Today is Jeûne genevois, a public holiday in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. Meaning Genevan Fast, it is observed on the Thursday after the first Sunday of September. This holiday is related to the Federal Fast, a Swiss government-arranged multi-denominational holiday celebrated by all Christian Churches and the Jewish community.
In 1831, the Federal Fast was fixed in all cantons in Switzerland on 8 September, before moving to the third Sunday in September. Geneva has instead kept to its own date.
Fasting days had been a tradition in Switzerland since the late medieval period. Despite not being seen as part of the reformed Protestant faith, they continued to be observed in parts of Switzerland.
In October 1567, there was a Geneva-wide fast to show support to the Protestants who were being persecuted in Lyon, France. This fast is recognised as the first Jeûne genevois.
In 1869 as a result of the Federal Fast across Switzerland, Jeûne genevois was no longer an official holiday, though it continued to be observed by many Genevans. In 1966, it was reinstated as a holiday. While the religious fasting element is no longer widely observed, banks, most businesses and shops will be closed on Jeûne genevois.
In the sixteenth century, the only food that was allowed to be eaten on Jeûne genevois was plum pie. It remains a treat to be enjoyed on this holiday to this day.
Bada Bing!!
I want to lose weight but I don’t want to get caught up in one of those “eat right and exercise” scams.
Walmart is opening dental offices in some of its stores. They will have an express lane for people with 10 teeth or less.
Woke up this morning and found out that someone had put vegetables in the beer crisper.
You’d be amazed how often I’m wrong when people ask me, “Guess what?”
Accidentally went shopping on an empty stomach and am now the proud owner of aisle 5.
Old age is when it takes longer to get over a good time than to have it.
I joined a dating site for people my age. It’s called Carbon Dating.
Another site I found is called Shingles Only.
When I go for walks I worry about tripping and falling, so I wear a helmet. But I also worry about looking ridiculous, so I carry a skateboard.
It’s tough getting older. I went into an antique store and they wouldn’t let me leave.
I went to the doctor because I thought I had arthritis. I don’t, I have early onset rigor mortis.
Yesterday the guy that was supposed to fix my doorbell didn’t show up. Or did he…
A Missionary group visited a Cannibal Tribe in New Guinea. It was their first taste of Religion.
If it’s so great outside, why do bugs try to get in my house?
If I could only use one word to describe myself, it would probably be: “not good at following directions”.
A man going on a honeymoon cruise stopped to buy seasick pills and condoms. The druggist said, “If it makes you sick, why do you do it?”
If you suck at playing the trumpet that’s probably why.
Five out of six scientists have proven that Russian roulette is harmless.
The best part of Kamala’s tax on wealth is if you don’t have $100 million, it won’t affect you. (If you are reading this, that includes you and everyone you’ve ever known)
Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Freddie Mercury (Farrokh Bulsara) British singer, songwriter, record producer with Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. Born in Zanzibar to Parsi-Indian parents, Mercury attended English boarding schools in India from the age of eight and returned to Zanzibar after secondary school. In 1964, his family fled the Zanzibar Revolution, moving to Middlesex, England. Having previously studied and written music, he formed Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Queen had had the 1975 UK No.1 single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, plus over 40 other UK Top 40 singles. And the 1980 US No.1 single ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’. As a solo artist he scored the 1987 UK No. 4 single ‘The Great Pretender’. Mercury died of bronchio-pneumonia on November 24th 1991 aged 45, just one day after he publicly announced he was HIV positive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6D_BAuYCI
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