The Queen’s Birthdays

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 02 June 2022 > Celebrate

Why does the British monarch have two birthdays? Queen Elizabeth II’s real birthday is 21 April (she was 96 in 2022). But since 1748, the monarch’s official birthday is celebrated in June, because the weather is better. This year, it’s on 2 June. The official birthday is marked by  the  Trooping the Colour ceremony near … Continue reading “The Queen’s Birthdays”

The Big Jubilee Read

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 13 April 2022 > Celebrate Shine Bright Lycée

Do some armchair travelling with the Big Jubilee Read: a list of 70 books, ten for each decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s record-breaking reign. As befits its head, the authors and settings range all over the Commonwealth: representing 31 countries on six continents. It includes eight Nobel Literature Laureates, and a lot of Booker Prize … Continue reading “The Big Jubilee Read”

A Historic Milestone

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 07 February 2022 > Celebrate Shine Bright Lycée

Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this year, marking 70 years on the throne, a milestone no other British monarch has reached. The Queen marked the anniversary of her accession on 6 February with a quiet ceremony. It is always a sad occasion for her as it was the day her beloved father … Continue reading “A Historic Milestone”

Toasting Robert Burns

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 21 January 2022 > Celebrate

Not many countries have an annual celebration of their national poet. In fact not all countries have a national poet. But Scotland does and millions of people around the world celebrate him on Burns Night every 25 January. The adoption of Robert Burns (1759-1796) as national poet was a natural, organic process born or real … Continue reading “Toasting Robert Burns”

Do You Know About… Christmas Crackers?

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 20 December 2021 > Celebrate

Christmas crackers are such an integral part of British Christmas dinner celebrations but do you know how they were invented? Hint: there’s a French connection. Enjoy our animated slideshow with your students from A2.