Happy Kamehameha Day, June 11 Hawaii

The first monarch of all of Hawaii, Kamehaneha the Great united the island under one rule in the last part of the 1700s.

The day is marked by a call to the heritage of the islands and the original people. There are celebrations with traditional dance, food and parades. A center peice of the the celebration is the draping ceremony or laying on of flowers (Lei) on the statues of Kamehameha. This is done at a couple of different places, two in Hawaii and also the United States Capital in Washington DC (side note the only statue of a monarch in the Capital).

So have a great day!!!

Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamehameha_Day

http://www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org/

Sweden's Nation Day, June 6

Being half my heritage comes from Sweden and not very long ago (my grandparents were born there on my father's side), I have a special place in my heart for the nation.  I was a little slow in realizing that today is the Nation Day of Sweden so did not get to really celebrate in anyway but here are some fun facts.

Today being their Nation Day only started back in 1983 and did not become an official holiday until 2005. Prior to this June 6 was the flag day of Sweden.

The date June 6 was chosen is do to it being the day that Gustav Vasa was crowed King of Sweden in 1523, this was when Danish rule ended and the beginning of the modern Sweden. Also in 1809 the constitution was signed establishing civil rights and liberties.

While some people have questioned the need for a Nation Day on both the grounds that one is not needed at all and that the Midsummer celebration is the true Nation Day, many have started to embrace the day. Immigrants to the country often receive their citizenship on this day and it is held in high esteem by them. 

There have been calls to have an official pastry and dish for the day. Nationaldagsbakelse won the Nation Day cake contest, a strawberry and almond paste pastry.

So I am going to recommend the eating of pickled herring today and will see about getting some for myself after work.

Links: http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/The-National-Day/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Sweden

Tonga Independence Day, June 4th

The island nation of Tonga in the South Pacific, the only one in the area to never have been formally colonized by a European power.

The islands have been inhabited for over 3,000 years and been in contact with it's neighbors for much of that time. The islands only being first contacted by Europeans in 1616. It is also the only nation in the region that never gave up it's ruling monarch. It gained it's independence from being a British protectorate in 1970 and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. 

While the country has had some diffuculties in the past, they are moving to a democrocy with the Crown recently giving up more power to the Prime Minister.

So happy Independence Day people of Tonga!

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonga

Oak Apple Day, May 29, England

Marking the reinstatement of the monarch, Charles the II in 1660.

It was tradition that people would wear Oak Apple, known in some parts of the country as Shick Shack as a sign of loyalty to the crown. Formally abolished in 1859, there are still remnants of the traditions associated with the day still in existences.

Today there is still the Garland King who rides through Derbyshire on this date.  His head and upper body completely covered by flowers on May 29th, the traditions coming from the day.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Apple_Day

http://www.learnenglish.de/culture/oakappleday.htm

International Dance Day, April 29

The 29th of April is designated as International Dance Day by UNESCO and the dance body they recognize for the promotion of all kinds of dance. Today is a day to try and share the gift of dance especially to those who do not ha e much familiarity with it.

While I am by no means a great dancer or can dance multiple forms, I have been doing ballroom dancing going on two years now and lo e it. There are so many verities in just that one form of dancing that when you bring in all the other forms, not just those of the western cultures like hip hop or tap or jazz but traditional dances of the different cultures through out the world the subject becomes just so interesting. Whatever you might think is interesting is available somewhere.

So enjoy a dance today, with a partner, a group, by yourself or maybe just on the Internet but enjoy dance!