Chakri Day Thailand - A p r 0 6
HUNGARY
Thailand celebrates the 6th of April as the foundation day of their royal Chakri Dynasty which is the country’s ruling monarch to date. On this day, they give respect and honor to their kings who led the country since 1782.
History
Before the Chakri Dynasty was founded, Thailand, which was then known as the Kingdom of Siam was experiencing downfall in economy which signaled the Burmese troops to attack the country and take advantage of the land. The people, led by Thong Duang (also known as Rama I or Yodfa Chulaloke) fought back for their rights. However, they were forced to fall back by the Burmese and on the 8th of April, 1767, the Royal capital of Ayutthaya finally fell into the ruling power of Burma. The city was devastated and all its structures and properties were destroyed and taken away by the Burmese troops. The Burmese never managed to invade Ayutthaya for long since the Siamese were aggressively fighting back as well, so they decided to withdraw after a few days of dominion. Despite the retreat, the war between the two nations never stopped and even lasted for years. And on 1779, Thong Duan was appointed to become Siam’s military commander known as Chakri and led the people to unite and fight against the attacks of the Burmese. Chakri or King Rama I formally became the head of the Kingdom of Siam on April 6, 1782 and ruled over the nation for almost 28 years. His supremacy over Siam led to the reconstruction and reinforcement of the whole Kingdom and made the people most prepared to any foreign attack of invasion. During the reconstruction period of the Kingdom, King Rama I proclaimed Bangkok to be the national capital of the Kingdom of Siam which was later on called Thailand.
Hungarian exports to China expected to grow significantly
Prime Minister inaugurates new public service university building
Celebrations During the celebration of the Chakri Day which happens yearly on April 6, the citizens of the nation actively participate
into government-organized events and ceremonies which include flower offerings and worships to the previous Kings of Thailand. The people also pay tribute to the statue of King Rama I being the first King of the Chakri Dynasty. This is held at King Rama I’s monument at the Royal Pantheon participated by the members of the government offices, ministers and the Thai people nationwide.
Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold Day Turkmenistan - Apr 06
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." Water 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 striking 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. Water 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.
Tartan Day International - Apr 06
Tartan Day is a celebration Scottish of heritage on April 6, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was in signed 1320. A oneoff event was held in New York City in 1982, but the current fororigimat in nated in Canada mid the It 1980s. to spread other communities of the Scottish diaspora in the In 1990s. 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.
Origins
In 1982, under the auspices of the New York Caledonian Club, New York State Governor Hugh Carey, and New York City Mayor Ed Koch declared July 1, 1982, as Tartan Day, a one-time celebration of the 200th anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription of August 12, 1747, the law forbidding Scots to wear tartan. On March 9, 1986, a 'Tartan Day' to promote Scottish heritage in Canada, was proposed at a meeting of the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia. Jean Watson, President of Clan Lamont, petitioned provincial legislatures to recognize April 6 as Tartan Day. The first such proclamation was by Nova Scotia in April 1987; other provinces followed suit until Quebec was the last to fall in line, in December 2003. In Australia, wearing tartan on July 1 has been encouraged since 1989. The day has been promoted as International Tartan Day in Australia since 1996 and has been formally recognized by many states, but not at national level. The United States Senate recognized April 6 as Tartan Day in 1998.
Canada Canada estimates 15.1% or 4.7 million Canadians claim Scottish descent. As stated above, Tartan Day in Canada
originated with a proposal from the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia and has since been proclaimed by all the provincial legislatures. In 2007 Peter Stoffer introduced a Private member's bill for "An Act respecting a Tartan Day". Progress of the bill was interrupted by the 2008 election, but it has been resubmitted. An annual 'Gathering of the Clans' will take place each April 6 or on the Sunday nearest to it on Parliament Hill in Ottawa at noon with pipes, drums, and dancing hosted by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, Canada's oldest civilian pipe band. The celebrations in 2011 will also mark the first time that Tartan Day has been celebrated with Canada's official tartan having been named- the Maple Leaf.
Australia and New Zealand
Three million Australians are either Scottish or of Scottish descent. International Tartan Day in Australia and New Zealand is celebrated on a local basis in most states on July 1 (or by some community organizations on the nearest Sunday), the anniversary of the Repeal Proclamation of 1782 annulling the Act of Proscription of 1747, which had made wearing tartan an offense punishable with up to seven years' transportation. According to Scottish House secretary Moyna Scotland, the tendency to disguise Scottish associations was mirrored in Australia: 'Scots did what they were told to do when they came to Australia assimilate and integrate and they almost disappeared', and consequently one aim of Tartan Day is to help Australians reconnect with their Scottish ancestry. A tartan revival started in 1822, and Queensland and Australia have their own tartans. In 1989 the Scottish Australian Heritage Council began to encourage Australians to wear tartan on July 1, when more than half a million Australians gather for a celebration of Scottish heritage, combining nostalgia with Australian citizenship ceremonies, and fund-raising for charitable causes such as drought assistance. Australians without a family tartan are invited to wear the Royal Stewart tartan or the military tartan of the Black Watch. Tartan articles worn on the day include hats, ties and socks. There are many pipe band associations in both Australia and New Zealand, some originating in disbanded Second World War army battalions, and almost 30 heritage events in Australia alone. Some clans, notably the McLeods of South Australia, come together in private events to honor their chief, recite Burns, consume haggis and take part in Highland dancing. A butcher in Maclean, New South Wales, 'the Scottish town in Australia', reportedly celebrates the day by selling haggis burgers. Since 2001 the Scottish Australian Heritage Council and Australian branch of the Scottish National Party have petitioned Canberra for federal recognition of International Tartan Day to celebrate the Scottish contribution to Australian history, including the influence of Scottish radicalism on the trade union movement and the Labor Party, and Australia's allegedly 'egalitarian and meritocratic' society. In 2008 Linda Fabiani, the then Scottish culture minister, floated a proposal to expand the Australian event into an official Scotland Week as part of the Scottish government's international business strategy.
States United 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. This is just one opinion. There is a great bit of proof given in the book entitled "Scottish Invention of America, Democracy and Human Rights" and to some degree in the book entitled " How the Scots Invented the Modern World". Thomas Jefferson's education was heavily influenced by Scottish thought. 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 Carolinaand 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 Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland, Scottish-American Societies hold 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.
Scotland Angus Council, whose region includes Arbroath, established the first Tartan Day festival in Scotland on April 6, 2004, and has since joined other regional councils in attempting to develop its potential as a global celebration. In 2006 events were held in Arbroath, Aberdeen,Montrose, Kilmarnock, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Argentina Argentina claims around 100,000 people of Scottish descent, the largest such community outside the English-speak-
ing world. The Tartan Day parade of Scottish porteños was inaugurated in Buenos Aires on April 6, 2006. The bearer of the key to Arbroath Abbey attended the march in 2008.
National Mourning Day Rwanda - Apr 07
Genocide Remembrance Day (Armenian: Եղեռնի զոհերի հիշատակի օր) or Genocide Memorial day, is a national holiday in Armenia and is observed by Armenians in dispersed communities around the world on April 24. It is held annually to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide from 1915 to 1923. In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, hundreds of thousands of people walk to the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial to lay flowers at the eternal flame. The date 24 April commemorates the Armenian notables deported from the Ottoman capital in 1915, of hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders, most of whom would be executed, which was a precursor to the ensuing events.
Monuments Several monuments have been erected to
commemorate the Armenian Genocide: • Montebello Genocide Memorial • Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial • Marseille Genocide Memorial • List of Armenian Genocide memorials
Toussaint L'Ouverture Day Haiti - Apr 07
François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture also Toussaint Bréda, Toussaint-Louverture (c. 1743 – April 7, 1803) was the leader of the Haitian Revolution. His military genius and political acumen led to the establishment of the independent black state of Haiti, transforming an entire society of slaves into a free, self-governing people. The success of the Haitian Revolution shook the institution of slavery throughout the New World. Toussaint Louverture began his military career as a leader of the 1791 slave rebellion in the French colony of Saint Domingue. Initially allied with the Spaniards of neighboring Santo Domingo, Toussaint switched allegiance to the French when they abolished slavery. He gradually established control over the whole island, expelled British invaders and used political and military tactics to gain dominance over his rivals. Throughout his years in power, he worked to improve the economy and security of Saint Domingue. He restored the plantation system using free labour, negotiated trade treaties with Britain and the United States and maintained a large and well-disciplined army. In 1801 he promulgated an autonomist constitution for the colony, with himself as governor for life. In 1802 he was forced to resign by forces sent by Napoleon Bonaparte to restore French authority in the colony. He was deported to France, where he died in 1803. The Haitian Revolution continued under his lieutenant, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who declared independence in 1804.
Memorials
On August 29, 1954, the Haitian ambassador to France, Léon Thébaud, inaugurated a stone cross memorial for Toussaint Louverture at the foot of the fort. Years afterward, the French government ceremoniously presented a shovelful of soil from the grounds of Fort-de-Joux to the Haitian government as a symbolic transfer of Toussaint Louverture's remains. A plaque in his memory can be found in the Panthéon in Paris, inscribed with the following description: Combattant de la liberté, artisan de l'abolition de l'esclavage, héros haïtien mort déporté au Fort-de-Joux en 1803. (Combatant for liberty, artisan of the abolition of slavery, Haitian hero died in deportation at Fort-de-Joux in 1803.)
Health Day Worldwide - Apr 07
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.
World Health Day 2012
The theme of World Health Day 2012, marked on 7 April 2012, is devoted to "Ageing and Health". Life expectancy is going up in most countries, meaning more and more people live longer and enter an age when they may need health care. Meanwhile birth rates are generally falling. Countries and health care systems will need to find innovative and sustainable ways to cope with the demographic shift. As reported by John Beard, director of the WHO Department of Ageing and Life Course, "With the rapid ageing of populations, finding the right model forlong-term care becomes more and more urgent."
Valour Day Philippines - A p r 0 9
Araw ng Kagitingan (English:"Day of Valour") is a national holiday in the Philippines which commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II. It falls annually on April 9, although in 2009 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo moved it to April 6 in order to create a long weekend.
History
At dawn, 9 April 1942, against the orders of Generals Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, Major General Edward P. King, Jr., commanding Luzon Force, Bataan, Philippine Islands, surrendered more than 76,000 (67,000 Filipinos, 1,000 Chinese Filipinos, and 11,796 Americans) starving and disease-ridden men. The majority of the prisoners of war were immediately robbed of their keepsakes and belongings and subsequently forced to endure a 90-mile (140 km) march in deep dust over vehicle-broken macadam roads and crammed into rail cars to captivity at Camp O'Donnell. En route, thousands died from dehydration, heat prostration, untreated wounds, and wanton execution. Those few who were lucky enough to travel on trucks to San Fernando would still have to endure more than 25 additional miles of marching. Prisoners were beaten randomly and often denied promised food and water. Those who fell behind were usually executed or left to die; the sides of the roads became littered with dead bodies and those moaning for assistance. On the Bataan Death March, approximately 54,000 of the 72,000 prisoners reached their destination. The death toll of the march is difficult to assess because thousands of captives were able to escape from their guards. All told, approximately 5,000-10,000 Filipino and 600-650 American prisoners of war died before they could reach Camp O'Donnell.
Martyr's Day Tunisia - A p r 0 9
Martyrs’ Day is celebrated every April 9 each year to commemorate the lives of people who battled for the country’s independence against the French rule on 1956.
History
Tunisia was ruled over by the French colonies during the period of 1881 to 1956. Despite this condition, Tunisia still remained as a supreme monarch in which Tunisian ministers were still elected in the higher office. Due to the support of the French, the government of Tunisia became stable and well-established. However, during the World War I, a Destour Constitution Party was established which demanded for the creation of a new constitution that will give the Tunisians equal rights with the Europeans. And on 1934, a Neo-Destour was formed under the leadership of a Tunisian lawyer named Habib Bourguiba. This new organization presented its propaganda to the public to further increase its supporters. The French disagreed with the establishment of the Neo-Destour which resulted in to conflicts between the two parties. Several rallies and political divergence sparked because of the Neo-Destour. The French felt threatened about the organization which led to the arrest and deportation of Bourguiba and his followers to France. On April 9, 1938, there was an encounter between the parties involved and at least 22 Tunisians were killed and more than a hundred were wounded. It was only on 1942 that they were released by the Nazis, followed by the German occupation that Hitler started thinking they could convince Bourguiba to participate and support the Axis powers and fight back the Allied invasion of Africa but they failed to convince him. When the Nazi’s advocacy was finally abolished, Bourguiba returned to Tunisia and continued his campaign for Tunisia’s independence and he re-established the Neo-Destour. Along with his group, they planted several attacks on the colonial facilities of the French empire. The French put Bouguiba into prison for almost two years but the Tunisians were never torn apart and still continued their battle for independence. In June of 1954, the French granted the withdrawal of their facilities in Tunisia which was an order from the administration of French president Pierre Medes. And on 1955, shortly after France granted full sovereignty to Morocco, Tunisia also achieved its independence. An on April 1955, an official proclamation was announced regarding the agreement for Tunisia’s full autonomy from the French. In memory of the civilians who died in this battle, the government of Tunisia formally declared the 9th of April as a commemoration day to the Martyrs’ of the country.
Celebrations Martyrs’ Day celebration in Tunisia involves a solemn gathering to honor and pay tribute to the heroes of the war who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty of the country. The celebration of the holiday involves speeches and tributary speeches from government officials and the leaders from civic groups.
National Sibling Day U.S. - A p r 1 0
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.
Photo: Gergely Botár (Online 04 Apr) Hunexports to garian China will grow sign i fi ca n tl y th a n k s to a l i ce n ce th a t h a s H u n gary received, at the end of a long series of talks, to export frozen pork, goose and duck to China, State Secretary Péter Szijjártó said on Frid a y. He told a press conference that raising cooperaeconomic
Photo: Károly Árvai tion with China to a strategic level and intensifying trade ties were basic pillars of Hungary's policy of opening towards the East. Hungary wants to increase exports to China, and the food industry clearly r e p r e s e n ts a fl a g s h i p area in exports, he added. Economic growth, the strengthening of the middle classes and
new trends in conare exsumption to boost pected demand in China for s a fe a n d q u a l i ty fo o d products with high value-added, Mr Szij j á r tó s a i d . Hungary has an advantage in the combecause petition H u n g a r i a n fo o d p r o d u c ts a r e o f h i g h q u a l i ty a n d s a fe , h e sa i d , citing the fact that th e y a r e GM O fr e e .
Day of National Unity Georgia - A p r 0 9
The April 9 tragedy (also known as Tbilisi Massacre, Tbilisi tragedy) refers to the events in Tbilisi,Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, on April 9, 1989, when an anti-Soviet demonstration was dispersed by the Soviet Army, resulting in 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries. April 9 is now remembered as the Day of National Unity (Georgian: ეროვნული ერთიანობის დღე), an annual public holiday.
Prelude
The anti-Soviet movement became more active in the Georgian SSR in 1988. Several strikes and meetings were organized by anti-Soviet political organizations in Tbilisi. The conflict between the Sovietgovernment and Georgian nationalists deepened after the so-called Lykhny Assembly on March 18, 1989, when several thousand Abkhaz demanded secession from Georgia and restoration of the Union republic status of 1921–1931. In response, the anti-Soviet groups organized a series of unsanctioned meetings across the republic, claiming that the Soviet government was using Abkhaz separatism in order to oppose the pro-independence movement. The protests reached their peak on April 4, 1989, when tens of thousands of Georgians gathered before the House of Government on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. The protesters, led by the Independence Committee (Merab Kostava, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Giorgi Chanturia, Irakli Bathiashvili, Irakli Tsereteli and others) organized a peaceful demonstration and hunger strikes, demanding the punishment of Abkhaz secessionists and restoration of Georgian independence. Local soviet authorities lost control over the situation in the capital and were unable to contain the protests. First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party Jumber Patiashvili asked USSR leadership to send troops to restore order and impose curfew.
The demonstrations In the evening of April 8, 1989, Colonel General Igor Rodionov, Commander of the Transcaucasus Military District,
ordered his troops to mobilize. Moments before the attack by the Soviet forces, the Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II addressed the demonstrators asking them to leave Rustaveli Avenue and the vicinity of the government building due to the danger which accumulated during the day after appearance of Soviet tanks near the avenue. The demonstrators refused to disband even after the Patriarch's plea. The local Georgian militsiya (police) units were disarmed just before the operation. On April 9, at 3:45 a.m., Soviet APCs and troops under General Igor Rodionov surrounded the demonstration area. Later, Rodionov claimed in his interview that groups of Georgian militants attacked unarmed soldiers with stones, metal chains and rods. The Soviet troops received an order from General Rodionov to disband and clear the avenue of demonstrators by any means necessary.
Clash:
The Soviet detachment, armed with military batons and spades (a favorite weapon of Soviet special forces ), advanced on demonstrators moving along the Rustaveli Avenue. During the advance, the soldiers started to attack demonstrators with spades, inflicting injuries both minor and serious to anyone who was struck. One of the victims of the attack was a 16-year-old girl who tried to get away from the advancing soldiers, but was chased down and beaten to death near the steps of the government building, receiving blows to the head and chest. She was dragged out of the area by her mother who was also attacked and wounded. This particularly violent attack was recorded on video from the balcony of a building located on the other side of the avenue. The video was used in the aftermath as evidence during Sobchak's Parliamentary commission on investigation of events of April 9, 1989. The stampede following the attack resulted in the death of 19 people, among them 17 women. Autopsies conducted on the victims concluded the direct cause of death of all those who died, with the exception of one case of serious skull and brain injury, was suffocation (asphyxia) caused by both the compression of the body and the inhalation of chemical substances. Official Soviet reports blamed the demonstrators for causing the clash, saying that the troops were attacked with sticks and knives. According to Tass, the soldiers followed orders not to use their weapons, but that extremists attacked them with pieces of metal, bricks and sticks. Tass described the demonstrators as stirring interethnic strife and calling for the overthrow of the Georgian government. President Gorbachev slammed "actions by irresponsible persons" for loss of life. He said that the disturbances sought to overthrow the Georgian government and stir ethnic tension in Georgia. Foreign ministry spokesman said that the clashes were sparked by "die-hard nationalists, extremists and political adventurists who are abusing democratization to the detriment of our new policy of openness and of our very society." CN and CS gas were used against the demonstrators; vomiting, respiratory problems and sudden paralyses of the nervous system were reported. The disarmed police officers attempted to evacuate the panicked group of demonstrators, however a video taken secretly by opposition journalists showed that soldiers did not allow doctors and emergency workers to help the injured people; in fact, even ambulances were attacked by the advancing soldiers Captured on film, the image of a young man beating a tank with a stick became a symbol of the Georgian anti-Soviet movement. On April 10, the Soviet government issued a statement blaming the demonstrators for causing unrest and danger for the safety of the public. The next day, the Georgian TV showed the bodies of the 19 women violently killed, demonstrating alleged brutality by the Soviet soldiers, as the faces of the deceased women were hard to identify due to the facial injuries and blows to the head. The Soviet government blamed the demonstrators for the death of the 20 people, claiming that they had trampled each other while panicking and retreating from the advancing Soviet soldiers. A Parliamentary commission on investigation of events of April 9, 1989 in Tbilisi was launched by Anatoly Sobchak, member of Congress of People's Deputies of Soviet Union. After full investigation and inquiries, the commission confirmed the government's claim that the deaths had resulted from trampling, but another contributing factor had been the chemical substances used against the demonstrators. It condemned the military, which had caused the deaths by trying to disperse demonstrators. The commission's report made it more difficult to use military power against demonstrations of civil unrest in the Soviet Union. Sobchak's report presented a detailed account of the violence which was used against the demonstrators and recommended the full prosecution of military personnel responsible for the April 9 event.
(Online 31 Mar) The reconstructed wing of the former Ludovika Military Academy building in Budapest will serve as the new headquarters for the National University of Public Service, which is relocating there, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the inauguration on Monday. He called the renovation a „historic obligation” and underlined the importance of a modern and effective public administration. The National University of Public Service is a
flagship institution of Hungarian higher education in which all professors and students will be in the service of their country, he said. The Prime Minister noted that his government had founded three universities during its terms in 1998-2002 and 20102014: the German-language Andrássy University, the Sapientia University in Transylvania, Romania and the National University of Public Service. The renovation of the Ludovika building cost HUF
4.7 billion (EUR 15.31 million), and the university offices, the library and the international institute will move in this year. Before communism in Hungary, the Academy was a high-prestige institution of Hungarian military higher education. Its building was constructed in 1836 according to plans by architect Mihály Pollack, who also designed the National Museum, for instance, and it is surrounded by the Ludovika Gardens.
Ties with Africa “crucial” for Hungary (Online 03 Apr) Ties with Africa, „the continent of future”, are crucial for Hungary, Minister of Foreign Affairs János Martonyi told reporters after a two-day EU-Africa summit in Brussels 3 April 2014. Minister Martonyi said that Hungary’s opening towards African countries had been „spectacular”. Trade ties and cooperation on global issues such as joint efforts to elaborate sustainable development objectives under the auspices of the
United Nations have intensified apace, he said. Education is extremely important for Africa’s countries, an area in which „Hungary has something to offer”, Martonyi stated, adding that over a thousand young Africans were currently studying in Hungary. Concerning EU–Africa relations, Martonyi highlighted that Europe needs to adjust its trade policies in line with rules of the World Trade Organisation, and sign free
trade agreements with African countries. Under those accords, African countries will be granted the benefits of earlier, unilateral agreements, and they will gradually lift their trade restrictions for Europe. On the sidelines of the summit, Minister Martonyi had bilateral meetings with Hanna Tetteh, his Ghanaian counterpart, and Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, head of the African Union Commission.
Hungary ready to take part in OSCE mission to Ukraine (Online 02 Apr) Hungary is ready to take part in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) planned monitoring mission in Ukraine, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. MFA spokesman Gábor Kaleta stated that Hungary had nominated 17 observers, and one of the leading positions would probably be delegated to a Hungarian nominee. Currently, the OSCE is selecting experts to participate in the mission, and the organisation has
promised a more detailed briefing within the next few days, Mr. Kaleta said. The OSCE has been asked by the Ukrainian government to ensure a continuous presence on Ukrainian territory until the presidential election at the end of May. The organisation will achieve two goals with its presence, Gábor Ács, the head of Hungary's observer mission in Ukraine, said earlier. First, it has decided on establishing a civilian observer mission whose
preparatory group is already in Kiev. The tasks of the mission's members will primarily be monitoring and helping to provide stability, as well as handling any potential conflicts. Second, following an agreement between some OSCE member states, it has been decided that a 6-8 member monitoring mission will be sent for the longer term in order to see through tasks aimed at supporting trust and security enhancement measures, based on the 2011 Vienna document.
Hungarian-Slovakian cooperation helps SMEs reach foreign markets
Aftermath
On April 10, in protest against the crackdown, Tbilisi and the rest of Georgia went out on strike and a 40-day period of mourning was declared. People brought massive collections of flowers to the place of the killings. A state of emergency was declared, but demonstrations continued. The government of the Georgian SSR resigned as a result of the event. Moscow claimed the demonstrators attacked first and the soldiers had to repel them. At the first Congress of People's Deputies (May–June 1989) Mikhail Gorbachev disclaimed all responsibility, shifting blame onto the army. The revelations in the liberal Soviet media, as well as the findings of the "pro-Perestroika" Deputy Anatoly Sobchak's commission of enquiry into the Tbilisi events, reported at the second Congress in December 1989, resulted in embarrassment for the Soviet hardliners and army leadership implicated in the event.
Legacy
The April 9 tragedy radicalised Georgian opposition to Soviet power. A few months later, a session of the Supreme Council of Georgian SSR, held on November 17–18, 1989, officially condemned the occupation and annexation of Democratic Republic of Georgia by Soviet Russia in 1921. On March 31, 1991, Georgians voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. With a 90.5% turnout, approximately 99% voted in favor of independence. On April 9, the second anniversary of the tragedy, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia proclaimed Georgian sovereignty and independence from the Soviet Union. A memorial to the victims of the tragedy was opened at the location of the crackdown on Rustaveli Avenue on November 23, 2004.
Finnish Language Day Finland - A p r 0 9
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 into Finnish and also produced the prayer book and hymns used in Finland's new, Lutheran Church. 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 Olofsson (Finnish: Mikael Olavinpoika) was born in Uusimaa (Nyland) in the village of Torsby in Pernå, Finland, around the year 1510. He was named after the patron saint of Pernå'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 Pernå 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 (Åbo), 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 Särkilahti, who eagerly spread the idea of the Reformation. Särkilahti 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 Wittenberg 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. When 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:
Photo: Károly Árvai (Online 02 Apr) Economic cooperation between Hungary and Slovakia plays a key role in successfully enabling Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises to reach international markets, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday. The State Secretary, who is also Co-Chair of the Hungarian-Slovakian Joint Economic Committee, participated at the opening of the Hungarian-Slovak Business and Information Centre in Törökbálint, near Budapest. The Centre was created with the help of EU funding and will help companies acquire loans for their development and seek markets, as well as providing information and training. There is another
centre of this kind in Dunajská Streda (Dunaszerdahely), Slovakia. According to the State Secretary, Central Europe was the quickest in responding to Europe’s competitiveness problem and countries in the region have become the engine of growth by placing greater emphasis on work. Slovakia is in fourth place in terms of foreign trade turnover with Hungary, amounting to EUR 8.6 billion last year, the State Secretary said, adding that some 8,000 Hungarian companies have invested a total of EUR 1.2 billion in Slovakia, whereas Slovak companies have invested EUR 150 million in Hungary. 75 percent of Hungarian employees work for SMEs, yet their share in exports only account for
20 percent of the whole. Hungary should therefore increase the number of exporting SMEs from the current level of 2,5003,000 to around 12,000 in the upcoming years, the State Secretary explained. He also noted that the number of border crossing points between the two countries will be doubled by 2020, which is also important in terms of SME-cooperation. Dusan Petrik, State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Economy and Co-Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, mentioned energy, electrical engineering and car manufacturing as outstanding fields of bilateral cooperation. With regard to the new Centre, he said it will diversify cooperation, help establish new firms and boost R&D cooperation.
H u n g a r y ’s f o r e i g n t r a d e v o l u m e continues to increase (Online 02 Apr) The multi-month upward trend of the volume of Hungary’s foreign trade continued in 2014: in the first month of the year, exports and imports increased by 6.1 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively, while foreign trade surplus is up by EUR 209 million, to EUR 482 million, in comparison to January 2013. Industrial output growth and the significant increase of industrial export orders have already augured positive data. In January, the growth of exports exceeded that of imports, while foreign trade volume as a whole was rising dynamically. In January 2014, the value of exports and imports was EUR 6.6bn and EUR 6.1bn, respectively. In the first month of the year, the volume of im-
ports and exports of machinery and transport equipment gained 7.6 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. The main driving force behind the increase in both directions continued to be the sales of road vehicles: while exports of road vehicles were up by more than 50 percent, imports were some one-third higher year-on-year. The key category lifting imports was that of components, while the division of motor vehicles was the most positive factor for exports. The exports and imports of manufactured products were also higher by 5.6 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The trade volume of food, beverages and tobacco products also registered growth with exports and imports up by 15 percent and 7.9
percent, respectively, compared to January 2013. In January 2014, Hungarian exports to and imports from the EU member states constituted 80 percent and 74 percent of total, respectively. In comparison to January 2013, Hungarian exports and imports visá-vis these countries were up by 7.2 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Exports to non-EU countries increased by 2 percent and thus the foreign trade deficit with these countries shrank by EUR 445 million. In light of rebounding external demand and the dynamic growth of the motor vehicle sector the Ministry for National Economy is expecting foreign trade turnover to continue to improve.
Hungary demands release of Hungarian citizen from Bolivia detention Monument on the place of Mikael Agricola's death near Primorsk
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):
Agricola's most prominent book is Se Wsi Testamenti, the first Finnish-language translation of theNew 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. Käsikirja 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.
Battle of Rivas / Heroes Day Costa Rica - A p r 1 1
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 Nicaraguan forces of William 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 Wall Street tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt's Accessory Transit Company. Garrison and Morgan had wrested control of the company from Vanderbilt and then supported Walker'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, Walker set himself up as president of Nicaragua, after conducting a farcical election. As ruler of Nicaragua, Walker 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 Walker's regime. Walker 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 Walker. He also provided defectors from Walker'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 Walker's popularity in the South and attracted the attention of Pierre Soulé, an influential New Orleans politician, who campaigned to raise support for Walker'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.
(Online 01 Apr) The Hungarian government demands that Hungarian citizen Előd Tóásó, who has been in pre-trial detention in Bolivia since 2009, should be released, Zsolt Németh, MFA State Secretary declared on Monday. Speaking after a session of the inter-ministerial team working on the Tóásó case, Mr Németh insisted that under Bolivian law Mr Tóásó should have been released two years ago. Last November the Boli-
vian government rejected a position by the European Parliament, calling on Bolivia to ensure fair and independent trial in the cases of Hungarian citizen Előd Tóásó and Croatian citizen Mario Tadic, imprisoned in Bolivia for more than 4 years under terrorism charges. Accused of terrorism, Mr Tóásó has been locked up since April 2009 in spite of the fact that under Bolivian law pretrial detention cannot last for more than 36 months
and the legal procedure must not extend beyond 13 months. On April 16, 2009, Bolivia's special forces cracked down on what was believed to be a terrorist unit in Santa Cruz. Előd Tóásó was arrested and has been kept in detention under suspicion of an armed uprising and terrorism since then. Charges were officially raised three years ago but the trial was postponed several times.
NATO ministers see signs of political settlement in Ukraine: Minister Martonyi (Online 02 Apr) Some positive signs of a possible political and diplomatic resolution to the Ukrainian crisis are beginning to emerge, Foreign Minister János Martonyi declared in Brussels where he attended a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers. Mr Martonyi said that although NATO had suspended practical cooperation with Russia because of Russian actions in Ukraine, political dialogue was ongoing. Developments are unpredictable, however, and the Russian side should make clear that its troops will not cross either into the east or the south of Ukraine, he added.
At their meeting, representatives of NATO member states decided to step up their military presence "along the borders, in the Baltic States, in Poland, and perhaps in other countries", the Hungarian Foreign Minister stressed. This does not amount to military intervention. NATO is not a key player in efforts to find a political solution for the Ukraine conflict, he added. Mr Martonyi said that NATO's temporary presence in certain countries was an option based on bilateral agreements rather than NATO's own decision. "Each NATO country can decide what [level of] presence it wants, and who should
ensure that assistance," Minister Martonyi said. The Hungarian Foreign Minister said that cooperation with NATO partners in Eastern Europe, as well as countries aspiring to become members of the organisation, was very important amid the current situation. He added, however, that NATO's principle of collective defence applies exclusively to its member states. Developments in Ukraine have highlighted the importance of territorial defence, János Martonyi pointed out, adding that it is a basic norm of international law that "no territory may be occupied by force".
Hungarian election system fair and legitimate: Minister Lázár
Cosmonaut's Day Russia - Apr 12
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.
National Redemption Day Liberia - Apr 12
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 prod-
uct 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.
Celebrations
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.
Yuri`s Night Worldwide - Apr 12
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 on April 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 the International 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 as Cosmonautics 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's Lance 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 at Moffett 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.
Photo: Károly Árvai (Online 01 Apr) The Hungarian election system is fair and legitimate and will be suitable for more than eight million voters to „express their opinion” on Sunday, Minister of State heading the Prime Minister’s Office János Lázár said at a press briefing on Tuesday. The Minister of State said that the number of individual candidates has increased from 810 in 2010 to 1554 by 2014, attributing the rise in part to the more transparent, controllable, legitimate and democratic nomination system. The Minister of State noted that there are currently 8.22 million eligible voters in the registry, including eight million with a permanent address in Hungary. Electors can
vote in 10,386 election districts, in which a total of 39,481 members of the public delegated by independent nominating organisations will monitor the legality of the elections, he added. He mentioned that the deviation from the norm within an electoral district should be no more than fifteen percent, meaning districts may be subject to future revision in light of demographic changes. The Minister of State also referred to the findings of the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information according to which the present nomination system has eliminated the faults of the previous one, as a result of which the number of reports of abuse have decreased
by several orders of magnitude. According to the Minister of State, the transparency of campaign financing has also improved, in addition to which he stressed that this year thirteen nationalities will also be able to vote for their own candidates for the first time. The Minister of State underlined the fact that the Venice Commission considers the new legislation related to the elections democratic. Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér said Hungary is preparing calmly for the election, as reflected by the low number of election-related complaints received, totalling only 120 compared to 250 in the same period of 2010.
Home for the elderly in Kőkút receives solar energy system (Online 01 Apr) A home for the elderly in the southwest Hungarian village of Kőkút has received a solar energy system thanks to a 22 million forint (EUR 72,000) state subsidy. Minister of State for Social and Family Affairs Miklós Soltész said at the inauguration that
Government grants had made possible the renovation of several homes for the elderly in Somogy County. He said these investments contribute to offering a quality life for elderly people in need of support. The home received 88 solar panels. Mr. Soltész also said that in
the nearby village of Kadarkút the local home for the elderly had been renovated at a cost of 180 million forints (EUR 584,000) and a psychiatric home in neighbouring Berzence has been renovated at a cost of one billion forints (EUR 3.25 million).
Hungary fully supports sanctions against Russia (Online 31 Mar) The Hungarian Government will give its full support to any sanctions approved by the European Union against Russia in connection with the crisis in Ukraine, Foreign Minister János Martonyi said on CNN on Sunday. Hungary's policies are in line with its European partners, János Martonyi stated on a programme in which he appeared with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on international news channel CNN. The Hungarian Foreign Minister was asked why Hungary had expressed concern and even
possible opposition to sanctions and whether this was in connection with Hungary's wide range of trade relations with Russia. Mr Martonyi said he disagreed with the claim that Hungary did not support sanctions, adding that the Council of Foreign Ministers and the European Council of heads of state and governments was unanimous in their support of the sanctions. On the other hand, the Hungarian Foreign Minister pointed out that the third stage of sanctions against Russia should be
avoided according not only to Hungary but also many other member states. The question remains how this can be done, he said. First, uncertainty regarding Russia's plans must be dispelled and Moscow must provide guarantees that the Russian army will not transgress the Ukrainian border and will not escalate the already serious crisis, he said. Economic sanctions against Russia would affect various EU member states differently and therefore burdens should be shared fairly, János Martonyi added.