Memorial Day Fireworks detonate above Mount Rushmore National Memorial, July 3. Approximately 30,000 people came to the memorial for the 2008 Independence Day Celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marc I. Lane) As Memorial Day approaches in the U.S., our readers inquire about its meaning and history. We created this fun quiz [...]
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month: 4 Ways to Celebrate 2025 Since 1979, U.S. Americans have celebrated the contributions and culture of Asian-Pacific Americans in our country’s history. Originally a ten-day celebration in May, in 1990, the observance was extended to include the entire month as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. May includes [...]
International Sculpture Day By Sharon Schweitzer Sculpture has personal significance for me and my Czech - Slovak family. This beautiful mother with children piece was created by my great-uncle Franta Uprka in the Moravian region of the Czech Republic near the Slovak border. I discovered this piece 10 years ago when I was [...]
English Language Day By Sharon Schweitzer The English Project launched the world’s first-ever English Language Day on October 13th in 2009. English Language Day is celebrated to commemorate October 13th, 1362, when Parliament was opened for the first time by a speech in English, instead of French. In the same Parliament, a Statute [...]
South Korea Hangul Day By Sharon Schweitzer South Korea Hangul Day, also known as Korean Alphabet Day, is observed annually on October 9th. It’s a national holiday to commemorate the invention and proclamation of the Korean alphabet, known as Hangul (or Hangeul). It’s also celebrated in North Korea on January 15th as ‘Chosun-gul’ [...]
International Day of Peaceful Communication, World Architecture Day By Sharon Schweitzer International Day of Peaceful Communication was founded by Ruben M. West in 2019. The day was created to raise awareness of the power of peaceful communication. The celebrations intend to promote peaceful communication as the norm for families and communities as well [...]
National German-American Day By Sharon Schweitzer and Polina Anastassieva This German-U.S. American heritage holiday commemorates the thirteen German-Mennonite families from Krefeld who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, On October 6th, 1683, these families established the first German settlement in the original thirteen colonies. They named it Germantown. It was during these early years of [...]
National Body Language Day By Sharon Schweitzer Body language is a form of communication in which physical behaviors instead of words, are used to express information. This includes facial expressions, postures, gestures, eye movements, touch, and the use of space. Body language is all about nonverbal communication, which is far more effective than [...]
World Sake Day By Sharon Schweitzer World Sake Day, or Nihonshu no Hi, started in 1978 when Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (J.S.S.) designated October 1st as a day of sake celebration. The day is also to salute the people involved in sake production — the rice farmers and brewery workers. The [...]
International Translation Day By Sharon Schweitzer The role of a translator is indispensable in maintaining productive, positive, and clear interpersonal communication in international circles. From translating sensitive documents to the lyrics of your favorite K-Pop song, translators are the foundation of international peace deals and global media consumption. International Translation Day honors the [...]