Worldwide Events; Zarb-e-Jamhoor Newspaper; 124 issue; 19 - 25 May, 2013

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.

Life Early 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.

of Islam Nation 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".

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

organizations Promoting 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

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.

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 May 20

National Day is a holiday in Cameroon celebarated on 20 May. Cameroon has no single date of independence. The United Nations Trust Territory known as French Cameroun achieved independence from France on 1 January 1960, and British Southern Cameroons changed status from a Trusteeship under British administration to a federated state within Cameroon on 1 October 1961. The government chose 20 May as Cameroon's National Day to commemorate President Ahmadou Ahidjo's abolishment of the federal system of government and creation of a unitary COUNTRY in 1972.

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.

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 Secretary-General 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 Canadian 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 - 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.

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.

Africa Day Africa Region - May 25

Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). On this day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 1991, the OAU established the African Economic Community, and in 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union.

However, the name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity. This years theme of Africa Day is "Africa and the Diaspora." The New York celebration was held in New York City on May 31, 2011. In Nairobi, it was celebrated at Uhuru Park Recreational Park. It should also be noted that Africa Day is observed as a public holiday in only three African countries, that is, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. However, celebrations are held in some African countries, as well as by Africans in the diaspora.

Independence Day Jordan - May 25

Jordan officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Arabic: ‫)ةَّيِمِشاَهلَا ةَّيِنُدْرُألَا ةَكَلْمَملَا‬, Al-Mamlakah Al-Urdaniyyah Al-Hashimiyyah) is akingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north and the West Bank andIsrael to the west, sharing control of the Dead Sea with the latter. Jordan's only port is at its south-western tip, at the Gulf of Aqaba, which is shared with Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Over half of Jordan is covered by the Arabian Desert. However, the western part of Jordan is arable land and forests. Jordan is part of the Fertile Crescent. The capital city isAmman. According to the CIA World Factbook, Jordan has the second highest life expectancy in the Middle East, after Israel.

The average life expectancy is one position behind the United Kingdom, although the age remains exactly the same (80.05 years).

Modern Jordan was founded in 1921, and it was recognized by the League of Nations as a state under the British mandate in 1922 known as The Emirate of Transjordan. In 1946, Jordan became an independent sovereign state officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan. After capturing the West Bank area of Cisjordan during the 1948–49 war with Israel, Abdullah I took the title King of Jordan, and he officially changed the country's name to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in April 1949.

Modern Jordan is classified as a country of "medium human development" by the 2011 Human Development Report, and an emerging market with a free market economy by theCIA World Fact Book. Jordan has an "upper middle income" economy. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States went into effect in December, 2001 phased out duties on nearly all goods and services between the two countries. Jordan has also enjoyed "advanced status" with the European Union since December 2010 as well as being a member of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area. Jordan has more Free Trade Agreements than any other country in the region. It has close relations with the United States and the United Kingdom, and became a major non-NATO ally of the United States in 1996. Jordan is a founding member of the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Jordan was invited to Join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Jordan was the first Arab and Middle Eastern state to join the International Criminal Court. The Jordanian Government is one of three members of the 22 Arab League states to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, the others being the Egyptian and Palestinian governments.

History of Jordan Ancient history:

The Roman Oval Piazza in the ancient city of Jerash

Kingdoms that flourished in the area in the 2nd and 1st millennia B.C. include NabateanPetra, Edom, Ammon, and Moab which flourished in Jordan in the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C. The Nabatean kingdom (Arabic: ‫طابنألا‬, Al-Anbāt) was one of the most prominent states in the region. The Nabateans were an ancient Semitic people who controlled the regional and international trade routes of the ancient world by dominating a large area southwest of thefertile crescent, which included the whole of modern Jordan in addition to the southern part ofSyria in the north and the northern part of Arabian Peninsula in the south. The Nabataeans developed the Arabic Script, with their language as an intermediary between Aramaean and the ancient Classical Arabic, which evolved into Modern Arabic.

In antiquity, the present day Jordan became a home for several ancient kingdoms including: the kingdom of Edom, the kingdom ofMoab, the kingdom of Ammon and the prominent Nabataean kingdom of Petra. However, across different eras of history, parts of the country laid under the control of some regional powers including Pharaonic Egypt during their wars with the Babylonian and the Hittites; and for discrete periods of times by Israelites who were taken under the captivity of the Babylonian, and who were later defeated by theMoabites as recorded in Mesha Stele. Furthermore, and due to its strategic location in the middle of the ancient world, Jordan was also controlled by the ancient empires of Greece, the Persians, the Romans and later by the Byzantine. Yet, the Nabataean managed to create their independent kingdom which covered most parts of modern Jordan and beyond, for some centuries, before it was taken by the still expanding Roman empire. However, apart from Petra, the Romans maintained the prosperity of most of the ancient cities in Jordan which enjoyed a sort of city-state autonomy under the umbrella of the alliance of the Decapolis.

With the decline of the Roman Empire, Jordan came to be controlled by the Ghassanid Arab kingdom. In the seventh century, and due to its proximity to Damascus, Jordan became a heartland for the Arabic Islamic Empire and therefore secured several centuries of stability and prosperity, which allowed the coining of its current Arabic Islamic identity. In the 11th century, Jordan witnessed a phase of instability, as it became a battlefield for the Crusade wars which ended with defeat by the Ayyubids. Jordan suffered also from the Mongol attacks which were blocked by Mamluks. In 1516, It became part of the Ottoman Empire and it remained so until 1918, when the Army of the Great Arab Revolt took over, and secured the present day Jordan with the help and support of Jordan local tribes.

The Kingdom of Edom was based in the south of Jordan. The Mesha Stele recorded the glory of the King of Edom and the victories over the Israelites and other nations. The Ammon and Moab kingdoms are mentioned in ancient maps, Near Eastern documents, ancientGreco-Roman artifacts, and Christian and Jewish religious scriptures.

Nabataean civilization left many magnificent archaeological sites at Petra, which is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World as well as recognized by the UNESCO as a world Heritage site. Other civilizations leaving their archaeological fingerprints on Jordan include the Hellenistic and the Roman through their ruins in Decapolis cities of Gerasa (Jerash), Gadara (Umm Qais),Philadelphia (Amman), Capitolias (Beit Ras), Raphana, Pella and Arabella (Irbid) and the Byzantine site of Um er-Rasas (a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site). The Arabic Islamic Empire has left desert palaces such as Qasr Mshatta, Qasr al Hallabat and Qasr Amra; and the castles of Ajloun and Al Karak which were used in the Crusader, Ayyubid and Mamluk eras. The country also has Ottomanmosques, tombs, railway stations and fortresses.

Classic antiquity:

During the Greco-Roman period, a number of semi-independent city-states also developed in the region of Jordan under the umbrella of the Decapolis including: Gerasa (Jerash), Philadelphia (Amman), Raphana (Abila), Dion (Capitolias), Gadara (Umm Qays), and Pella(Irbid). Parts of Jordan were later incorporated into the Hasmonean kingdom, with pastoralist Nabateans slowly establishing their own realm in the southern parts of the Transjordan. Following the establishment of Roman Empire at Syria and Judaea, the country was incorporated into the client Judaea Kingdom of Herod, and later the Iudaea Province. With the suppression of Jewish Revolts, the eastern bank of Jordan was incorporated into the Syria Palaestina province, while the eastern deserts fell under Parthian and laterPersian Sassanid control.

Muslim empires:

In the 7th century, and for several centuries, the region of today's Jordan became one of the heartlands of the Arabic Islamic Empireacross its different Caliphates' stages, including the Rashidun Empire, Umayyad Empire and Abbasid Empire. During the Islamic era, Jordan coined its current Arabic Islamic cultural identity. Several resources pointed that the Abbasid movement, was started in region of Jordan before it took over the Umayyad empire. After the decline of the Abbasid, It was ruled by several conflicting powers including theMongols, the Crusaders, the Ayyubids and the Mamluks until it became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1516.

Great Arab Revolt:

During World War I, the Jordanian tribes fought, along with other tribes Petra, one of the New Seven Wonof Hijaz and Levantregions, as part of the Arab Army of the Great Arab ders of the World Revolt. The revolt was launched byHashemites and led by Sherif Hussein of Mecca against the Ottoman Empire. It was supported by the Allies of World War I. The chronicle of the revolt was written by T. E. Lawrence who, as a young British Army officer, played a liaison role during the revolt. He published the chronicle in London, 1922 under the title "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", which was the base for the iconic movie "Lawrence of Arabia".

The Great Arab Revolt was successful in liberating most of the territories of Hijaz and theLevant, including the region of east of Jordan. However, it failed to gain international recognition of the region as an independent state, due mainly to the secret Sykes–Picot Agreement of 1916 and the Balfour Declaration of 1917. This was seen by the Hashemites and the Arabs as betrayal of the previous agreements with the British, including the McMahon–Hussein Correspondence in 1915, in which the British stated their willingness to recognize the independence of the Arab state in Hijaz and the Levant. However, a compromise was eventually reached and the Emirate of Transjordan was created under the Hashemites reign.

British mandate of Transjordan:

In September 1922 the Council of the League of Nations recognized Transjordan as a state under the British Mandate and Transjordan memorandum excluded the territories east of the River Jordan from all of the provisions of the mandate dealing with Jewish settlement. The country remained under British supervision until 1946.

The Hashemite leadership met multiple difficulties upon assuming power in the region. The most serious threats to emir Abdullah's position in Transjordan were repeated Wahhabi incursions from Najd into southern parts of his territory. The emir was powerless to repel those raids by himself, thus the British maintained a military base, with a small air force, at Marka, close to Amman. The British military force was the Field marshal Habis Al-Majali and forprimary obstacle against the Ikhwan, and was also used to help emir mer prime minister Wasfi Al-Tal Abdullah with the suppression of local rebellions at Kura and later by Sultan Adwan, in 1921 and 1923 respectively.

Independence:

On May 25, 1946 the United Nations approved the end of the British Mandate and recognized Jordan as an independent sovereign kingdom. The Parliament of Jordan proclaimed King Abdullah as the first King.

On April 24, 1950, Jordan formally annexed the West Bank and East Jerusalem, an act that was regarded as illegal and void by the Arab League. The move formed part of Jordan’s "Greater Syria Plan" expansionist policy,and in response, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Syria joined Egypt in demanding Jordan’s expulsion from the Arab League. A motion to expel Jordan from the League was prevented by the dissenting votes of Yemen and Iraq. On June 12, 1950, the Arab League declared the annexation was a temporary, practical measure and that Jordan was holding the territory as a “trustee” pending a future settlement. On July 27, 1953, King Hussein of Jordan announced that East Jerusalem was "the alternative capital of the Hashemite Kingdom" and would form an "integral and inseparable part" of Jordan.

Abdullah I was assassinated in 1951 as he was leaving the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Jordan became a founding member of the Arab League in 1945 and, as an independent country, it joined the United Nations in 1955. In 1957 it terminated the Anglo-Jordan treaty, one year after the king sacked the British personnel serving in the Jordanian Army. This act of Arabization ensured the complete sovereignty of Jordan as a fully independent nation.

1967 Six Day War:

In May 1967, Jordan signed a military pact with Egypt. In June 1967, it joined Egypt, Syria and Iraq in the Six Day War against Israel, which ended in an Israeli victory and the capture of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The period following the war saw an upsurge in the activity and numbers of Arab Palestinian paramilitary elements (fedayeen) within the state of Jordan. These distinct, armed militias were becoming a "state within a state", threatening Jordan's rule of law. King Hussein's armed forces targeted the fedayeen, and open fighting erupted in June 1970. The battle in which Palestinian fighters from various Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) groups were expelled from Jordan is commonly known asBlack September.

The heaviest fighting occurred in northern Jordan and Amman. In the ensuing heavy fighting, a Syrian tank force invaded northern Jordan to A handshake between Hussein I of back the fedayeen fighters, but subsequently retreated. King Hussein Jordan and Yitzhak Rabin, accompaurgently asked the United States and Great Britain to intervene against nied by Bill Clinton, after signing the Syria. Consequently, Israel performed mock air strikes on the Syrian Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace, Octocolumn at the Americans' request. Soon after, Syrian President Nured- ber 26, 1994 din al-Atassi, ordered a hasty retreat from Jordanian soil. By September 22, Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo arranged a cease-fire beginning the following day. However, sporadic violence continued until Jordanian forces, led by Habis Al-Majali, with the help of Iraqi forces, won a decisive victory over the fedayeen on July 1971, expelling them, and ultimately the PLO's Yasser Arafat, from Jordan.

1973 Yom Kippur War:

In 1973, allied Arab League forces attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War, and fighting occurred along the 1967 Jordan River cease-fire line. Jordan sent a brigade to Syria to attack Israeli units on Syrian territory but did not engage Israeli forces from Jordanian territory. At the Rabat summit conference in 1974, Jordan was now in a more secure position to agree, along with the rest of the Arab League, that the PLO was the "sole legitimate representative of the [Arab] Palestinian people", thereby relinquishing to that organization its role as representative of the West Bank.

The Amman Agreement of February 11, 1985, declared that the PLO and Jordan would pursue a proposed confederation between the state of Jordan and a Palestinian state. In 1988, King Hussein dissolved the Jordanian parliament and renounced Jordanian claims to the West Bank. The PLO assumed responsibility as the Provisional Government of Palestine and an independent state was declared.

Peace treaty with Israel:

In 1991, Jordan agreed to participate in direct peace negotiations with Israel at the Madrid Conference, sponsored by the US and the Soviet Union. It negotiated an end to hostilities with Israel and signed a declaration to that effect on 25 July 1994. As a result, an Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty was concluded on 26 October 1994. King Hussein was later honored when his picture appeared on an Israeli postage stamp in recognition of the good relations he established with his neighbor. Since the signing of the peace treaty, the United States not only contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in an annual foreign aid stipend to Jordan, but also has allowed it to establish a free trade zone in which to manufacture goods that will enter the US without paying the usual import taxes as long as a percentage of the material used in them is purchased in Israel.

The last major strain in Jordan's relations with Israel occurred in September 1997, when Israeli agents allegedly entered Jordan using Canadian passports and poisoned Khaled Meshal, a senior leader of Hamas. Israel provided an antidote to the poison and released dozens of political prisoners, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was assassinated in 2004 in the Gaza Strip.

National Missing Children's Day U.S. - May 25

National Missing Children's Day has been commemorated on May 25 since 1983, when it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan.

In the several years preceding the establishment of National Missing Children's day a series of high-profile missing-children cases made national headlines.

On May 25, 1979, Etan Patz he was only six years old disappeared from a New York City street on his way from bus to school. The date of Etan's disappearance was designated as National Missing Children's Day. At the time, cases of missing children rarely garnered national media attention, but Etan’s case quickly received a lot of coverage. His father, a professional photographer, distributed black-and-white photographs of Etan in an effort to find him. The resulting massive search and media attention that followed focused the public's attention on the problem of child abduction and the lack of plans to address it.

For almost three years media attention was focused on Atlanta, Georgia, where the bodies of young children were discovered in lakes, marshes, and ponds along roadside trails. Twenty-nine bodies were recovered before a suspect was arrested and identified in 1981.

Organization of African Unity Day Africa - May 25

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) (French: Organisation de l'Unité Africaine (OUA)) was established on May 25, 1963 in Addis Ababa, under the signatory of 32 governments. It was disbanded on July 9, 2002 by its lastchairperson, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and replaced by the African Union (AU).

Towel Day Worldwide - May 25

Towel Day is celebrated every 25 May as a tribute by fans of the late author Douglas Adams. On this day, fans carry a towel with them to demonstrate their love for the books and the author, as referred to in Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The commemoration was first held in 2001, two weeks after Adams' death on 11 May 2001.

Recognition

Several news sources around the world have mentioned Towel Day, including the major Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten and the television news show NRK Nyheter, and National Public Radio, Los Angeles.

In May 2010, an online petition was created asking Google to recognise Towel Day with either a Google Doodle or by returning search results in the Vogon language for a day.

Day of Revolution Argentina - May 25

The First National Government (Spanish: Primer gobierno patrio) is a public holiday of Argentina, commemorating the May Revolution and the creation of the Primera Junta on May 25, 1810, which is considered the first patriotic government of Argentina. Along with the 9th of July, which commemorates the Declaration of Independence, it is considered the National Day of Argentina.

History Commemorations of the May Revolution

have been held since 1811, the first year since the May Revolution. Cornelio Saavedra ruled so for Buenos Aires, and Manuel Belgrano and Juan José Castelli did the same during their military campaigns at the cities they had under control during the anniversaries. The day was officially declared a national day by the Assembly of Year XIII on May 5, 1813. The 1816Argentine Declaration of Independence provided later an alternative national day. In the beginning, this added to the conflicts between Buenos Aires and the provinces in the Argentine Civil War, with the date on May being related to Buenos Aires and the 9th of July to the whole country. This led the unitarian Bernardino Rivadavia to cancel the celebration on July, and the federalist Juan Manuel de Rosas to re-allow it, but without giving up celebrations on May. The celebrations in 1857, when Buenos Aires had temporary seceded from the Argentine Confederation, were large and included the remodelation of the Plaza. By 1880, with the federalization of Buenos Aires, the local connotations were removed and the May Revolution was considered the birth of the nation.

Massive celebrations of the holiday have been a tradition during the 19th century and part of the 20th century, but were slowly forgotten by the end of it. However, the Argentina Bicentennial held in 2010 raised again the public interest in the holiday, becoming the most attended public event in the history of Buenos Aires.

Legal status

May 25 is considered a national and non-workable holiday by law 21.329. It is immovable, meaning it is celebrated exactly on May 25 regardless of day of the week.

National Tap Dance Day U.S. - May 25

National Tap Dance Day falls on May 25 every year and is a celebration of tap dancing as an American art form.

The idea of National Tap Dance Day was first presented to U.S. Congress on September 15, 1988 and was signed into American law by President George H.W. Bush on November 7, 1989. Tap Dance Day is also celebrated in other countries, particularly Japan, Australia, India and Iceland.

National Tap Dance Day was the brainchild of Carol Vaughn, Nicola Daval, and Linda Christensen. They deemed May 25 appropriate for this holiday because it is the birthday of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, a significant contributor to tap dance.

Tap dance day can be celebrated with an event which may be organized by a studio or tap dance interest group. Some may also celebrate it individually due to geographical dispersion or lack of access to the wider tap community. National Tap Dance Day is celebrated in many different ways. For example, a studio may send people out onto the streets to teach the "Shim Sham Shimmy" to passers-by. However, there are several cities (particularly in America) that have their own performances and events to coincide with Tap Dance Day.

WORLDWIDE EVENTS NEWSPAPER CONGRATULATES DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013

W O R L D W I D E EVENTS NEWSPAPER CONGRATUL A T E S MONTENEGRO ON INDEPENDENCE DAY - 2013

WORLDWIDE EVENTS NEWSPAPER CONG R A T U L A T E S HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN ON INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013

W O R L D W I D E EVENTS NEWSPAPER CONGRATULATES HUNGARY ON DEFENCE FORCES DAY - 2013

WORLDWIDE EVENTS NEWSPAPER CONGRATULATES ARGENTINE REPUBLIC ON ANNIVERSARY OF MAY REVOLUTION - 2013

W O R L D W I D E EVENTS NEWSPAPER CONGRATULATES BERMUDA ON BERMUDA DAY 2013

HUNGARY C los e r e c onom ic a nd t r a de r e la t ions wit h Sout h A f r ic a

(Online 16 May) On Monday, the founding session of the Hungarian-South African Economic Joint Committee was held in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Hungarian CoChairman of the Committee is Secretary of State Kristóf Szatmáry, while his South African counterpart is Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe.

Establishing this Committee fits in well with the Government’s External Economy Strategy, the primary goal of which is to help Hungarian enterprises gain ground on international markets and to further stimulate the export performance of the Hungarian economy. The founding of the Committee provides the opportunity for future large-scale cooperation between the two countries within the field of water management.

At talks held at South Africa’s Ministry of Water Affairs, the parties declared their intention to conclude a cooperation agreement that would clear the way for Hungarian enterprises to participate in South-African water projects. As a result of Kristóf Szatmáry’s talks with the South African Minister of State for Tourism, the African country is evaluating the possibility of opening a South African tourism office in Budapest. In

addition, establishing the Joint Committee also opens up channels of cooperation with regard to tertiary education, vocational training, mining, science and technology, and agriculture.

During his visit, Kristóf Szatmáry also met with representatives of the local Hungarian communities, and attended a citizenship oath ceremony at the Hungarian Embassy in Pretoria. Similarly to people of Hungarian origin who live in other countries of the world, those with Hungarian roots in South Africa are also increasingly keen on learning more about the simplified nationalization procedure introduced by the Government.

Kristóf Szatmáry also held a meeting with the Chairman of a Jewish organization, at which the speech delivered by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the World Jewish Congress in Budapest was highly appreciated. South Africa has been Hungary’s most significant trade partner on the African South continent: Africa is the fourth importer largest Hungary’s among non-EU trade partners.

Hungarian exports to exSouth Africa ceeded USD 776 million in 2012 and South African investments in Hungary have until recently totalled USD

200 million. In accordance with the Government’s economic growth objectives and the mutual interests of the two countries, the Economic Joint Commission identified as key goals the stimulation of bilateral trade, the assistance of SMEs in gaining market share and the promotion of mutual investment projects.

As a result of improved cooperation between the two countries, a Memorandum of Underwas standing concluded between the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The objective of the agreement is to promote the activities of domestic SME on external markets and establish cooperation channels for enterprises.

The session was an excellent opportunity for promoting the Budapest-Africa Forum held on 6-7 June.

Within the framework of this event, an economic forum will also be held at which sevhigh-ranking eral South African government officials and business people will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of Hungarian companies and the Hungarian Government.

Industrial output up by 0.4 percent in March 2013

(Online 15 May) In comparison to the previous month, seasonand ally workday-adjusted data indicate that the volume of industrial production increased by 0.4 percent, and thus this sector’s performance improved for the third consecutive month. According to workday-adjusted data, in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year, industrial output declined by 0.7 percent in March 2013. data Unadjusted shows that industrial output declined by 2.9 percent year-on-year, while the output volume index for the initial three months of 2013 was down by 3.1 percent compared to Q1 2012 figures.

Motor vehicle production in the manufacturing sector increased further, but demand for telecommunication equipment, electronic consumer goods as well as food products slackened.

Out of the industrial sectors within the national economy, mansector ufacturing output was down by 2.9 percent and that of mining and quarrying – a less significant sector – decreased by 22.4 percent in March 2013 compared to the level of one year ago,

while energy sector output declined by 1.1 percent. Among the three largest sub-sectors of the manufacturing industry, only motor vehicle manufacturing expanded 6 percent), (by whereas output of computers, electronic and optical products as well as that of food, beverages and tobacco products deby 18.1 creased percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. In addition to motor vehimanufacturing, cle output at two out of thirteen manufacturing industry sectors higher; the was largest decline regarding output volume was registered in the medical and pharmaceutiproducts cal sub-sector.

As far as sales volumes are concerned, industrial exports decreased by 0.5 percent and 1.7 percent in the initial three months of 2013 and compared to the same period of the previous year, respectively. The workday-adjusted volume index of exports, however, increased by 0.7 percent in March compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Export sales of the motor vehicle manufacturing sector – which constitute almost one-third

of total exports – was up by 8.5 percent; on the other hand the export volume of computers, electronic and optical products – which comprise onesixth of manufacturing industry exports – decreased by 17.4 perDomestic cent. industrial sales were down by 4.7 percent January-March in 2013 and by 2.7 percent in March, comto the pared corresponding periods of 2012. Domestic sales of the manufacturing sector dipped significantly in March, by 9.2 percent, in comparison to the level seen in March 2012.

In March 2013, the value of total orders – due to an earlier single large item – inby 10.7 creased percent year-on-year; total new orders, however, showed a deof 24.3 crease percent.

In Q1 2013, industrial was up output markedly, by 27.2 percent, in the Southern Great Plain region, while in Northern Hungary expansion was only feeble at 0.1 percent. In every other rethe output gion, volume index sigdecreases nalled ranging between 4.3 and 7.4 percent.

Hungarian Defence Forces and the Ohio National Guard partnership commemorated

Photo: Anikó Farkas

(Online 16 May) “Our partnership with the Ohio troops is one of the brightest chapters in our military history” – Minister of Defence

up an army there.

Several speakers at the event noted that two decades ago, Ohio was chosen for partnership-building

cates the deepening of military-to-military partnership.

Ohio Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur talked about the

Photo: Anikó Farkas Csaba Hende told Hungarian News Agency MTI in Washington on the occasion of a commemorative ceremony in the US Congress on Wednesday, May 15 to mark the 20th anniversary of the start of the partnership between the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Ohio National Guard.

Speaking at the commemoration, James J. Towsend, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy noted that he had worked in the Hungarian sub-department of the Department of Defense in 1993, when an unprecedented experiment was launched to develop cooperation between a unit of the US military and the armed forces of a former member state of the Warsaw Pact. Today, this military partnership has already passed the test of cooperation in the theatre of war in Afghanistan, he said.

National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Frank Grass pointed out that dozens of similar partnerships have been developed along the lines of the Ohio–Hungarian partnership.

Maj.-Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, the commander of the Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR) also spoke highly of the combined deployment of Ohio and Hungarian troops in Afghanistan to help with building

because many Hungarians live in this state, especially in the area of Cleveland.

In his speech delivered at the commemoration, referring to Lajos Kossuth’s visit to the United States in 1852 and to 1956, Minister Hende stated that “We have always felt the sympathy and goodwill, support and help – but we all know that this is not enough in considering the realities of mainstream politics”.

He pointed out that since Hungary has regained its freedom, “we are given the chance to work together guided by our common interests and values, in the spirit of mutual respect.”

Ohio Republican Representative Steve Strivers, a colonel of the Ohio National Guard said that partnership was helpful in deepening not only military but also personal relations and in learning from each other. Ohio Republican Representative Mike Turner, a member of the Armed Services Committee of the US House of Representatives, thanked Hungary for supporting, as an ally, the cooperation between the United States and NATO. Two co-chairs of the Hungarian caucus in the Congress also gave speeches at the commemoration.

Maryland Republican Representative Andy Harris stated that as a US citizen of Hungarian descent, he advo-

expanding scope of relations between Ohio State and Hungary, also mentioning the twin town relationship between Miskolc and Cleveland, and Szeged and Toledo.

Also present at the ceremony was Col. (Ret.) Árpád Szurgyi, a former US military attaché to Budapest, who had helped to start the partnership between the Ohio National Guard and the Hungarian Defence Forces.

Speaking about the bilateral partnership, Minister Hende told Hungarian News Agency MTI that an Afghan battalion (kandak) – trained by the joint Hungarian-led Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) – had been declared “combat ready” last year.

The Minister of Defence told MTI that this autumn a Hungarian–Ohio disaster management exercise would take place in Hungary, which would be a special one since the units of the Serbian armed forces would also be invited to participate.

In the coming days Minister Hende will first attend a commemoration of the 20th jubilee at the Columbus headquarters of the Ohio National Guard, and then he will meet the representatives of the Hungarians living in Cleveland, and will be present at another collective oath of citizenship.

of the main state libraries, visits by heritage protection experts, music and contemporary art projects and in TV production and filmmaking, the Minister stated.

Multiplying the number of student grants is also part of the three-year agreement.

The agreement cov-

ers the establishment of cultural institutes in each other’s countries, too. The Minister was invited by Beijing as part of a group of representatives of 16 Central and Eastern European countries it has been strengthening cooperation in economy, culture, tourism and other fields since 2012.

H unga r ia n- Ge or gia n joint e c onom ic c om m it t e e t o be e s t a blis he d

Photo: Csaba Pelsőczy

(Online 14 May) State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó announced at a press briefing today that a Hungarian-Georgian joint economic committee would be set up later this year.

The State Secretary signed a cooperation agreement with Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze in Parliament, following which he highlighted that joint committees provide an excellent framework for the intensification of bilateral relations. He added that a vital element of the Government’s opening to the

East policy is to strengthen ties with countries in the Caucasus, as their market structure matches Hungary’s economic structure, which could lead to fruitful cooperation.

Hungary and Georgia had a trade turnover of 50 million dollars last year, which can be increased, the State Secretary said.

Among key areas of cooperation, projects focusing on transport and energy, agriculture, water management and joint railway ventures are worth mentioning. He noted that 25 Georgian companies operate in Hungary and two pharmaceutical pro-

ducers are present in Georgia.

The Georgian Foreign Minister expressed that the agreement is an important step in strengthening cooperation between the two countries. She also stressed that the Georgian Government is committed to EuroAtlantic integration and expressed gratitude for Hungary's support of this aspiration.

At the same time, the Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement with the State Secretary responsible for tourism.

Ms. Panjikidze also met her Hungarian Counterpart, János Martonyi.

H u n g a r y ’s r e s p o n s e t o H RW ’s statement (Online 16 May) Ferenc Kumin, Deputy State Secretary for International Communications, in response to the Human Rights Watch statement today upon publishing its report, said that it

lacked the objectivity that is generally expected from such documents.

The statements are all too vague and simplistic to serve as a basis for debate. The Hungarian Government has

been, and will continue to be, ready to respond to concrete, clearly defined concerns, but cannot address inaccurate statements that are reminiscent mostly of political slogans, he added.

(Online 17 May) Prime Minister Viktor Orbán mentioned pay rises for general practitioners and teachers, and the launching of a population programme as important tasks for the upcoming period, on Kossuth Radio's 180 minutes.

In the radio interview, the Prime Minister commented the latest GDP figures, saying that the 2012 wave of the economic crisis had been successfully averted and the whole world now acknowledged that Hungary is performing better. However, enabling everyone who wants to make a living from work to find a suitable job and maintain a good standard of living for themselves and their families, remains an important objective.

Viktor Orbán also indicated that income from economic growth would be put towards implenon-austerity menting measures recommended by the European Union. If the EU insists that budget figures must be further improved, increasing taxes on banks and multinational companies, or perhaps even the transaction tax, is a possibility.

In addition, the Cabinet would like to improve the situation of doctors with general practices and also plans to launch the teacher career model programme within the next year.

Plans also include the launching of a population programme so that in 2530 years’ time we can be sure that the country will not be diminishing, but in-

stead growing.

Viktor Orbán declared that he is not prepared to introduce the austerity measures that the EU has asked for, meaning that minimal wage and pension increases will stay in place, the Government will not increase the level of income tax, and it will also not revoke the reduction of utility costs.

The Prime Minister rejected the claim that decisions regarding the tobacconist tender had been made on a political basis. The Government will not delay the scheduled signing of contracts, and the tender conditions and the identities of the adjudicators will be made public after these agreements have been concluded.

5 7 t hous a nd pe ople a r e a lr e a dy pa r t ic ipa t ing in Sta r t wor k s c he m e s (Online 13 May) Currently, there are 135 thousand people in public work schemes, and 57 thousand of them are employed within the Start model programme, Minister of State for Employment at the Ministry for National Economy said in Monostorpályi on Friday.

The Minister of State, who was paying a visit to the local agriculture Start model programme, called it crucial that public work schemes should create value. He also praised the model programme of Monostorpályi which employs 160 people and stressed that machinery

and equipment had recently been purchased within the framework of an agricultural project.

Fidesz MP István Vitányi said that 1293 people are employed within the public work scheme at 25 settlements belonging to the Berettyóújfalu region.

5 7 t hous a nd pe ople a r e a lr e a dy pa r t ic ipa t ing in Sta r t wor k s c he m e s (Online 13 May) Currently, there are 135 thousand people in public work schemes, and 57 thousand of them are employed within the Start model programme, Minister of State for Employment at the Ministry for National Economy said in Monostorpályi on Friday.

The Minister of State, who was paying a visit to the local agriculture Start model programme, called it crucial that public work schemes should create value. He also praised the model programme of Monostorpályi which employs 160 people and stressed that machinery

and equipment had recently been purchased within the framework of an agricultural project.

Fidesz MP István Vitányi said that 1293 people are employed within the public work scheme at 25 settlements belonging to the Berettyóújfalu region.

Hungarian national budget will allocate sum for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation (Online 13 May) Hungary’s contribution to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, set up to support the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, will be incorporated into the 2014 national budget according to current plans – said Gábor Kaleta, Head of the Press Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The task of the Founda-

tion is to amass a sum of €120 million for the Perpetual Fund.

The Hungarian daily Népszabadság reported that the Hungarian Government would announce the sum earmarked for the Foundation next year, when the commemorative events marking the seventieth anniversary of the Holocaust in Hungary are launched. The Ministry of

Foreign Affairs press chief said that „financial planning regarding the Hungarian contribution is still ongoing”. Gábor Kaleta added that according to current plans, Hungary’s contribution would be incorporated into the 2014 national budget, and that the final decision could be expected within a short time.

Fiscal measures available to ensure lifting of excessive deficit procedure

Hungary is committed to the extension of international police cooperation

Photo: Csaba Pelsőczy

Photo: Károly Árvai

(Online 14 May) Hungary is committed to maintaining and extending international police cooperation – emphasized Minister

want to use the “four freedoms” of the European Union but to abuse them – added Minister Pintér.

According to the Min-

be able to respond to modern challenges and threats. She mentioned that cybercriminals are anonymous and know no

Cultural Cooperation signed with China (Online 14 May) Hungarian Human Resources Minister Zoltán Balog signed a bilateral cultural cooperation agreement with China in Beijing on Tuesday.

The agreement covers a large number of fields in culture and education, including cooperation in exchanging documents

Whole world agrees on Hungary performance: PM Orbán

Photo: Károly Árvai of Interior Sándor Pintér at the opening ceremony of the 42nd Interpol Regional Conference in Budapest. He added that cross-border organised crime is gaining increasing significance due to the rising number of terrorist attacks and serious crimes.

The Minister emphasised that the European Union has gradually dismantled its inner borders and strengthened and expanded the outer borders.

This vast geographical area provides plenty of advantages for member states and EU citizens, but at the same time the free flow of goods, services, capital and people is also appealing to illegal migrants, smugglers and other criminals.

These people do not

ister of Interior, to fight international organized crime it is not enough to make strategic decisions; the commitment of the member states and the consistent actions and preparedness of their police forces are also of utmost importance.

Minister Pintér spoke of the wave of illegal migrants following the “Arab spring” and recent events in Syria, and their effect on organized crime. He also pointed out that these issues cannot be handled locally, but there is also a need for a strong cooperation between transit destinations and countries of origin.

Mireille Ballestrazzi, the President of Interpol, emphasized that the police forces of the 21st century must

borders. She also added that electronic money transfer and documentation can also lead to cybercrimes, since they cannot be properly tracked.

According to Mrs Ballestrazzi, answering these challenges and establishing a European strategy for the upcoming years are of utmost importance.

She also added that Hungary was among the first countries to joint Interpol, which was established in 1923. During the past 15 years, Interpol has gone through immense development, and now has more than 190 members.

Mrs Ballestrazzi explained that strengthening outer relations and involving the private sector are also of great importance.

2014 deficit figures vital to lifting of EDP (Online 13 May) Next year's fiscal deficit could be crucial from the point of view of the European Commission's Excessive Deficit Procedure against Hungary, Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga said on public television late on Sunday. He stated that this year's budget deficit will not pose a problem, because it can be kept under the 3 percent of gross domestic product European Union threshold with minimal adjustment.

On Monday the Minister confirmed that the European Commission has received the list of financial measures announced by the Government on Friday and already asked some clarifying questions before concluding an assessment.

He also emphasised that the Commission did not challenge the integrity of the measures.

EU finance and economy ministers will debate in June a proposal by the Commission on the basis of which they could

decide on lifting the excessive deficit procedure.

Currently there are 20 member states, including Hungary, who have ongoing EDPs. To exit the procedure, a member state must show it is capable of keeping its deficit under the 3 percent threshold in a sustainable manner over a two-year period. Hungary's budget deficit to GDP ratio was 1.9% in 2012, while in 2011 it had a 4.3% budget surplus.

Hungary-Serbia cooperation to focus on institutional reform (Online 13 May) Hungary trusts that it will develop cooperation with Serbia focusing on the reform of their institutions, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Tibor Navracsics said after talks with Suzana Grubjesic, Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European integration, in Budapest on Monday.

Besides being strategic partners, the countries will benefit from exchanging their experiences, the Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister told a press conference after the talks.

He stated that at the talks they agreed that relevant ministries of the two countries will cooperate directly and organise conferences and roundtables to help

Serbia in its European integration. Deputy Prime Minister Grubjesic thanked Hungary for its support to her country's integration, and voiced hope that an EU summit next month would set a date to start accession talks between Serbia and the EU.

(Online 10 May) During recent years, Hungary has moved from being one of the worst performing European countries to become one of the frontrunners of the EU, a result of the Government’s consistent economic polGovernment icy, Spokesperson András Giró-Szász stated at a joint press conference on Friday. He emphasised that the Hungarian Government is convinced that the measures requested by the European Commission are unnecessary, as budget targets will be met without difficulty.

Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga pointed out that the European Commission’s forecasts have proven to be wrong on several occasions. In 2011, it calculated with a 3.6% surplus in the Hungarian budget, while in the end the Government’s initial forecast of 4.3% was verified. In 2012, the European forecast showed a 2.6% deficit for Hungary, which proved to be significantly wrong when Eurostat published a 1.9% deficit at the end of the

year. The price of these mistakes for Hungary was high, approximately 200 billion forints each year.

When examining the 2013 budget, the Commission failed to take into account several measures, such as keeping expenditure nominally unchanged both in 2013 and in 2014 in cases where there is no legislative obligation to do otherwise (for example the salaries of public sector employees or Members of Parliament), new tax measures that increase the efficiency of revenue collection or the better organised and more disciplined financial management of local governments.

However, in order to ensure that the European Commission’s excessive deficit procedure (EDP) against the country is lifted, the Hungarian Government will freeze 92.9 billion forints in the 2013 budget, Minister Mihály Varga stated.

This measure is equal to about 0.3% of GDP, which is the exact difference between the European Commission's projections for

the country's deficit in 2013 and those of the Government, he pointed out. The Minister added that if the Commission deems the freeze insufficient, the on-going financing of major one-off government investments may also be suspended, providing additional savings of around 0.2% of GDP. However, these projects could be continued if covered with revenue from the sale of state assets.

If the two measures, together worth 150 billion forints still prove insufficient, the Government is ready to raise special taxes on banks, the income tax of energy suppliers and the financial transaction tax if needed.

However, the Minister stated that the Government hopes that the freezing of 92.2 billion forints within the budget, together with converging domestic and European forecasts, will convince the European Commission to initiate the lifting of the excessive deficit procedure against Hungary this summer.

Hungary’s achievements regarding family support (Online 15 May) Twenty years ago, in 1994, the United Nations established 15 May as the International Day of Families to focus attention on families, the most essential component of every society.

Over the past two years, the Government has introduced several measures aimed at assisting families. The first sweeping step was the introduction of family tax allowances for children – effective as of 2011 – which acknowledges the value of the work required to raise a child. This step was followed by the introduction of the new Labour Code, which created a framework for a more flexible and family-friendly labour market. Last but not least, in January 2013 the Job protection Action Plan entered into force, enabling employers to apply tax deductions and thus encouraging them to hire a greater number of mothers with small children.

Research polls indicate that in Hungary fewer and fewer people are either family- or work-focused: they instead aspire to reconcile these two fields.

Emphasis has also shifted recently; financial safety has gained increased significance compared to the pre-crisis period prior to 2008, and families consider it a far larger risk if only one adult of working age has a job. More opportunities had to be provided for those with small children who were eager to quickly return to work, regardless of whether to a full-time job or only for 2-3 days a week, but also for those who opt to stay at home with their children.

Ministerial Commissioner of the Ministry for National Economy Piroska Szalai, as the officer responsible for improving the labour market prospects of women, played a key role in formulating and implementing these measures.

As a result of her efforts, the Government has succeeded in achieving tangible results, as women’s employment indicators have at last begun to show improvement after stagnating since 2003.

Success was already perceptible in 2012: the women’s employment rate reached a 20-year peak and last year 190 thousand mothers of young

children – under the age of 6 – were employed in Hungary, a figure which is 15 thousand higher than one year before.

Parallel to the number of women with small children, the employment rate for mothers whose youngest children are 611 years old was also higher. Furthermore, the number of women within this category with 1 or 2 children already exceeds the EU average.

In addition, more than three-quarters of mothers whose youngest child is over the age of 12 years have a job. The employment rate for this category is 4.1 percent higher than the EU average; this segment has become a driving force of the Hungarian labour market.

The improvement of women’s employment is closely related to the financial security of families, something which the Government also intends to provide accentuated support for in the future: under the current economic conditions, the family model with two bread-winners deserves even more attention.

The new Penal Code: an effective, modern, unified code (Online 15 May) In Budapest on Wednesday, at the opening ceremony of a conference organised by the National Anti-counterfeiting Board, Minister of State at the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice Róbert Répássy said that the new Penal Code, which comes into force on 1 July, is an effective, modern and unified document, which reflects a strict, ‘proportionate’ approach to criminal justice.

The Minister of State – who is also co-chairman of the Board – said that the new Penal Code contains a chapter specifically devoted to crimes against intellectual property rights; violations involving finan-

cial loss of no more than one hundred thousand forints will in future constitute lesser offences.

Mr. Répássy also mentioned that the structure, organisation and chapter order of the new Penal Code are based on the Fundamental Law, and it emphatically expresses the importance of products protected by special rights. He added that although the Government has been attacked for being too strict, the industry rather sees the adopted legislation as moderate.

The Minister of State said that the current Penal Code from 1978 has been amended about one hun-

dred times over the last few decades, according to the differing crime policies of various governments.

These amendments have sometimes contradicted each other, rendering the Act inconsistent. This could only be remedied by creating a new code, which was what previous governments had tried to do.

When creating the new Penal Code the Government conducted a broad process of public and professional consultation; taking into account the results of this, the new code was adopted last summer, and will come into effect on 1 July this year.