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Happy New Year everyone at NDN!
Vegan Month marks the formation of the Vegan Society in November 1944.
The special day commemorates the anniversary of the founding of The Vegan Society in 1944 by Donald Watson and friends, who defined the word ‘vegan’ and started modern veganism.
Watson said shortly before he died at the ripe age of 95 in 2005: “It is not every day a movement is born which in its general application could revolutionise mankind.”
What Is the Significance of World Braille Day?
World Braille Day celebrates the importance of Braille as a medium of communication for people who are blind and visually impaired. The day aims to promote awareness of the braille language, which strives to bridge the big divide between ordinary and specially-abled people.
World Braille Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, who is popularly known for inventing a language used by blind and visually impaired people.
The inventor of a widely used touch system of reading and writing for blind people was born at Coupvray, France. Permanently blinded at the age of three by a leatherworking awl in his father’s saddle-making shop, Braille developed a system of writing that used, ironically, an awl-like stylus to punch marks in paper that could be felt and interpreted by people who are blind. The system was largely ignored until after Braille died in poverty, suffering from tuberculosis, at Paris, Jan 6, 1852.
It was the United Nations which, in its proclamation in 2018, decided to observe the event of World Braille Day on January 4.
Twelfth Night is the last day of Christmas when it is traditional to take down all the Christmas cards and decorations and can bring bad luck if they are left up.
Twelfth Night is a festival in some branches of Christianity which marks the beginning of Epiphany. A count of exactly 12 days from 25 December arrives at January 5th. According to the Church of England, this day is Twelfth Night.
The day of Epiphany – when the three wise men came – is the day after, on January 6th.
Not everyone agrees however. Many other Christian groups count the 12 days of Christmas as starting the day after Christmas Day – making January 6th the Twelfth Night. Countries which also follow the January 6 tradition include Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Though overshadowed by falling so soon after Christmas, Epiphany is one of the three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter.
It is always celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi or the three wise men, the first Gentile recognition of Christ.. In some countries, it may be known as ‘Three Kings Day’.
Belly Laugh Day is a day to celebrate the great gift of laughter. Smiling and laughing are encouraged and celebrated.
How? Smile, throw your arms in the air and laugh out loud. Join the Belly Laugh Bounce Around the World, as people from Antarctica to Hawaii in kitchens, schools, hospitals, offices, plants and stores stop at 1:24 to have a laugh.
Global Belly Laugh Day was created by Elaine Helle in June 2005.
Elaine thought we celebrate love, give thanks, so why don’t we celebrate the great gift of laughter?
Tigers are the third of the Chinese zodiacs. According to legend, Tiger was confident that no one could compete with its speed and vigor for the celestial race that would decide the order of the zodiacs. However, when Tiger climbed out of the river, thinking it was first, it was informed that Rat placed first for its cunning and Ox placed second for its diligence. This left the king of the jungle having to settle for third place.
In France and Belgium, crêpes are traditionally served on Candlemas (La Chandeleur), February 2nd.
This day was originally Virgin Mary’s Blessing Day but became known in France as “Le Jour des Crêpes” (“The Day of the Crêpes”), referring to the tradition of offering crêpes. The tradition dates back to 472, when Pope Gelasius I offered Crêpes to French pilgrims that were visiting Rome for celebrating the Chandeleur.
Also, the belief is that catching the crêpe with a frying pan after tossing it in the air with your right hand while holding a gold coin in your left hand would cause you to become rich that year. The roundness and golden color of a crêpe resemble the sun and its rays, hinting at the change in the weather that Candlemas would bring, falling at the mid-point between the winter solstice and spring equinox
World Read Aloud Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of February.
LitWorld founded the campaign in 2010 to advocate for access to literacy and diverse stories, as well as the power of reading aloud – an activity that has an immensely powerful impact on children’s development. “LitWorld’s annual World Read Aloud Day has become a movement engaging hundreds of millions of people around the world in standing up for literacy as a foundational human right,” says Dorothy Lee, Executive Director of LitWorld. “When communities have access to strong literacy tools, every aspect of life improves.”
Considered a national holiday in multiple countries, World Read Aloud Day has been honored by celebrities such as Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Clinton, Kwame Alexander, and others. Additionally, the day is widely celebrated across social media, with the hashtag #worldreadaloudday trending annually.
