International Olympic Day By Sharon Schweitzer In 1947, a member of the International Olympics Committee in Czechoslovakia, Dr. Josef Gruss, presented a report about World Olympic Day in Stockholm. Later in the 42nd I.O.C. Session at St Moritz in January 1948, the idea for Olympic Day was adopted. With mutual consultation, June 23rd [...]
World Day of Music By Sharon Schweitzer From the oldest musical instrument in the world — the Neanderthal flute, made by Neanderthals 60,000 years ago — to present-day electronic instruments, music has become a significant part of our daily lives. Other than being pleasant to listen to, music is a form of expression [...]
Father’s Day By Sharon Schweitzer We hold an incredibly special place in our hearts for our fabulous fathers and we observe with intrigue as cultures worldwide celebrate father figures. U.S. Americans prepare to honor fathers, father-figures, and male role-models on Sunday, June 16th, 2024, and we share the unique traditions of ten countries [...]
Memorial Day By Sharon Schweitzer Do you know the true meaning, culture, and history of Memorial Day? Find out with these ten quiz questions! ____ 1. The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1922. ____ 2. Memorial Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. ____ 3. In 2000, President [...]
Cinco De Mayo By Sharon Schweitzer Everyone knows what May 5th, or Cinco De Mayo, means tacos, margaritas, fun, and fiesta. But did you know that without what happened on this fateful day, the United States may have not existed as we know it today? The first Cinco de Mayo celebrations didn’t include margaritas—those [...]
Cheng Ming Festival By Sharon Schweitzer The Ching Ming Festival, also known as Qingming (清明节), is a Chinese custom celebrated worldwide by people of many Asian cultures. Sometimes called Tomb Sweeping Day or the Pure Brightness Festival (pure brightness is the English translation of Qingming), it's an annual event to remember and honor ancestors [...]
Yi Peng Lantern Festival By Sharon Schweitzer Yi Peng Festival is a Thai celebration held on the evening of the twelfth month’s full moon in the traditional lunar calendar. It is an ancient celebration that was adapted from Brahmin origins and is inextricably linked with Thai Lanna culture. The Lanna culture dates back to the [...]
Image: by Sharon Schweitzer at Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Japan Japan’s Obon (or Bon) Festival, also known as the Festival of Souls or Lantern Festival, begins August 13 and ends on August 16, 2021. This annual Buddhist three-day festival has been celebrated for over 500 years in Japan and is dedicated to honoring [...]
Joza Upraka Exhibit at National Gallery 2011 The Czech Republic is recognized worldwide as Europe’s most castle-rich country, for its beautiful medieval landscapes, and also for its highest consumption of beer per capita. In addition, notable Czech-born people include Martina Navratilova and Ivan Lendl (tennis pros), Milos Forman (film director), Sigmund Freud (psychologist), [...]
Image by Adobe Stock The holiday season is upon us and we are quickly approaching the first day of Hanukkah/Chanukah, to be celebrated by Jewish people around the world. The beloved and joyous holiday of Hanukkah/Chanukah, or Festival of Rededication, begins the evening of Thursday, December 10th this year. The eight-day celebration of the rededication of [...]
