Mikael Agricola Day / Finnish Language Day-Finland 09 April Mikael Agricola Mikael Agricola (c. 1510 - 9 April 1557) was a clergyman who became the de facto founder of written Finnish and a prominent proponent of the Protestant Reformation in Sweden (including Finland). He is often called the "father of the Finnish written language". Agricola was consecrated as the bishop of Turku (Åbo) in 1554, without papal approval. As a result, he began a reform of the Finnish church (then a part of the Church of Sweden) along Lutheran lines. He translated the New Testament, the prayerbook, hymns, and the mass into Finnish, and through this work set the rules of orthography that are the basis of modern Finnish spelling. His thoroughgoing work is particularly remarkable in that he accomplished it in only three years. He died suddenly while returning from a trip during which he negotiated a treaty with the Russians.
Biography Early life Michael Olaui or Mikkel Olafsson (Finnish: Mikael Olavinpoika) was born in Uusimaa (Nyland) in the village of Torstila in Perna, Finland, around the year 1510. He was named after the patron saint of Perna's church. The exact date of his birth, like most details of his life, is unknown. His family was a quite wealthy peasant family according to the local bailiff's accounting. He had three sisters, but their names are not known. His teachers apparently recognized his aptitude for languages and his rector Bartholomeus sent him to Viborg (Viipuri) for Latin school and some priestly training, where he attended the school of Erasmus. It is not known whether his first language was Swedish or Finnish - the first alternative is supported by the fact that PernA was mostly a Swedish-speaking district. However, he mastered both languages like a native speaker and was possibly a bilingual child.
Agricola as a student When he studied in Viborg (Viipuri) he assumed the surname Agricola ("farmer" gv. "agriculture"); surnames based on one's father's status and occupation were common for first-generation scholars at the time. It was probably in Viipuri where he first came in touch with the Reformation and Humanism. The Viipuri castle was ruled by a German count, Johann, who had served the king of Sweden, Gustav Vasa. The count was a supporter of the Reformation, and they already held Lutheran services. In 1528 he followed his teacher to Turku (Abo), the center of the Finnish side of the Swedish realm and the capital of the bishopric, where he became a scribe in bishop Martinus Skytte's office. While in Turku he met Martin Luther's first Finnish student Petrus Sarkilahti, who eagerly spread the idea of the Reformation. Sarkilahti died in 1529, and it was up to Agricola to continue his work. He was ordained for priesthood circa 1531. In 1536 the bishop of Turku sent him to study in W ittenberg in Germany. He concentrated on the lectures of Philipp Melanchthon, who was an expert in Greek, the original language of the New Testament. In Wittenberg he studied under Luther. He got recommendations to Gustav Vasa from both of the reformists. He sent two letters to Gustav, asking for a confirmation for a stipend. W hen the confirmation came, he bought books (for example, the complete works of Aristotle). In 1537 he started translating the New Testament into Finnish.
Agricola as a rector and an ordinarius In 1539 Agricola returned to Turku and ended up as the rector of Turku (Cathedral) School. He did not like his job, calling his students "untamed animals". At the time Gustav Vasa had confiscated the property of the church when he was consolidating his power but also drove the Reformation. In 1544 Agricola received an order from the crown to send several talented young men to Stockholm's taxing offices. For some reason, Agricola did not obey until the order was sent again the next year, with a more menacing tone. This episode probably affected their relations negatively. In 1546 Agricola lost his home and school in the Fire of Turku. On 22 February 1548 Gustav Vasa ordered Agricola to retire from his position as a rector. At this time he was already married, but history knows his wife only by her name: Pirjo Olavintytär (Bridget, "daughter of Olavi"; Birgitta Olafsdotter, Brigida Olaui). His only son, Christian Agricola (Christianus Michaelis Agricola), was born 11 December 1550, and became the bishop of Tallinn in 1584. When an old bishop died in 1554, Gustav Vasa had Agricola consecrated as the ordinarius of Turku parish - for all practical purposes Bishop of Turku and by extension the first Lutheran bishop for all Finland. He was not particularly virulent in reform, although he did remove the Canon of the Mass. In 1557 he joined the delegation that was going to Russia and was in Moscow from 21 February to 24 March negotiating a peace treaty, the Treaty of Novgorod (1557). On 9 April he fell ill and died in the Uusikirkko (now Polyane) village, part of the Kyrönniemi parish on the Karelian Isthmus. This day is also Elias Lönnrot's birthday and it is celebrated in Finland as the day of the Finnish language. He was buried inside Viipuri's church, but the exact location of the grave is not known. He is commemorated as a bishop by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on 10 April.
Literary achievements Abckiria Agricola had thought about translating the New Testament in his early years of study. At the time, however, there was no standard written form of Finnish. He started developing it. His first book,"Abckiria", which is nowadays known as the "ABC-kirja" or ABC-book, was a primer for reading and a catechism. It was first printed in 1543. The catechism was included because only a very few people could afford the whole Bible at the time. The first printing contained 16 pages. A second printing was released in 1551 with 24 pages.
Rucouskiria Agricola's Rucouskiria (Rukouskirja-prayer book) was printed in March 1544. At the beginning of the book, Agricola wrote about many topics concerning all-round education and the Reformation's effects in Finland. The book includes four prefaces and about 700 prayers on many topics; it even has twelve different prayers instead of the usual two or three. It is the most independent work by Agricola and contains approximately 900 pages. His sources include the works of Luther, Melanchthon, and Erasmus.
Se Wsi Testamenti (the New Testament- Uusi testamentti) Ag r i c o l a ' s mo s t p r o min e n t b o o k i s S e W s i Te s t ame n t i , t h e fi r s t Finnish-language translation of the New Testament. The manuscript was completed in 1548. It contains 718 pages and many illustrations.
Three Liturgical books While Agricola was in Wittenberg, he translated three smaller liturgical books into Finnish. These books were printed in 1549. Kasikirja Castesta ia muista Christikunnan Menoista includes forms for christening, marriage and burial, as well as speeches for the sick, mourning and dying. It is translated from Olaus Petri's corresponding work except for the christening and marriage portions, which are from Luther. It also contains minor elements translated from Caspar Huberinus' works. Messu eli Herran echtolinen includes the form for a service. It is also based on Olaus Petri's work and a few Finnish manuscripts. In this book Agricola revealed his next mission: the translation of the Old Testament. Se meiden Herran Jesusen Christusen Pina, ylesnousemus ia tauiaisen Astumus, niste Neliest Euangelisterist coghottuon tells about Jesus Christ's suffering. It is collected from all four gospels. This book was influenced heavily by Johannes Bugenhagen, a teacher in Wittenberg. It was mainly translated from the German version, but some parts are influenced by the Swedish version and Agricola's own translation of theNew Testament.
Commemorations of Agricola Mikael Agricola was recently selected as the main motif for a commemorative coin, the €10 Mikael Agricola and Finnish language commemorative coin, minted in 2007. This collector coin was issued to honor Mikael Agricola's lifework as a contributor to Protestant reformation in Finland and as the father of the Finnish written language. The reverse of the coin shows a quill referencing the writer; while the obverse side contains an artistic interpretation of a human figure. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikael_Agricola
Day of Beauty & Mother's Armenia-07 April Mothers' Day is celebrated all over the world as a mark of respect to all the mothers, recognizing their efforts and significance to each and every family. The Armenians commemorate Mothers' Day every 7th of April. This is also a Beauty Day dedicated to all women in the country.
HISTORY The modern celebration of Mothers' Day was started by Anna Jarvis, an American from the town of Grafton in West Virginia who was born on May 1, 1864. She was the 9th child of the couple, Anna Marie and Granville Jarvis. She spent her childhood in Grafton and attended college at the Augusta Female Academy which is now called Mary Baldwin College. Right after she finished her studies, she pursued her career as a teacher and worked for almost seven years. The Mothers' Day inspiration of Anna came from her mother who frequently told Anna about her yearning for a memorial day that will serve as a tribute day to all mothers for their unconditional and matchless service to their families and to the country. Soon after the death of Anna's father, she, her sister and their mother moved to their brother who was then living in Philadelphia. From then, Anna continued her life and career. When her mother died on May 9, 1905, she pursued the campaign of establishing a commemoration day to all mothers to fulfill her mother's long time aspiration. Before the Civil W ar, exactly at the first anniversary of her mother's death, Anna, together with her colleagues established Mothers Day Work Club whose aim was to recognize and award the accomplishments of mothers. Anna took this event seriously and sent several propositions to different offices of the government to pass a national day celebration for mothers. Because of Anna's remarkable wit and influence, her advocacy gained a lot of supporters and followers which led to the official acknowledgement of the national Memorial Day for mothers. On the third death anniversary of her mother, a program dedicated for all mothers was organized and funded by Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton and some organizations in Philadelphia. The newly recognized Memorial Day received a lot of positive reactions and the celebration went over and adopted by the different States and neighboring countries. In fact during the 1909, 45 States of the USA, including Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico acknowledged it as well and started a yearly formal celebration during this special time. The official proclamation declaring Mothers' Day as a public holiday was held at West Virginia on April 26, 1910. And when Jarvis passed away, the celebration was recognized worldwide in more than 40 countries. Many countries celebrate Mothers' Day in many different dates but mostly during the second Sunday of May. In Armenia, they commemorate Mothers' Day every 7th day of April along with the Beauty Day for all women.
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES
Women are the stars of this day as they are pampered with flowers, presents, and sweets like chocolates and are given tributes and programs, too. Also, the president of Armenia and other high offices in the country hold several speeches and messages to pass on good wishes to women all over the country. The holiday is also a time for families to visit the churches and attend ellowship services. Ref: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/armenia-mothers-day/
Yuri`s Night-International-12 April Yuri's Night is an international celebration held on April 12 every year to commemorate space exploration milestones. The event is named for the first and most important milestone, the launch of the first human into space, Yuri Gagarin onApril 12, 1961, on the Vostok 1 spaceship. In 2004, people celebrated Yuri's Night in 34 countries in over 75 individual events. Locations have included Los Angeles,Stockholm, Antarctica, the San Francisco Bay Area, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, and theInternational Space Station. The goal of Yuri's Night is to increase public interest in space exploration and to inspire a new generation of explorers. Driven by space-inspired artistic expression and culminating in a worldwide network of annual celebrations and educational events, Yuri's Night creates a global community of young people committed to shaping the future of space exploration while developing responsible leaders and innovators with a global perspective. These global events are a showcase for elements of culture that embrace space including music, dance, fashion, and art. Yuri's Night was created by Loretta Hidalgo, George T. Whitesides and Trish Garner. The first Yuri's Night was held on April 12, 2001, but its counterpart, known asCosmonautics Day was established in the Soviet Union in 1962. The 2004 event in Los Angeles was attended by over 100 prominent space leaders including author Ray Bradbury, space tourist Dennis Tito, X-Prize founder Peter Diamandis, *NSYNC'sLance Bass and Nichelle Nichols (Uhura from the original Star Trek series). The event was followed by a large party with 2 dance floors and world-class DJs. The 2007 event in the San Francisco Bay Area was located at NASA Ames Research Center atMoffett Field in Mountain View, CA. The event features artistic installations, technology demonstrations, and DJ music continuing through dawn of the following day and takes place in an aircraft hangar not accessible to the public. Yuri's Night is a Space Generation Advisory Council event. April 2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's historic first flight.
Birthday of the Sultan of Johor Malaysia-08 April
Queen Margrethes birthday Denmark- Greenland 16 April
Iskandar of Johor
Margrethe II of Denmark Margrethe II (Margrethe Alexandrine Þorhildur Ingrid, sometimes anglicised as Margaret II) (born 16 April 1940) is the queen regnant of Denmark. In 1972 she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrete I, ruler of the Scandinavian countries in 1388-1412 during the Kalmar Union.
Early life Princess Margrethe was born at Amalienborg Palace, to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid. She was baptised on 14 May 1940. Since King Christian X was also the King of Iceland at the time, as a tribute to the people of Iceland, the Princess was given an Icelandic name, Þorhildur (spelled with the Icelandic thorn character, simplified as "th"). This middle name is sometimes anglicized as "Thorhildur." Margrethe has two younger sisters: Princess Benedikte (born 1944), who lives in Germany, and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (born 1946), who lives in London. The princess's godparents were King Christian X of Denmark, Prince Knud of Denmark, Prince Axel of Denmark, King Gustaf V of Sweden, Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, The Duke of Connaught. In mid-1960, together with the Princesses of Sweden and Norway, she traveled to the United States, which included a visit to Los Angeles, California, and to the Paramount Studios, where they were met by several celebrities, including Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Elvis Presley.
Heiress presumptive Margrethe was not born to be Monarch. At the time of her birth, only males could ascend the throne of Denmark, owing to the changes in succession laws enacted in the 1850s when the Glucksburg branch was chosen to succeed. As she had no brothers, it was assumed that her uncle Prince Knud would one day assume the throne. The process of changing the constitution started in 1947, not long after her father ascended the throne as Frederick IX and it became clear that Queen Ingrid would have no more children. The popularity of Frederik and his daughters and the more prominent role of women in Danish life started the complicated process of altering the constitution. That proposal had to be passed by two Parliaments in succession and then by a referendum, which was held on 27 March 1953. The new Act of Succession permitted female succession to the throne of Denmark, according to male-preference primogeniture, where a female can ascend to the throne only if she does not have a brother. Princess Margrethe therefore became the Heiress Presumptive. On her eighteenth birthday, 16 April 1958, the Heiress Presumptive was given a seat in the Council of State, and the Princess subsequently chaired the meetings of the Council in the absence of the King.
Education and marriage She studied prehistoric archaeology at Girton College, Cambridge during 1960-61, political science at Aarhus University between 1961-1962, at the Sorbonne in 1963, and at the London School of Economics in 1965, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. On 10 June 1967, Princess Margrethe of Denmark married a French diplomat, Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, at the Naval Church of Copenhagen. Laborde de Monpezat received the style and title of "His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark" because of his new position as the spouse of the Heiress Presumptive to the Danish throne. Queen Margrethe is fluent in her native tongue, Danish; the native tongue of her husband, French; as well as English, Swedish and German.
Reign King Frederik IX died in 1972. On the occasion of her accession to the throne on 14 January 1972, Queen Margrethe II became the first female Danish Sovereign under the new Act of Succession. Queen Margrethe II's official motto is: God's help, the love of The People, Denmark's strength. She is an accomplished artist and costume designer. She suffers from arthritis and has had both her knees replaced as a result. In 2008 the Queen announced that her male-line descendants would bear the additional title of Count of Monpezat. She is the 1,188th Dame of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Spain and the 961st Lady of theOrder of the Garter.
Constitutional role After an election where the incumbent Prime Minister does not have a majority behind him, a "Dronningerunde" (Queen's meeting) between the chairmen of each of the Danish political parties attends a meeting with the monarch. Each party has the choice of selecting a Royal Investigator to lead these negotiations or alternatively, give the incumbent Prime Minister the mandate to continue his government as is. In theory each party could choose its own leader as Royal Investigator, the globalistic party Det Radikale Venstre did so in 2006, but often only one Royal Investigator is chosen plus the Prime Minister, before each election. The leader who, at that meeting succeeds in securing a majority of the seats in the Folketing, is by royal decree charged with the task of forming a new government. (It has never happened in more modern history that any party has held a majority on its own.) Once the government has been formed, it is formally appointed by the Queen. Officially, it is the Queen who is the head of government, and she therefore presides over the Council of State, where the acts of legislation which have been passed by the parliament are signed into law. In practice, however, nearly all of the Queen's formal powers are exercised by the Council of State, and she is required by convention to act on its advice. The Queen's main tasks are to represent the Kingdom abroad and to be a unifying figurehead at home. The queen performs the latter task by accepting invitations to open exhibitions, attending anniversaries, inaugurating bridges, etc. As an unelected public official, the Queen takes no part in party politics and does not express any political opinions. Although she has the right to vote, she opts not to do so to avoid even the appearance of partisanship. In addition to her roles in her own country, the queen is also the Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires), an infantry regiment of the British Army, following a tradition in her family. The Queen is an accomplished painter, and has held many art shows over the years. It is said that were she not the queen, she could make a living as a professional artist. Her illustrations-under the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer-were used for the Danish edition ofThe Lord of the Rings published in 1977 and the re-issue in 2002. She is also an accomplished translator and is said to have participated in the Danish translation of The Lord of the Rings. She also designs some of her own clothes. Margrethe is a chain smoker, and she is famous for her tobacco habit. However, on 23 November 2006 the Danish newspaper B.T. reported an announcement from the Royal Court stating that the queen would never again be seen smoking in public. Still, the queen does continue to smoke but in the future she will do so only privately. The announcement is probably due to the fact that the Danish parliament recently has decided on strict rules concerning smoking. A statement in a 2005 authorized biography about the Queen (entitled Margrethe) focused on Islam: "We are being challenged by Islam these years. Globally as well as locally. There is something impressive about people for whom religion imbues their existence, from dusk to dawn, from cradle to grave. There are also Christians who feel this way. There is something endearing about people who give themselves up completely to their faith. But there is likewise something frightening about such a totality, which also is a feature of Islam. A counterbalance has to be found, and one has to, at times, run the risk of having unflattering labels placed on you. For there are some things for which one should display no tolerance. And when we are tolerant, we must know whether it is because of convenience or conviction."
Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj ibni Ismail Al-Khalidi (8 April 1932 - 22 January 2010) was the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malay for Paramount Chieftain, Supreme King or High King) of Malaysia, from 26 April 1984 to 25 April 1989. He succeeded his father, Sultan Ismail, to become the 24th Sultan of Johor upon the former's death in 1981. Sultan Iskandar's reign lasted for almost 29 years until his d eath i n J an u ar y 2 0 1 0 , u p on wh i c h h e was succeeded by his oldest son, Tunku Ibrahim. As was the case with his grandfather, Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Iskandar's independent mindset resulted in strained relations with the Malaysian federal government on numerous occasions. This was more so during his days as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, whereby a number of notable public incidents involved Sultan Iskandar. Nevertheless, Sultan Iskandar was reputed to show great concern to his subjects, and was held in high esteem by many of his subjects-particularly the Malays and Orang Aslis. Sultan Iskandar is reputed to have been a staunch disciplinarian, with willingness to occasionally voice personal opinions on governmental issues. On the personal side, subjects who have personally approached the Sultan in his later years described him as a person with a warm and generous personality. However, past critics had also argued that Sultan Iskandar was a person with a turbulent temper. These claims were made by citing records of past notorious incidents, which include an experience of being disinherited from being the Tunku Mahkota (or Crown Prince in English) by his father, in 1961, as well as a series of alleged criminal acts occurring between the 1970s and the 1990s which were published in the press and provoked widespread moral outrage within the Malaysian public. During his younger days as a prince, Tunku Iskandar was commonly known by his first name, "Mahmud" or his fu l l n a m e " M a h m u d Is k a n d a r " . H e l a r g e l y discontinued the use of his first name after he became Sultan in 1981, although some people still refer to him by his full name on an occasional basis.
Early life Sultan Iskandar (known as Tunku Mahmud Iskandar until 1981) was the third son of Sultan Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim by Sultanah Ungku Tun Aminah binti Ungku Paduka Bena Sri Maharaja Utama Ahmad, and was born on 8 April 1932 in Istana Semayam, Johor Bahru. (He had two older brothers, both of whom died in infancy.) Tunku Mahmud received his primary and secondary education in Ngee Heng Primary School and the English College (now Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) in Johor Bahru. In 1952, he was sent to Australia for tertiary education at the Trinity Grammar School. After graduating in 1953, Tunku Mahmud travelled to the Isle of W ight in the United Kingdom, where he enrolled into the Upper Chine School for three years. Upon completing his studies, Tunku Mahmud returned to Malaysia in 1956 and briefly served as a cadet officer in the Johor Civil Service, taking charge of a ffa i rs i n D i s t ri c t A ffai r s , L a n d a n d Tr e as u r y departments until his appointment as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor in May 1959. In 1956, Tunku Mahmud married Josephine Trevorrow, from Cornwall, United Kingdom, with whom he had four children, including the crown prince, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail. The marriage ended with divorce in 1962. He remarried in 1961 - shortly before his divorce to Trevorrow, to Tengku Zanariah, who came from the Kelantan royal family. Tengku Zanariah had six children with the Sultan. Analysts such as Kate Wharton have observed that any literal references to Trevorrow's association with Sultan Iskandar was carefully omitted in all official biographies. Tunku Mahmud was appointed the Tunku Mahkota of Johor from 1959 to 1961, and Raja Muda from 1966 to 1981, by Sultan Ismail. On 29 April 1981, he was re-appointed as the Tunku Mahkota shortly before his father's death.
Honours and decorations
Sultan of Johor
Danish decorations ----Order of the Elephant ----Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog ----One hundred anniversary Commemorative Medal of King Frederik IX's birth ----One hundred anniversary Commemorative Medal of King Christian X's birth ----Queen Ingrid's Commemorative Medal ----Commemorative Medal for the 50-year anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Ingrid's arrival in Denmark ----Home Guard fortjensttegn ----Home Guard 25-year mark ----Civil Defense League glory sign ----Danish Reserve Officers Association Medal
Foreign decorations -----Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator San Martin (Argentina) -----Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) -----Order of the Southern Cross with chain (Brazil) -----Order of Stara Planina with scarf (Bulgaria) -----Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Chile) -----Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (Estonia) -----Order of Al Kamal (United Arab Emirates) -----Chain of the Order of the Nile (Egypt) -----Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland -----Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France) -----Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer (Greece) -----Order of Saints Olga and Sophia (Greece) -----Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Falcon (Iceland) -----Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic -----Order of the Precious Crown, First Class (Japan)) -----Order of the Chrysanthemum with chain (Japan) -----Order of al-Hussain ibn-Ali (Jordan) -----Order of the Yugoslav Grand Star -----Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia) -----Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great (Lithuania) -----Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (Luxembourg) -----Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite (Morocco) -----Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (Netherlands) -----Order of Pratap Bhasker first class (Nepal) -----Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of St. Olav (Norway) -----Order of the White Eagle (Poland) -----Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland -----Grand Cross with chain of the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal) -----Grand Cross with chain of the Order of Saint James of the Sword (Portugal) -----Grand Cross with chain of the Order of the Star of Romania -----Collar of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud (Saudi Arabia) -----Golden Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia -----Order of the Golden Fleece (Spain) -----Grand Cross with chain of the Order of Charles III (Spain) -----Knight of the Order of the Garter (United Kingdom) -----Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (United Kingdom) -----Chain of the Order of the Seraphim (Sweden) -----Grand Cross with chain of the Order of Good Hope (South Africa) -----Order of Maha Chakrkri first pm. with chain (Thailand) -----Order of Rajamitrabhorn (Thailand) -----Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany -----Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Austria)
Family The Queen and The Prince Consort have two children and seven grandchildren: ----His Royal Highness Frederik André Henrik Christian, Crown Prince of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, born on 26 May 1968. He was married on 14 May 2004 to Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, who was born on 5 February 1972. They have four children: ----His Royal Highness Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, born on 15 October 2005. ----Her Royal Highness Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat, born on 21 April 2007. ----His Royal Highness Prince NN, Count of Monpezat, born on 8 January 2011 ----Her Royal Highness Princess NN, Countess of Monpezat, born on 8 January 2011 (In keeping with Danish Royal tradition, the names of the twin children born to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess on 8 January 2011 will not be announced until the time of their baptism) ----His Royal Highness Prince Joachim Holger Waldemar Christian of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, born on 7 June 1969. He was married on 18 November 1995 to Alexandra Christina Manley, who was born on 30 June 1964. They divorced on 8 April 2005. He was married on 24 May 2008 to Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier, who was born on 6 February 1976. He has three sons: ----His Highness Prince Nikolai William Alexander Frederik of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, born on 28 August 1999. ----His Highness Prince Felix Henrik Valdemar Christian of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, born on 22 July 2002. ----His Highness Prince Henrik Carl Joachim Alain of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, born on 4 May 2009.
Ancestry Patrilineal descent Margrethe's patriline is the line from which she is descended father to son. Patrilineal descent is the principle behind membership in royal houses, as it can be traced back through the generations - which means that if Margrethe II were to choose an historically accurate house name it would be Oldenburg. 1. Egilmar I of Lerigau, dates unknown 2. Egilmar II of Lerigau, d. 1142 3. Christian I of Oldenburg, d. 1167 4. Moritz of Oldenburg, d. 1209 5. Christian II of Oldenburg, d. 1233 6. John I, Count of Oldenburg, d. 1275 7. Christian III, Count of Oldenburg, d. 1285 8. John II, Count of Oldenburg, d. 1314 9. Conrad I, Count of Oldenburg, 1300-1347 10. Christian V, Count of Oldenburg, 1340-1423 11. Dietrich, Count of Oldenburg, 1398-1440 12. Christian I of Denmark, 1426-1481 13. Frederick I of Denmark, 1471-1533 14. Christian III of Denmark, 1503-1559 15. John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, 1545-1622 16. Alexander, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, 1573-1627 17. August Philipp, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1612-1675 18. Frederick Louis, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1653-1728 19. Peter August, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1696-1775 20. Prince Karl Anton August of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1727-1759 21. Friedrich Karl Ludwig, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1757-1816 22. Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, 1785-1831 23. Christian IX of Denmark, 1818-1906 24. Frederick VIII of Denmark, 1843-1912 25. Christian X of Denmark, 1870-1947 26. Frederick IX of Denmark, 1899-1972 27. Margrethe II of Denmark, b. 1940 Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margrethe_II_of_Denmark
On 10 May 1981, Tunku Mahmud was appointed as the Regent of Johor following the death of his father, and was sworn in as Sultan a day later, shortly before his father was buried. In turn, his younger brother, Tunku Abdul Rahman (not to be confused with Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister), formerly the Tunku Mahkota of Johor for twenty years under Sultan Ismail, was appointed the Tunku Bendahara of Johor, a post which he held until his death in 1989. In the same year on 12 December, Sultan Iskandar was appointed as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Under the elective monarchy system of Malaysia, Sultan Iskandar was elected to be the new Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on 9 February 1984 by the council of rulers-shortly before his predecessor's term expired on 26 April 1984. He succeeded the Sultan of Pahang as the Yang-Di Pertuan Agong on 26 April. A royal investature was held shortly after that -in whic h h e was donned in t he traditional suit of the Agong, whereby he was officially installed. Sultan Iskandar served in the capacity as the Yang-Di Pertuan Agong until 1989, whereby the Sultan of Perak succeeded him. As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Iskandar was automatically designated under constitutional provisions as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, holding the rank of the Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Malaysian Navy and Field Marshal of the Army. On 8 April 2006, the Sultan appointed his grandson Tunku Ismail Ibrahim-the son of the Tunku Mahkota-as the Raja Muda during an investure in conjunction on his birthday. The rank of Raja Muda denotes that Tunku Ismail is third in position in terms of the order of succession to the Johor royal throne. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iskandar_of_Johor
World Health Day-International 07 April World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). In 1948, the World Health Organization held the First World Health Assembly. The Assembly decided to celebrate 7 April of each year, with effect from 1950, as the World Health Day. The World Health Day is held to mark WHO's founding, and is seen as an opportunity by the organization to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. The WHO organizes international, regional and local events on the Day related to a particular theme. Resources provided continue beyond 7 April, that is, the designated day for celebrating the World Health Day. World Health Day is acknowledged by various governments and non-governmental organizations with interests in public health isssues, who also organize activities and highlight their support in media reports, such as through press releases issued in recent years by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Global Health Council.
Themes of World Health Days -----2011: Anti-microbial resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow -----2010: Urbanisation and health: make cities healthier -----2009: Save lives, Make Hospitals Safe in Emergencies -----2008: Protecting health from the adverse effects of climate change -----2007: International health security -----2006: Working together for health -----2005: Make every mother and child count -----2004: Road safety -----2003: Shape the Future of Life: Healthy Environments for Children -----2002: Move for Health -----2001: Mental Health: Stop Exclusion, Dare to Care -----2000: Safe Blood Start with Me -----1999: Active Aging Makes the Difference -----1998: Safe Motherhood -----1997: Emerging Infectious Diseases -----1996: Healthy Cities for Better Life -----1995: Global Polio Eradication
Current World Health Day The theme of the current World Health Day, marked on 7 April 2011, is "Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread" and focuses on the need for governments and stakeholders to implement the policies and practices needed to prevent and counter the emergence of highly resistant microorganisms. W hen infections caused by resistant microorganisms fail to respond to standard treatments, including antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines - also known as drug resistance - this may result in prolonged illness and greater risk of death. For W orld Health Day 2011, W HO is calling for intensified global commitment to safeguard antimicrobial medicines for future generations. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Day
Income Tax Day (also Accountant's Day)-US-15 April In the United States, Tax Day is a slang term for the day on which individual income tax returns are due to the federal government. The term may also refer to the same day for states, even where the tax return due date is a different day. Since 1955, Tax Day is usually on April 15. When April 15 falls on a weekend, Emancipation Day, or any other holiday, tax returns are instead due on the following business day. In 2011, Tax Day is April 18. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Day
E -;X&mD** Z6,ÔiÚ6,·Ïog/[¢{ izg8.
.Š HH ù ÷ á ÐgƒÑ{qZ{g7 wÎg 83 ‹ 50 yk™ ZVÐgƒ Ñezg ö
ASPCA Day-US 08 April "Regarding Henry": A "Bergh's-eye" view of 140 years at the ASPCA New York City, April 1866: The driver of a cart laden with coal is whipping his horse. Passersby on the New York City street stop to gawk not so much at the weak, emaciated equine, but at the tall man, elegant in top hat and spats, who is explaining to the driver that it is now against the law to beat one's animal. Thus, America first encounters The Great Meddler. H enr y Bergh was born in 1813, the son of a prominent shipbuilder. His adult years found him to be a man of leisure, dabbling in the arts and touring Europe. As was befitting the life of an aristocr at, in 1863 he was appointed to a diplomatic post at the Russian court of Czar Alexander II. It was there he first took action against man's inhumanity toward animals. Soon after, en route to America, he s topped in London to c r ib notes f rom the Ear l of Harrowby, president of England's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1840. Back in New York, Bergh pleaded on behalf of "these mute servants of mankind" at a February 8, 1866, meeting at Clinton Hall. Acc ording to the next day's edition of The Sun Bergh impressed attendees with his indignant recollection of a family watc hing a bullfight in Spain who "...seemed to receive their most ecstatic throb from the maddening stab of the hor ned animal." Bergh then detailed practic es in Amer ic a, inc luding c oc kf ight ing and the hor r or s o f slaughterhouses. A basic tenet of Ber gh's philos ophy, protecting animals was an issue that crossed party lines and class boundaries. To his audience, which included some of Manhattan's most powerf ul busines s and government leaders, he stressed, "This is a matter purely of conscience; it has no perplexing side issues. It is a moral question in all its aspects."
Four Paws and 140 Years Ago... Fortified by the success of his speech and the number of dignitaries to sign his "Declaration of the Rights of Animals," Bergh brought a charter for a proposed society to protect animals to the New York State Legislature. With his flair for drama he convinc ed politicians and c ommittees of his purpose, and the charter incorporating the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was passed on April 10, 1866. Nine days later, an anti-cruelty law was passed, and the ASPCA granted the right to enforce it. That is exactly what the ASPCA, with a full-time staff of three, set out to do. Bergh wrote to a reporter, "Day after day I am in slaughterhouses, or lying in wait at midnight with a squad of police near some dog pit. Lifting a fallen horse to his feet, penetrating buildings where I inspect collars and saddles for raw flesh, then lecturing in public schools to children, and again to adult societies. Thus my whole life is spent." The comforts Bergh gained for creatures just during his lifetime are enormous in scope. In 1867, the ASPCA operated the first ambulance anywhere for injured horses; 1875 marked the creation of a sling for horse rescue. Bergh advocated humane alternatives to live pigeons at shooting events, and supplied the horses who pulled car ts and streetcars in Manhattan with fresh drinking water daily. These public fountains were visited by cats, dogs and humans, too. By the time of Bergh's death in 1888, the idea that animals should be protected from cruelty had touched America's heart and conscience. Humane societies had sprung up throughout the nation-among the first to follow New York's lead wer e Buffalo, Boston and San Francisco-and 37 of 38 states in the union had enacted anti- cr uelty laws. W or king f or legislation continues to be one of our guiding principals.
All in a Dog's Work? Although the ASPCA's early efforts focused on horses and livestock, the society worked for cats and dogs, too. Some cases were prosecuted. As published in the ASPCA's first annual report in 1867, David Heath was sentenced to ten days in prison for beating a cat to death. Upon hearing the verdict, "he remarked that the arresting officer ought to be disemboweled," at which point a $25 fine was added to his punishment. In the late 1800's blue-collar canines were used to turn treadmills and pull small carts, most often for men who could not afford a horse. In many cases, the dog's "owners" provided no food or shelter, leaving the animal to scavenge in garbage cans. In 1867, Bergh helped pass a law that prohibited the use of dogs to pull carts without a license. Canines seemed to be most cruelly exploited as prize fighters. As the headline in an article appearing in the Long Island Star, December 8, 1876, read, "Two Bull Dogs Chew Each Other Up." Attended by prominent betting men, the $1,000 championship fight lasted nearly four hours. The ASPCA waged an all-out war on the day's most famous "spor tsman," Kit Bur ns; on one occas ion evoking high drama, Bergh dropped through a skylight into Burns' pit. The battle was frequently frustrating, as judges read the law regarding dog fighting quite narrowly, making it almost impossible to convict someone unless they had been caught setting the dogs at each other or instigating the fight.
Catch as Kindness Can In the early days of the ASPCA, the "average dog on the street" was just that--on the street. No one knows for sure the number of strays to call Manhattan home, but as many as 300 were rounded up daily and thrown into a cage, which was then swung into the East River, the animals drowned. Newspapers depicted city dog catchers as a frightful lot. As they were paid by the dog, not the hour, some were known to steal animals from owners' yards. The city-run shelter in Brooklyn was operated, as described in The World, June 23, 1887, "In a manner greatly detrimental to the public health and the dogs are treated in a most inhumane manner." The abuses grew so flagrant city-wide as to demand immediate checking, and in 1894 the Society was placed in charge of New York City's animal control duties- picking up lost, stray or injured animals and maintaining shelters. To c over expenses, the ASPCA collected revenues generated from dog licensing fees. The public was so pleased with the ASPCA's performance that in 1895 the law was amended and a second shelter established in Brooklyn, followed by one in Staten Island. Brooklyn's Sunday Advertiser, May 12, 1895, reported that "The business is now conducted on kind and merciful principles, and even the "Wandering Willie" of dodgem will be treated with consideration...." If an animal went unclaimed, a more humane method of euthanasia, suffocation via gas chamber, was implemented. Cats were written into the law, but they were ubiquitous at the time, occupying a shadow land between ownership and a wild state. On January 1, 1995, the ASPCA's current contract to provide animal control for the city of New York expired, and a decision was made not to renew. The job had drained the Society's resources; even in 1963, as reported in Animal Protection, the ASPCA was "steadily losing money since 1956." But over the course of the 100-year contract, the ASPCA had made notable improvements: In 1928, the per-capita euthanasia rate was 511 dogs and cats for every 10,000 people; by 1994, the rate dropped to 53 per 10,000 people, ranking New York City as one of the best among major U.S. cities.
The Medicine Show At the turn of the century, the ASPCA shifted focus from horses and livestock to small animals. This phenomenon is echoed in the veterinary profession, which had its roots in agricultur e and meat indus tr ies . Harvar d Univer sity's veterinary hospital was opened in 1884; most of the patients were horses. The hospital actually closed in 1904, under the assumption that its necessity would diminish as people swapped horses for cars-but veterinarians did treat dogs and cats in the early 1900's. Setting the pace for others, the ASPCA opened a hospital for animals in 1912. ASPCA doctors helped develop the use of anesthesia in 1918; that same year , they oper ated on a hor se with a broken kneecap- a procedure considered a mere possibility at the time. In 1954, the hospital added pathology and radiograph laboratories, and in 1961 ASPCA veterinarians performed their first open-heart surgery on a dog. Until the mid-20th century, diseases such as distemper and panleukopenia cos t c ountless animals their lives , but advanc es in preventive medicine helped change this. According to a 1963 article in ASPCA Animal Protection, "Ten years ago the tide of...dr ead virus diseases engulfed millions of puppies and kittens. Today they are slowly being wiped out by vaccines."
So Nice to Come Home to Between the 1950's and 1960's, pet care in America had made so much progress that the average life expectancy of cats and dogs had incr eas ed by two to three year s. According to Andrew Rowan, Ph. D., director of Tufts University Medical School's Center for Animals and Public Policy, "Pet ownership as we know it today is a post-World War II phenomenon." Canned food made it easier for many people to k eep a nima ls ; c at owner s hip i nc r e as e d tremendously with the development of kitty litter. This trend helped to change the focus of the Society's work, and sheltering and adopting programs were greatly expanded. In 1896, 654 dogs and 163 cats were adopted from ASPCA shelters; now that number is annually in the thousands. An increase in companion animal caretaking brought with it the need for well-behaved companion animals, and in 1944 the ASPC A instituted a nine-week dog training class that, according to promotional literature, "not only makes the dog obedient, but results in a closer companionship between dog and owner, when the latter realizes the responsibility of having a pet." Today, the Animal Behavior Center provides obedience classes, training for visiting dogs and a Behavior H o t l i ne o p e n t o c a ll e r s a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y . Making sure one's dog wore a license was a predicate of r es pons ible pet owner s hip, and ever y s pr ing loc a l newspapers carr ied notices infor ming owners to renew before April 30. In 1963, the Society employed 25 uniformed officers, each assigned to one area in the city, to enforce the law. Licenses could be lost, though, and some owners opted for the per manent, painless Identacode, wher eby an indelible number was tattooed on an animal's leg with an electric devic e. Ins tituted by the ASPC A in 1948, the procedure seems a precursor to a method developed in the mid-1980's, in which a tiny, numbered microchip is inserted under the skin. Should the animal become lost, a facility with a scanner can identify him or her immediately. Since 1993, the ASPCA has been injecting dogs and cats with Info-Pet microchips.
Unlucky Numbers As people opened their homes to cats and dogs, controlling the rate at which the animals reproduced became a growing problem. An ar ticle in Animal Protection, W inter 1964, reports, "The truth is there ar en't enough homes in the United States for all the puppies and kittens born each year." The ar tic le detaile d the Soc ie ty's plan t o pr omote spay/neuter operations and offer free sterilization surgeries to financially hard-press ed owners . Although actively endorsing sterilization since the late 1950's, the ASPCA did not always believe the practice should be mandatory. As explained in the 1963 annual report, "Many owners don't want the operation performed for religious, biological, or other reasons..." By 1972, however, the ASPCA Placement program was promoting spay/neuter for adopted animals. While many groups, including the ASPCA, have tried to push spay/neuter since the 1960's, even today they grapple with the problem of owner compliance.
Back to the Future As executors of Bergh's legacy work in the 21st century, the Great Meddler's influence is stronger than ever. As written in The Citizen, March 13, 1888, upon Bergh's death: "...so firm a hold did he take on the public sense of right that it is impossible that his work shall not be continued. he has made too many converts to render it all likely that his commonwealth will ever relapse into a condition to witness cruelty to animals without resentment." More than 100 years later, the words still ring true. Ref: http://www.aspca.org/about-us/history.aspx
ARB E AMHOOR AHORE PAK S AN
APR
O
APR
E
C
N
A
M
Em
@
m
m
National Tartan Day-US 06 April
National Sibling Day-US 10 April
Thomas Jefferson's Birthday-US 13 April
Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage on April 6, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. A one-off event was held in New York City in 1982, but the current format originated in Canada in the mid 1980s. It spread to other communities of the Scottish diaspora in the 1990s. In Australasia the similar International Tartan Day is held on July 1, the anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription that banned the wearing of tartan. Tartan Days typically have parades of pipe bands, Highland dancing and other Scottish-themed events.
National Siblings Day (NSD) is celebrated on April 10 each year in the USA. It is the brainchild of Claudia A. Evart, who created it after the deaths of her brother and sister. She wanted a day for all Americans to think about the importance of the relationships they have with their brothers and sisters. She created a Siblings Day Foundation to establish this special day and has managed to get 40 state governors to declare Siblings Day in their states. More and more people are accepting NSD and it now has a "Special Mark" from the US Patent and Trademark Office. If it keeps growing in popularity, it could be up there on the holiday calendar with Mother's Day and Father's Day.
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801-1809) and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776). An influential Founding Father, Jefferson envisioned America as a great "Empire of Liberty" that would promote republicanism. Jefferson served as the wartime Governor of Virginia (1779-1781), barely escaping capture by the British in 1781. Many people disliked his tenure, and he did not win office again in Virginia. From mid-1784 through late 1789 Jefferson lived outside the United States. He served in Paris initially as a commissioner to help negotiate commercial treaties. In May 1785 he succeeded Benjamin Franklin as the U.S. Minister to France. He was the first United States Secretary of State (1789-1793) under George Washington and advised him against a national bank and the Jay Treaty. He was the second Vice President (1797-1801) under John Adams. Winning on an anti-federalist platform, Jefferson took the oath of office and became President of the United States in 1801. As president he negotiated theLouisiana Purchase (1803), and sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) to explore the vast new territory and lands further west. Jefferson sponsored embargo laws that escalated tensions with Britain and France, leading to war with Britain in 1812 shortly after he left office. He idealized the independent yeoman farmer as exemplar of republican virtues, distrusted cities and financiers, and favored states' rights and a limited federal government. Jefferson supported the separation of church and state and was the author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1779, 1786). Jefferson's revolutionary view on individual religious freedom and protection from government authority have generated much interest with modern scholars. He was the eponym of Jeffersonian democracy and the co-founder and leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, which dominated American politics for 25 years. Born into a prominent planter family, Jefferson owned hundreds of slaves throughout his life; he held views on the racial inferiority of Africans common for this period in time. While historians long discounted accounts that Jefferson had an intimate relationship with his slave Sally Hemings, it is now widely held that he did and had six children by her.
United States In the United States it is estimated that there are 6 million people who claim Scottish descent. Little was done to follow up the New York event in 1982. In 1998, a Coalition of Scottish Americans with the Support of Senator Trent Lott, successfully lobbied the Senate for the designation of April 6 as National Tartan Day "to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States". Senate Resolution 155, passed on March 20, 1998, referred to the predominance of Scots among the Founding Fathers and claimed that the American Declaration of Independence was "modeled on" the Declaration of Arbroath. While this link is plausible, it has not been definitively proven. In 2004, the National Capital Tartan Day Committee, a coalition of Scottish-American organizations, successfully lobbied the US House of Representatives. On March 9, 2005, the United States House of Representatives unanimously adopted House Resolution 41, which designates April 6 of each year as "National Tartan Day." H.Res.41 Chief Sponsors were Congressmen Mike McIntyre from North Carolina and John Duncan from Tennessee. On April 4, 2008, President George Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation making April 6th National Tartan Day. Here is the content of the Presidential Proclamation: 2008 PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION President George Bush today signed on April 4th 2008 a Presidential Proclamation making April 6th National Tartan Day! Proclamation signed by the President of the United States: Americans of Scottish descent have made enduring contributions to our Nation with their hard work, faith, and values. On National Tartan Day, we celebrate the spirit and character of Scottish Americans and recognize their many contributions to our culture and our way of life. Scotland and the United States have long shared ties of family and friendship, and many of our country's most cherished customs and ideals first grew to maturity on Scotland's soil. The Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence signed in 1320, embodied the Scots' strong dedication to liberty, and the Scots brought that tradition of freedom with them to the New World. Sons and daughters of many Scottish clans were among the first immigrants to settle in America, and their determination and optimism helped build our Nation's character. Several of our Founding Fathers were of Scottish descent, as have been many Presidents and Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Many Scottish Americans, such as Andrew Carnegie, were great philanthropists, founding and supporting numerous scientific, educational, and civic institutions. From the evocative sounds of the bagpipes to the great sport of golf, the Scots have also left an indelible mark on American culture. National Tartan Day is an opportunity to celebrate all Americans who claim Scottish ancestry, and we are especially grateful for the service in our Armed Forces of Scottish Americans who have answered the call to protect our Nation. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 6, 2008, as National Tartan Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day by celebrating the continued friendship between the people of Scotland and the United States and by recognizing the contributions of Scottish Americans to our Nation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. GEORGE W. BUSH The Tunes of Glory Parade organized by Magnus Orr and Thomas Grotrian in 2002 saw 8,250 pipers and drummers march through the streets of New York led by Sir Sean Connery and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. They were the centerpiece of the event where thousands of Americans celebrated their links to Scotland. One of Scotland's national treasures, William Wallace's sword, left Scotland for the first time in 700 years and was flown to New York for the Tartan Week celebrations of 2005. Outside New York City, one of the largest Tartan Day celebrations in the United States takes place each year on the weekend closest to April 6 on the banks of the Missouri river in St. Charles, Missouri. The Missouri Tartan Day Festival began in April 2000, after successful lobbying at the State Capital in Jefferson City, members of the St. Andrew and Celtic Societies of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield, Missouri, gathered on the steps of the State Capitol in Jefferson City to receive the first proclamation of Tartan Day in Missouri. This was for the year 2000 only. In addition to the above celebrations, the W ashington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland, Scottish-A merican Societ ies h old Tartan Day Celebrations. These celebrations include a Congressional Reception hosted by Congressman McIntyre and Congressman Duncan and organized by the National Capital Tartan Day Committee, a Tartan Day Festival in Alexandria, Virginia, and various social and educational programs in the first two weeks in April. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan_Day
Chakri Day-Thailand 06 April Chakri Day in Thailand is celebrated on the April 6th. It is the anniversary of the founding of Thailand's Chakri Dynasty. Presently it is the King Bhumipol who is ninth ruling monarch from this dynasty. It is a national holiday in the country and is celebrated in much fanfare, especially in Bangkok city. This is because it was also the day on which it was declared as the capital of Thailand in the year 1782.
Celebration On this day, the people of Thailand perform meritorious acts for the great kings of the ruling dynasty. People are led in ceremonies by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is the ninth king of the dynasty. The King, accompanied by members of the royal family, presides over the religious ceremonies held at the royal chapel. He pays respects to his predecessors at the Royal Pantheon and proceeds for laying wreath at the statue of King Rama I at the Memorial Bridge. All government officials including the prime minister take part with the King in the wreath-laying ceremony. Ref: http://thailand.tourism-asia.net/chakri-day.html
Arbor Day- South Korea 05-April Arbor Day (from the Latin arbor, meaning tree) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It originated in Nebraska City, Neb., in the United States in 1872. J. Sterling Morton is the founder of Arbor Day. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872, and an estimated 1 million trees were planted that day. Many countries now observe it on various dates, depending on climate and suitable planting season, usually in the spring. Arbor Day was a public holiday in South Korea on April 5 until 2005. The day is still celebrated, though. On non-leap years, the day coincides with Hansik. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbor_Day#South_Korea
Araw Ng Kagitingan (Valour Day) Philippines-09 April The Araw ng Kagitingan or the Day of Valor is celebrated in the Philippines every 9th of April as a national memorial day for the brave souls who fought during the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 during the World War II. The holiday also pays respect and tribute to the many civilian men who died on the tragic D e a t h M a r c h w h i c h s t a r t e d fr o m B a t a a n a n d e n d e d i n Ta r l a c .
HISTORY The history of the Araw ng Kagitingan started during the World War II when the Japanese attacked the Naval Base of the United States at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The day after the attack, the Pacific War was declared between the two countries in the Philippine soil in which shortly after the start of 1942, the Japanese successfully conquered Manila. And on April 9, 1942, the Filipino and American troops raised their white flag and surrendered to the Japanese. The commanding Luzon Force in Bataan surrendered more than 76,000 people- 67,000 of them are Filipinos, 1,000 Chinese Filipinos and 11,796 Americans, all became prisoners of war by the Japanese. Bataan was the last province to surrender to the Japanese occupation. Followed by this surrender was the famous Bataan Death March imposed by the Japanese against the captives of war. The starving and in poor health men composed of Filipinos and Americans were forced to march from Mariveles in Bataan all the way to the city of Capas which is in Tarlac. During the march, physical abuse and tortures were involved especially to the weak men who struggled in the long and tragic walk. The Japanese never had second thoughts on killing those who they thought will not make it to the destination. For the Japanese, if you stumble, you die. They cut their throats and beheaded them. Some were shot and stabbed to death. The march lasted for almost a week under the scorching heat of the sun with no food and water at all. Only about 54,000 out of all the 72,000 prisoners who were forced to march reached the Tarlac destination. The Bataan War and the Bataan Death March are just two of the tragic moments that are engraved in the history of the Philippines which the people never fail to look back and reminisce.
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES As a tribute to the Filipinos and Americans who served as heroes of the Bataan War, the Filipinos observe the 9th of April each year with moments of silence and prayers to recognize the courage and heroism of the valiant men who fought for the country's independence. Shrines and statues were built in Capas and in Bataan as a memorial landmark. Many schools, roads, parks and national landmarks were also named after the heroes of the Bataan war. Along with the celebration of the special day, several commemoration rites and parades are also organized by different groups and organizations in the Philippines and in some parts of the United States.
Ref: http://www.eslholidaylessons.com/04/national_siblings_day.html
Battle of Rivas-National Heroes Day Costa Rica-11 April Second Battle of Rivas Battle of Rivas sometimes known as the Second Battle of Rivas occurred on 11 April 1856 between Costa Rican militia under General Mora and the Nicaraguanforces of W illiam Walker. The lesser known First Battle of Rivas took place on 29 June 1855 between Walker's forces and the forces of the Chamorro government of Nicaragua.
Background At the time, a major trade route between New York City and San Francisco ran through southern Nicaragua. Ships from New York would enter the San Juan River from the Atlanticand sail across Lake Nicaragua. People and goods would then be transported by stagecoach over a narrow strip of land near the city of Rivas, before reaching the Pacific and being shipped to San Francisco. The commercial exploitation of this route had been attained from a previous Nicaraguan administration to W all Street tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt's Accessory Transit Company. Garrison and Morgan had wrested control of the company from Vanderbilt and then supported W alker's expedition. Vanderbilt spread rumors that the company was issuing stock illegally in order to depress its value, allowing him to regain controlling interest. In July 1856, W alker set himself up as president of Nicaragua, after conducting a farcical election. As ruler of Nicaragua, W alker then revoked the Transit Company's charter, claiming that it had violated the agreement, and granted use of the route back to Garrison and Morgan. Outraged, Vanderbilt successfully pressured the U.S. government to withdraw its recognition of W alker's regime. W alker had also scared his neighbors and American and European investors with talk of further military conquests in Central America. Vanderbilt finance and train a military coalition of these states, led by Costa Rica, and worked to prevent men and supplies from reaching W alker. He also provided defectors from W alker's army with payments and free passage back to the U.S. Realizing that his position was becoming precarious, he sought support from the Southerners in the U.S. by recasting his campaign as a fight to spread the institution of black slavery, which many American Southern businessmen saw as the basis of their agrarian economy. With this in mind, Walker revoked Nicaragua's emancipation edict of 1824. This move did increase W alker's popularity in the South and attracted the attention of Pierre Soulé, an influential New Orleans politician, who campaigned to raise support for W alker's war. Nevertheless, Walker's army, thinned by an epidemic of cholera and massive defections, was no match for the Central American coalition and Vanderbilt's agents. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Rivas
Cosmonaut's Day-Russia 12 April Cosmonautics Day is a holiday celebrated in Russia and other countries every April 12. It celebrates the first manned space flight made on April 12, 1961 by 27-year old cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who circled the Earth for 1 hour 48 minutes aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. The holiday was established in the Soviet Union one year later, April 9, 1962. In modern Russia, it is celebrated in accordance with Article 1.1 of the Law "On the Days of Military Glory and the Commemorative Dates in Russia". Gagarins flight was an instant and surprising success for the Soviet space program. Gagarin became a national hero of the Soviet Union and eastern block and a famous figure around the world. Major newspapers around the globe published his biography and details of his flight. Moscow and other cities in the USSR held parades, the scale of which were second only to WWII Victory Parades. Gagarin was escorted in a long motorcade of high-ranking officials through the streets of Moscow to the Kremlin where, in a lavish ceremony, he was awarded the highest Soviet honour, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, by the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Until today the commemoration ceremony on Cosmonautics Day starts in the city of Korolyov, near Gagarin's statue. Participants then proceed under police escort to Red Square for a visit to Gagarin's grave in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis, and continue to Cosmonauts Alley, near the Monument to the Conquerors of Space. Finally, the festivities are concluded with a visit to the Novodevichy Cemetery. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmonautics_Day
National Redemption Day-Liberia 12-April In celebration of the anniversary of the coup d'état that was spearheaded by Samuel Doe in 1980, Liberia dedicated the 12th of April as the National Redemption Day. This is a special day for the Liberians as they commemorate the establishment of the Second Republic.
HISTORY The existence of Liberia as a modern state was a product of the efforts of the negotiations initiated by the liberated black residents from the United States who were once slaves. These forces received supports from the many different branches of the United States and ruled the country for almost a century. It was only on 1847 that the country was declared as independent after several years under the hands of the colonial powers. However, when the country achieved its independence, it never managed to stand alone since it was not able to improve its economic stability by itself. Due to this condition, many parts of Liberia's territory were handed down to the British and French colonies. The plan of the Europeans on Liberia turned out to be not a good idea for the Liberians. The Europeans wanted to re-establish the Liberians to let go and forget their origins and traditions. Due to the strong spirit of the Liberian customs and values, several underground movements were organized by concerned civilian groups to preserved and maintain their identities. Liberia was then ruled by President William Tolbert Jr. under a single-party government where there was limited civilian freedom. Moreover, the executive branch controlled the judiciary and legislative branches under the administration of Tolbert. In 1980, an opposition to the administration of the president led by Gabriel B. Matthews was established and aimed to oust the Tolbert government. Seeing it as a threat, Tolbert had Matthews arrested along with his alliances on March 1990. A few weeks after the arrest of Matthews, 28-year old Master Sergeant Samuel Doe plotted a coup and assassinated President Tolbert along with his officials. After the execution, Doe established a People's Redemption Council which granted full executive and legislative council. Doe was officially announced as the President of Liberia on January 1986. This new constitution created by Doe took effect on 1986 and he was inaugurated as the first president of the Second Republic of Liberia.
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES This memorable event in the History of Liberia is being celebrated each year with pride and honor. The people observed the even with respect as they participate in ceremonial activities and parades during the holiday. The media also covers important events and activities for the whole nation to witness and be part of this yearly celebration. Some of the most common activities throughout the day are parades, rallies, speeches organized by civic groups and political organizations. Ref: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/liberia-national-redemption-day/
Pan American Day (Day of the Americas) Honduras-14 April Day of the Americas or Pan American Day is celebrated in the country of Honduras every 14th of April. It is actually observed by every American nations as a symbol of the unity and strong bond of the American continent.
HISTORY Pan American Day originated during the 1800s which was proclaimed by Simon Bolivar in the Congress of Panama. This was established because of the Monroe doctrine that aimed to create a spirit of unity between the countries in the American continent at the same time not forgetting about their European origin. There were several actions and proposals that were escalated for the confederation of the Inter-American connection. It was only on 1889 that the American customs union was formally proposed and happened during the first International Conference of American States in Washington DC. Finally on April 14, 1890, the International Bureau of American Republics was established which later on was called the Pan American Union and sooner became known as the Organization of American States or OAS. On May 7, 1930, the official date of the celebration of the Pan American Day was proposed at a resolution adopted by the Governing Board of the Pan American Union. And on 1931, April 14 as the official celebration day of the Pan American Day was officially passed under the administration of President Herbert Hoover.
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES During this specia l holi day, the pe ople of Hon duras active ly par ticipat e in the commemoration rites. Most offices display flag of the different nations that are part of the Pan American Union. In most schools and universities, the Day of the Americas is always a big celebration every year. Some activities include a parade or a presentation by the orchestra and some even hold pageants or play that reenacts this particular day in the history. Travel companies and the tourism department also organize exhibits and public displays that feature the many different articles and artifacts including replicas of the publication of the Organization of American States. Ref: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/honduras-pan-american-day/
Songkran Days (Thai New Year) Thailand-13 April The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately following. If they fall in the middle of the week, many Thai take off from the previous Friday until the following Monday. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then. Songkran has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival. It is now observed nationwide, even in the far south. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. It has also become a party for foreigners and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.
New year traditions The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. Thais roam the streets with containers of water or water guns (sometimes mixed with mentholated talc), or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors. Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the city's
Ref: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/philippines-araw-ng-kagitingan-day/
Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold Day Turkmenistan-06 April President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov congratulated workers of the water economy of Turkmenistan on the national holiday "A drop of water is a grain of gold" celebrated annually on the first Sunday of April. As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports, the message by the head of state was published in central mass media outlets yesterday. "The Turkmen people treat water as the priceless gift of nature, as the sacred wealth without which life would be impossible, the address says. That is why Turkmenistan will continue seeing the development of water economy as one of the most important areas of state policy which will be in the focus of out attention." W ater reservoirs named after the 15th anniversary of independence, Hauzhan, Kopetdag, Saryniyaz water reservoirs, "Dostluk" water reservoir built on the border with the Islamic Republic of Iran, dozens of other existing or under-construction hydro-facilities are a s triking example of state care of water economy, Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov said. Speaking about the Turkmen lake which is currently being built in the Karakum desert, Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov emphasized the importance of this facility for the country's development. "This facility will provide our descendants with plenty of water. It will quench the Turkmen soil's thirst and enhance its fertility, the message says. Large-scale work is under way to provide population with clean drinking water. W ater purification facilities have been built in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat as well as in Ahal, Balkan, Mary, Lebap and Dashoguz provinces. We will keep paying particular attention to quality of drinking water. Water purification facilities built in every city and village will serve people." The Turkmen leader urged to take care and protect water springs, "consume water with care all along its stream - from river head to fields." "I am sure that all of you, having united and having become a single whole, will aim your concerted efforts, patriotic spirit, forces and abilities at resolving the main task - the fulfillment of your stated commitments - and will stand up to this task with honor," the message says. Ref: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/?page_id=3& lang_id=en&elem_id=9722&type=event&sort=date_desc
Education In 1752, Jefferson began attending a local school run by a Scottish Presbyterian minister. At the age of nine, Jefferson began studying Latin,Greek, and French; he learned to ride horses, and began to appreciate the study of nature. In 1757, when he was 14 years old, his father died. Jefferson inherited about 5,000 acres (20 km2) of land and dozens of slaves. He studied under the Reverend James Maury from 1758 to 1760 near Gordonsville, Virginia. While boarding with Maury's family, he studied history, science and the classics. At age 16, Jefferson entered the College of William & Mary in W illiamsburg, and for two years he studied mathematics, metaphysics, and philosophy under Professor W illiam Small, who introduced the enthusiastic Jefferson to the writings of the British Empiricists, including John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Isaac Newton. He also improved his French, Greek, and violin. A diligent student, Jefferson displayed an avid curiosity in all fields and graduated in 1762 with highest honors. He read law with William & Mary law professor George Wythe and was admitted to the Virginia bar five years later in 1767.
Career Jefferson handled many cases as a lawyer in colonial Virginia, and was very active from 1768 to 1773. Jefferson's client list included members of the Virginia's elite families, including members of his mother's family, the Randolphs. In 1768 Thomas Jefferson started the construction of Monticello, a neoclassical mansion. Since childhood, Jefferson had always wanted to build a beautiful mountaintop home within sight of Shadwell. Jefferson fell greatly in debt by spending lavishly over the years on Monticello in what was a continuing project to create a neoclassical environment, based on his study of the architect Andrea Palladio and the classical orders. Besides practicing law, Jefferson represented Albemarle County in the Virginia House of Burgesses beginning in 1769. Following the passage of the Coercive Acts by the British Parliament in 1774, he wrote a set of resolutions against the acts, which were expanded into A Summary View of the Rights of British America, his first published work. Previous criticism of the Coercive Acts had focused on legal and constitutional issues, but Jefferson offered the radical notion that the colonists had the natural right to govern themselves. Jefferson also argued that Parliament was the legislature of Great Britain only, and had no legislative authority in the colonies. The paper was intended to serve as instructions for the Virginia delegation of the First Continental Congress, but Jefferson's ideas proved to be too radical for that body.
Political career from 1775 to 1800 Drafting a declaration Jefferson served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress beginning in June 1775, soon after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. When Congress began considering a resolution of independence in June 1776, Jefferson was appointed to a five-man committee to prepare a declaration to accompany the resolution. The committee selected Jefferson to write the first draft probably because of his reputation as a writer. The assignment was considered routine; no one at the time thought that it was a major responsibility. Jefferson completed a draft in consultation with other committee members, drawing on his own proposed draft of the Virginia Constitution, George Mason's draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and other sources. Jefferson showed his draft to the committee, which made some final revisions, and then presented it to Congress on June 28, 1776. After voting in favor of the resolution of independence on July 2, Congress turned its attention to the declaration. Over several days of debate, Congress made a few changes in wording and deleted nearly a fourth of the text, most notably a passage critical of the slave trade, changes that Jefferson resented. On July 4, 1776, the wording of the Declaration of Independence was ratified. The Declaration would eventually become Jefferson's major claim to fame, and his eloquent preamble became an enduring statement of human rights.
State legislator In September 1776, Jefferson returned to Virginia and was elected to the new Virginia House of Delegates. During his term in the House, Jefferson set out to reform and update Virginia's system of laws to reflect its new status as a democratic state. He drafted 126 bills in three years, including laws to abolish primogeniture, establish freedom of religion, and streamline the judicial system. In 1778, Jefferson's "Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge" and subsequent efforts to reduce clerical control led to some small changes at William and Mary College. While in the state legislature Jefferson proposed a bill to eliminate capital punishment for all crimes except murder and treason. His effort to end the death penalty law was defeated.
Governor of Virginia Jefferson served as governor of Virginia from 1779-1781. As governor in 1780, he transferred the state capital from Williamsburg to Richmond. He continued to advocate educational reforms at the College of William and Mary, including the nation's first student-policed honor code. In 1779, at Jefferson's behest, William and Mary appointed George Wythe to be the first professor of law in an American university. The British invaded Virginia under Benedict Arnold and then by Lord Cornwallis. He and other rebel leaders in Virginia barely escaped capture by the British in June 1781. Many people disliked his tenure, and he not win office again in Virginia. However, in 1783 he was appointed to Congress by the state legislature.
Notes on the State of Virginia In the Fall of 1780, Gov. Thomas Jefferson was given a list of 22 questions, by Secretary of the French legation to the United States François Marbois, intended to gather pertinent information on the American colonies. Jefferson's responses to Marbois' "Queries" would become known as Notes on the State of Virginia. Jefferson, scientifically trained, was a member of the American Philosophical Society and had extensive knowledge of western lands from Virginia to Illinois. In a course of 5 years, Jefferson enthusiastically devoted his intellectual energy to the book, which discussed contemporary scientific knowledge, and Virginia's history, politics, and ethnography. Jefferson was aided byThomas Walker, George R. Clark, and U.S. geographer Thomas Hutchins. Jefferson has been controversial for both condemning slavery while expressing views that blacks were inferior to whites. The book was first published in France in 1785 and in England in 1787.
Member of Congress The Virginia state legislature appointed Jefferson to the Congress of the Confederation on 6 June 1783, his term beginning on 1 November. He was a member of the committee formed to set foreign exchange rates, and in that capacity he recommended that the American currency be based on the decimal system. Jefferson also recommended setting up the Committee of the States, to function as the executive arm of Congress when Congress was not in session. He left Congress when he was elected a minister plenipotentiary on 7 May 1784.
Minister to France Jefferson served as minister to France from 1785 to 1789, and did not attend the Philadelphia Convention, though he followed the proceedings by correspondence, and was supportive of it. Beginning in early September 1785, Jefferson collaborated by mail with John Adams in London to outline an anti-piracy treaty with Morocco. Their work culminated in a treaty that was ratified by Congress on 18 July 1787 and is still in force today, making it the longest unbroken treaty relationship in U.S. history. He enjoyed the architecture, arts, and the salon culture of Paris. He often dined with many of the city's most prominent people, but sided with the revolutionaries in 1789 French Revolution. While in Paris, Jefferson corresponded with a number of individuals who had important roles in events leading up to the French Revolution. These included marquis de Lafayette and comte de Mirabeau, a popular pamphleteer who repeated ideals that had been the basis for the American Revolution. Jefferson brought some of his slaves to serve the household, including James Hemings for training as a French chef. After his youngest daughter died, he requested that a young woman slave accompany his daughter Polly to France. Sally Hemings was chosen to travel with Polly, and lived with the Jefferson household for about two years in Paris. It is likely Jefferson began his long-term relationship with Sally Hemings while in Paris; that is what their son Madison Hemings reported in his 1873 memoir.
Secretary of State As George Washington's (1790-1793) Secretary of State, Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton argued over national fiscal policy, especially the funding of the debts of the war. Jefferson later compared Hamilton and the Federalists with "Royalism", and stated the "Hamiltonians wer e panting after...crowns, coronets and mitres." Jefferson and James Madison founded and led the Democratic-Republican Party. He worked with Madison and his campaign manager John J. Beckley to build a nationwide network of Republican allies. The French minister said in 1793: "Senator Morris and Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton...had the greatest influence over the President's mind, and that it was only with difficulty that he [Jefferson] counterbalanced their efforts." Jefferson supported France against Britain when they fought in 1793. Jefferson believed that political success at home depended on the success of the French army in Europe. The French minister in 1793, Edmond-Charles Genêt, caused a crisis when he tried to influence public opinion in appealing to the people, something Jefferson tried to stop.
Break from office Jefferson retired to Monticello in late 1793 where he continued to oppose the policies of Hamilton and Washington. However, the Jay Treaty of 1794, led by Hamilton, brought peace and trade with Britain - while Madison, with strong support from Jefferson, wanted, "to strangle the former mother country" without going to war. "It became an article of faith among Republicans that 'commercial weapons' would suffice to bring Great Britain to any terms the United States chose to dictate." Even during the violence of the Reign of Terror, Jefferson refused to disavow the revolution because "To back away from France would be to undermine the cause of republicanism in America."
Election of 1796 and Vice Presidency As the Democratic-Republican candidate in 1796 he lost to John Adams, but had enough electoral votes to become Vice President (1797-1801). He wrote a manual of parliamentary procedure, but otherwise avoided the Senate. With the Quasi-War underway, the Federalists under John Adams started rebuilding the military, levied new taxes, and enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts. Jefferson interpreted the Alien and Sedition Acts as an effort to suppress Democratic-Republicans rather than dangerous enemy aliens, and were used to attack his party. Jefferson and Madison rallied support by anonymously writing the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which declared that the federal government had no right to exercise powers not specifically delegated to it by the states.
Election of 1800 Working closely with Aaron Burr of New York, Jefferson rallied his party, attacking the new taxes especially, and ran for the Presidency in 1800. Before the passage of the Twelfth Amendment, a problem with the new union's electoral system arose. He tied with Burr for first place in the electoral college, leaving the House of Representatives (where the Federalists still had some power) to decide the election. Hamilton convinced his party that Jefferson would be a lesser political evil than Burr and that such scandal within the electoral process would undermine the new constitution. On February 17, 1801, after thirty-six ballots, the House elected Jefferson President and Burr Vice President. Jefferson later removed Burr from the ticket in 1804 after Burr killed Hamilton in a duel. Jefferson owed his election victory to the South's inflated number of Electors, which counted slaves under the three-fifths compromise. After his election in 1800, some called him the "Negro President", with critics like the Mercury and New-England Palladium of Boston that Jefferson had the gall to celebrate his election as a victory for democracy when he won "the temple of Liberty on the shoulders of slaves."
Presidency 1801-1809 "The two major achievements of Jefferson's presidency were the Louisiana Purchase and the abolition of the slave trade," according to historian John Chester Miller. Jefferson obtained the repeal many federal taxes in his bid to rely more on customs revenue. He pardoned people imprisoned under the Alien and Sedition Acts, passed in John Adams' term. He repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801 and removed nearly all of Adams' "midnight judges" from office, which led to the Supreme Court deciding the important case of Marbury v. Madison. He began and won the First Barbary War(1801-1805), America's first significant overseas war, and established the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802. In 1803 Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the United States. Immediately launched the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806), which explored the new territory and opened the American West to settlement. He also signed into law a bill that officially segregated the U.S. postal system by not allowing blacks to carry mail.
Second Term In 1807, Jefferson ordered his former vice president Aaron Burr tried for treason, but he was acquitted. Jefferson called for a law making it illegal to import and export slaves; Congress passed it an it went into effect. Jefferson's reputation was damaged by the Embargo Act of 1807, which was ineffective. Congress repealed it at the end of his second term.
Administration, Cabinet and Supreme Court appointments 1801-1809 Associate Justice William Johnson - 1804
Henry Brockholst Livingston - 1807
Ohio - March 1, 1803 Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson
Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) China-Taiwan-05 April The Qingming Festival Pure Brightness Festival or Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day is atraditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar (see Chinese calendar). Astronomically it is also a solar term (See Qingming). The Qingming festival falls on the first day of the fifth solar term, named Qingming. Its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime and tend to the graves of departed ones. Qingming has been regularly observed as a statutory public holiday in Taiwan and in the Chinese jurisdictions of Hong Kong and Macau. Its observance was reinstated as a public holiday inmainland China in 2008, after having been previously suppressed by the ruling Communist Party in 1949. The transcription of the term Qingming may appear in a number of different forms, some of which are: Qingming, Qing Ming, Qing Ming Jie, Ching Ming (official in Hong Kong), Ching Ming Chieh
Introduction The holiday is known by a number of names in the English language: All Souls Day (not to be confused with the Roman Catholic holiday, All Souls Day, of the same name), Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day, Festival for Tending Graves, Grave Sweeping Day, Chinese Memorial Day, Tomb Sweeping Day, Spring Remembrance Tomb Sweeping Day and Clear Bright Festival are the most common English translations of Qingming Festival. Tomb Sweeping Day is used in several English language newspapers published in Taiwan.
Origin Qingming Festival is when Chinese people visit the graves or burial grounds of their ancestors. Traditionally, people brought a whole rooster with them to the graves visited but the occasion has become less formal over time. The festival originated from Hanshi Day a memorial day for Jie Zitui. Jie Zitui died in 636 BC in the Spring and Autumn Period. He was one of many followers of Duke Wen of Jin before he became a duke. Once, during Wen's 19 years of exile, they had no food and Jie prepared some meat soup for Wen. Wen enjoyed it a lot and wondered where Jie had obtained the soup. It turned out Jie had cut a piece of meat from his own thigh to make the soup. Wen was so moved he promised to reward him one day. However, Jie was not the type of person who sought rewards. Instead, he just wanted to help Wen to return to Jin to become king. Once Wen became duke, Jie resigned and stayed away from him. Duke Wen rewarded the people who helped him in the decades, but for some reason he forgot to reward Jie, who by then had moved into the forest with his mother. Duke Wen went to the forest, but could not find Jie. Heeding suggestions from his officials, Duke Wen ordered men to set the forest on fire to force out Jie. However, Jie died in the fire. Feeling remorseful, Duke Wen ordered three days without fire to honour Jie's memory. The county where Jie died is still called Jiexiu. Qingming has a tradition stretching back more than 2,500 years. Its origin is credited to the Tang Emperor Xuanzong in 732. Wealthy citizens in China were reportedly holding too many extravagant and ostentatiously expensive ceremonies in honour of their ancestors. Emperor Xuanzong, seeking to curb this practice, declared that respects could be formally paid at ancestors' graves only on Qingming. The observance of Qingming found a firm place in Chinese culture and continued uninterrupted for over two millennia. In 1949 the Communist Party of China repealed the holiday. Observance of Qingming remained suppressed until 2008, when the Party reinstated the holiday, in Hong Kong and Macau this practice has been uninterrupted for two millenia.
Celebration The Qingming Festival is an opportunity for celebrants to remember and honour their ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, joss paper accessories, and/or libations to the ancestors. The rites have a long tradition in Asia, especially among farmers. Some people carry willow branches with them on Qingming, or put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They believe that willow branches help ward off the evil spirit that wanders on Qingming. On Qingming people go on family outings, start the spring plowing, sing, dance. Qingming is also the time when young couples start courting. Another popular thing to do is to fly kites in the shapes of animals or characters from Chinese opera. Another common practice is to carry flowers instead of burning paper, incense or firecrackers. The holiday is often marked by people paying respects to those who died in events considered sensitive in China. The April Fifth Movement and the Tiananmen Incident were major events on Qingming that took place in the history of the People's Republic of China. When Premier Zhou Enlai died in 1976, thousands visited him during the festival to pay their respects. Many also pay respects to victims of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 and the graves of Zhao Ziyang and Yang Jia in areas where the right of free expression is generally recognized, as in Hong Kong. In most areas of China such observances are suppressed and all public mention of such subjects is taboo. In Taiwan this national holiday is observed on April 5 because the ruling Kuomintang moved it to that date in commemoration of the death of Chiang Kai-shek on April 5. The holiday is nevertheless observed in the traditional manner, with families gathering to honour their own ancestors, visit and maintain their family shrines, and share traditional meals. Despite having no holiday status, the overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asian nations, such as those in Singapore and Malaysia, take this festival seriously and observe its traditions faithfully. Some Qingming rituals and ancestral veneration decorum observed by the oversea Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore can be dated back to Ming and Qing dynasties, as the oversea communities were not affected by the Cultural Revolution in Mainland China. Qingming in Malaysia is an elaborate family function or a clan feast (usually organized by the respective clan association) to commemorate and honour recently deceased relatives at their grave sites and distant ancestors from China at home altars, clan temples or makeshift altars in Buddhist or Taoist temples. For the oversea Chinese community, the Qingming festival is very much a family celebration and at the same time, a family obligation. They see this festival as a time of reflecton and to honour and give thanks to their forefathers. Overseas Chinese normally visit the graves of their recently deceased relatives on the nearest weekend to the actual date. According to the ancient custom, grave site veneration is only feasible ten days before and after the Qingming Festival. If the visit is not on the actual date, normally veneration before Qingming is encouraged. The Qingming Festival in Malaysia and Singapore normally starts early in the morning by paying respect to distant ancestors from China at home altars. This is followed by visiting the graves of close relatives in the country. Some follow the concept of filial piety to the extent of visiting the graves of their ancestors in mainland China. Traditionally, the family will burn spirit money and paper replicas of material goods such a cars, homes and phones and paper servants. In Chinese culture, it is beleieved that people still need all of those things in the afterlife. Then family members start take turns to kowtow three to nine times (depending on the family adherence to traditional values) before the tomb of the ancestors. The Kowtowing ritual in front of the grave is performed in the order of patriarchal seniority within the family. After the ancestor worship at the grave site, the whole family or the whole clan feast on the food and drink they brought for the worship either at the site or in nearby gardens in the memorial park, signifying family reunion with the ancestors. Hanshi, the day before Qingming, was created by Chong'er, the Duke Wen of the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period. The festival was established after Chong'er accidentally burned to death his personal friend and servant Jie Zhitui (or Jie Zitui) and Jie Zitui's mother. Chong'er ordered the hills in which they were hiding set on fire in the hope that Jie Zitui would return to his service, but the fire killed Jie and his mother. On Hanshi, people were not allowed to use fires to heat up food, thus nicknaming it the Cold Food Festival. Eventually, 300 years ago, the Hanshi "celebration" was combined with the Qingming festival, but later abandoned by most people. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingming_Festival
Ma y s Day Tun s a 09 Ap O
A
o og
G
u
Thomas Todd - 1807
States admitted to the Union:
on
ng O
OM