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AR UND THE W RLD AR UND THE W RLD Mexico
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo (which means fifth of May) is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo is actually a regional holiday in Mexico, mostly limited to the state of Puebla. The connection to Puebla involves the true meaning of the holiday. It commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces on May 5, 1862. In the United States, Americans of Mexican ancestry observe the day as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
Canada
This is a Canadian holiday that celebrates the birthday of England’s Queen Victoria and also commemorates the current Canadian sovereign’s official birthday. Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday before or on May 24. It is sometimes known as May two-four, or in French, Fete de la reine. Through the years, Victoria Day was also known as Empire Day, Commonwealth Day and then later again, Victoria Day and kept at or around May 24. To celebrate, they have parades and fireworks displays.
America
Loyalty Day is observed in the United States on May 1. It is a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and to remember the heritage of American freedom. Loyalty Day was made an official holiday by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on May 1, 1958. The holiday was first celebrated in the 1930s as Americanization Day. The day is celebrated with parades and ceremonies in communities across the United States, although many people in the United States remain unaware of it. The flag of the United States is displayed on all government buildings on Loyalty Day. g y y y
Iberian Lynx
The Iberian Lynx may soon be the first cat species to become extinct in 2,000 years. There are only around 110 of this great cat left. It is classified as the world’s most endangered feline species. The only surviving animals live in southern Spain. Kingdom: Animalia The Iberian lynx is a relative of the Eurasian lynx, Phylum: Chordata the Canada lynx and the North American bobcat. It weighs about half as much as the Eurasian lynx Class: Mammalia and has a coat of grey or yellowish-brown with lots Order: Carnivora of spots. It has very long legs and a short tail. The Family: Felidae Iberian lynx has a very distinctive face, with a beard and pointy ears with tufts at the end. The tufts of Genus: Lynx hair help it to detect sources of sound. The edges of its Species: L. pardinus feet are also covered in thick hair, which helps it move silently through snow. The Iberian lynx hunts mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The rabbit is its main prey. The population of rabbits is declining due to disease, so the lynx sometimes hunts young deer and ducks. It hunts alone and will stalk its prey, hiding for hours until the prey is within pouncing distance. The maximum age in the wild is about 13 years old. Litters are small, with only two or three cubs. They will sometimes stay with their mother for up to 20 months. A mother may carry its cubs between up to 12 homes to avoid predators and keep them safe. Sources: Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org; World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org. Image: www.lynxexsitu.es.
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MAY 2010