World Coconut Day By Sharon Schweitzer The aim of celebrating this holiday is to bring coconuts into the spotlight and recognize their importance and benefits — not just health-wise but economically too. Coconuts are especially celebrated in Asian- and Pacific regions by the APCC, Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, which facilitates most of [...]
South Korea on the World’s Stage By Polina Anastassieva, Sharon Schweitzer This past July, in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Austin, St. Edward’s University, Stratfor, and Neil-Cochran Museum, an event on South Korea was held. The two speakers, Dr. Jooyoun Lee, a professor at St. Edward’s University, and Roger Baker, an [...]
International Day of Friendship By Sharon Schweitzer The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. The resolution places emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in [...]
World Tofu Day By Sharon Schweitzer World Tofu Day is annually observed on July 26th, in honor of tofu, a plant-based alternative to meat that is manufactured from soybeans. Tofu has seen a surge in popularity as more people switch to a plant-based diet. For vegans and vegetarians, it is particularly appreciated and [...]
Cricket in the United States By Polina Anastassieva It is thought that cricket may have been invented during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald, an area of dense woodlands and clearings in south-east England. Little boys bowled into either a tree stump or a sheep pen gate. The crossbar on [...]
International Day of Parliamentarism By Sharon Schweitzer Parliamentary diplomacy is a way to build relationships and promote cooperation between national parliaments. Many parliaments encourage their members to participate in inter-parliamentary organizations, bilateral exchanges, and other parliamentary diplomacy initiatives. In this way Parliamentarians can represent their countries' interests, foster dialogue and cooperation with counterparts [...]
International Sculpture Day Mother Sculpture by Frantisek Uprka By Sharon Schweitzer Every year on the last Saturday in April, International Sculpture Day raises awareness, appreciation, and enjoyment of sculpture. It’s also a day for sculptors around the world to showcase their artistic talents. Sculpture is a type of visual arts that [...]
Black History Month By Sharon Schweitzer Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other [...]
Texas Wine Month By Sharon Schweitzer Across the state of Texas, October is known as Texas Wine Month, a 31-day-long celebration of Texas wines and the Texas Wine Industry. The Texas Department of Agriculture has designated the entire month of October as Texas Wine Month. October was selected since the grape harvest is normally finished [...]
National Coffee Day By Sharon Schweitzer and Polina Anastassieva Second only to oil, coffee is the most valuable legally traded commodity in the world. We love it, we rely on it, and we drink it in massive quantities. It is estimated that 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day worldwide. New Yorkers are [...]