The Statue of Liberty 125th Anniversary

HI, GUYS!,

Today is a very special for those of us who are "in love with" the STATUE OF LIBERTY, one of the best symbol of Freedom, Democracy, Hope and international Friendship. 

This famous sculpture celebrates 125th anniversary since it was a French gift for Americans in 1886. Besides, to commemorate this event, 125 immigrants from many different countries have become American citizens in honor to the statue's symbol of Hope. 

 If you are more interested in its story, click STATUE OF LIBERTY, you could read an old worthwhile post :)

Just Married!!!

Hi, There!,

As you all know the Prince William and Kate Middleton have just been married. Congratulations!!! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

Westminster Abbey

Hi, there!,

Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married in Westminster Abbey as Willam's grandmother, the Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 .

If you travel to London, you can see this beautiful church at the centre, near the Houses of Parliament, next to the Big Ben and located just to the west of the Palace of Westminter.

This ancient church has been regarded as the place for British monarchs' coronations and royal weddings. But also, Westminster Abbey is very well-known due to its significant monuments and memorials, since many relevant people were buried there, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, who wrote The Canterbury Tales; Jane Austern , Charles Dickens, William Blake, Robert Burns, among others. Thus, there is an area within the church renowned as Poets' Corner.In addition, there is another area where many British monarchs are buried too, such as Henry III. and Elizabeth I. Other important people such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are buried here too.

This Abbey will be always linked with the King Edward The Confessor, who constructed this between 1045 and 1050 AD. Three centuries later, after many coronations celebrated there, Henry III constructed this with its current Gothic style, This British monarch built his burial site, but he also wanted to emphasize the cult which had grown up around Edward the Confessor.

When you visit this great Gothic church, you can also see on the floor, in the centre of the nave, the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, an unidentified British soldier who was killed during the First World War and he was buried here 11th November 1920. There are many other graves on the floor, but this is the only one which is forbidden to step on. (See the photo).

Happy Easter!

Hi, there!,


Easter was originally decided in 325AD at the Council of Nicaea. The great Roman Emperor Constantine I assembled the early Christians to fix dates of important Christian events such as the date of the Easter festival. Since then, Easter has been celebrated on different dates. As a matter of fact, the Easter date is calculated by choosing the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox.

If you want to carry out some activities with your younger students, click on here, there are amusing ideas: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/index.html

23rd April, William SHAKESPEARE

Hi, Guys!,

Today is an important day in history because we remember and reread one of the greatest playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This English writer was born in Stratford-on-Avon on 23 April 1564. He also died on 23 April 1616. He was 52 years old.

Let me point out some significants moments of his life...
In 1592, it is believed that Shakespeare had written the three parts of ‘Henry VI’. In 1593, ‘Venus and Adonis’ was Shakespeare's first published poem, and he dedicated it to the young Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd earl of Southampton.

In 1594, Shakespeare composed, among other plays, ‘Richard III’, ‘The Comedy of Errors’, and ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, he also became an actor and playwright for the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which became the King's Men after James I's ascension in 1603. At this time, the female roles were performed by young boys. Besides, the noble people gave some dresses and gowns to these theatre companies. There were also some well-known actors such as Richard Burgage who performed some plays written by Shakespeare. By 1596, the company Lord Chamberlain's Men had performed the classic Shakespeare plays ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Richard II’, and ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’. In 1599, he became a partner in the ownership of the Globe Theatre.

At the beginning of the 17th century, one of the first of his great tragedies, ‘Hamlet’ was performed. The next play, ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’, was written at the request of Queen Elizabeth I, who wanted to see another play that included the popular character Falstaff.

Later on, Shakespeare produced these masterpieces as ‘Othello’, ‘King Lear’, ‘Macbeth’, and ‘The Tempest’. In 1609, his sonnets, probably written during the 1590s, were published. The 154 sonnets are marked by the recurring themes of the mutability of beauty and the transcendent power of love and art.

You can find more interesting information in this webpage:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/

Saint Valentine's Day is coming soon....

Hi, Guys!,

There is one week left to Saint Valentine's Day! Therefore, I'd like to tell you that there are several opinions of its origin.

Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14th became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14th. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

From that moment onwards, Saint Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world. Nevertheless, everyday is a good excuse to say I love You,do you agree with me?

September 11th, 2009

September 11th , 2001

Terrorists hijack four jetliners and crash them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. The twin towers and 7 World Trade Center collapsed.

Consequences:

The people who ran down to the site to volunteer, as well as workers and emergency responders, are continuing to suffer from ailments that almost surely were caused by their long exposure to toxic air at the site.

In March 28th, 2006, workers near the World Trade Center site discovered more bone fragments and human remains. In September, hundreds more fragments are found on the roof of the former Deutsche Bank building. (On the right side of the picture below).

Construction workers installed the first steel column for the Sept. 11 memorial at ground zero. The 7,700-pound column was erected by the footprint of the World Trade Center's north tower. The "Reflecting Absence" memorial will set two giant pools over the twin towers' footprints.

But a city-state agency says it may not be completed until five years later, and at the moment there is just one other tower being built on the site, Tower Four.

The World Trade Centre site is currently being rebuilt with six new skyscrapers, a memorial to the casualties of the attacks, a modern transportation system, and cultural and commercial spaces. City planners are reportedly eyeing to bring back a strong and vibrant community in Lower Manhattan.

Freedom Tower and mast on the southwest of the site are expected to reach an astounding 1776 feet into the sky.

As things stand now, the memorial to the victims of the terrorist attack is scheduled to open in 2011.

The terrorists lost. They're still there; the city of New York endures.

In memory of the victims of the
terrorist attacks

Rest in peace forever