Battle of Las Peidras Uruguay - M a y 1 8
HUNGARY
The Battle of Las Piedras was fought on May 18, 1811 as part of the Uruguayan struggle for independence.
Backgroud In 1810, the May Revolution had forced the Spanish
to abandon Buenos Aires, but they held on to the Banda Oriental (present-day Uruguay), as Spain moved the headquarters of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata to Montevideo. At the beginning of April 1811, the revolutionary José Gervasio Artigas returned to the Banda Oriental with approximately 180 men provided by the Government of Buenos Aires. On April 11, he issued the Mercedes Proclamation, assuming control of the revolution. The Governor of Montevideo and new Viceroy of Río de la Plata, Francisco Javier de Elío, appointed frigatecaptain José Posadas at the head of the forces loyal to Spain. Posadas installed his headquarters at San Isidro Labrador de Las Piedras near Montevideo, to provoke a decisive battle against the revolutionaries. Meanwhile, José Artigas was camped near Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe with an army of a thousand men. The army of Posadas counted 1230 men, of which some 200 would defect to Artigas in the midst of battle. The battle was fought on May 18 at Las Piedras and resulted in a total victory for the revolutionaries. José Posadas capitulated. It was at this occasion that Artigas pronounced his famous sentence "Curad a los heridos, clemencia para los vencidos" (Cure the injured, mercy to the vanquished), an unusual decision in those times, referring to the Spanish wounded and prisoners. One of the casualties on the revolutionary side was Manuel Artigas, nephew of José Artigas. Both armies fought in the name of King Ferdinand VII of Spain.
Importance of the battle
Some historians consider the victory in the Battle of Las Piedras as crucial for the survival of the revolution in Uruguay and Argentina, after the defeats of General Manuel Belgrano in Paraguay and Paraná. After the battle, the Royalists only remained in control of Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo, which was finally taken by Carlos María de Alvear on June 20, 1814. The day of the battle, May 18, is now an official holiday in Uruguay.
Flag Day Haiti - M a y 1 8
The flag of Haiti consists of two horizontal bars, blue over red, defaced by a white panel bearing the Haitian coat of arms. The coat of arms depicts a trophy of weapons ready to defend freedom and a royal palm for independence. The palm is topped by the Cap of Liberty. The motto is on a white scroll reading L'Union Fait La Force ("Unity Makes Strength.")
History
During his leadership of the Haitian Revolution, Toussaint Louverture usually portrayed himself as a legitimate agent of a French administration. As such, his forces typically flew the Revolutionary French Tricolore — vertical bands of blue, white, and red. The first purely Haitian flag was adopted on May 18, 1803, on the last day of the Congress of Arcahaie, about fifty miles north of Port-au-Prince. Haitian lore holds that the newly-appointed revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines created the flag by taking a French tricolor and ripping out the white center, which he discarded. He then asked Catherine Flon, his god-daughter, to sew the remaining bands together. The white pale removed, the blue was taken to represent Haiti's black citizens and the red the gens de couleur. The story is widely known in Haiti: the anniversary of the date is celebrated as the Haitian Flag Day and images of Catherine Flon have appeared on Haitian currency and stamps. Following his proclamation as Emperor Jacques I, Dessalines promulgated a new constitution on May 20, 1805. In it, the colors of the flag were altered to black and red. This flag being subsequently adopted by Henri Christophe, the republicans under Alexandre Pétion returned to the colors blue and red, subsequently turning them horizontal and adding the newly adopted Haitian coat of arms. During the period of the Haitian Empire of Faustin I, his coat of arms was used on the flag and for official functions, but it was subsequently abandoned upon his removal from office. Between 1964 and 1986, the family dictatorships of François "Papa Doc" and Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier returned to Dessalines' black and red design. They included the national coat of arms, but altered the flags in its trophy to black as well. Because the coat of arms is only used for national and military flags, whereas the civil flag consists solely of the two unaugmented horizontal bands, it was discovered at the1936 Berlin Summer Olympics that Haiti and Liechtenstein were using the same flag. This led to the addition of a crown to the design of the flag of Liechtenstein.
Museum Day Worldwide - M a y 1 8
International Museum Day (IMD) is a celebration that held every year on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The event highlights a specific theme that changes every year and that is at the heart of the international museum community’s preoccupations. The International Museum Day provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them as to the challenges that museums face. Indeed, following the definition of museums provided by ICOM, a museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment. International Museum Day therefore serves as a platform to raise public awareness on the role museums play in the development of society today, on an international level.
History Each year, all museums in the world are invited to
participate in IMD to promote the role of museums around in the world, creating unique, enjoyable and free activities around a theme discussed within the ICOM community for this special day. Since its creation in 1977, International Museum Day has gained increasing attention. In 2009, International Museum Day attracted the participation of 20,000 museums hosting events in more than 90 countries. In 2010, 98 countries participated in the celebration, with 100 in 2011, and 30,000 museums in 129 countries in 2012. In 2011, the official IMD poster was translated into 37 languages. In 2012, this number jumped by one to 38.
Revival & Unity Day Turkmenistan - M a y 1 8
In Turkmenistan Revival and Unity day on May 18 celebrates Magtymguly’s poetry. In the history of the Turkmenistan people as the bright symbol of the realm of a free and prosperous state that came true. This dream was by Magtymguly’s inspired poems.
History Turkmenistan adopted the Con-
stitution on this day, and celebrates the attribute of the statehood embodying the values of the Turkmenistan nation.
Celebrations Celebrations include many expo-
sitions arranged at museums, exhibition halls and libraries in the Turkmenistan capital with the assistance of the ministry of culture and TV and radio broadcasting. Turkmen artists open the ceremony and celebrations by performing a huge concert. Part of these expositions celebrates Magtymguly, who with his outstanding poetry projected the concerns and desires or ordinary Turkmenistan people turning them into heroes through his work. Not only was he a great poet but an equally impressive singer, philosopher and humanist which has been depicted through paintings at the expositions. The expositions for revival and unity day are to express the activity of Turkmenistan in the world, and promote the Turkmen leader’s policy of peace that has won Turkmenistan high recognition. Turkmen artists enjoy this opportunity to display their work in the expositions from sculptors, painters, writers, carpet makers, jewellery makers and poems of Magtymgulys are displayed. Timed for Revival and Unity day the president of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammeda has signed an act of pardon to release 1710 people from jail. This amnesty is applied to those that in the opinion of authorities ‘truly repent’ and are ready to start an honourable life. This is the 2nd Amnesty this year, the first pardon was passed in February to coincide with State Flag Day.
Ho Chi Minh's Birthday Vietnam - May 19
Hồ Chí Minh (Vietnamese pronunciation 19 May 1890 – 2 September 1969), born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Tất Thành and Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister (1945–1955) and president (1945–1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). He was a key figure in the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, as well as the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (NLF or VC) during the Vietnam War. He led the Việt Minh independence movement from 1941 onward, establishing the communist-governed Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945 and defeating the French Union in 1954 at Điện Biên Phủ. He officially stepped down from power in 1955 due to health problems, but remained a highly visible figurehead and inspiration for Vietnamese fighting for his cause – a united, independent Vietnam – until his death. After the war, Saigon, the capital of Republic of Vietnam, was renamed Hồ Chí Minh City in his honor.
Early Life Nguyễn Sinh Cung was born in 1890 in the village of Hoàng Trù, his mother's
hometown. From 1895, he grew up in his father's hometown of Kim Liên, Nam Đàn, Nghệ An Province. He had three siblings: his sister Bạch Liên (or Nguyễn Thị Thanh), a clerk in the French Army; his brother Nguyễn Sinh Khiêm (or Nguyễn Tất Đạt), a geomancer and traditional herbalist; and another brother (Nguyễn Sinh Nhuận) who died in his infancy. As a young child, Nguyễn studied with his father before more formal classes with a scholar named Vuong Thuc Do. Nguyễn quickly mastered Chinese writing, a requisite for any serious study of Confucianism, while honing his colloquial Vietnamese writing. In addition to his studious endeavors, he was fond of adventure, and loved to fly kites and go fishing. Following Confucian tradition, at the age of 10, his father gave him a new name: Nguyễn Tất Thành (“Nguyễn the Accomplished”). Nguyễn’s father, Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, was a Confucian scholar and teacher, and later an imperial magistrate in the small remote district of Binh Khe (Qui Nhơn). He was demoted for abuse of power after an influential local figure died several days after receiving 100 strokes of the cane as punishment for an infraction. In deference to his father, Nguyễn received a French education, attended lycée in Huế, the alma mater of his later disciples, Phạm Văn Đồng and Võ Nguyên Giáp. He later left his studies and chose to teach at Dục Thanh school in Phan Thiết.
Malcolm X Day U.S. - May 19
Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965), born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. Detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, antisemitism, and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm X's father died—killed by white supremacists, it was rumored—when he was young, and at least one of his uncles was lynched. When he was thirteen, his mother was placed in a mental hospital, and he was placed in a series of foster homes. In 1946, at age 20, he went to prison for breaking and entering. In prison, Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam and after his parole in 1952 he quickly rose to become one of its leaders. For a dozen years Malcolm X was the public face of the controversial group, but disillusionment with Nation of Islam head Elijah Muhammad led him to leave the Nation in March 1964. After a period of travel in Africa and the Middle East, he returned to the United States, where he founded Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of AfroAmerican Unity. In February 1965, less than a year after leaving the Nation of Islam, he was assassinated by three members of the group. Malcolm X's expressed beliefs changed substantially over time. As a spokesman for the Nation of Islam he taught black supremacy and advocated separation of black and white Americans—in contrast to the civil rights movement's emphasis on integration. After breaking with the Nation of Islam in 1964—saying of his association with it, "I was a zombie then ... pointed in a certain direction and told to march"—and becoming a Sunni Muslim, he disavowed racism and expressed willingness to work with civil rights leaders, though still emphasizing black self-determination and self defense.
years Early Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska,
the fourth of seven children to Earl Little and Louise Norton. His father was an outspoken Baptist lay speaker. He supported PanAfrican activist Marcus Garvey and was a local leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Malcolm never forgot the values of black pride and self-reliance that his father and other UNIA leaders preached. Malcolm X later said that three of Earl Little's brothers, one of whom was lynched, died violently at the hands of white men. Because of Ku Klux Klan threats, the family relocated in 1926 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter to Lansing, Michigan. Earl Little, who was dark-skinned, was born in Reynolds, Georgia. He had three children from his first marriage: Ella, Mary, and Earl Jr.—and seven with his second wife, Louise: Wilfred, Hilda, Philbert, Malcolm, Reginald, Yvonne, and Wesley. Louise Norton Little was born in Grenada. Because her father was Scottish, she was so light-skinned that she could have passed for white. Malcolm inherited his light complexion from his mother and maternal grandfather. Initially he felt his light skin was a status symbol, but he later said he "hated every drop of that white rapist's blood that is in me." Malcolm X later remembered feeling that his father favored him because he was the lightestskinned child in the family; however, he thought his mother treated him harshly for the same reason. One of Malcolm's nicknames, "Red", derived from the tinge of his hair. According to one biographer, at birth he had "ash-blonde hair ... tinged with cinnamon", and at age four, "reddish-blonde hair". His hair darkened as he aged, yet he also resembled his paternal grandmother, whose hair "turned reddish in the summer sun." The issue of skin and hair color took on very significant implications later in Malcolm's life. In December 1924, Louise Little was threatened by klansmen while she was pregnant with Malcolm. She recalled that the klansmen warned the family to leave Omaha, because Earl Little's activities with UNIA were "spreading trouble". After they moved to Lansing, their house was burned in 1929; however, the family escaped without physical injury. On September 8, 1931, Earl Little was fatally struck by a streetcarin Lansing. Authorities ruled his death an accident. The police reported that Earl Little was conscious when they arrived on the scene, and he told them he had slipped and fallen under the streetcar's wheels. The black community in Lansing disputed the cause of death, believing there was circumstantial evidence of assault. His family had frequently been harassed by the Black Legion, a white supremacist group that his father accused of burning down their home in 1929. Some blacks believed the Black Legion was responsible for Earl Little's death. One of the adults at the funeral told eight-year-old Philbert Little that his father had been hit from behind and shoved under the streetcar. Though Earl Little had two life insurance policies, his family received death benefits solely from the smaller policy. The insurance company of the larger policy claimed that his father had committed suicide and refused to issue the benefit. The payout from the insurance policy was $1,000 (comparable to about $15,000 in 2010 dollars), and the probate court awarded Louise Little a monthly "widow's allowance" of $18. She rented space in the garden to raise more money, and her sons would hunt game for supper. In 1935 or 1936, Louise Little began dating an African-American man. A marriage proposal seemed a possibility, but the man disappeared from their lives when Louise became pregnant with his child in late 1937. In December 1938, Louise Little had a nervous breakdown and was declared legally insane. The Little siblings were split up and sent to different foster homes. The state formally committed Louise Little to the state mental hospital at Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she remained until Malcolm and his siblings secured her release 24 years later. Malcolm Little was one of the best students in his junior high school, but he dropped out after a white eighth-grade teacher told him that his aspirations of being a lawyer were "no realistic goal for a nigger." Years later, Malcolm X would laugh about the incident, but at the time it was humiliating. It made him feel that there was no place in the white world for a career-oriented black man, no matter how smart he was. After living with a series of foster parents, Malcolm moved to Boston in February 1941 to live with his older half-sister, Ella Little Collins.
Nation of Islam When Little was released from prison in 1952, he had more than a new religion. He also had a new name. In a De-
cember 1950 letter to his brother Philbert, Little signed his name as Malcolm X for the first time. In his autobiography, he explained why: "The Muslim's 'X' symbolized the true African family name that he never could know. For me, my 'X' replaced the white slave master name of 'Little' which some blue-eyed devil named Little had imposed upon my paternal forebears." Shortly after his release from prison, Malcolm X visited Elijah Muhammad in Chicago, Illinois. In June 1953, Malcolm X was named assistant minister of the Nation of Islam's Temple Number One in Detroit. Soon, he became a full-time minister. By late 1953, Malcolm X established Boston's Temple Number 11. In March 1954, he expanded Temple Number 12 inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. Two months later Malcolm X was selected to lead Temple Number Seven in Harlem, and he rapidly expanded its membership. The FBI had opened a file on Malcolm X in 1950 after he wrote a letter to President Trumanstating his opposition to the Korean War and declaring himself to be a communist. It began surveillance of him in 1953, and soon the FBI turned its attention from concerns about possible Communist Party association to Malcolm X's rapid ascent in the Nation of Islam. During 1955, Malcolm X continued his successful recruitment efforts on behalf of the organization. He established temples in Springfield, Massachusetts (Number 13); Hartford, Connecticut (Number 14); and Atlanta, Georgia (Number 15). Hundreds of African Americans were joining the Nation of Islam every month. Beside his skill as a speaker, Malcolm X had an impressive physical presence. He stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed about 180 pounds (82 kg). One writer described him as "powerfully built", and another as "mesmerizingly handsome ... and always spotlessly well-groomed".
Johnson Hinton incident:
Malcolm X first came to the attention of the general public after the police beating of a Nation of Islam member named Johnson Hinton. On April 26, 1957, two police officers were beating an African-American man with their nightsticks when three passersby who belonged to the Nation of Islam tried to intervene. They shouted: "You're not in Alabama or Georgia. This is New York!" One of the officers began to beat one of the passersby, Johnson Hinton. The blows were so severe, a surgeon later determined, that they caused brain contusions, subdural hemorrhaging, and scalp lacerations. All four men were arrested and taken to the police station. A woman who had seen the assault ran to the Nation of Islam's restaurant. Within a few hours, Malcolm X and a small group of Muslims went to the police station and demanded to see Hinton. The police captain initially said no Muslims were being held there, but as the crowd grew to about 500, he allowed Malcolm X to speak with Hinton. After a short talk, Malcolm X demanded that Hinton be taken to the hospital, so an ambulance was called and Hinton was taken to Harlem Hospital. Hinton was treated and released into the custody of the police, who returned him to the police station. By this point, about 4,000 people had gathered; the police realized there was the potential for a riot and called for backup. Malcolm X went back into the police station with an attorney and made bail arrangements for the other two Muslims. The police said Hinton could not go back to the hospital until he was arraigned the following day. Malcolm X realized things were at a stalemate. He stepped outside the station house and gave a hand signal. The Nation of Islam members in the crowd silently walked away. The rest of the crowd dispersed minutes later. One police officer told the editor of the New York Amsterdam News: "No one man should have that much power." The following month, the Bureau of Special Services and Investigation of the New York Police Department (NYPD) began its surveillance of Malcolm X. The NYPD's Chief Inspector asked for information from the police department in every city where Malcolm X had lived, and from the prisons where he had served his sentence. In October, when a grand jury declined to indict the officers who had beaten Hinton, Malcolm X wrote an angry telegram to the police commissioner. In response, undercover NYPD officers were placed inside the Nation of Islam.
Marriage and family:
Malcolm X met Betty Sanders in 1955. She had been invited to listen to his lecture, and she was very impressed by him. They met again at a dinner party. Soon Sanders was attending all of Malcolm X's lectures at Temple Number Seven. In mid 1956, she joined the Nation of Islam and changed her name to Betty X. Malcolm X and Betty X did not have a conventional courtship. One-on-one dates were contrary to the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Instead, the couple shared their "dates" with dozens, or even hundreds of other members. Malcolm X frequently took groups to visit New York's museums and libraries, and he always invited Betty X. Although they had never discussed the subject, Betty X suspected that Malcolm X was interested in marriage. On January 12, 1958, he called from Detroit and asked her to marry him, and they were married two days later in Lansing, Michigan. The couple had six daughters. Their names were Attallah, born in 1958 and named after Attila the Hun; Qubilah, born in 1960 and named after Kublai Khan; Ilyasah, born in 1962 and named after Elijah Muhammad; Gamilah Lumumba, born in 1964 and named afterPatrice Lumumba; and twins, Malikah and Malaak, born in 1965 after their father's assassination and named for him.
The Hate That Hate Produced:
After a 1959 television broadcast in New York City about the Nation of Islam, The Hate That Hate Produced, Malcolm X became known to white Americans. Representatives of the print media, radio, and television frequently asked him for comments on issues. By the late 1950s, Malcolm X had acquired a new name, Malcolm Shabazz or Malik elShabazz, although he was still widely referred to as Malcolm X. In September 1960, Fidel Castro arrived in New York to attend the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. He and his entourage stayed at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem. Malcolm X was a prominent member of a Harlembased welcoming committee made up of community leaders who met with Castro. Castro was so impressed by Malcolm X that he requested a private meeting with him. At the end of their two-hour meeting, Castro invited Malcolm X to visit him in Cuba. During the General Assembly meeting, Malcolm X was also invited to many official embassy functions sponsored by African nations, where he met heads of state and other leaders, including Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea, and Kenneth Kaunda of the Zambian African National Congress. From his adoption of the Nation of Islam in 1952 until he broke with it in 1964, Malcolm X promoted the Nation's teachings, including that black people are the original people of the world, that white people are "devils", that blacks are superior to whites, and that the demise of the white race is imminent. While the civil rights movement fought against racial segregation, Malcolm X advocated the completeseparation of African Americans from white people. He proposed the establishment of a separate country for black people as an interim measure until African Americans could return to Africa. Malcolm X also rejected the civil rights movement's strategy of nonviolence, and instead advocated that black people use any necessary means of self-defense to protect themselves. Malcolm X's speeches had a powerful effect on his audiences, generally African Americans who lived in the Northern and Western cities, who were tired of being told to wait for freedom, justice, equality and respect. Many blacks felt that he articulated their complaints better than the civil rights movement did. Malcolm X has been widely considered the second most influential leader of the Nation of Islam after Elijah Muhammad. He was largely credited with the group's dramatic increase in membership between the early 1950s and early 1960s (from 500 to 25,000 by one author's estimate, or from 1,200 to 50,000 or 75,000 by another's). He inspired the boxer Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) to join the Nation of Islam. (though like Malcolm X himself, Ali later left the group to become a Sunni Muslim). Many white people, and even some blacks, were alarmed by Malcolm X and the things he said. He and the Nation of Islam were described as hatemongers, black supremacists, violence-seekers, and a threat to improved race relations. Civil rights organizations denounced Malcolm X and the Nation as irresponsible extremists whose views were not representative of African Americans. Malcolm X was accused of being antisemitic. Malcolm X was equally critical of the civil rights movement. He described its leaders as "stooges" for the white establishment, and he once described Martin Luther King, Jr. as a "chump". He criticized the 1963 March on Washington, which he called "the farce on Washington". He said he did not know why black people were excited over a demonstration "run by whites in front of a statue of a president who has been dead for a hundred years and who didn't like us when he was alive".
Youth & Sports Day Turkey - May 19
19 May the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkish: 19 Mayıs Atatürk'ü Anma ve Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) or simply Youth Day (Gençlik Bayramı), is an annual Turkish national holiday celebrated on May 19 to commemorate Mustafa Kemal's landing at Samsun on May 19, 1919, which is regarded as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence in the official historiography.
History
Gymnastics Festival:
The first "Gymnastics Festival" (İdman Bayramı) was held at the sport meadow of Kadıköy İttihad Sports (Union Club until 1915) by Erkek Muallim Mektebi (Teachers' College for Boys) with personal enterprise of Selim Sirri Bey (Tarcan), who was the Inspector of the Ministry of Education of the Ottoman Empire at the time. According to some sources, it was held on May 12, 1916, as to Faik Reşit Unat, in May 1916, as to Selim Sırrı Tarcan himself, in April 29, 1916. Selim Sirri Bey had brought a score of the Swedish folk music titled Tre trallande jäntor("Three carolling girls") and collected by Felix Körling. This folk music became "Dağ Başını Duman Almış" marşı with Turkish lyrics written by Ali Ulvi Bey (Elöve) in 1917 and sung in this festival for the first time.
Mustafa Kemal's landing at Samsun:
Fahrî Yâver-i Hazret-i Şehriyâri Mirliva Mustafa Kemal Pasha was assigned as the inspector of the Ninth Army Troops Inspectorate on April 30, 1919 and left Constantinople (Istanbul) with his staffs aboard steamer SS Bandırma for Samsun. After landing at Samsun on May 19, Mustafa Kemal and his staffs left there on May 24 for transferring their headquarters to the village of Karageçmiş in Havza district. According to Hamza Eroğlu, they sang "Dağ Başını Duman Almış" when they were marching from Samsun to Havza, according to Şevket Süreyya Aydemir, they sang this marching song also after leaving Havza to go to Amasya.
Atatürk's later years:
According to İsmet Bozdağ, his best friend Şükrü Kaya, who was the Minister of the Interior at the time, told him that: On May 19, 1936, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made conversation with his close friends; Şükrü Kaya, Ruşen Eşref Ünaydın, Kılıç Ali, Salih Bozok, Mehmet Seydan, Nuri Conker in the Dolmabahçe Palace. Atatürk asked them "Do you know what today is?" They replied, "the third day of the occupation of Izmir", "Ankara meeting", "Ismet Pasha telegraphed from Lausanne", "Golden Horn Conference", "Turco-British negotiations over Iraq", "Progressive Republican Party was banned" ... even Atatürk's close friends couldn't remember Mustafa Kemal's landing at Samsun. Atatürk said "Let them in hell. So...this is something that, this is the liberation of country. Still they cannot find. Since after all Şükrü Kaya said "Is this day when you left Istanbul?", Atatürk said "You came closer...the day we landed at Samsun." And then Atatürk said "Actually this is the festival that you'll celebrate." Next year, "May 19" was celebrated with Şükrü Kaya's arrangement. Until then, "May 19" wasn't given any special meaning, besides his expression "Gentlemen, I landed at Samsun on the nineteenth day of May of year 1919. This was the general state of affairs:" in Nutuk. With the Law No. 3466 dated June 20, 1938, "May 19" was officialized as the Festival of Youth and Sports. "Dağ Başını Duman Almış" marşı was announced as Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı Marşı (March of the Festival of Youth and Sports, Gençlik Marşı).
Atatürk's birthday
Atatürk was born in 1881. But his birth date is not known. In one of his speeches, he declared that he feels his birthday is May 19.
National Maritime Day - US May 22
National Maritime Day is a United States holiday created to recognize the maritime industry. It is observed on May 22, the date that the American steamship Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power. The holiday was created by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933.
EU M e m be r s hip is not c ontr a r y t o na t iona l inte r e s t (Online 15 May) According to Tibor Navracsics, it is inaccurate that the European Union would be contrary to national interest. The Deputy Prime Minister talked about this topic at a conference held at the National University of Public Service about the past ten years of Hungary’s EU membership in Budapest this Thursday. During his presentation, Tibor Navracsics said that the EU membership of Hungary is the history of realization of the possibility of enforcing national interest. To his opinion the slogans heard in the campaign of the elections of the European Parliament to be held on the 25th of May 25 may be grouped at two ends: one is to see the creation of an United States of Europe where national interest would dissolve in a supranational, all-European interest; and the other is to
move out from the European Union, because national interest could be represented only outside the EU. As he said, both slogans are the byproduct of the same mistake, which is that the European Union is contrary to national interest. The Deputy Prime Minister has taken the position that community interest is a common set of national interests and community interest is unimaginable without the prevailing of national interests. He added that from the transition period to 2004 EU membership was a goal, however, since the admission it is a device; a tool for national advocacy. The Deputy Prime Minister also said that over the past four years a lot of debate went on between Hungary and the European Union. As he said, these issues have occurred from the often different interpretations of concepts. According to his words, the
high degree of transformation carried out recently in Hungary made the Hungarian case a special one, but did not make it unique; noting that many Member States have disputes with the European Union. He stressed that in many ways it is understandable that the EU looked on the profound transformation in Hungary with suspicion, but the existing assets of the community; the infringement procedure and ultimately the application of the EU’s Article No. 7 are all sufficient to resolve the issues of cooperation; there is no need for new procedures. As he noted, the planned rule-of-law-mechanism of the EU on the monitoring of national compliance with fundamental rights and values would take a strictly legal approach into political grounds.
Ec onom ic gr owt h r e a c he d a n e ight y e a r r e c or d high (Online 15 May) In Q1 2014, the Hungarian economy posted a significant increase, registering the best GDP growth figure since 2006. According to preliminary data, GDP was up by 3.5 percent year-on-year and 1.1 percent quarteron-quarter. The data published earlier today are well above analysts’ expectations of 2.7 percent. Although international statistics are to be published only at noon today, in light of preliminary information the Hungarian figures place the country among the top performers within the European Union and the region. Productive sectors continued to be the main contributors fuelling the outstanding rebound, as both the industrial and the construction sectors expanded remarkably. In addition to these, the services sector also underpinned growth. Higher services demand and consumption were the drivers of strengthening sales. Favourable tourism data lifted the hotel and catering sector, while the increase of industrial output had a positive
effect on the transportation sector. The lending schemes of Eximbank and the National Bank of Hungary significantly improved the performance of the longsuffering financial sector. Growth that has re-emerged over the past two quarters is more and more indicating that the economy’ structure is increasingly balanced and sound. This is also confirmed by the fact that the increase in domestic demand has joined soaring exports as a significant growth factor. It has to be noted that parallel to accelerating growth, other key indicators have improved further: the current account shows a massive surplus and general government debt remains below 3 percent. Household consumption growth, one of the factors behind the impressive increase, was bolstered -- besides favourable inflationary processes and employment growth -- by the increase of wages in real terms. Another positive phenomenon is the revival of investment thanks mainly to rebounding private sec-
tor activity and the speeding-up of the utilization of EU resources. Economic expansion also buoyed the labour market, as the number of people in employment increased further and over the past one year 260 thousand more people have been given work. The private sector has been increasingly contributing to positive labour market trends. Economic growth in turn results in wage increases which in the future boost household consumption. As a whole, data from the first quarter confirm that the Hungarian economy has entered a sound and sustainable path. In light of better-than-expected first quarter data Hungarian economic growth in 2014 exceeds by 0.3-0.6 percentage points the 2.3 percent GDP growth figure prognosticated by the Convergence Programme. These optimistic expectations are based on the stock of orders data within the industrial and the construction sector, the gradual improvement in business confidence as well as the upturn in investment.
C e nt r a l Eur ope m us t r e c e iv e s e c ur it y gua r a nt e e s : PM (Online 15 May) Central Europe needs military, transport, and energy security guarantees, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at Globsec, the region's most important foreign and security policy forum, in Bratislava on Thursday. At a panel discussion involving the heads of government of the Visegrád Group countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia), Prime Minister Orbán emphasised that defence guarantees were mainly ensured by NATO membership, but added that military cooperation was also needed at a regional level. Accordingly a Central European combat group could be established by 2016 and the region's defence ministers have already agreed on coordinating military planning, he stated. Discussing energy issues, the Hungarian Prime Minister pointed out that cross-border cooperation and the completion of a north-south transport corridor from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic Sea are necessary to ensure transport and shipping guarantees, adding that it would seem that the European Union does not recognise the importance of the latter
and so the realisation of transport routes linking the Baltic and Adriatic seas is lagging behind. He said it is important that energy security should be guaranteed and urged the development of northsouth energy infrastructure and the realisation of two-way transport within the gas supply system. The acceptance of nuclear energy is also part of energy security and opportunities for extracting shale gas should not be restricted, the Prime Minister stated, adding that enabling the "mobilisation" of Europe's coal resources is also an important goal. In the case of energy issues, the emphasis should shift from disputes on regulation to reducing prices, since without it the European Union's competitiveness would deteriorate further, he pointed out. Regarding the South Stream pipeline project he said he regarded this as a "simple economic and pragmatic issue", citing the possibility of Russia stopping gas deliveries to Ukraine. The Prime Minister stated that this would cause problems not only for Hungary, as the country transports gas to Croatia and Romania as well.
PM Or bá n pr e pa r e s t o for m ne w c a bine t (Online 15 May) Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is holding a series of consultations prior to presenting his new cabinet on 6 June, as announced in Parliament by Minister of State heading the Prime Minister's Office János Lázár. Mr. Lázár stated that the new governmental structure would be "clear, simple and straightforward". According to a proposal submitted to Parliament on Saturday, the new government will work with nine ministries: the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of External Economy and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of National Economy. Minister of State Lázár highlighted that the Prime Minister's Office will be turned into a ministry charged with governmental coordination, as well as with the distribution of European Union funds in Hungary. State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Eternal Economic Relations Peter Szijjártó said that an integrated foreign economy and policy ministry will be set up to "successfully represent Hungarian interests in a new world order", facilitating that one third of Hungary's total exports will be sold outside the European Union by 2018, as well as increasing Hungary's agricultural and food exports by an an-
nual 10 percent. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is holding a series of consultations, meeting with heads of various institutions, to have their input in their field of expertise, prior to forming his new cabinet. On Monday, he received the new and the outgoing presidents of the Hungarian Academy of Science (MTA), with whom he discussed the new goals of the institution within the field of Hungarian research. He later also met with President of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA) György Fekete and stated that in terms of Hungary’s future, culture has a strategic importance. Also on Monday, the Prime Minister met with President of the State Audit Office (ÁSZ) László Domonkos and his deputy Tihamér Warvasovszky, who presented their proposal to make the standards of state spending measurable and further reinforce a balanced, transparent and sustainable budget management. After meeting with the 13 minority spokespersons, Prime Minister Orbán stated that the Government aims to place special emphasis on cooperation with the non-voting minority representatives in Parliament. The spokespersons stressed that they are open to the possibility of cooperating with the Hungarian Government and made suggestions regarding the development of relations between Hungary and the
neighbouring countries. Later, on Monday, the Prime Minister held a meeting with members of the judiciary, with whom they discussed relevant parts of the Fundamental Law and who summarised results and experiences regarding the reform of the judiciary. On Tuesday, consultations continued with Governor of the Central Bank György Matolcsy, where the main topics included the increase in publicowned government bonds and the improving state debt, while with President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce László Parragh they discussed an agreement to be made with the new government on further developing the vocational training system, restructuring higher and adult education, the use of EU funds between 2014 and 2020, strengthening SMEs and developing the chamber’s system, based on the German model. Finally the Prime Minister also met with leaders of the National Association of Hungarian Farmers Societies and Co-operatives (MAGOSZ) and the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture, during which the parties set the goal of enhancing agricultural output to reach the 1990 level, developing rural labour-intensive sectors and putting in order the situation regarding the undivided joined ownership of agricultural land.
H unga r y is t he gue s t of honour of t he Pr a gue B ook Fa ir (Online 16 May) The Prague Book Fair opened on Thursday with Hungary as this year’s guest of honour. Hungarian Minister for Human Resources Zoltán Balog said at the opening ceremony that the region’s peoples should again elevate Central Europe to become a hub of power and strive to understand one another despite language barriers. Mr. Balog also said that Hungary had not only brought books to the
event, but was attempting to present Hungarian reality in its entirety. Pál Hatos, director of Hungary’s Balassi Institute, said that the book fair is an excellent opportunity to spread Hungarian culture in the Czech Republic. Jan Hamacek, Speaker of the Czech Parliament said that Hungary was a good choice for guest of honour because the country’s past and present are of interest to the Czech
people and are worth a closer look. The four-day Prague Book Fair, entitled “World of Books” is being atby several hundred tended publishers from two dozen countries. Last year, the fair had 36,000 visitors and organisers hope to at least match that number. Hungarian writers present at the book fair include Krisztina Tóth, Péter Esterházy, György Spiró, László F. Földényi and János Háy.
Prime Minister Orbán also talked about the goal of building a new Central Europe, developing the widest possible cooperation between the states of the region; enabling the region to become the continent's engine of growth; using the crisis-management tools that are unique to the region, and the fact that Central Europe is politically stable. Talking about his inauguration speech, during which he also referred to the situation of ethnic Hungarians abroad, he stated that a democratic Ukraine must observe community rights, including the rights of the local Hungarian minority. If Kiev fails to do so, "we have a legitimate reason to be worried" about the democratic nature of the future Ukraine, he said. According to the Hungarian Prime Minister, one of the most worrying signs was that one of Kiev's first decisions after the new Ukraine was established was to eliminate a language law favouring minorities. Asked what community rights he was referring to, he said that the Hungarians living in Transcarpathia would decide this question for themselves.
Independence Day East Timor - M a y 2 0
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor. The small country of 15,410 km² (5,400 sq mi) is located about 640 km (400 mi) northwest of Darwin, Australia. East Timor was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century, and was known as Portuguese Timor until Portugal's decolonization of the country. In late 1975, East Timor declared its independence, but later that year was invaded and occupied by Indonesia and was declared Indonesia's 27th province the following year. In 1999, following the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on May 20, 2002. East Timor is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being the Philippines. East Timor has a lower-middle-income economy. It continues to suffer the aftereffects of a decades-long independence struggle against Indonesia, which damaged infrastructure and displaced thousands of civilians. It is placed 120th by Human Development Index(HDI).
History
It is believed that descendants from at least three waves of migration still live in East Timor. The first were related to the principal Australoid indigenous groups of New Guineaand Australia, and arrived before 40,000 years ago. Around 3000 BC, Austronesians migrated to Timor, and are thought to be associated with the development of agriculture on the island. Thirdly, proto-Malays arrived from south China and north Indochina. Before colonialism Timor was included in Chinese and Indian trading networks, being in the 14th century an exporter of aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey and wax. Early European explorers report that the island had a number of small chiefdoms or princedoms in the early 16th century. The Portuguese established outposts in Timor and Maluku. Effective European occupation of a small part of the territory began in 1769, when the city of Dili was founded and the colony of Portuguese Timor declared.A definitive border between the Dutch colonised western half of the island and the Portuguese colonised eastern half of the island was established by the Hague Treaty of 1914, and it remains the international boundary between the successor states East Timor and Indonesia. For the Portuguese, East Timor remained little more than a neglected trading post until the late nineteenth century, with minimal investment in infrastructure, health, and education. Sandalwood remained the main export crop with coffee exports becoming significant in the mid-nineteenth century. In places where Portuguese rule was asserted, it tended to be brutal and exploitative. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a faltering home economy prompted the Portuguese to extract greater wealth from its colonies, which was met with Timorese resistance. During World War II, the Japanese occupied Dili, and the mountainous interior became the scene of a guerrilla campaign, known as the Battle of Timor. Waged by Allied forces and Timorese volunteers against the Japanese, the struggle resulted in the deaths of between 40,000 and 70,000 Timorese. Following the end of the war, Portuguese control was reinstated. The decolonisation process instigated by the 1974 Portuguese revolution saw Portugal effectively abandon the colony of East Timor. A civil war between supporters of East Timorese political parties, Fretilin and the UDT, broke out in 1975 as UDT attempted a coup which Fretilin resisted with the help of local Portuguese military. Independence was unilaterally declared on November 28, 1975. The Indonesian government was fearful of an independent communist state within the Indonesian archipelago, and at the height of the Cold War, Western governments were supportive of Indonesia's position. The Indonesian military launched a full-scale invasion of East Timor in December 1975. Indonesia declared East Timor as its 27th province on July 17, 1976. The UN Security Council opposed the invasion and the territory's nominal status in the UN remained "non-self-governing territory under Portuguese administration." Indonesia's occupation of East Timor was marked by violence and brutality. A detailed statistical report prepared for the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor cited a minimum bound of 102,800 conflictrelated deaths in the period 1974–1999, namely, approximately 18,600 killings and 84,200 'excess' deaths from hunger and illness. The East Timorese guerrilla force, Falintil, fought a campaign against the Indonesian forces from 1975–1999. The 1991 Dili Massacre was a turning point for the independence cause internationally, and an East Timor solidarity movement grew in Portugal, Australia, and the United States. Following the resignation of Indonesian President Suharto, a UN-sponsored agreement between Indonesia and Portugal allowed for UN-supervised popular referendum in August 1999. The resulting clear vote for independence was met with a punitive campaign of violenceby Timorese pro-integration militia with the support of elements of the Indonesian military (main article 1999 referendum). An Australian-led international peacekeeping force, INTERFET, was sent (with Indonesian permission) until order was restored. The administration of East Timor was taken over by the UN through the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in October 1999. The INTERFET deployment ended in February 2000 with the transfer of military command to the UN. East Timorese independence was formalised on May 20, 2002 with Xanana Gusmão sworn in as the country's first President. East Timor became a member of the UN on September 27, 2002. In June 2006, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigned as Prime Minister, and José Ramos-Horta was appointed as his successor.The following year, Gusmão declined another presidential term and in the build-up to the April 2007 presidential elections there were renewed outbreaks of violence. José Ramos-Horta was elected President in the May 2007 election. Ramos-Horta was critically injured in an attempted assassination in February 2008. Prime Minister Gusmão also faced gunfire separately but escaped unharmed. Australian reinforcements were immediately sent to help keep order. In 2006, the United Nations sent in security forces to restore order when unrest and factional fighting forced 15 percent of the population (155,000 people) to flee their homes. In March 2011, the UN handed-off operational control of the police force to the East Timor authorities, but more than 1,200 UN police officers still patrol on the street. After the 2012 presidential election, the missions are scheduled to end.
National Day Cameroon - M a y 2 0
The National Day of Cameroon is celebrated every year on 20th May. Cameroon does not have a single date of independence. This day commemorates the ending of the federal government of erstwhile Cameroon and creation of a unitary state by Ahmadou Ahidjo, the first ever President of Cameroon.
History French Cameroun, which was a United Na-
tions Trust Territory, gained its independence on 1st January 1960. On 1st October 1961 the Southern Cameroons, which were held by the British, became a federated state with Cameroon from a Trusteeship administered by the British. The national government opted to choose 20th May as the National Day in order to mark the abolition of the federal government system and formation of a unitary state by the first President of Cameroon, Ahmadou Ahidjo. In 1972 the Union Nationale Camerounaise, led by Ahmadou Ahidjo, adopted the constitution of the United Republic of Cameroon. The constitution was later amended under Paul Biya's leadership and Cameroon received its present name.
Celebrations On the National Day parades are held with participation by the public officers. Party loyalists also take part in the
festivities, dressed in commemorative clothing and party insignia. Dance troupes and school children also take part in the programs. The students union of Cameroon stage Annual National Week programs. These are basically awareness programs. Several other important events are also held on this day across Cameroon such as socio educative discussions, civilian marches, torch light processions and unity tournaments. The unity tournaments feature cultural activities and sports events that help with national unity. Football, goal ball, volleyball and cross country unity races are held as part of these tournaments. The event is celebrated in an ornate way at the Cameroonian embassies in different countries. The celebrations are attended by diplomatic officers and government officers along with other high profile guests like businessmen. The Embassies also organize programs at schools and other important institutions. Official dinners are held to mark the most important day in Cameroon's history. The dinners feature the best dishes from both Cameroon and the particular country. The cultural splendor of both countries is also highlighted with fashion shows that feature traditional attire. The national anthem of Cameroon is always performed at these events by members of the Cameroonian community in that particular country. Consequently speeches are given by the Cameroonian ambassador emphasizing on the relations Cameroon shares with the country in question.
Independence Day Montenegro - M a y 2 1
An independence referendum was held in Montenegro on 21 May 2006. It was approved by 55.5% of voters, narrowly passing the 55% threshold. By 23 May, preliminary referendum results were recognized by all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, indicating widespread international recognition of Montenegro once independence would be formally declared. On 31 May the referendum commission officially confirmed the results of the referendum, verifying that 55.5% of the population of Montenegrin voters had voted in favor of independence. Because voters met the controversial threshold requirement of 55% approval set by the European Union, the referendum was incorporated into a declaration of independence during a special parliamentary session on 31 May. The Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro made a formal Declaration of Independence on Saturday 3 June. In response to the announcement, the government of Serbia declared itself the legal and political successor of Serbia and Montenegro, and that the government and parliament of Serbia itself would soon adopt a new constitution. The European Union, the United States, the People's Republic of China and Russia all expressed their intentions to respect the referendum results.
Naval Glories Day (Battle of Iquique) Chile - M a y 2 1
The Battle of Iquique (Spanish: Batalla de Iquique or Combate Naval de Iquique) was a confrontation that occurred on May 21, 1879, during the naval stage of the War of the Pacific, a conflict between Chile and Peru and Bolivia. The battle took place off the then-Peruvian port of Iquique. The Peruvian ironclad Huáscar, commanded by Miguel Grau Seminario, sank the Esmeralda, a Chilean wooden corvette captained by Arturo Prat Chacón, after four hours of combat.
Background The Bolivian government had threatened to confiscate and
to sell the Antofagasta Nitrate & Railway Company, a mining enterprise with Chilean and British investors, by a decree on February 1, 1879. In response, the Chilean government sent a small military force which disembarked and seized control of the port of Antofagasta on February 14. This event made Bolivian President Hilarión Daza declare war on Chile, and also forced Peru to honor a secret 1873 treaty with Bolivia. Although Peru tried to negotiate and to stop the imminent conflict, Chile, knowing of this pact, declared war on both Peru and Bolivia on April 5. Another small Chilean force took control of the city of Calama after its victory in the Battle of Topater on March 23. From the beginning of the conflict, both sides clearly knew that control of the sea was the key to obtaining victory. Whichever country controlled the sea could freely transport troops and land them at any strategic point. So, during the first year of the war, Chilean strategy focused on destroying the Peruvian Navy. In order to achieve this goal, the Chilean naval commander, Juan Williams Rebolledo, planned to sail north with his entire fleet, trying to engage the Peruvian Navy at Callao and achieve domination of the sea once and for all. The main ships of the Chilean Navy were sent towards the Peruvian port of Callao. Two old, wooden ships, the corvette Esmeralda and the schooner Covadonga, commanded by Captains Arturo Prat and Carlos Condell respectively, were left blockading the Peruvian port of Iquique.[citation needed] However, as the Chilean Navy steamed north towards Callao, two ironclad ships of the Peruvian Navy steamed south from Callao, unseen. These ships were the monitor Huáscar and the armored frigate Independencia, commanded by Rear Admiral Miguel Grau (then a Captain), the commanding officer of the Peruvian Navy and Captain Juan Guillermo More.
Forces in combat:
The wooden corvette Esmeralda was constructed on 1854 in Henry Pitcher's shipyard, arriving at Valparaíso in 1856. This vessel was named Esmeralda after the frigate of the same name captured by Lord Cochrane at El Callao in 1820. The Esmeralda displaced 854 tons, and was armed with twenty 32-pounder cannon and two 12-pounder cannon. In 1868, this was replaced with twelve 40-pounder rifled cannon and four 40-pounder Whitworth cannon. The Peruvian ironclad Huáscar was built in 1865 in the Laird Brothers' shipyard. The Huáscar displaced 1,180 tons, and was armed with two cannons of 300 lbs., two cannons of 40 lbs, one cannon of 12 lbs and one Gatling machine gun. This ship could reach a speed of 11 knots.
Defence Forces Day Hungary - M a y 2 1
Almost all countries of the world commemorate their defence forces symbolized the sovereignty and self-defence capability of the nation. In the last decades, in Hungary, members of the defence forces were celebrated in several ways. In 1940 a governing order declared 28 June as the Day of Defence. According to this regulation the Day of Defence was “the celebration of armed forces”, the ceremonial display of the military spirit and the internal power of the army in front of the nation. Since the 50’s until 1991, 29 September was the Armed Forces Day and National Defence Day. Since 1992, 21 May is the Day of the Hungarian National Defence, this is the day of battle of Castle Buda in 1849, when the Hungarian Army lead by General Artúr Görgey recaptured the capital from the troops lead by Austrian General Hentzi. (The Battle of Buda (Hungarian: "Buda ostroma”) was a battle at Buda, Kingdom of Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49 . It was part of the Spring Campaign between 4 and 21 May 1849 and ended up with Hungarian victory.) From the memorials we have learned that the successful reoccupation of the Buda Castle was the ’crown’ of the glorious Spring Campaign, and the General Görgey had proven his excellent capabilities, when he managed to turn the poorly equipped Hungarian forces into an army within a short time. This battle was the last step to make clear for the Habsburg Emperor that the Hungarians want to be independent. This victory could symbolize the freedom of the country and would have provided a good discussion basis for the expected peace talks. Remembering for this unprecedented battle and victory, since 1992 we remember the heroes who lined up as soldiers under the tricolor of the nation on 21st May 1849, and faced death bravely, singing the national anthem while attacking the strongholds of the enemy. First and foremost, this day is the day of remembrance, a celebration in honor of the predecessors who had defended their homeland heroically. Nevertheless, it also has to be mentioned that Hungarian soldiers – be it a contracted soldier, a professional serviceman, regardless of the location they are serving at, both within the boundaries of the country, and in an international mission – deserve all our respect.
Labour Day Jamaica - May 23
Before 1961, May 24 was celebrated in Jamaica as Empire Day in honour of the birthday of Queen Victoria and her emancipation of slaves in Jamaica. As its name suggests, the day was used to celebrate the British Empire, complete with flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of patriotic songs. In 1961, Jamaican Chief Minister Norman Washington Manley proposed the replacement of Empire Day with Labour Day, a celebration in commemoration of May 23, 1938, when Alexander Bustamante led a labour rebellion leading to Jamaican independence. Until May 23, 1971, Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley promoted Labour Day as a showcase for the importance of labour to the development of Jamaica, and a day of voluntary community participation to beneficial projects. Since then, Labour Day has been not only a public holiday but also a day of mass community involvement around the country.
World Turtle Day Worldwide - May 23
The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. Turtle Day is celebrated worldwide in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles or wearing green summer dresses, to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities.
Promoting organizations
Founded in 1990, American Tortoise Rescue is the founding sponsor of World Turtle Day. American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) is certified by state and federal agencies as a nonprofit 501(c)(3)corporation to provide for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle. Foundlings that cannot be adopted because of ill health remain in the care of American Tortoise Rescue for the remainder of their lives. Featured in Chase’s Book of Annual Events Chase's Book of Annual Events, the day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of the rescue American Tortoise Rescue advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles. Since 1990, ATR has placed about 3,000 tortoises and turtles in caring homes. ATR assists law enforcement when undersize or endangered turtles are confiscated and provides helpful information and referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles. World Turtle Day was started to increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the cruel pet trade. Adults and children can do a few small things that can help to save turtles and tortoises for the next generation. Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it increases demand from the wild. Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured. If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going – if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again. Write letters to legislators asking them to keep sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off road vehicles, and to prevent off shore drilling that can lead to more endangered sea turtle deaths. Report cruelty or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.• Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise of any kind less than four inches. This is illegal everywhere in the U.S. In 2011, Jagex Games Studios hosted a number of events within their MMORPG, RuneScape, to celebrate World Turtle Day.
Battle of Pichincha Ecuador - M a y 2 4
The Battle of Pichincha took place on 24 May 1822, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea-level, right next to the city of Quito, in modern Ecuador. The encounter, fought in the context of the Spanish American wars of independence, pitted a Patriot army under General Antonio José de Sucre against a Royalist army commanded by Field Marshal Melchor Aymerich. The defeat of the Royalist forces loyal to Spain brought about the liberation of Quito, and secured the independence of the provinces belonging to the Real Audiencia de Quito, or Presidencia de Quito, the Spanish colonial administrative jurisdiction from which the Republic of Ecuador would eventually emerge.
Background
The military campaign for the independence of the Presidencia de Quito could be said to have begun on October 9, 1820, when the port-city of Guayaquil proclaimed its independence from Spanish rule after a quick and almost bloodless revolt against the local colonial garrison. The leaders of the movement, a combination of Venezuelan and Peruvian pro-independence officers from the colonial army, along with local intellectuals and patriots, set up a governing council and raised a military force with the purpose of defending the city and carrying the independence movement to the other provinces in the country. By that time, the tide of the wars of independence in South America had turned decisively against Spain: Simón Bolívar's victory at theBattle of Boyacá (August 7, 1819) had sealed the independence of the former Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada, while to the south, José de San Martín, having landed with his army on the Peruvian coast on September, 1820, was preparing the campaign for the independence of the Viceroyalty of Perú.
Aftermath
While in the general context of the Wars of Independence, the Battle of Pichincha stands as a minor clash, both in terms of its duration and the number of troops involved, its results were to be anything but insignificant. On May 25, 1822, Sucre entered with his army in the city of Quito, where he accepted the surrender of all the Spanish forces then based in what the Colombian government called the "Department of Quito", considered by that Government as an integral part of the Republic of Colombia since its creation on December 17, 1819. Previously, when Sucre had recaptured Cuenca, on February 21, 1822, he had obtained from its local Council a decree by which it proclaimed the integration of the city and its province into the Republic of Colombia. Now, the surrender of Quito, which put and end to the Royalist resistance in the northern province of Pasto, allowed Bolívar to finally come down to Quito, which he entered on June 16, 1822. Amid the general enthusiasm of the population, the former Province of Quito was officially incorporated into the Republic of Colombia. One more piece to the puzzle remained, Guayaquil, still undecided about its future. The presence of Bolívar and the victorious Colombian army in the city finally forced the hands of the Guayaquilenos, whose governing council proclaimed the Province of Guayaquil as part of Colombia on July 13, 1822. Eight years later, in 1830, the three southern Departments of Colombia, Quito (now renamed Ecuador), Guayaquil and Cuenca, would secede from that country to constitute a new nation, which took the name of Republic of Ecuador.
Bermuda Day Bermuda - M a y 2 4
Bermuda Day is a public holiday in the islands of Bermuda. Like certain other public holidays, it is always celebrated on May 24, or the weekday nearest May 24 if that date falls on the weekend. Bermuda Day is traditionally the first day that local residents will go into the sea. It is also traditionally the first day on which Bermuda shorts are worn as business attire (although in recent years, Bermuda shorts are increasingly worn at any time of the year). Many people also see Bermuda Day as the first day on which they can go out on the water after the winter—consequently there is always a rush to get one's boat 'in the water' just before May 24. To celebrate the holiday, there is a parade in Hamilton, and a road race from the west end of the island into Hamilton. These events are very popular as spectator events, and residents are known to stake out particular sections of the pavements to enable them to watch the runners and the floats. Ways of marking out your family's section can include roping it off (frowned on as people have been hurt walking into such ropes the night before), marking it off with tape with your name on it, or sleeping there overnight.
Commonwealth Day Belize - M a y 2 4
Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March, and marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by HM Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral and Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. The Queen delivers an address to the Commonwealth, broadcast throughout the world. In the year before the quadrennial Commonwealth Games, the Queen starts the Queen's Baton Relay on Commonwealth Day at Buckingham Palace, handing the baton to the first relay runner to start a journey that will end at the Opening Ceremony of the upcoming Games. While it has a certain official status, Commonwealth Day is not a public holiday in most Commonwealth countries and there is little public awareness of it.
History Clementina Trenholme introduced Empire Day in Cana-
dian schools, first in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1898, on the last school day before 24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday. It was celebrated more each year. A typical Empire Day in Hamilton schools occupied the entire day and included inspirational speeches by trustees and songs such as The Maple Leaf Forever and Just Before the Battle. Empire Day was instituted in the United Kingdom in 1904 by Lord Meath, and extended throughout the countries of the Commonwealth. This day was celebrated by lighting fireworks in back gardens or attending community bonfires. It gave the Queen's people a chance to show their pride in being part of the British Empire. In 1958 Empire Day was renamed Commonwealth Day, in accordance with the new post-colonial relationship between the nations of the former empire. The National Council in Canada of the Royal Commonwealth Society expressed in a 1973 letter to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau that Commonwealth Day should be observed on the same day throughout all countries of the Commonwealth. They asked that this notion be included on the agenda of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Ottawa that year. The item eventually appeared on the agenda of the 1975 meeting, and it was agreed that the Commonwealth Secretariat select a date, preferably one without previous historical connotations. At the meeting of officials in Canberra in 1976, the Canadian proposal of the second Monday in March was adopted.
Sts. Cyrilus and Methodius Day Macedonia, Bulgaria - M a y 2 4
The Canonization process was much more relaxed in the decades following Cyril's death than today. Cyril was regarded by his disciples as a saint following his death. His following spread among the nations he evangelized and subsequently to the wider Christian Church, resulting in the renown of his holiness, along with that of his brother Methodius. There were calls for Cyril's canonization by the crowds lining the Roman streets during his funeral procession. Their first appearance in a papal document is Grande Munus by Leo XIII in 1880. The brothers are known as the "Apostles of the Slavs" and are still highly regarded by both Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Sts Cyril and Methodius' feast day is currently celebrated on 14 February in the Roman Catholic Church (to coincide with the date of St Cyril's death); on 11 May in the Eastern Orthodox Church (though note that for Eastern Orthodox Churches still on the Julian Calendar or 'old calendar' this is 24 May according to the Gregorian calendar); and on 7 July according to the old sanctoral calendar that existed before the revisions of the Second Vatican Council. The celebration also commemorates the introduction of literacy and the preaching of the gospels in the Slavonic language by the brothers. The brothers were declared "Patrons of Europe" in 1980. According to old Bulgarian chronicles, the day of the holy brothers used to be celebrated ecclesiastically as early as 11th century. The first recorded secular celebration of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Day as the "Day of the Bulgarian script", as it is traditionally accepted by Bulgarian science, was held in the town of Plovdiv on 11 May 1851, when a local Bulgarian school was named "Saints Cyril and Methodius", both acts on initiative of the prominent Bulgarian enlightener Nayden Gerov, although an Armenian traveller mentioned his visit at "celebration of the Bulgarian script" in the town of Shumen on 22 May 1803. The day is now celebrated as a public holiday in the following countries: In Bulgaria it is celebrated on 24 May and is known as the "Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature Day" (Bulgarian: Ден на българската просвета и култура и на славянската писменост), a national holiday celebrating Bulgarian culture and literature as well as the alphabet. It is also known as "Alphabet, Culture, and Education Day" (Bulgarian: Ден на азбуката, културата и просвещението). SS Cyril and Methodius are patrons of the National Library of Bulgaria. A monument of them is present in front of the library. SS Cyril and Methodius are the most celebrated saints in the Bulgarian Orthodox church, and icons of two brothers can be found in every church. In the Republic of Macedonia, it is celebrated on 24 May and is known as the "Saints Cyril and Methodius, Slavonic Enlighteners' Day" (Macedonian: Св. Кирил и Методиј, Ден на словенските просветители), a national holiday. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia took the decision for the statute of national holiday in October 2006 and Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia passed a corresponding law at the beginning of 2007. Before that it was celebrated only in the schools. It is also known as the day of the "SolunBrothers" (Macedonian: Солунските браќа). In Czech Republic and Slovakia, the two brothers were originally commemorated on 9 March, but Pope Pius IX changed this date to 5 July for several reasons. Today, Saints Cyril and Methodius are worshipped there as national saints and their name day (July 5), "Sts Cyril and Methodius Day" is a national holiday in Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Czech Republic it is celebrated on 5 July as "Slavic Missionaries Cyril and Methodius Day" (Czech: Den slovanských věrozvěstů Cyrila a Metoděje), in Slovakia it is celebrated on 5 July as "St. Cyril and Metod Day" (Slovak: Sviatok svätého Cyrila a Metoda). In Russia, it is celebrated on 24 May and is known as the "Slavonic Literature and Culture Day" (Russian: День славянской письменности и культуры), celebrating Slavonic culture and literature as well as the alphabet. Its celebration is ecclesiastical (11 May on the Church's Julian calendar), and it is not a public holiday in Russia. The saints' feast day is celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox Church on 11 May and by the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion on 14 February as "Saints Cyril and Methodius Day". The Lutheran Churches commemorate the two saints either on 14 February or 11 May.
Independence Day Eritrea - M a y 2 4
Contributed by: Attila Szántó
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Worldwide - M a y 2 1
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a United Nations–sanctioned international holiday for the promotion of diversity issues. It is currently held on May 21. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this holiday due to UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in November 2001. It was proclaimed by UN Resolution 57/249. Diversity Day, officially known as "The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development", is an opportunity to help communities understand the value of cultural diversity and learn how to live together in harmony. It was adopted in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
National Unity Day Yemen - M a y 2 2
Yemen holds annual celebration to commemorate the anniversary of the unity of South and North Yemen to form the Republic of Yemen on May 22. The National Unity Day in Yemen is a day where the country’s president talks about the plans laid out to address some of the pressing economic issues the country currently faces.
History
The present day Republic of Yemen is formed by the unification of two Arab states located in the Arab Peninsula: The Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen). North Yemen was formed after the cessation of existence of the Ottoman Empire; South Yemen, on the other hand, was a previous British colony. The latter gained its independence from its colonial master after a violent struggle for independence in 1967. The plan of a unified Yemen was conceptualized in 1972. Numerous attempts failed in 1979 due to regional conflicts but unity plans eventually came to commence in 1988. The unification led to a joint mineral extraction exploration along the two countries’ undefined border and allows the citizens of both regions to enjoy unrestricted travel access on both lands. Ali Abdullah Saleh (North Yemen) and Ali Salim al-Baidh (South Yemen) spearheaded the unity and approved the unity constitution in 1988 so that in May 22, 1990 a unity government was finally declared.
Celebrations During the celebration, the president of Republic of Yemen delivers speech and conduct military ceremony that com-
memorate the unification of the two Arab states in the Arabian Peninsula, Southwest Asia. It is during this national holiday where the president delivers national speech focusing on the government’s effort towards economic development, peace, and the challenges the country faces after the unification in 1990. A formal celebration usually happens in the capital, Sana’a.
Biological Diversity Day Worldwide - May 22
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.
The Independence Day of Eritrea is one of the most important public holidays in the country. It is observed on May 24 every year. On this day in 1991,Eritrean People's Liberation Front forces moved into the capital Asmara, reinstating independence, following a 30-year-long battle against the Ethiopian military regime. Eritrea Independence Day is a public holiday, with workers given a day off from work.
History
Together with northern Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Red Sea coast of Sudan, Eritrea is considered the most likely location of the land known to the ancient Egyptians as Punt (or "Ta Netjeru", meaning "God's Land"), whose first mention dates to the 25th century BC. The ancient Puntites were a nation of people that had close relations with Pharaonic Egypt during the times of Sahure and Hatshepsut. D'mt was a kingdom located in southern Eritrea and northern Ethiopia that existed during the 8th and 7th centuries BC. With its capital at Yeha, the realm developed irrigation schemes, used plows, grew millet, and made iron tools and weapons. After the fall of Dʿmt in the 5th century BC, the plateau came to be dominated by smaller successor kingdoms, until the rise of one of these polities, the Aksumite Kingdom during the first century, which was able to reunite the area. The history of Eritrea is tied to its strategic position on the Red Sea littoral, with a coastline that extends more than 1,000 km. Many scientists believe that it is from this area that anatomically modern humans first expanded out of Africa. From across the seas came various invaders and colonizers, such as the South Arabians hailing from the present-day Yemen area, as well as the Ottoman Turks, the Portuguese from Goa (India), the Egyptians, the British and, in the 19th century, the Italians. Over the centuries, invaders also came from the neighboring countries in Africa, like Egypt and Sudan to the west and north, as well as Ethiopia to the south. However, present-day Eritrea was largely affected by the Italian colonisers of the 19th century. In the period following the opening of the Suez canal in 1869, when European powers scrambled for territory in Africa and tried to establish coaling stations for their ships, Italy invaded Ethiopia and occupied Eritrea. On 1 January 1890, Eritrea officially became a colony of Italy. In 1936, it became a province of Italian East Africa (Africa Orientale Italiana), along with Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland. By 1941, Eritrea had about 760,000 inhabitants, including 70,000 Italians. Through the 1941 Battle of Keren, the British expelled the Italians and took over the administration of the country. The British continued to administer the territory under a UN Mandate until 1951, when Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia per UN Resolution 390A(V) under the prompting of the United States adopted in December 1950. The strategic importance of Eritrea, due to its Red Sea coastline and mineral resources, along with their shared history, was the main cause for the federation with Ethiopia, which in turn led to Eritrea's annexation as Ethiopia's 14th province in 1962. This was the culmination of a gradual process of takeover by the Ethiopian authorities, a process which included a 1959 edict establishing the compulsory teaching of Amharic, the main language of Ethiopia, in all Eritrean schools. The lack of regard for the Eritrean population led to the formation of an independence movement in the early 1960s (1961), which erupted into a 30-year war against successive Ethiopian governments that ended in 1991. Following a UN-supervised referendum in Eritrea (dubbed UNOVER) in which the Eritrean people overwhelmingly voted for independence, Eritrea declared its independence and gained international recognition in 1993. The de facto predominant languages are Tigrinya and Arabic, both of which belong to the Semitic branch of the AfroAsiatic family. English is used in the government's international communication and is the language of instruction in all formal education beyond the fifth grade. Eritrea is a single-party state. Though its constitution, adopted in 1997, stipulates that the state is a presidential republic with a unicameral parliamentary democracy, it has yet to be implemented. In 1998 a border dispute with Ethiopia led to the two-year Eritrean–Ethiopian War. The war resulted in the death of as many as 100,000 Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers, although specific casualty estimates are varied.
World Schizophrenia Day Worldwide - M a y 2 4
The World Schizophrenia Day is observed across the entire world on the 24th of May every year. This is the day when special efforts are taken to spread awareness about the disease, Schizophrenia. This disease impairs the brains and leads to mental disorder in a person. The stigma of getting infected with Schizophrenia often forces people to hide their actual condition. To prevent this and help patients tackle this illness effectively, the whole world joins hands on the World Schizophrenia Day. The purpose is to educate and make people aware of the disease and its recovery. The World Schizophrenia Day finds the whole world voicing a similar concern for those infected with this health condition. This is to ensure that Schizophrenia patients are taken care of and helped to lead a better life. So, on the World Schizophrenia Day, send a special card to your dear ones to share your concern over this disease. Choose World Schizophrenia Day cards which can best convey your message and encourage your dear ones to spread awareness about this health condition.