Canada has a new national celebration: Ribbon Skirt Day will be held every year on 4 January. The idea came from a young First Nations girl, Isabelle Kulak, now 12, who wanted Canadians to recognise and celebrate indigenous culture in the form of the ribbon skirts and shirts many tribes create. The country already has … Continue reading “A First Nations Schoolgirl Inspires a New Canadian Celebration”
In the U.S.A., the holiday season starts with Thanksgiving at the end of November and encompasses Christmas and New Year. For over 50 years, African Americans have had another holiday to celebrate: Kwanzaa, from 26 December to 1 January. The celebration was conceived by a civil-rights activist and doctoral student in African studies at the … Continue reading “Happy Kwanzaa”
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City is almost 100 years old, and is an integral part of the annual holiday for millions of Americans. Celebrating Thanksgiving and launching Christmas celebrations, it includes giant balloon figures, floats, and marching bands from schools around the country. This year it will take place on 24 November. Macy’s … Continue reading “Thanksgiving Parade”
Remember Together is a project that encourages British school children to research the history of their families or people in their community and the role they played in the World Wars, with a particular emphasis on unearthing the histories of those who are often forgotten in official Remembrance Day ceremonies, like the more than 3 … Continue reading “Remembering All Who Served”
Although these days people tend to think of Halloween as an American holiday, its origins are Celtic (brought to the U.S. by Irish and Scottish immigrants). Ireland wants to make sure that people know about its Celtic roots, and these videos and recipes are a great way to have your pupils discuss Halloween from a … Continue reading “Ireland: Home of Halloween”
26 September is the day the EU celebrates all the many languages spoken in Europe and around the world. They have lots of suggested activities to get your pupils enthusiasm flowing for languages. You can find out 20 fascinating facts about languages on this poster, and 20 MORE facts on this new one for 2022. … Continue reading “Celebrating Languages”
The British Broadcasting Corporation is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022, just as it faces the biggest threat to its existence. The Conservative government has announced the end of the licence fee paid by British residents to access the BBC for 2027. Without the licence fee, the BBC’s future as a public-service broadcaster, not dependent … Continue reading “Happy 100th Birthday to the BBC!”
France’s Fête de la Musique is 40 years old this year, and it has inspired other countries to celebrate music on the longest day of the year, 21 June. Make Music Day, as it’s dubbed in English, made it to New York 15 years ago and has spread across North America, helped by a non-profit, … Continue reading “World Music Day”
In 1922, James Joyce’s landmark novel Ulysses was published in Paris, since it wouldn’t have passed censorship rules in his native Ireland. Every 16 June, Joyce fans pay homage to the book, which takes place over one day on 16 June, by dressing in period costume and acting out scenes from the novel. Ulysses was … Continue reading “Bloomsday 100”
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”
