Today is Armed Forces Day in Greece, honoring the Hellenic National Defense General staff, the Hellenic Navy, the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Air Force.
This day coincides with another religious feast of a great importance in Greece, the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. The feast is known for the Western Christians as the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast is associated with an event recounted not in the New Testament, but in the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James. According to that text, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, who had been childless, received a heavenly message that they would have a child. In thanksgiving for the gift of their daughter, they brought her, when still a child, to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God.
Today, Monaco celebrates its national day (it fell on Sunday but is celebrated today). Also known as ‘H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince’s Day’ or ‘La Fête du Prince’ in French, this holiday is the National Day of Monaco and marks the official ascension of Prince Albert II to the throne on this day in 2005.
The tradition of a Monégasque National Day began during the reign of Prince Charles III in the second half of the nineteenth century. The date for National Day could change depending on the reigning Prince, and the day of the saint they were named after was the usual custom. The Journal de Monaco coined the term “National Day” in 1923.
On November 19th 1949 Prince Rainier III acceded to the throne, and Rainier of Arezzo was recognized as the Patron Saint of the Principality by Prince Rainier III.
During his 56-year reign, Prince Rainier III profoundly shaped Monaco, particularly from the point of view of urban development: he initiated numerous building programmes and extended the territory by a fifth by extension on the sea, which earned him the nickname of “the builder Prince”.
When Prince Albert II succeeded his father in 2005, he decided to honor his father and maintain the National Day on November 19th, St. Rainier of Arezzo’s day. November 19th is a fitting date as it is also the same day of Albert II’s official ascension to the throne in 2005. Prince Albert II is a member of the House of Grimaldi, which has ruled Monaco since 1297.
On this day, the tradition is that Prince Albert II carries out a presentation of medals in the Courtyard of the Palace. Then, in ceremonial costume, he attends a Mass in memory of his mother, Princess Grace, at the cathedral.
Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Duane Allman, guitarist, and co-founder and leader of The Allman Brothers Band who released the classic album Eat a Peach in 1972 and had the 1973 US No.12 single ‘Ramblin Man’. Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident on 29th October 1971 in Macon, Georgia, when he collided with the rear of a flatbed truck that had turned in front of him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa4DCp6cl2U
Thanksgiving is coming up and after that more holidays. People are getting stressed when they’re supposed to be getting happy. Here are a couple little tunes that might relieve your stress. Relax and enjoy!
Tomorrow is Battle of Vertières Day, a public holiday in the Republic of Haiti on November 18th each year. This holiday commemorates a decisive victory over the French in the Battle of Vertières 1803.
France had established a colony on the island of Hispaniola in 1625 and created sugar and coffee plantations, which used a vast number of African slaves. The slaves lived under terrible conditions and they would eventually rebel in the late 18th century leading to the Haitian Revolution.
The Battle of Vertières was the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution, making Haiti the first-ever nation to successfully gain independence through a slave revolt. The battle was fought on November 18th 1803 between forces made up mainly of former slaves led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Napoleon’s French expeditionary forces under the command of General Rochambeau.
Napoléon Bonaparte had come to power in 1799 and this was his first major defeat. France then withdrew its remaining 7,000 troops from the island and Napoleon abandoned any ambitions to a North American empire. The defeat of the French had ramifications far beyond Haiti and the Caribbean, with the war having gone so badly, Napoleon sold Louisiana (New France) to the United States for $15 million dollars, in the Louisiana Purchase.
Bada Bing!!
They told me I’d never be any good at poetry because I’m dyslexic, but so far I’ve made two jugs and a vase!
I’m not proud of the person I become when I see a bowl of stuffing.
Him: If we stayed alone in a dark room for an hour, what would you do? Her: I’d look for a light switch.
Balloons are so weird. Happy birthday. Here’s a plastic sack of my breath.
I wish Taylor Swift was in love with a climate scientist.
Overheard at grocery store: Paper or plastic, sir? Doesn’t matter. I’m bisacksual.
The earliest Carol singers can be found on the Bayeux tapestry. They were soldiers from Western France. They were known as the Brittany Spears.
The inventor of the doorbell did not own a dog.
It isn’t officially Thanksgiving dinner until someone says “I’m not doing this shit again next year”.
Jesus invited prostitutes to dine with him and he’s the light of the world. I do it and ‘I’m making Thanksgiving awkward’.
Apart from “life is short”, what other lines do you use before making bad decisions?
Did you know that a candle flame smells like burnt nose hair?
Today is the birthday, in 1942, of Bob Gaudio, The Royal Teens, (1958 US No.3 single ‘Short Shorts). The Four Seasons, who had the 1960s hits ‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Walk Like a Man’, and the 1976 UK & US No.1 single ‘December 1963, (Oh What A Night’). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG1JnZ-eOHg
Today is Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Czechia and Slovakia. This public holiday is always celebrated on November 17th in both countries.
The Twentieth century was a tumultuous time for both these countries. Indeed, until 1993 they were both part of the same country – Czechoslovakia.
During that time, they had to endure occupation by the Nazis during World War II and following that, the country was under communist rule until 1989. During both regimes, it was students who lead nationwide protests and this day essentially celebrates the political role of students. November 17th is sometimes referred to as World Students Day.
The date of November 17th commemorates the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague following demonstrations against the occupation of Czechoslovakia. It led to the execution of nine student leaders and over 1200 students were sent to concentration camps.
How long until Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day?
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day is tomorrow
Dates of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Czech Republic
2025Mon, Nov 17National Holiday2024Sun, Nov 17National Holiday2023Fri, Nov 17National Holiday2022Thu, Nov 17National Holiday2021Wed, Nov 17National Holiday
Summary
Commemorating the student demonstration against Nazi occupation in 1939, and especially the demonstration in 1989 in Prague considered to mark the beginning of the Velvet Revolution
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in other countries
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, this national holiday may also be known as the ‘National Day of Freedom.
When is Day of Freedom and Democracy?
This public holiday is always celebrated on November 17th in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In the Czech Republic, the full title of this holiday is Day of Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day. The name of the holiday was the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day until 2019.
History of Day of Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day
The Twentieth century was a tumultuous time for both these countries. Indeed, until 1993 they were both part of the same country – Czechoslovakia.
During that time, they had to endure occupation by the Nazis during World War II and following that, the country was under communist rule until 1989.
During both regimes, it was students who lead nationwide protests and this day essentially celebrates the political role of students. November 17th is sometimes referred to as World Students Day.
The date of November 17th commemorates the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague following demonstrations against the occupation of Czechoslovakia. It led to the execution of nine student leaders and over 1200 students were sent to concentration camps.
In 1989 there was a memorial march to mark the 50th anniversary of the student revolt. The authorities tried to suppress the march which only led to an avalanche of popular protests in Czech and Slovak cities. Over the following days, the protests grew into non-violent strikes at first involving students and later all citizens of Czechoslovakia.
This became known as the Velvet Revolution and marked the beginning of the end of the communist regime that had ruled the country for more than four decades. Vaclav Havel was elected president and Alexander Dubcek became federal Czechoslovak Speaker.
Fun with stickers!!!!!
Earlier this week was the birthday, in 1792, of Gioachino Rossini, one of my favorite opera composers. Here is short duet he composed. I’m always impressed by how well opera singers manage to learn and remember all the words in foreign languages. Here is Duetto buffo di due gatti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5bJJviAX0c
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