Author Archives: Rob Burroughs

World Bonobo Day is celebrated on 14th February to raise awareness of Bonobos and protect them before it’s too late. It was started by the conservationist Ashley Stone, founder of the Bonobo Project in 2015. The species is only found in the DR of Congo, and it is estimated that there are between 15,000 andContinue reading “World Bonobo Day”

This day is a holy day of prayer and the start of fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the start of Lent, which marks the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Many Christians make a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional and making a Lenten sacrifice that they will not partake ofContinue reading “Ash Wednesday & Lent”

Mardi Gras refers to the events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is know as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fattyContinue reading “Mardi Gras”

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday observed by many Christians. It is the last day of Shrovetide before the season of Lent starts, with shrove coming from the word shrive, meaning “absolve”. Many Christians indulge in fatty foods before they give them up for Lent, which created the customs ofContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day”

Lundi Gras is a relatively recently name for a Series of Shrove Monday events taking place during Mardi Gras. It includes the tradition of Rex, king of the New Orleans carnival, and Zulu King arriving by boat. This began in 1874, but the term Lundi Gras (French for “Fat Monday”) was not widely applied untilContinue reading “Lundi Gras”

This occurs on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. It is part of Shrovetide which runs from Septuagesima Sunday until Shrove Tuesday. It is named Collopy Monday after the traditional dish of the day, slices of leftover meat (collops of bacon) along with eggs. It is eaten for breakfast and is part ofContinue reading “Collopy/Clean/Shrove Monday”

World Radio Day is on 13th February, proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day. It is celebrated on the anniversary of the day that the UN established the United Nations Radio in 1946. Each year there is a differentContinue reading “World Radio Day”

International Darwin Day is held on 12th February to inspire people throughout the world to reflect and act on the principles of intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking, and hunger for truth as embodied in Charles Darwin. It is a day of celebration, activism, and international cooperation for the advancement of science, education and humanContinue reading “International Darwin Day”

Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution This day commemorates the protests that led to the downfall of the Pahlavi dynasty and the installation of the Islamic Revolutionary headed by Aytalloah Khomeini. This political celebration held on the last day of the celebration. Japan National Foundation Day This is a national holiday celebrating the foundation of Japan,Continue reading “Holidays on 11th February”

This festival celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. This can also be called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. This is a 16 day festival from New Year’s Eve to the 15th day which is the lantern festival. The first day of Chinese New Year begins onContinue reading “Chinese New Year”