Pancake Day

Pancake Day is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday which is the day before Lent.

"In the United Kingdom of Great Britian, Northern Ireland and several other countries around the world, Pancake Day is celebrated with fun, games, and of course a lot of eating. However, the most well known activity on this day is the Pancake Day race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, England which has been held since 1445. It all began when a woman was cooking pancakes on Shrove Tuesday to use up all of her perishables before Lent. While she was still cooking she heard the chiming of the bells calling her to church. Not wanting to be late, the woman ran to church with her apron on and the frying pan still in her hand. Little did she know that this would start a tradition that would be around for over 500 years!"
Learn more about Pancake Day here.

Venice Carnival

The Carnival of Venice, Italy, is an annual festival. It starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday.
Carnival is a time for celebration and expression. A party atmosphere fills the streets, canals and piazzas.
The celebration of carnival was an opportunity for people of all classes to celebrate without social division. Masks were worn to keep ones identity a secret, which meant there could be no distinction between the different social classes.
Attendees of carnival in Venice must be incognito
At night Venice is an elegant, extravagant, masquerade ball and gala dinners take place in candle lit palaces with guests arriving by gondola along the Grand Canal.
Find out more about Italy and this sumptuous Carnival here.

Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which since 1964 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in London.

Notting Hill Carnival is London's most brilliant celebration of  colour and sound.

The Notting Hill Carnival has become an internationally acclaimed event which remains true to its Caribbean roots. Over the last four decades, it's matured into a melting pot of diverse cultural and musical genres that come together in modern West London streets.

Find out more in London events

Brazilian Carnival

Brazilian Carnival is an annual festival held forty-six days before Easter.

It is the most famous holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions. The country stops completely for almost a week and festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities.

Rhythm, participation, and costumes vary from one region of Brazil to another. In the southeastern cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, big organized parades are led by samba schools.

 
 
 
 
Find out more in Culture Travel World Tour Guide

New Orleans Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in English)

In New Orleans, Louisiana, Carnival is a well-known celebration.
Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday , the day before Ash Wednesday.
There is usually one major parade each day. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival, many large and small events occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.

Find out more in Social Travellers Site

Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929.
King did so well in school that he skipped the 9th and 12th grades. He started college when he was only 15 years old.
King became e a minister and led several protests against segregation.
King organized a huge march in Washington, DC, in August 1963. At the end of the march he gave his famous "I HAVE A DREAM" speech in wich he shared his hopes concerning equal rights for all people.
In 1965, King led a march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to protest the efforts of white officials in Selma to deny black citizens the right to register to vote. The march was brocken up by the police. Within a few months, Congress approved the Voting rights Act of 1965. It eliminated obstacles to black's right to vote.

Valentine's Day Symbols

Valentine symbols

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"Will you be my Valentine?"

On February 14th people celebrate Valentine's Day in honour of Saint Valentine.
Love is celebrated by sending flowers, candy and cards.

People write poems or rhymes on valentine cards and exchange them with their loved ones.
Some people believe that if Cupid strikes you with his arrow on Valentine's Day, you fall in love.

Saint Valentine, the Patron of Love

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Valentine was a priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd century AD. At that time Emperor

Claudius ruled, and he had decided not to allow any more marriages. Valentine married many couples in secret and was therefore sentenced to death.

Send a Valentine Card

Sending Valentine cards is a very popular tradition in many English speaking countries. You can expand this tradition sending a Valentine's Card. So many quick possibilities:

Create and send e-cards or get inspiration on these homemade Valentine's Day cards. Print and colour cards here or go to DLTK Printable Valentine's Day Cards. Piece of cake, right?

Origami Heart

Origami Rose

Valentine Rhymes

Valentine rhymes

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St. Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine's Day is celebrated on February14th.

It is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering chocolaltes and sweets.

Find out who is St. Valentine.