APRIL AND ALL ITS 30 DAYS

NIELS JØRGEN THØGERSEN

APRIL And all its 30 days Niels Jørgen Thøgersen The name April comes from the Latin word APERIRE. It means to open up. This means that the soil is ready to be sowed. The year now really opens up towards spring and summer.

In the Nordic countries this month was in the old days also called the Month of Grass ( Græsmåned ) or the Month of the Sheep ( Fåremåned ). Why ? Because this was ( and is ) the month, when the sheep and the cattle get out on grass again after the long winter.

April also has a number of old weather warnings: • • •

Swallows in April means a warm summer If April starts mild, it will end cold A beautiful April is followed by a bad May

See more about the names of the 12 months: http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_months.html

APRIL 1 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called HUGO’s DAY. The name comes from bishop Hugo of Grenoble in France. He lived from 1053-1132. He died on April 1. He was so pious that he was always weaping because of all the evils in the world. He has also promised never to approach a woman. He kept that promise for 50 years until his death.

April 1 is also the day when it is allowed to cheat other people. It is called “Fools Day”.

The tradition comes from Germany in the 17th century. It came to Denmark from the

very beginning. Some researchers think that it goes much further back to pre-historic times, and that it had something to do with fertility rituals.

In the other Nordic countries the corresponding expression is a Majkat ( a May cat ).

Those are people, who let them be cheated on May 1.

In France and other French-speaking countries you talk on April 1 about poissons d’avril ( April fish ). These are people where others have managed discretely to paste a paper fish on their back.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1857: The special duty to be paid to Denmark by all ships when passing through the Sound between Denmark and Sweden is abolished.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Noah’s Ark - what’s the story behind? And perhaps history behind it?

This is from Noah in The old Testament. He was the constructor of the ARK, which he used to rescue his family, two pairs of all animals and a vine  from the Flood.

Historically it is likely that the Flood actually happened in pre-historic times, when the Mediterranean Sea broke though the Bosphorus into the Black Sea. The Mediterranean was until then about 8 meters higher, so it is evident that the break-through was an enormous disaster. The legend tells that Noah landed his Ark on the mountain Ararat. It lies at the eastern side of the present day Black Sea.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: To be high-hatted – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: What a Christian does, is his own responsability. What a Jew does falls back on all Jews.

This was said by the 16 year old Jewish Dutch girl Anna Frank, who died in a concentration camp five weeks before the Second World War ended.

2. Today’s quote:

There are never so many lies as before playing whist, during a war and after hunting.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1815: Otto von Bismarck ( died 1898 ) 1927: Ferenc Puskas ( died 2006 ) 1929: Milan Kundera 4. Famous people died on this day: 1340: Graf Gert von Holstein ( 48 years ) 1917: Scott Joplin ( 50 years ) 1968: Lev Landau ( 60 years )

APRIL 2 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called THEDOSIUS DAY. It comes from the Roman emperor Theodosius the Great, who lived in the years 348-395. He was emperor from 379 until his death.

And he was the last emperor, who governed over the whole Roman empire. He came from an officers family in Spain, and before he became emperor he was fighting in England, on the Balkans and against the Gothians. After his death the Roman empire was divided in two for his two sons.

It was also during his reign that Christianity definitively won over all other religions. In the year 380 Sunday became a permanent weekly holiday. And from 394 the Olympic Games were forbidden, because they were seen as a non-religious event.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1801: The sea battle of Copenhagen between Denmark and Britain.

TODAY’s QUESTION: To be high-hatted – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This is an American expression. You say: he is high-hatted or wearing a high hat. The expression is also used in other languages, incl. Danish and Norwegian.

In all cases it means to feel superior to others – to be arrogant.

And why use this expression for that state of mind? Probably because upper class people in the old days were wearing a high black hat. The ordinary citizen often felt – for good or bad reasons – that these people actually were arrogant and felt they were superiour. Therefore, it became easy to make a parallel between high hat and feeling supercilicious.

Some people think that the expression is linked to Napoleon, who always was wearing a high hat – the so-called bicôme with two corners.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Danish (food) – what is its history? And what is it?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: There are never so many lies as before playing whist, during a war and after hunting.

That was said by the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck.

2. Today’s quote: A woman’s heart is like a mailbag. It is full of sealed letters, but it does not know itself what is inside.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 747: 1725: 1805: 1840: 1914:

Charlemagne ( died 814 ) Giovanni Giacomo Casanova ( died 1798 ) Hans Christian Andersen ( died 1875 ) Emile Zola ( died 1902 ) Hans Wegner ( died 2007 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1872: Samuel Morse ( 81 years ) 2005: Pope John Paul II ( 84 years )

APRIL 3 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called NICAETAS’ DAY. Nicaeta was abbot for the Medicon monastery in Bithynia ( east of present-day Istanbul near the Black Sea ). He was considered to be very pious and ascetic. He was in particular interested in icons. But the oldest church was very much against the worship of icons – as the Jews were. Therefore, the church forced him to leave the monastery and tortured him in Constantinople. He survived and lived for the rest of his life on a small island near Constantinople. He died in 824.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1948: President Harry Truman signed the Marshall Plan, offering 5 billion dollars to 16 European countries.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Danish (pastry) – what is the origin of that? And what is it?

The historical origin of this bread is Vienna in early 19th century. The bakers there made a special sort of bread called Kipfel. Some of them brought it to Copenhagen, where is became common from around 1840. Towards the turn of the century a creative Danish baker called L.C. Klitteng decided to make it much lighter by adding a lot of butter. The bread was called Wienerbrød (bread from Vienna). This is to this day a very popular pastry in Denmark – with a lot of calories! The same word is used in French: Viennoise (though it is not exactly the same bread).

Baker Klitteng decided to make his bread known all over Europe and later all over the world. He named himself Advisor for Bakers and travelled the world. And he experienced a great success. His bread became popular everywhere. In The US it was – and still is – sold under the name DANISH (pastry). He became extra famous, when he in 1915 was asked to deliver Danish for the wedding of president Wilson.

He also planned to “conquer” China and Japan in the 1930ies with his pastry. But he had to abandon his plans, as he suddenly became blind.

And finally it is interesting that the same pastry in the city of its origin, Vienna, is neither called Wienerbrød nor Danish. Its name is: Kopenhagener.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Silence is golden – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:

A woman’s heart is like a mailbag. It is full of sealed letters, but it does not know itself what is inside.

This was said by the Danish poet Hans Christian Andersen.

2. Today’s quote: A politician without ambitions is like a hunting dog you have to force to go hunting.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1894: 1924: 1924: 1930: 1961: 1964:

John Christmas Møller ( died 1948 ) Doris Day Marlon Brando ( died 2004 ) Helmut Kohl Eddie Murphy Bjarne Riis

4. Famous people died on this day: 1897: Johannes Brahms ( 63 years ) 1950: Kurt Weill ( 50 years )

APRIL 4 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called AMBROSIUS’ DAY. He was born in Trier in Gallia (now Germany) in 339 AC. He became one of the so-called great church fathers, after he was nominated to one of the most important posts in the West-Roman Empire after the emperor himself ( politically, economically and in relation to religion). This was the post as bishop in Milan.

The legend tells that just as he was about to be baptized he was nominated bishop. It also tells that a swarm of bees went astray into his mouth, but that he had no stings.

Ambrosius introduced hymns as a permanent way of praise in religious services.

He died on Easter eve, April 4, 397.

And he is today the patron of Milan, Bologna, of bee-keepers, candlelight makers and for bees and for domestic animals.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1949: NATO is started in Washington, where 12 countries are signing the Treaty. The alliance has today 28 member states. The key paragraph in the Treat is article 5: An attack on one member state is considered an attack on all member states.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Silence is golden – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

This expression goes all the way back to Ancient Egypt. It later appeared in an English bible from 1382: Silence is maad in heuen (made in heaven).

The English poet Thomas Carlyle wrote about it in 1831 – inspired by German sources.

He presents a long praise of silence and all its virtues. Such as: speech is of time. Silence is of eternity.

It seems that the well-known phrase Speech is silver and silence is gold (Sprechen ist Silbern, Schweigen ist Gold) comes from Switzerland.

In a religious context it is still practiced in a Belgian monastery. New monks are not allowed to say a word the first five years. They are expected to pray and to brew beer (and drink it in between). So it must be quite a challenge to keep totally silent after a couple of mugs of great, strong beer!

The expression Silence is gold is often used today to tell talkative people that saying nothing is often preferable to speaking. Whether it helps is another matter 

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Exception that proves the rule - Origins? Meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A politician without ambitions is like a hunting dog you have to force to go hunting.

This was said by the former German chancellor Helmut Kohl.

2. Today’s quote: I have a dream..

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 188: Caracalla ( died 217 ) 1817: P.C. Skovgaard ( died 1875 ) 1952: Villy Søvndal

4. Famous people died on this day: 1588: King Frederik II ( 53 years ) 1958: J.F. Willumsen ( 94 years ) 1968: Martin Luther King ( 39 years )

APRIL 5 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called IRENE’s DAY. It has its name from the pious Irene, who lived in Saloniki (in present day Greece) in the beginning of the 4th century. She was a Christian.

Therefore, she was like other Christians persecuted by the Roman emperor Diocletian.

And when the Roman soldiers discovered that she had Christian books and did not want to give up her faith she was together with her two sisters Agape and Chionia and all the books put on the fire in Saloniki in 304. Before that they were taken naked to a local brothel. But nobody touched them.

The name Irene comes from Greek and means Peace.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1946: The Soviet troops left the Danish island Bornholm in the Baltic Sea after 11 moinths’ occupation.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Exception that proves the rule - what is the origin? And the meaning?

This expression comes from English law in the 17th century. The rule said: Exception confirms the rule in the cases which are not excepted. There is a similar Italian proverb from the same period.

Yes, you are right! English law is often difficult to understand at its face value.

The meaning today can be illustrated in the following way: If we have a statement like 'entry is free of charge on Sundays', we can reasonably assume that, as a general rule, entry is charged for. So, from that statement, here's our rule: You usually have to pay to get in.

The exception on Sunday is demonstrating that the rule exists. It isn't testing whether the incorrect rule 'you have to pay' is true or not, and it certainly isn't proving that incorrect rule to be true.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: If the shoe fits, wear it! - Origin? Meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I have a dream..

This was – as everybody knows – said by Martin Luther King.

2. Today’s quote: If you treat money properly it is like a loyal dog, which follows you everywhere.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1588: 1900: 1908: 1916:

Thomas Hobbes ( died 1679 ) Spencer Tracy ( died 1967 ) Herbert von Karajan ( died 1989 ) Gregory Peck ( died 2003 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1794: Georges-Jacques Danton ( 34 years ) 1975: Chiang Kai-shek ( 87 years ) 1976: Howard Hughes ( 70 years ) 1997: Allan Ginsberg ( 72 years ) 2005: Saul Bellow ( 89 years )

APRIL 6 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called SIXTUS DAY. The name refers to pope Sixtus I (or Xystus, as it was spelled at that time). He was a pope from 115-125 AC (or perhaps a couple of years later). He introduced a number of new rules in the Christian church. At the same time he had like all other Christians serious problems with the Roman emperor. Certain sources tell that he was killed because of his faith. Others say the opposite. Anyhow, it seems certain that he was buried at the Vatican Hill next to the tomb of Peter. Later sources say that his remains many hundred years later were given to the bishop in Lorraine in present day France.

Sixtus had his name day on April 6.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1814: Napoleon abdicates and is sent in exile on the island Elba. He is allowed to bring 1000 soldiers with him.

TODAY’s QUESTION: If the shoe fits, wear it! Origin? Meaning?

If the shoe fits, wear it' is often shortened to 'If the shoe fits...', leaving the listener to fill in the blank. The expression is the American version of the earlier British phrase 'If the cap fits, wear it', which is also still in general use. Daniel Defoe used the earlier phrase in the satirical poem The Dyet of Poland. Defoe had the work printed in London in 1705 but, as it was a rather vehement critique of the English parliament, Defoe used the flimsy pretence that it had been printed in Dantzig and was the work of 'Angliopoloski of Lithuania'. Defoe's point in the poem was that readers are responsible for their own opinions; he (or rather Angliopoloski) may have written the poem but that any conclusions drawn from it were owned by the reader, not him: Gentlemen, and if the Cap fits any Body let 'em wear it.

The meaning of the expression today is: If a description applies to you, then accept it.

This expression is often used when something derogatory is said about a person who then complains to a third party. The third party, if they agree with the original negative comment, might suggest "If the shoe fits, then wear it". An example of that might be: Jack: Just because I've missed two or three sessions, my fitness trainer says I lack motivation.

Jill: Well, if the shoe fits, wear it.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: At ease – where does that come from and what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :

1. Yesterday’s quote: If you treat money properly it is like a loyal dog, which follows you everywhere.

This was said by the American billionaire Howard Hughes.

2. Today’s quote: It is in music as in love: the pleasure is the waste product from the creation.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1483: Raphael ( Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino ) ( died 1520 ) 1926: Ian Paisley (died 2014) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1520: Raphael ( see above ) ( 37 years ) 1199: Richard I Lionheart ( 41 years ) 1945: Kim Malthe-Bruun ( 21 years ) 1971: Igor Stravinsky ( 88 years ) 2005: Rainier 3. ( 82 years )

APRIL 7 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called EGESIPPUS DAY. He was a Jewish-Christian church historian. Now and then his name is spelled Hegesippus. He was a Jew and born in Jerusalem. He converted to Christianity and became an advisor to pope Anicetus. Egesippus is considered to be one of the great church fathers. He belonged to the first generation after the apostles. Among other things he wrote a 5-volume book about Gnosticism and about the history of the first Christian church. Researchers do not consider everything in his books to be true. He lived for many years in Rome, and it was here he died in 180 AC.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1348: In Prague the German-Roman emperor Charles IV founded a university, which is the oldest in Europe after Bologna, Oxford and Cambridge. The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479.

TODAY’s QUESTION: To be at easy – what is the origin? And the meaning?

This expression exists in most European languages in one form or another. It comes from the Latin word esse, which means to be. Over centuries the meaning of at ease has developed into to be in good form, in good shape. In French the same expression is être à son aise.

You often hear the expression used in a phrase such as to put your mind at ease , meaning relaxing in a nice way. Or simply to be at ease – to be happy with the way things are.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Honesty is the best policy - origin? Meaning today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It is in music as in love: the pleasure is the waste product from the creation.

This was said by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky.

2. Today’s quote: It takes a lot of tactfulness to handle enthusiasm.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1790: 1847: 1915: 1939: 1944:

William Wordsworth ( died 1850 ) I.P. Jacobsen ( died 1885 ) Billie Holiday ( died 1959 ) Francis Ford Coppola Gerhard Schröder

4. Famous people died on this day: 1614: El Greco ( 73 years ) 1739: Dick Turpin ( 34 years ) 1947: Henry Ford ( 84 years )

APRIL 8 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called JANUS’ DAY. It has its name after the South-Italian bishop Januaris or Janus. He was persecuted and killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian’s persecution of the Christians. The emperor ruled from 284 to 305 AC, At first Janus was thrown in front of the lions. But as they wouldn’t touch him he was instead beheaded.

The legend tells that his blood was kept in two bottles. From here it would flow, when war and accidents were in the air.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1820: The statue Venus from Milos was found on the Aegean island Milos. The statue is today at Louvre in Paris.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Honesty is the best policy – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This proverb is first found in the writings of Sir Edwin Sandys, the English politician and colonial entrepreneur, who was prominent in the Virginia Company which founded the first English settlement in America, at Jamestown, Virginia. In Europae Speculum, 1599, Sandys wrote: Our grosse conceipts, who think honestie the best policie.

The meaning today is straightforward: it is best to be honest. Or as it is said in some other languages (Danish, etc.): Honesty lasts the longest. Or as I say: You have to tell the truth. Otherwise you cannot remember, what you said!

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A penny saved is a penny earned – The origin of that expression? And its meaning today?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It takes a lot of tactfulness to handle enthusiasm.

This was once said by the Danish poet I.P.Jacobsen.

2. Today’s quote: As a child everybody is an artist. The difficulty is to remain so as an adult.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1818: 1905: 1938: 1961:

King Christian den 9. ( died 1906 ) Hans Scherfig ( died 1979 ) Kofi Annan Lars Bom

4. Famous people died on this day: 217:

Emperor Caracalla ( Lucius Septimius Bassianus ) ( 29 years )

1697: Niels Juel ( 68 years ) 1973: Pablo Picasso ( 91 years ) 2001: Marguerite Viby ( 91 years )

APRIL 9 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called PROCOPIUS’ DAY. It has its name from bishop Prochurus (or Procopius) in the city of Nicomedia in the Greek Asia Minor. The city is today called Izmit. It is at the Marmara Sea about 100 km from Istanbul. According to the reports about the apostles Procopius was one of the seven mediators in the quarrel between the Jews and the local Hebrew population. He also followed the apostle John to Bithynia further north in Asia Minor.

He was later killed because of his faith. The year is not known.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1865: General Robert Lee from the Confederate States surrendered to general Ulysses Grant of the United States. Thereby, the American civil war came to an end.

TODAY’s QUESTION: A penny saved is a penny earned – The origin of that expression? And its meaning today?

The expression a penny saved is a penny earned has in its original form used 'got' or 'gained' instead of 'earned'. That is recorded as early as the 17th century, in George Herbert's Outlandish Proverbs, circa 1633: A penny spar'd is twice got.

The notion appears to have been that, by declining to spend a penny and to save one's money instead, you are a penny up rather than a penny down, hence 'twice got'.

Similarly, football teams, who get three points for a win, class games against their nearest rivals in the league table a 'six-pointer'. That's not great arithmetic, but it does make a good proverb.

The current format of the phrase began, with the 'gained' usage, soon afterwards; for example, this piece from Thomas Fuller's, The history of the worthies of England, circa 1661: By the same proportion that a penny saved is a penny gained, the preserver of books is a Mate for the Compiler of them.

Not much later again and we find a 'got' usage, as in Edward Ravenscroft's Canterbury Guests, 1695: This I did to prevent expences, for..A penny sav'd, is a penny got.

The first usage of the current form of the phrase is sometimes attribute to Benjamin Franklin. That attribution is without foundation and printed examples began in the 19th century. 'A penny saved is a penny earned' was printed in an edition of the Pall Mall Magazine in September 1899.

The short version of modern days’ meaning is: It is as useful to save money that you already have as it is to earn more.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Failing to plan is planning to fail – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: As a child everybody is an artist. The difficulty is to remain so as an adult.

This was once said by the painter Pablo Picasso.

2. Today’s quote: It was because a woman I started drinking – and I never made the effort to thank her for it.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1835: 1918: 1928: 1933:

Leopold II ( Belgian king ) ( died 1909 ) Jørn Utzon ( died 2008 ) Tom Lehrer Jean Paul Belmondo

4. Famous people died on this day: 1553: Francois Rabelais ( 60 years ) 1626: Francis Bacon ( 65 years ) 1945: Wilhelm Canaris ( 62 years ) 1945: Dietrich Bonhoeffer ( 39 years ) 1959: Frank Lloyd Wright ( 91 years ) 1973: Sigurd Swane ( 94 years )

APRIL 10 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called EZEKIEL’s DAY. Ezekiel was one of the profets in the old testament (the Tamakh). He is best known from Ezekiel’s Book, which is part of that testament. He lived in the 6th century BC. He lived in exile in Babylon (in present day Iraq). He was a priest and a profet there for 22 years. The legend tells that while he was there he received God’s message about the exiled Jews. And he was also known for his ability to wake up people from the dead.

This day is also one of the 32 so-called Tycho Brahe Days. They are days, which the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 17th century based on his calculations appointed as particular unfortuinate. What old nonsense 

TODAY’s EVENT: 1918: The German forces start a major offensive against the allies by Ypres / Ieper in West Flanders.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Failing to plan is planning to fail – where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This modern-day proverb is widely attributed to Alan Lakein, the writer of several self-help books on time management from the 1970s onward. The quotation is certainly in the gung-ho, up and at 'em style of Lakein's and he may well have coined it. I can't find the source of the quotation in his published work, so 'attributed to' is the best I can do for now.

If Lakein did coin the expression, he must have done it before 1979, when it appearded in print in an article by Ron Watmough, in the Small Business section of the Canadian newspaper The Lethbridge Herald, May 1979.

Under all circumstances it is a very important truth, which far too many people forget in their work and life.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Cravat – where does that word come from? And what is it?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: It was because a woman I started drinking – and I never made the effort to thank her for it.

This was said by the American author, actor and comedian W.C.Fields.

2. Today’s quote: There are two wonderful things in the world. And the second thing is bridge.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1847: Joseph Pulitzer ( died 1911 ) 1929: Max von Sydow 1932: Omar Sharif ( died 2015 ) 4. Famous people died on this day:

1533: Frederik I - Danish king ( 62 years ) 1954: Auguste Lumière ( 92 years )

APRIL 11 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is LEO’s DAY. He was a pope in Rome in the years 440-461. He was very active in the fight against all non-Christians. And in 452 he convinced the king of the Huns, Attila, not to destroy Rome and to leave Italy. Attila is said to have seen two lightening swords above the head of Leo. Then he disappeared.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1924: The first social-democratic government ever in Denmark is formed by Thorvald Stauning.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Cravat – where does that word come from? And what is it?

This was a special article of clothing for the neck in the 17th century in Croatia (before the necktie).

It was in particular used in the military. The Croatian soldiers used it – also when they served in foreign armies like the French under Louis XIII (1601-43) and Napoleon.

In this was this special clothing from Croatia got the name Cravatte in French. Today this is simply the normal word for tie. The same word with the same background is used in German (Krawatte).

The English word Cravat has, of course, the same origin. But it continues to refer to the special clothing used in the old days: A wide fabric band worn as a necktie by men, having long ends hanging in front.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Flamenco - where does that word come from? And what is it?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: There are two wonderful things in the world. And the second thing is bridge.

This has been said by the Egyptian-born actor Omar Sharif.

2. Today’s quote: The best thing about the future is that two days never come at a time.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1869: 1893: 1900: 1937: 1943:

Gustav Vigeland ( died 1943 ) Dean Acheson ( died 1971 ) Kai Normann-Andersen ( died 1967 ) Jill Gascoigne Poul Nielson

4. Famous people died on this day: 1985: Enver Hoxha ( 77 years ) 1987: Primo Levi ( 68 years )

APRIL 12 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is JULIUS’ DAY. He was a pope in Rome from 336 – 352. He was born in Rome and succeeded pope Markus. Julius was in particular involved in trying to end the split between the West Roman and the East Roman churches. But he did not succeed.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1961: The first space flight took place, when the Russian cosmonaut Jurij Gagarin made a tour around the earth in his space capsule Vostok I. Vostok means east.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Flamenco - where does that word come from? And what is it?

It is well known that flamenco is a lively Spanish song with guitar music, a forceful dance and loud clapping with the hands. It is in particular known in Andalusia in the south of Spain.

Originally it was the culture of poor people. It goes back to the 16th century and comes from gipsy music and somewhat also from the Moorish culture, also after the Moors were thrown out of Europe by 1492.

Flamenco is mentioned for the first time in 1774. And when the first Flamenco Café opened in Andalusia in 1842 it was no success from the beginning.

Where does the word flamenco then come from? Flamenco – also today – in Spanish means Flemish. How come? Because people in Spain thought in the 16th century that the gypsies came from Flanders (including present day Belgium). It was under the Spanish king from 1556-1713. So perhaps there is some truth in it.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Cimbrians - who were they?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The best thing about the future is that two days never come at a time.

This was said by the American foreign minister Dean Acheson.

2. Today’s quote: A reactionary is a sleep-walker, who walks backwards.

Who among today’s personalities has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1577: 1926: 1941: 1947: 1948:

King Christian 4. ( died 1648 ) Knud Jespersen ( died 1977 ) Bobbie Moore ( died 1993 ) Tom Clancy ( died 2013 ) Joschka Fischer

4. Famous people died on this day: 1945: Franklin D. Roosevelt ( 63 years ) 1975: Josephine Baker ( 69 years )

APRIL 13 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is JUSTINUS’ DAY. He was a son on non-Christians in Nablus in Samaria. But after thorough studies he decided to convert to Christianity, and he became a very active missionary. He was executed by poison in Rome in the year 165 AC.

__________________________________________________________________________ TODAY’s EVENT: 1742: George Handel’s Messiah is presented for the first time – in Dublin.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Cimbrians - who were they?

Who were they? Who are we?

“Kimbrer” is what I am. Or “Cimbrian” in English.What is that? Where did they come from? And where are they/we now? Listen: A “Cymbrian” belongs to a very brave and energetic tribe in the north of Denmark.

From the part of Jutland called Himmerland – or rather “Kimbrerland”.Our first appearance are traced back to several centuries before year 0. While the Romans grew stronger in the south of Europe we Cimbrians grew bigger and stronger up north. Our symbol was – and is – a BULL. A strong one!

One sunny day – about 105 B.C. – our chief Cimbrian declared: “Let’s conquer Rome!!”

Off we went – thousands of us. Heading south. With men, warriors, women, children, animals, equipment – and a strong will. A colourful crowd, which got bigger and stronger and more determined as we approached the Romans. One Roman Legion after the other was beaten up and destroyed. In the Gallic area (now France), in the south of Germany and Austria. The Roman Empire was in panic! Also when they saw our Cimbrian warriors use their shields as huge sledges down the Alps! When the Cymbrian approached Rome from the north the last Roman legion under the command of Marius did nothing. It let the thousands and thousands of Cimbrians pass. And the Romans were especially uneasy, when the Cimbrian worriors shouted at the passive Roman soldiers: “We will say hello to your wives in Rome, when we get there”!

But victories without defeats: all of a sudden the mean Romans attack from the back – where all the women and the children were. Thousands were tortured and killed. The Cimbrians were in total panic, and on that day – 101 B.C. – the Cimbrians were totally defeated. Rome was saved.

Only a few thousand Cimbrians managed to escape. Up north into the Dolomites! And they are still there – or rather their descendants! About 70.000 of them – with fair hair, blue eyes and a language which certainly has direct links back to the language of the Cimbrians at the time. The place – about 50 km north of Verona – is called Ljetzan (or Giazza in Italian).I visited Ljetzan in April 2004. A beautiful place in a beautiful nature.

And with a very nice CimbriMuseum – telling this story.

Have a look at this site:www.rcvr.org/cittaepr/cimbri/welcome Living history. Visit Himmerland (see:www.europe-today.com/denmark/himmerl.html ) -andLjetzan!

PS: A thousand years later many of the strongest VIKINGS sailed from Himmerland to conquer England and Normady.The descendants of the Cimbrians!

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Flying Dutchman – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A reactionary is a sleep-walker, who walks backwards.

This was said by the American president Franklin D. Roosevelt.

2. Today’s quote: We often ask, if there is life after death. We should rather ask: Is there life after birth?

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1519: 1570: 1743: 1885: 1906: 1914: 1963: 1968:

Catherine of Medici ( died 1589 ) Guy Fawkes ( died 1606 ) Thomas Jefferson ( died 1826 ) Geörgy Lukacs ( died 1971 ) Samuel Beckett ( died 1989 ) Børge Mogensen ( died 1972 ) Gary Kasparov Margrethe Vestager

4. Famous people died on this day: 1695: Jean de la Fontaine ( 74 years ) 1948: John Christmas Møller ( 54 years ) 1956: Emil Nolde ( 89 years )

APRIL 14 TODAY’s NAME: This is TIBURTIUS’ DAY. He was a man, who converted to Christianity, because he in a vision saw his brother Valerius being crowned by an angel. Both brothers were killed by beheading because of their faith in the middle of the 3rd century.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1865: US President Abraham Lincoln was shot in the Ford Theater in Washington DC and died from his wounds the following day. The killer was actor John Wilkes Booth. He shouted when he shot: Sic simper tyrannis ( “it always goes like that with tyrants” ).

The murder took place a few days after Lincoln and the Northern States had won the over 4 years long the American civil war.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Flying Dutchman – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

The origin of this expression is a legend from the 16th century. It tells about a Dutch merchant ship, which constantly sails over the oceans and never goes into any port. It is in particular seen in the seas around Cape of the Good Hope in South Africa. Seeing this ship gives other ships a warning that an accident is coming up. The legend also tells that the ship is there as God’s punishment of the Dutch captain Vanderdecken for blasphemy.

The topic has often been treated in literature and other forms of art, including in Richard Wagner’s opera The Flying Dutchman.

Today we would rather talk about a so-called ghost ship. This is a ship which is sailing without any crew. Such ships exist. It is, though, not dangerous just to see them. It only becomes a real problem, if you run into them. And fortunately this happens very rarely.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A French visit - what is the origin of that expression? And what is it?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: We often ask, if there is life after death. We should rather ask: Is there life after birth?

This was said by the Irish novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett.

2. Today’s quote: A film star without commitment is like a torero in a season full of miserable bulls.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1629: Christiaan Huygens ( died 1695 ) 1907: Francois Duvalier ( died 1971 ) 1925: Rod Steiger ( died 2002 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1759: Georg Friedrich Händel ( 74 years ) 1917: L.L. Zamenhof ( 58 years ) 1925: John Singer Sargent ( 69 years ) 1930: Vladimir Majakovski ( 36 years ) 1986: Simone de Beauvoir ( 78 years ) 1995: Burt Ives ( 86 years )

APRIL 15 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called OLYMPIA’s DAY. She was a nursing sister in Nicomedia. Under the Roman emperor Decius she was – together with Maximus – tortured with sticks and canes and had at the end her head smashed with clubs. It happened in Cordula in Persia around 250 AC.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1912: The new ocean steam liner Titanic hit an iceberg in the Atlantic and sank.

Altogether 1.513 passengers drowned and 705 were rescued. Only in 1985 the ship wreckage was found again on 4 km water.

TODAY’s QUESTION: A French visit - what is the origin of that expression? And what is it?

This is an old expression in many countries such as France, England, Germany and the Netherlands. It meant that somebody came for a short visit, said something non-

important and left without saying goodbye. And it was at the time not considered to be bad manners.

In France and Germany the expression English Visit was now and then used with the same meaning.

Today a French visit means that you make a very brief visit – and leave very quickly again.

You can also talk about taking French leave. This means taking leave without permission.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Panic fear - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A film star without commitment is like a torero in a season full of miserable bulls.

This was said by the American film star Rod Steiger.

2. Today’s quote: I have experienced that people with no vice have no virtue either.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1452: 1684: 1843: 1912: 1930: 1939: 1943: 1960:

Leonardo da Vinci ( died 1519 ) Catharine I ( died 1727 ) Henry James ( died 1916 ) Kim Il-Sung ( died 1994 ) Vigdis Finnbogadottir Claudia Cardinale Mariann Fischer-Boel Susanne Bier

4. Famous people died on this day: 1764: Madame de Pompadour ( 43 years ) 1865: Abraham Lincoln ( 56 years ) 1935: Anna Ancher ( 76 years )

1980: Jean-Paul Sartre ( 74 years ) 1990: Greta Garbo ( 85 years ) 1998: Pol Pot ( 73 years )

APRIL 16 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called MARIANNE’s DAY. The origin of the name is unknown. It came into the Danish calendar without explanation between 1720 and 1760. Before that the day was at different times called Carisius, Anna Sophia and Rigborrig.

According to old peasant traditions the peas have to be sown today.

TODAY’s EVENT: 73: The Jewish fortress Masada falls after several months of siege. This is the end of the Jewish revolt against the Romans.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Panic fear - where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

In ancient Rome people were of the opinion that a sudden loud noice – panicus casus, in Latin – often was made by Pan. He was a god in the Greek mythology - the god for shepherds and for wild animals in the mountains. He had horns, legs and a tale like a goat. He moved around on grazing-grounds and in forests. When people met him they were terror-stricken. Especially when they came to wake him up he made them really frightened. It gave them a panic fear. They panicked.

This is the historical, mythodological origins of the expression panic fear.

Its meaning today is a sudden fear, which people can hardly control.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Marianne – which country has her as a symbol? And why?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:

I have experienced that people with no vice have no virtue either.

This was once said by the American president Abraham Lincoln.

2. Today’s quote: My wife still looks gorgeous. But it takes more time now.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1844: 1889: 1921: 1924: 1927: 1939: 1940:

Anatole France ( died 1924 ) Charlie Chaplin ( died 1977 ) Peter Ustinov ( died 2004 ) Henry Mancini ( died 1994 ) Pope Benedikt 16. ( Joseph Ratzinger ) Dusty Springfield ( died 1999 ) Margrethe II

4. Famous people died on this day: 1828: Francisco de Goya ( 82 years ) 1850: Marie Tusseau ( 89 years ) 1859: Alexis de Tocqueville ( 54 years ) 2012: Mærsk MacKinney Møller ( 98 years )

APRIL 17 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is ANICETUS DAY. He was a pope in the years 140 – 166. He came originally from Emesa in Syria. He was killed because of his faith.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1961: Excile-cubans, who with American support had landed in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, were defeated by Fidel Castro’s troops.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Marianne – which country has her as a symbol? And why?

This name is used about France. It was started by the revolutionaries during the French revolution. It is mentioned for the first time in 1792. It symbolizes the republic – in contrast to the then very male dominated French monarchy. And it stands for liberty and reason. The name is made from the two most common female names in France at that time: Marie (Mary) and Anne.

The name Marianne is today still used by all French authorities. It has its own special logo:

It is also the Marianne figure and its meaning, which inspired France’s gift to the United States in 1886: The Statue of Liberty in New York harbor.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Bed of roses – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: My wife still looks gorgeous. But it takes more time now.

This was said by Charlie Chaplin.

2. Today’s quote: You have to be nice to people on your way up, because you might meet them again on your way down.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1885: Karen Blixen ( died 1962 ) 1894: Nikita Krustjov ( died 1971 ) 1929: James Last ( died 2015 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1790: Benjamin Franklin ( 84 years ) 1960: Eddie Crochan ( 22 years )

1996: Piet Hein ( 91 years )

APRIL 18 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called ELUTHERIUS DAY. He was a bishop in Illyria ( the later Yougoslavia ). During emperor Hadrian’s persecution of the Christians he was together with his mother dragged through the city in 130 AC. He died, but his mother survived. Then she was beheaded.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1864: The battle at Dybbøl ( in the south of Denmark ). The Prussian army overran the Danish troops, who tried to defend its entrenchments. Altogether 3.600 Danish soldiers and 1.200 Prussian soldiers were killed within a couple of hours. And the whole of Jutland ( the western part of Denmark ) was now open for the Prussian troops. The end result was that Schleswig and Holstein were no longer Danish and became part of Prussia. The day is still celebrated in Denmark – perhaps the only country to celebrate a defeat – normally it is victories which are celebrated.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Bed of roses – where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

This expression comes from the time of the decay of the Roman empire around the 3rd and 4th century AC. People did a lot of decadent things in that period. One of them was to have roses in masses all over the place – to live with lots of roses everywhere and at all times. The beds were often filled with leaves of roses. The floors were covered with roses.

This habit was sometime continued in the Medieval Ages at special occasions.

So the expression a bed of roses still today means that you have a good life. A life without problems.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Carte blanche – what is the origin of that expression? And what does it mean?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote:

You have to be nice to people on your way up, because you might meet them again on your way down.

This was once said by the Soviet leader Nikita Khrustjev.

2. Today’s quote: Nationalism is a children’s desease. It is the measles of mankind.

Who of today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1819: Franz von Suppé ( died 1895 ) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1802: Erasmus Darwin ( 70 years ) 1955: Albert Einstein ( 76 years ) 2002: Thor Heyerdahl ( 88 years )

APRIL 19 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called DANIEL’s DAY. He was one of the great profets in the Old Testament.

During the exile of the Jews in Babylon around 600 BC he interpreted the writing on the wall for king Belsassar: You have been weighed and considered too light.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1999: The German Bundestag ( Parliament ) returned from Bonn to Berlin after the German re-unification.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Carte blanche – what is the origin of that expression? And what does it mean?

This term comes from French and means white card or white paper. In was used in the old days in connection with negotiations – political, economic or military negotiations.

The person who was given the mandate to negotiate and to make the final agreement received a piece of white paper ( a carte blanche) only with the signature of the top boss (the king, the prime minister, the general). Then he or she could fill out the rest with the agreement made – and it was all done.

Today the expression carte blanche is still used meaning full power of attorney.

In the EU Commission the president receives a carte blanche letter from each member of the Commission only with their signature on. Then he alone can decide when they have to step down.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Parkinson’s law - what is that? And what does it say?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Nationalism is a children’s desease. It is the measles of mankind.

This was once said by Albert Einstein.

2. Today’s quote: A high-level employee says to the boss: You cannot expect us to say Yes and Amen to all what you suggest! The boss replies: You do not have to say Amen!

The bos is one of today’s persons: Who? 3. Famous people born on this day: 1879: Carl Johan Sonning ( died 1937 ) 1933: Jane Mansfield ( died 1967 ) 1972: Rivaldo (full name: Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira) 4. Famous people died on this day: 1824: Lord George Gordon Byron ( 36 years ) 1882: Charles Darwin ( 73 years ) 1967: Konrad Adenauer ( 91 years ) 1989: Daphne du Maurier ( 82 years ) 2005: Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen ( 59 years )

APRIL 20 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is SULPICIUS’ DAY. It is called either from bishop Sulpice of Bourges.

He died in the year 647 AC. Or it was rather called from the Roman Sulpicius, who converted to Christianity, because he fell in love with the girl friend of the holy

Domitian. Due to his new Christian faith he was arrested and beheaded during the reign of emperor Trajan. It happened in 115 AC. TODAY’s EVENT: 1925: Copenhagen Airport opens.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Parkinson’s law - what is that? And what does it say?

The British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson (1909-93) wrote in 1958 a book, where he presented his laws about how the public sector almost automatically grows and grows. One of the laws says: an official wants to increase the number of his subordinates, not of his competitors. Another law goes like this: the officials create work for each other.

That is why the number of officials increases progressively even if the work does not increase. It even does so if the number of tasks decreases. And a third law: the budget costs increase without obvious reasons as progressively as the number of officials.

The term Parkinson’s Law has later become a often used concept, which means that the public sector grows and grows automatically. It is not a positive concept. When somebody says that this is Perkinson’s Law he is of the opinion that things are going too far. And that something has to be done about it.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Plimsoller – where does that expression come from? And what is it?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A high-level employee says to the boss: You cannot expect us to say Yes and Amen to all what you suggest! The boss replies: You do not have to say Amen!

This was said by the German chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

2. Today’s quote: When I am concerned I will never envy a poet, who has not been the victim of slander. Because he must then have been very unimportant.

Who has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 571:

The profet Muhammed ( died 632 )

1808: 1857: 1889: 1893: 1939:

Napoleon III ( died 1873 ) Herman Bang ( died 1912 ) Adolf Hitler ( died 1945 ) Juan Miró ( died 1983 ) Gro Harlem Brundtland

4. Famous people died on this day: 1869: Carl Loewe ( 73 years ) 1912: Bram Stoker ( 65 years ) 1947: King Christian X ( 77 years ) 1992: Benny Hill ( 68 years )

APRIL 21 TODAY’s NAME: This day is FLORENTIUS DAY. He was a pious Christian, who criticized the Vatican church for exaggerated use of power. Therefore, he was burned on the bondfire in Paris in 1549.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1989: 100.000 Chinese students assemble on the Tiananmen Square in Beijing as a protest against the regime.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Plimsoller – where does that expression come from? And what is it?

This name comes from a British politician Samuel Plimsoll (1824-98). He was fighting very actively against ships, which were not seaworthy (so-called “coffin ships”). They were sailing, often very much overloaded, because the owners wanted them to be wrecked. In this way they could cash in the insurance money. Plimsoll wanted to save British seamen from drowning due to these circumstances. In 1875 he succeeded to have a law about it passed in the British parliament. This law made such ships unlawful. One of the instruments which was introduced was socalled load lines on the outside of any ship, so that you could see, if the the load was heavier than permitted. They are still in use.

In other words: the name a Plimsoller means a ship, which is not seaworthy. It’s a “coffin ship”.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Neandertal men – what is that? And where does the name come from?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: When I am concerned I will never envy a poet, who has not been the victim of slander. Because he must then have been very unimportant.

This was said by the Danish poet Herman Bang.

2. Today’s quote: Anti-semitism is the envy and meanness of pygmy minds.

Who among today’s persons have said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1729: 1864: 1915: 1922: 1926:

Catherine the Great ( died 1796 ) Max Weber ( died 1920 ) Anthony Quinn ( died 2001 ) Alistair MacLean ( died 1987 ) Queen Elizabeth II

4. Famous people died on this day: 1910: Mark Twain ( 75 years ) 1918: Manfred von Richthofen ( 26 years ) 1946: John Maynard Keynes ( 63 years ) 1998: Egill Jacobsen ( 88 years )

APRIL 22 TODAY’s NAME: This day’s name is GAJUS’ DAY. He was Roman pope in the years 283-96. He was persecuted because of his faith during the reign of emperor Diocletian and took hide in the catacombs in Rome for eight years. At the end he was found and executed.

Today is also EARTH DAY. A tradition which was started in the US on April 22, 1970 to put focus on the environmental problems of the world.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1961: Three French generals in Algeria start a revolt against president de Gaulle and his plans to give Algeria independence. It failed.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Neandertal men – what is that? And where does the name come from?

Just 12 km to the east of Düsseldorf you can visit your very old ancestor, the Neandertal Man. He is more than 60.000 years old.

The village is called Mettmann and is very close to the motorway (Autobahn) from Wuppertal to Düsseldorf). The valley is called Neandertal – created by the small river Düssel. It was named after the German writer and painter Joachim Neander (1650-80), who loved to come to this valley.

It was here that some workers in 1859 found human bones, which were examined by specialists. They came from human beings who lived there about 60.000 years go. They got the name the Neandertal Men. Afterwards the place where they were found was forgotten. And it was rediscovered only about 50 years ago.

Now you can visit a very interesting Neandertal Museum in the village. It illustrates in a very lively way the development of mankind over thousands, even millions, of years.

And the explanations are in German as well as in English.

See more here: http://www.neanderthal.de/en/

QUESTION FOR NEXT EDITION: The Ottomans – what’s the history?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Anti-semitism is the envy and meanness of pygmy minds.

This was said by the American poet Mark Twain.

2. Today’s quote: He loved himself with a passionate reciprocate love.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1707: 1724: 1870: 1899: 1912: 1916: 1937:

Henry Fielding ( died 1754 ) Immanuel Kant ( died 1804 ) Vladimir Lenin ( died 1924 ) Vladimir Nabokov ( died 1977 ) Kathleen Ferrier ( died 1953 ) Yehudi Menuhin ( died 1999 ) Jack Nicholson

4. Famous people died on this day: 1983: Earl Hines ( 80 years ) 1994: Richard Nixon ( 81 years )

APRIL 23 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is GEORGE’s DAY ( or in Danish: JØRGEN’s DAY ). It has its name from the holy Saint George. He was born in Cappadocia in nowadays Turkey and became an officer under emperor Diocletian ( who ruled 284-305 ). He had a lot of influence in the emperor’s court.But when he made empresss Alexandra a Christian, the normally quite tolerant Diocletian started his bloody persecutions of all the Christians.

In 303 George was put in prison and tortured, and at the end – together with Alexandra – killed on April 23 outside the city of Diospolis in Palestine.

The legend tells that he was killed four times. And that he came back to life three times.

The legend also tells that he saved a whole city and a virgin from a hateful dragon. Saint George is very much used as a symbol in Russia – and he is the patron of Moscow.

An old Danish weather warning for this day says that as many days the frogs can be heard before Saint George the same number of days they will be quiet afterwards. In other words: if the frogs croak before April 23 it will be cold in the coming days.

Today is the United Nations’ International Day for Books and Copyrights.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1343: The peoples’ revelution on Saint George’s night in Estonia against the Danish rulers.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Like a cat round hot milk – Where does that come from? And what does it mean?

This is an expression, which goes several hundred years back. In English literature it appears for the first time in 1855, and it becomes very much used very quickly.

The original meaning was, of course, that a hungry cat is very hesitant to put its tongue or paw into very hot milk. It does not want to burn it. On the other hand it does not leave, because it continues to be very tempted. It walks several times around it and hopes for “cooler times”.

The sentence also got the present day indirect meaning that people are hesitant to do things they perhaps are afraid of or do not know much about. They postpone doing it for as long as possible. They hurry up slowly. But they normally do it at the end.

The saying Danish is not about milk, but about porridge – hot porridge.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: All roads lead to Rome – Origin? Meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: He loved himself with a passionate reciprocate love.

This was said by the Russian author Vladimir Nabokov.

2. Today’s quote: Many who carry a sword are afraid of people who just carry a bag with pens.

Who of today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1564: 1775: 1858: 1902: 1936:

William Shakespeare ( died 1616 – on his birthday ) J.M.W. Turner ( died 1851 ) Max Planck ( died 1947 ) Halldór Laxness ( died 1998 ) Roy Orbison ( died 1988 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 303: 1616: 1616: 2007:

Saint George ( 23 years ) ( see above ) Miguel de Cervantes ( 69 years ) William Shakespeare ( 52 years ) Boris Jeltsin ( 76 years )

APRIL 24 TODAY’s NAME: Today is called ALBERTUS DAY. He was a Bohemian ( Czech ) royal son, who was born in 956 AC. As a child he was very weak. His mother promised to make him a Christian, if he was cured from his illness. When he grew up and was healthy he lived a very pious life as a monk. And at the end he became archbishop of Prague.

He was killed by pagans in 997 during a visit to Prussia.

The legend tells that an eagle was guarding his body, until he could have a Christian funeral.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1886: The first oil in the Middle East was found at the Red Sea coast of Egypt.

TODAY’s QUESTION: All roads lead to Rome – Origin? Meaning?

Historically this expression goes back to the Roman empire, where all roads throughout the vast empire were leading to Rome.

From this literal meaning of the saying another meaning has developed. Today it means that there are many different routes to the same goal.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Luxembourg – what’s its history? And what is important to know and see?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Many who carry a sword are afraid of people who just carry a bag with pens.

This was said by the English author William Shakespeare.

2. Today’s quote: The political alternative in America is like curing cancer with court plaster.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day:

1856: 1910: 1934: 1937: 1938: 1942:

Philippe Pétain ( died 1951 ) Erik Seidenfaden ( died 1990 ) Shirley MacLaine Joe Henderson ( died 2001 ) Jan Lindhardt Barbara Streisand

4. Famous people died on this day: 1731: 1982: 2004: 2005:

Daniel Defoe ( 71 years ) Sigrid Horne-Rasmussen ( 67 years ) Estée Lauder ( 98 years ) Ezer Weizman ( 81 years ) APRIL 25

TODAY’s NAME: Today is MARK’ DAY. The name comes from Mark the evangelist. According to the legend he followed the apostle Peter to Rome as his interpreter. After Peter’s crucifixion Mark went on to Alexandria, where he was a bishop and later in 67 AC was killed because of his faith. He was first dragged through the city with a rope around his neck.

Mark was son of Maria. It was in her house the first Christian community met. And it was probably also here that Jesus had his last supper.

In the 9th century Mark’s bones were entombed in the St. Mark Basilica in Venezia.

His symbol – the St. Mark Lion – is also the symbol for Venezia.

In Iceland people put up the flag today for “the first summer day”.

And today it is the flag day of the Faroe Islands.

Old Danish weather warnings tell that the cuckoo comes back from its winter season today.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1980: An American attempt to liberate the hostages held on the US embassy in Teheran failed. Two of the airplanes with elite troops collided in the desert.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Luxembourg – what’s its history? And what is important to know and see?

The country is half the size of Chicago cemetery - and twice as boring! It is a frequently used teasing remark about the small country. And like everything else of that sort is obviously not fair and just!

Luxembourg is at 2586 kv.km - or slightly smaller than the Danish island of Funen.

About 530,000 inhabitants live in the country. A very large part is not born in the country. It is actually 44% of the residents, who are citizens of 170 other countries. So the country is very internationally influenced. The 11,000 of them are working for EU institutions in the country (especially the Commission, Parliament, the European Court of Justice, the European Investment Bank and the EU Court of Auditors).

Luxembourg became independent in 1890 after several years of personal union with The Netherlands. The country was invaded by Germany during both the 1st and 2nd World War. Hitler went so far that he made it a province of his Greater Germany under the name Moselland. It was forbidden to use the word Luxembourg. Therefore, young men in Luxembourg were, of course, forced to be soldiers in the German army.

It was American troops who liberated Luxembourg in 1944-45. The US General Omar Bradley had his headquarters in the building at the Place d'Armes, where the EU Coal and Steel Union later started in 1951. There is a plate on the building today. Now it is a private insurance company building.

Another famous American general George Patton, was so fond of the country, he settled there after the war. It was not to last for long, as he is already in the autumn of 1945 was fatally injured by a runaway fruit cart in the town of Vianden, as he walked on the street. He demanded to be buried in Luxembourg.

When we talk about personalities, it must of course be mentioned that one of the EU's founding fathers, Robert Schuman (1886-1963), born in Luxembourg. His birthplace is now a museum that can be visited. The address is in the district of Clausen in Luxembourg City.

Luxembourg has otherwise over the years contributed with three Presidents of the European Commission: Gaston Thorn (1981-85), Jacques Santer (1995-99) and JeanClaude Juncker (from 2014). All three were former prime ministers in the country.

Luxembourg has three official languages: LetzebĂźrgisch (which is a kind of German dialect, which only recently have been made also for a written language), French and German. The country's largest newspaper, Luxemburger Wort, is almost entirely written in German.

The capital Luxembourg is very beautiful with large level shifts. The central parts of the city from the main station and down towards the Place d'Armes and especially on the other side of the gorge, where the Grand Ducal Palace is located, is very cozy. Lots of tempting restaurants and bars, where a cold local Boefferding beer or a chilled glass of Moselle wine does not do much damage to Ď‘.

Speaking of the Grand Duke, as I had in my time as director in the Commission his younger brother as an intern for a period. He was a nice, quiet guy. I would incidentally also have had Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark as an intern. But he came for different reasons instead to the UN in New York for a period.

The EU institutions are for the most part placed on Kirchberg, a hill in the northern part of the city. The impressive European Bridge / Pont de l'Europe leads directly there from inside the city center.

You will also quickly notice that the country is filled with hundreds of banks. Its banking legislation has tempted them there over the years. But after various unfortunate revelations, the terms have been tightened, so their role will certainly be smaller in future.

A very well known company in Luxembourg Villeroy & Boch. A serious competitor to Royal Copenhagen. It makes great stuff.

The rest of the country Luxembourg is a very, very nice area. It is furnished by impressive roads everywhere. It is strongly recommended to go on a trip around 10 km to the south – to the banks of the Moselle river. It forms the border with Germany and further west also to France. The small town of Schengen is precisely where the three countries meet. And it was here that the EU countries in 1985 on board a ship on the river made the Schengen agreement on no border controls between the participating countries from 1995. A little further east along the Luxembourg side of the river you can find the one vineyard after another. One can even without great difficulty have some tastings of the noble beverage.

From here you can drive north, for example the town of Echternach close to the German border. It has an impressive cathedral - and again, is well equipped with small tempting places specialising in food of many kinds. Clervaux further to the northwest is worth a visit too.

If you want to know more about this small, cozy and very European country, you can look it up here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Sandwich – what is the history behind that word?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: The political alternative in America is like curing cancer with court plaster.

This was said by the American actress Shirley MacLaine.

2. Today’s quote: A clever politician is a man, who can stand up in a rowing-boat and rock it, and after that make you understand that he can rescue you from the storm.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day:

1599: 1840: 1918: 1945: 1947:

Oliver Cromwell ( died 1658 ) Pjotr Ilich Tschaikowskij ( died 1893 ) Ella Fitzgerald ( died 1996 ) Björn Ulväus Johann Cruyff ( died 2016 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1744: Anders Celcius ( 43 years ) 1990: Dexter Gordon ( 67 years ) 1995: Ginger Rogers ( 84 years ) APRIL 26 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is CLETUS’ DAY. It’s called after pope Cletus – also called Anacletius. He was a pope in the period 76 – 90 AC and was the third pope ( after Peter and Linus ). He was beheaded in 91 and thereby became one of the martyrs of the church.

His remains are in the Vatican.

An old Danish weather warning says that even if it has been overcast the whole week we will have some sunshine on Saturday. Only three times a year this is not true.

Nobody knows, though, when three exceptions happen 

TODAY’s EVENT: 1937: Guernica, an important city for the Basques, is bombed by German airplanes.

1645 people are killed and 900 wounded.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Sandwich – what is the history behind that word?

We all know what a sandwich is: two pieces of bread put on top of one another and with some nice stuff like meat, cheese or salad in between. But do you also know the origin of the word? Where does it come from?

The Earl of Sandwich ( a place in Kent in south-east England ) was in the 18th century a gentleman called John Montagu. He lived from 1718 to 1792. He was the 4th Earl of Sandwich. He was a very active and very well respected politician, and he had several ministerial posts at his CV. But he was also a very active card player. He played with his friends as soon as he had time. And he was so dedicated to his play that he did not want to interrupt playing just because of a meal. On the other hand he did not want to make the cards dirty or filthy with remains from the food. So he asked his waiter to prepare

one or several breads (two pieces of bread with stuff – for him: normally meat - in between). Then playing and eating could go very well together.

The Sandwich had been invented!

Some people with less interest in and respect for playing cards have invented the “spin” that it was during his long hours at work that he asked for “sandwiches” from his staff, so that he could eat without making the king’s papers dirty with all sorts of food  _____________________________________________ QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Flamenco – what is that? And what does the word come from?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A clever politician is a man, who can stand up in a rowing-boat and rock it, and after that make you understand that he can rescue you from the storm.

This was once said by the American actress, dancer and singer Ginger Rogers.

2. Today’s quote: Everything which can be said can be said clearly.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 121: 1711: 1812: 1889: 1900: 1926:

Marcus Aurelius ( died 180 ) David Hume ( died 1776 ) Alfred Krupp ( died 1887 ) Ludwig Wittgenstein ( died 1951 ) Charles Richter ( died 1985 ) Erik Mortensen ( died 1998 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1815: Carsten Niebuhr ( 82 years ) 1910: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson ( 78 years ) 1984: Count Basie ( 80 years ) APRIL 27 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is ANANIAS’ DAY. It has its name from the Christian priest and monk Anasias, who was active in Persia in the beginning of the 4th Century. At the end he was

together with St. Simeon and many of their supporters put in prison and all beheaded in 349.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1994: South Africa’s first democratic elections. ANC gets a huge victory, and the day is celebrated as the country’s Liberation Day.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Flamenco – what is that? And what does the word come from?

It is well known that flamenco is a lively Spanish song with guitar music, a forceful dance and loud clapping with the hands. It is in particular known in Andalusia in the south of Spain.

Originally it was the culture of poor people. It goes back to the 16th century and comes from gipsy music and somewhat also from the Moorish culture, also after the Moors were thrown out of Europe by 1492.

Flamenco is mentioned for the first time in 1774. And when the first Flamenco Café opened in Andalusia in 1842 it was no success from the beginning.

Where does the word flamenco then come from? Flamenco – also today – in Spanish means Flemish. How come? Because people in Spain thought in the 16th century that the gypsies came from Flanders (including present day Belgium). It was under the Spanish king from 1556-1713. So perhaps there is some truth in it.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Vessel of the Danaids – What is the origin? And the meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Everything which can be said can be said clearly.

This was said by the Austrian-British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

2. Today’s quote: As none of today’s personalities has contributed with good quotations you get one more from Ludwig Wittgenstein:

Remember: a look into the past.

3. Famous people born on this day: 1650: 1791: 1822: 1932:

Charlotte Amalie ( died 1714 ) Samuel Morse ( died 1872 ) Ulysses S. Grant ( died 1885 ) Pik Botha

4. Famous people died on this day: 1521: Ferdinand Magellan (his Portuguese name: Fernao Magelhaes ) ( 41 years) 1937: Antonio Gramsci ( 46 years ) 1972: Kwame Nkrumah ( 62 years ) APRIL 28 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called VITALIS’ DAY. There are two possible people, who probably have given the day its name. One was a Christian, who was killed because of his faith in year 60 A.C. during the reign of emperor Nero.

The other one was a Roman citizen, who during his captivity refused to abandon his Christian faith. He was then tortured and buried alive. This happened in year 171 A.C. under emperor Marcus Aurelius.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1969: Charles de Gaulle steps down as the president of France, because a referendum has said no to his wish to abolish the Senate.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Vessel of the Danaids – What is the origin? And the meaning?

Danaos or Danaus was in Greek mythology the son of a king in Egypt. He had 50 daughters – called the Danaids. They were forced to marry 50 men. But when 49 of then during the wedding night killed their husbands they were afterwards condemned to pour water into a vessel, which had no bottom. And according to the legend they continue to do that all the time until this very day. In other words: this is a work which never ends.

So the expression the vessel of the Danaids refers to a task, which is futile and useless, and which never ends.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: A red thread - What is the origin? And today’s meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: Remember: a look into the past.

This was once said by the Austrian-British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

2. Today’s quote: I guarantee for my employees.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1758: 1908: 1937: 1957:

James Monroe ( died 1831 ) Oskar Schindler ( died 1974 ) Saddam Hussein ( died 2006 ) Tøger Seidenfaden ( died 2011 )

4. Famous people died on this day: 1772: Johan Friedrich Struensee ( 35 years ) 1918: Gavrilo Princip ( 24 years ) 1945: Benito Mussolini ( 62 years ) APRIL 29 TODAY’s NAME: This day is called PETER MARTYR’s DAY. It has got its name from the Dominican monk Peter, who lived in the years 1206 – 52. He was prior at monestries in Como and in Milan. And the Pope later appointed him the church’s inquisitor in Lombardia in Northern Italy. He persecuted all non-believers very energetically. He was in particular fighting against the Cathars, a sect which got its name from the Greek word katharos, which means clean. They were against the official church and preached poverty and asceticism. Peter considered them to be traitors. At the end assassins from the sect killed Peter with an axe in 1252. The killing was perhaps also linked to the fact that Peter himself originally came from a Cathar family.

The church, in particular the Dominican Order, succeeded in eliminating the Cathars all together in the 14th century.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1429: Jeanne d’Arc arrives to Orléans and contributes to the end of the British siege of the city.

TODAY’s QUESTION: A red thread - What is the origin? And today’s meaning?

You say: A red thread goes through it! This is an expression which comes from the Royal British Navy. For centuries it had a serious problem about its ropes being stolen. And nobody could trace where it had gone. That is why they started to weave a red thread into all new ropes. This made it much easier to find the thieves and to bring the ropes back to the Navy. This method is still in use. And it has been further refined in the sense that each Navy base has its own colour of the thread. The same method was used by the Danish Navy until 1900.

The expression a red thread through something means today that things are coherent.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Blue blood - The origins of that saying? And the meaning?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: I guarantee for my employees.

This was said by the German industrialist Oskar Schindler to the nazi authorities, who in this way saved thousands of Jews from extermination.

2. Today’s quote: A TV set is like a toaster. You push a button, and it is always the same thing coming out.

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1854: 1899: 1901: 1922: 1970:

Henri Poincaré ( died 1912 ) Duke Ellington ( died 1974 ) Emperor Hirohito ( died 1989 ) Toots Thielemans André Agassi

4. Famous people died on this day: 1951: Ludwig Wittgenstein ( 62 years ) 1980: Alfred Hitchcock ( 81 years ) 2006: John Kenneth Galbraith ( 98 years ) APRIL 30 TODAY’s NAME: Today’s name is SEVERUS’ DAY. It has got it from bishop Severus, who worked in Napoli around 400 AC. The legend tells that he was elected bishop, because a dove landed on his head just before the election. And the legend also says that he once called a dead man back to life, because he was needed to help his widow against ferocious creditors.

This day is also known to be the day when people in the old days made tricks to each other ( “Fools day” ). As everybody knows this tradition was later moved from the last day of April to the first.

In the northern part of Europe, especially in Scandinavia, tonight is called VALBORG’s EVENING. It’s an old Germanic tradition for the night before Valborg’s Day tomorrow ( named after the English-German nun Waltpurgis, who died in 779 ). On this evening many people in the old days put up a so-called “Maj Stang” ( a “May Poll” ). It was a high pole, which was decorated with wreathes, new beech leaves and coloured strings. It should be a symbol of the fertility of the coming summer. People were gathering around this “May Pole”, and they often stayed all night in order to protect themselves against all the subterraneal creatures, which were supposed to be particularly active at this time of the year. People also for the same reasons put up bonfires on hills in the countryside on this evening and night.

In Sweden it is still a tradition to have “May Poles” and large parties. And tonight the tradition is to have bonfires burning witches. In Denmark this annual tradition is on June 23.

TODAY’s EVENT: 1789: George Washington becomes the first president of the United States.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Blue blood - what is its origin? And its meaning?

This saying has its origin from Castile in Spain. The local Castillians had a more light skin than the immigrants, who were were mostly moors and jews. Due to their light skin you could more easily see the veins through the skin. The expression locally was and is: sangre azul, which means blue blood.

Many Castillians at the time – at least the more known ones – were from the nobility.

That is why the expression blue blood later has got the meaning it has today: people of royal or noble families.

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW: Flamenco – What is the origin of that word? And it is what?

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE : 1. Yesterday’s quote: A TV set is like a toaster. You push a button, and it is always the same thing coming out.

This was once said by the British film man Alfred Hitchcock.

2. Today’s quote: Just call me Chiquita!

Who among today’s persons has said that?

3. Famous people born on this day: 1870: 1883: 1909: 1956:

Franz Léhar ( died 1948 ) Jaroslav Hasek ( died 1923 ) Queen Juliana ( died 2004 ) Lars von Trier

4. Famous people died on this day: 1883: 1929: 1945: 2000:

Edouard Manet ( 51 years ) Birger Sjöberg ( 44 years ) Adolf Hitler ( 56 years ) Poul Hartling ( 86 years )