullaschKanonen! A large part of it was imported from neutral countries, including Denmark. And its quality was often very poor. And in those countries many people became very rich very quickly because of that export. Many of them were boasting with their money. So the word Goulash Barons is pretty negative. It was in many ways be compared with today’s Nouveaux Riches from Russia and China.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Money is the root of all evil - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean? TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: There aren't many socialists in the socialist parties, as there aren't many
shrimps in a shrimp cocktail. This was once said by the Danish author and film director Erik Clausen. 2. Today’s quote: Love of mankind is a moral question. Knowledge of human nature is a question of wisdom. Who among today's personalities has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 551 BC: Confusius) ( died 479 BC ) 1841: Georges Clemenceau ( died 1929 ) 1924: Marcello Mastroianni ( died 1996 ) 1934: Brigitte Bardot 1954: Margot Wallström 4. Famous people died on this day: 48 BC: Pompey ( 58 years ) 935: Wenceslaus I ( 28 years ) 1891: Herman Melville ( 72 years ) 1895: Louis Pasteur ( 73 years ) 1964: Harpo Marx ( Arthur Duer Marx ) ( 76 years ) 1970: Gamal Abdel Nasser ( 52 years ) 1991: Miles Davis ( 65 years ) SEPTEMBER 29 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called SAINT MICHAEL’s DAY. It’s called after the arch angel Michael. According to the legend he is standing at the gate of paradise. From here he shows the soals the way to heaven. Old Danish weather warnings for today:
If the nights are clear on Saint Michael the winter will be very severe, so watch out ! Strong winds on this day means a cold winter
TODAY’s EVENT: 1789: The US Congress meets for the first time.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Money is the root of all evil - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?
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: Ladbergen - what is the important history behind this small German town?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 8. Yesterday’s quote: Love of mankind is a moral question. Knowledge of human nature is a question of wisdom. This was once said by the Chinese philosopher Confusius several hundred years BC. 9. Today’s quote: Freedom will come, Sancho. This is one of the most precious gifts mankind has received from heaven. Who has said that? 10. Famous people born on this day: 1547: 1758: 1931: 1936: 1943: 1956:
Miguel de Cervantes ( died 1616 ) Horatio Nelson ( died 1805 ) Anita Ekberg ( died 2015 ) Silvio Berlusconi Lech Walesa Sebastian Coe
11. Famous people died on this day: 1560: Gustav Vasa ( 64 years ) 1902: Emile Zola ( 62 years ) 1913: Rudolf Diesel ( 53 years )
1967: Carson McCullers ( 50 years )
SEPTEMBER 30 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is HIERONIMUS’ DAY. It is named after one of the so-called church fathers. He lived in the years 340 – 420 AC. And he was for many years in charge of a monastery in Bethlehem. He is in particular known as the man who translated the Old Testament into Latin. A translation which still today is the Catholic church’s official translation of the bible. The legend tells that Hieronimus also one day pulled a thorn out of the paw of a lion.
TODAY’s EVENT: 1791: In Vienna Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte is played for the first time.
TODAY’s QUESTION: Ladbergen - what is the important history behind this small German town?
This is small German town in Nordrhein-Westfalen - just between the cities of Osnabrück and Münster. In the centre of town you find a very old and very nice hotel called Gasthaus zur Post. Apart from having used it many times on our way to and from Denmark, then this Gasthaus is historically very famous. It was here the Thirty Years' War ended in 1648. Or more precisely: the peace negotiations between the protestants (from Osnabrück) and the catholics (from Münster) met here for the first time. The fact that the Gasthof is exactly 25 km from each of the two enemy cities was a good basis for the final compromise. Later the Peace Treaty was sign in the City Hall in Münster.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: October - where does that word come from? And what is linked to that month?
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:
Freedom will come, Sancho. This is one of the most precious gifts mankind has received from heaven. This was said by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in Don Quixote. 2. Today’s quote: There are no guts in Danish theatre . Danish theatre lacks sensuality. Who has said that? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1840: 1882: 1908: 1935: 1936: 1945: 1956:
Johan Severin Svendsen ( died 1911 ) Hans Geiger ( Johannes Wilhelm Geiger ) ( died 1945 ) David Oistrakh ( died 1974 ) Udo JĂźrgens ( died 2014 ) Flemming Flindt ( died 2009 ) Ehud Olmert Frank Arnesen
4. Famous people died on this day: 1955: James Dean ( 24 years ) 1985: Simone Signoret ( 64 years )