Olympics' Symbols and Facts

Photo couresty 123rf.com

The five Olympics rings stand for the five continents that participate in the Olympics:  Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.  The colors of the rings in the Olympic flag--blue, yellow, black, green, red--were chosen because at least one of those colors is found on the flag of every nation.  205 countries will participate in this year's Olympics.  The motto of the Olympics is "Swifter, Higher, Stronger".  For more information click here.  What did you learn today?

Domestic Cats Are About 9,000 Years Old

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The modern domestic cat descended from Sardinian, Central Asian, European, and Sub-Saharan African wild cats, and the Chinese desert cat.  Archaeologists and historians estimate that cats became domesticated about 8,000 or 9,000 years ago.  For more information click here and click here.  What did you learn today?

The Shard on the Thames

Photo of The Shard and Tower Bridge courtesy 123rf.com

The tallest building in the European Union, The Shard, is on the banks of the Thames in London, and was built by a man whose last name is Piano, Renzo Piano.  For more information click here.

Yo-Yo Weapon

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The yo-yo was originally invented in the Philippines and served as a weapon for several hundred years.  In the 1800's people in Europe then the U.S. began to play with yo-yos as toys.  For more information click here and click here.

Book Banned in Germany

Photo of Alte Bibliothek in Berlin courtesy 123rf.com

Publication of Mein Kampf is banned by law in Germany.  This law was upheld today by a German court.  For more information click here.

History of Ground Hog Day

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Ground Hog Day is celebrated only in the United States and Canada, but it evolved from Candlemas celebrations that originated in Europe.  In pre-Christian times, the Romans celebrated the Feast of Lights on February 1, which became Candlemas to the Christians on February 2, and eventually led to the founding of Ground Hog Day in Canada and the U.S.  The underlying reasons for all these celebrations had to do with forecasting the last weeks of winter weather and the viability of the coming spring and summer crops.  There were also religious reasons for celebrating Candlemas, which are quite interesting.  For more information click here.

Toulouse-Lautrec's Drink: The Earthquake!

Photo of "A Corner in a Dance Hall" painting by Toulouse-Lautrec courtesy AllPaintings.org

One of my favorite artists is Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901).  I especially like his crowd scenes.  Whenever I visit the Art Institute of Chicago, the first thing I always do is go to the Impressionists/Post-Impressionists section to see At the Moulin Rouge.  What I didn't know is that Toulouse-Lautrec is credited with creating a drink that became very popular at the time, called Tremblement de Terre or Earthquake, which is half absinthe & half cognac.  In the early 19th century absinthe was believed to cure digestive disorders, and so some thought the drink he created was almost wholesome!  In time, however, some brewers began using lethal solvents in the production of absinthe, which led to the eventual outlawing of absinthe in most of Europe and the United States.

Who is your favorite artist?

History of Christmas Carols

Photo courtesy FreeImagesLive.co.uk

Carol or carole is a medieval word that meant "a celebratory religious dance with song".  Originally pagans in Europe celebrated with carols on the winter solstice, and gradually the singing of carols merged with the Christmas celebration.  Some believe that the earliest Christmas carols were written in the 14th century.  The general consensus is that at least the singing of Christmas carols became popular in the 14th century.  For more information click here and click here.

What is your favorite Christmas carole, and why?

Christingles

Photo of Christingle courtesy FreeImagesLive.co.uk

Christingles are used in the U.K. and parts of Europe.  They are oranges with red ribbon wrapped around them, an area is carved out to place a candle, and four sticks with sweet-meats or candies are placed in it.  They are commonly used in services to raise money for people who can't afford to celebrate Christmas or other children's charities.  Click Here to read the touching story behind Christingles.

If you have made a Christingle, what did you put on the sticks?  How did you use it?

Saint Nicholas Day

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Today, December 6, is Saint Nicholas Day in Eastern Europe.  In the morning of this day East European children receive gifts.  Last night, December 5, they dressed in angel and devil costumes and went caroling.  Most families have the traditional Tannenbaum, or German-style Christmas Tree, and light one of the four candles in the advent wreath each Sunday in December.  For more information, click here and click here.

If you celebrated Saint Nicholas Day, what did you receive and give today?