International Day of Persons Disabled - United Nations, November 3rd

The United Nations declared December 3rd as a day to raise awareness and promote the rights of disabled persons in 1992 at the end of the Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992).  The previous ten years were intended to not only call attention to the issues surroundings disabled persons but also to enact measures to improve there situations.  This was to be in all areas of life; education, legal representation, etc.  The day is now set aside to continue these goals with this years them being "Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us".

The official title of the day was changed last year from "International Day of Disabled Person" to "International Day of Persons with Disabilities" per General Assembly resolution 62/127 on December 18.

The United Nation web site gives many suggestions on how to observe the day, such as getting involved, organizing discussions, celebrating contributions of those with disabilities and to just take action.  Please take a look at their site for more information.  I am also linking to an individuals site who has spent much more time and energy on this topic, please take a look there as well.

Links:
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_Disabled_Persons

United Nations: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=109
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/dispersons/index.html

Additional: http://wecando.wordpress.com/2007/10/23/international-day-of-disabled-persons-dec-3-07/

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

In 1949 on December 2, the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.  In commemorating this and to recognize the continued exploitation of people through slavery designated December 2 as The United Nations designated December 2nd as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

It should come as no surprise that I find the continued practice of slavery as absolutely awful.  I am sure that anyone reading this would agree as well, the one thing we can do is bring about awareness of this issue.  The more people are made to understand that slavery of all kinds still exist the more pressure will be put on those practicing it and hopefully we can help to end it.



Links:
United Nations: http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/slavery/
http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2001/sgsm8051.html

Other Links:
http://freedomcenter.org/freedom-forum/index.php/2008/11/december-2-is-un-slavery-abolition-day-but-who-will-notice/
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-day-abolish-slavery
http://nicosia.usembassy.gov/USpolicy/tip-IDAS.htm

World AIDS Day - December 1st

In 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programs for AIDS Prevention, declared that December 1st would be World AIDS Day.  This was to bring more attention to the epidemic swepping the globe.  It has countinued to this year and I would encourage everyone to promote the cause.  We are still a long way from a cure.  A good place to look for what you can do to help is http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/.

Links:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_AIDS_Day

Additional:

http://www.pih.org/inforesources/news/World_AIDS_Day_Mukherjee.html

http://www.aegis.org/aidsline/1989/jan/M8910474.html

St. Andrew's Day - 30 November

St. Andrew

Saint Andrew, whose feast day is the 30th of November, is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia.  There are a number of traditions that surrounding his feast day as well in Poland.  He was was a fisherman and many of the traditions that souround the day seem to be about "catching" a husband.
Even though St. Andrew was one of the Apostles of Christ little is known about him while he lived and actually few facts seem to surround him after his death.  From some sources I found, he was the first Apostle of Christ even though his brother was Peter is much better known.  While Andrew was spreading the faith in Greece, he was put to death by crucifixion in Patras.  This is where the St. Andres cross comes from that is the basis of the Scotish flag.

Flag of Scotland, St. Andrews Cross

When his remains where to be transferred to Constantanopl a priest, later called St. Rule, was said to have a dream saying he should to take the remains to the ends of the earth.  St. Rule broke into the tomb and took them east eventually the ship he was on wrecked on the east coast Scotland.  This was as far as he got, there by getting to "the end of the earth".

The history of Scotland seems to be intertwined with St. Andrew with Edward the Bruce and William Wallace (the main character of Bravehart was modeled after) both invoked his name.  It was not untill very recently that on the Scotland has been allowed to fly the Scotish flag on their national holiday which is St. Andrew's day.

I was not able to find multiple sources to back up what the different traditions that women could use to suggest their future husbands but some of them are: to throw a shoe over her shoulder and if the toe points to the door then they would be married in the next year, peel an apple and throw it on the floor and if it curled into a letter that give an idea who they would marry and the night before they should listen to bogs barking as this pointed to where their future husband would come from.

Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Andrew%27s_Day

Additional:
http://www.scotland.org/standrewsday/
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/standrew.html
http://www.scotland.org/about/history-tradition-and-roots/features/culture/history-of-saint-andrew.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/andrew.shtml

Independence Day - Republic of Albania - 28 November

Flag of Albania

Thought I would really have liked to have more information on the independence of Albania but have not taken enough time to look it up.  The nation was part of the Ottoman Empire for many years and during their collapse, the Albanians took the opportunity to establish their independence on November 28th of 1912.

Links:
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Albania#Independence

US Embassy: http://www.embassy.org/embassies/al.html

General Info: http://albanian.com/information/countries/albania/index.html