World Radio Day. Día Internacional de la radio

13 February is World Radio Day,a day to celebrate radio as a medium; to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves. Radio is the mass media reaching the wides audience in the world. It is also recognised as a powerful communication tool and a low cost medium.

Winston Churchill funeral 50 years on. 50 aniversario de la muerte de Churchill.

After two months of having a rest - too lazy, sorry - I come back with news... and this is to tell that Britain commemorates the 50th anniversary of Britain's greatest Prime Minster during World War II. If you want to know more click on the photo.
El que fuera Primer Ministro de Inglaterra durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial cautivó a los ingleses con sus discursos y su particular sentido del humor para levantar la moral a toda la nación. 

Anniversaries...Aniversarios

This is a year of important anniversaries and I want to mention three.
 1st: Tower Bridge, one of London´s most iconic landmarks, which tourists and Londoners flock to every day. Now, in 2014,it has reached its 120th anniversary. Despite its age, the bridge still plays a vital part in river life because it opens and closes nearly 1,000 times for vessels, war ships, sailing barges and cruises.When it opened it played an important part in linking all the different parts of the city. London Bridge was the only crossing on the Thames and as population grew more bridges were built. Architect Horace Jone`s design was chosen and the bridge officially opened in 1894. In the last couple of years it played a part in the Queen´s Diamond Jubilee and if you watched the London games in 2012 the Olympic rings hang from it. Do you remember?


2nd: Red Cross celebrates 150th anniversary. The world´s oldest aid organisation has brought relief to the victims of war, bringing help to the destitute and uniting families. It was founded in 1863 in response to the suffering at the Battle of Solferino by Geneva businessman Henri Dunant. Today it faces the chaos of 21st century warfare such as drones, conflicts like that in Syria...but its basic principles of impartiality have not changed. But Red Cross is more nowadays: its 95 million volunteers around the world take care of poor people in countries, as in Spain, and it´s easy to understand that this organisation has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize three times.Thanks!

3rd: World War One or Great War Centenary: it´s the most important and it began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until November 1918. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was the trigger of a global war centred in Europe and it was one of the deadliest conflicts in history. If you want to remember what happened look at this link. Spain was neutral and the War benefited Spanish industry and exporting but the role of Spain was important because Alfonso XIII improved the treatment of prisoners and non-combatants throughout the conflict as his family had German and English roots. I recommend you this link and a book by Javier Sanz, Fuego a discreción.

En el 2014 se cumplen varios aniversarios y quiero mencionar tres importantes: el puente mas famoso de Londres cumple 120 años -y los turistas tendrán la oportunidad de visitarlo desde dentro- y la conmemoración de los 150 años de Cruz Roja, nacida a raiz del conflicto bélico de la Batalla de Solferino-Italia-, que ademas de socorrer a las víctimas de las guerras, ayuda a nuestros pobres. Y por último el centenario de la Primera Guerra Mundial en la que España se mantuvo neutral pero en la que Alfonso XIII, por su parentesco con Guillermo II, jugó un importante papel en el trato a prisioneros y en la conmutación de ocho penas de muerte por parte de Alemania.

Spain's King Juan Carlos to abdicate...Adios Juan Carlos

After 39 years on the throne, King Juan Carlos of Spain will abdicate in favour of his son Crown Prince Felipe.  The Monarch said he is proud of the transition of Spain to democracy and that his son, Felipe, has the maturity to open a new era of hope. The decision of his stepping down has been widely spread all around the world and threre are references to the scandals of the Spanish Royal Family as it happened to Great Britain before. On social networks some  people ask if it is time for a republic and call for constitutional reform..but the true is that most  Spanish people are loyal to monarchy and underdstand its importance in a country where a few independence – minded areas such as Catalonia and the Basque country will refuse to help monarchy.
La abdicación del rey Juan Carlos parece haber sorprendido más fuera de nuestras fronteras que dentro. Hay muchas referencias en la prensa inglesa sobre los escándalos que han rodeado a la familia real, así como el reconocimiento a la popularidad del rey...pero la mayoría de los españoles reconocemos la importancia de la corona y justificamos la "jubilación del monarca". Siempre habrá voces en contra, comentarios malévolos...como en todas partes.

London´s underground birthday...El metro cumple años

London´s underground has celebrated its 150th anniversary: the first stretch opened on January 9 1863 and the first passenger journey took place between Paddington and Farringdon. Since then the network has expanded to twelve lines. According to statistics London´s busiest Tube station during morning rush hour is Waterloo. Today 19,000 people work in the Tube. To know the tube better, why don´t you do this activity? Imagine you work in the city and live in South Kensington. Which line would you take to work? Click here and practise with this interactive London map.

Hoy el metro más antiguo y caro de Europa cumple años, 150 nada menos y muchos pasajeros desde 1863.¿Sabías que durante su construcción fue utilizado como refugio para protegerse de los bombardeos alemanes?

Texting is just for youth...Texting para jóvenes.

Texting is going out of fashion , before I even learn how to do it, and tweeting is strictly for the birds. Read this article by Paul Routledge in the Mirror and think: Do you feel the same about smartphones and you? But young people in the UK use their mobiles to browse the Internet, check social networks, play games, listen to music and make phone calls.

A los usuarios de cierta edad de los teléfonos inteligentes, la tecnología nos viene algo grande y cuando por fín manejamos una aplicación, resulta que ésta ya ha sido sustituída por otra. Si éste es tu caso, échale un vistazo al artículo del Mirror: te reirás y te sentirás identificado

Gore Vidal has died...Gore Vidal ha muerto

This iconoclastic writer has died ; he was 86. He wrote 25 novels, including historical works such as Lincoln or Burr and satires such as Myra Breckinridge and Duluf. But he was a prolific essayist whose pieces on politics, religion,sexuality and literature earned him a National Book Award for his massive United States Essays,1952-1992.He had famous friends such as Anais Nin, Tennessee Williams, Orson Welles, Truman Capote, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando or Paul Newman as well as a variety of Kennedys. He popped up in `movies playing himself in Fellini´s Roma or a plotter in Gattaca. In politics he ran for the Senate from California and Congress in New York but he was unsuccessful. Vidal will be missed by those who love writers who give us knowledge. A sad day indeed.

El prolífico autor Gore Vidal ha muerto de neumonía a la edad de 86 años. Si quieres más información sobre él haz click en este enlace

Advertisements...Anuncios

Advertising is a form of communication to

persuade an audience –viewers, readers or listeners- to buy products or services. Papyrus was used by Egyptians to make sales as well as in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Wall and rock painting for commercial advertising is present in many parts of Asia, Africa and South America. Furthermore the tradition of wall painting can be traced back to Indian rock art paintings. MORE ▼

In the 17th century advertisements started to appear in weekly newspapers in England, and during the 19th century, advertising grew as the economy expanded. We know that advertisements include the name of a product and are paid for by sponsors and viewed via various media such as newspapers, television, radio, mail…and nowadays websites and text messages through mobile phones. Cute advertisements make us think, laugh… and perhaps you haven´t realized but most original advertisements deal with …toilets! Didn´t you know? Have a look!

La publicidad es una forma de persuadirnos para comprar algo a través de la televisión, radio, periódicos, páginas web o incluso mensajes de texto. Pero la publicidad no es nueva ya que la usaban los egipcios, griegos e incluso los indios. Hay campañas publicitarias ingeniosas que nos hacen reir, y si no lo crees, presta atención a estos anuncios.

May... Mayo.

May

is
here!For the British this month is very important because they have elections and polls will determine who will live in Number 10 Downing Street: David Cameron (conservative), Nick Clegg (liberal) or Gordon Brown (labourist). But let´s go back with May.
We have celebrated our Mom´s day, on the first Sunday of May, going to restaurants and bringing our mothers a bunch of flowers, a jewel...every present is fine for them ...apart from our love.But do you want to know something about May in England? May has a gemstone, an emerald, and its flower is the Lilly of the Valley.MORE ▼

Origins of the word:
May is named after the Greek goddess, Maia. The month is the time when flowers emerge and crops begin to sprout. The Anglo-Saxon name for May was Tri-Milchi, in recognition of the fact that with the lush new grass cows could be milked three times a day. It was first called May in about 1430. Before then it was called Maius, Mayes, or Mai. In some parts of Britain, May 1st is called Garland Day.
May Day Superstition:
First thing in the morning on May 1st, young girls used to rush out into the garden to wash their faces in the May dew.Why? There is an old tale that says that May dew has magic properties and that anyone who has washed their face in it will have a beautiful complexion all through the year. This dew was supposed to be able to remove freckles and also spots and pimples.
Oak Apple Day:
This is the day that traditionally people wear oak apples or oak leaves pinned to them to remember that on May 29th King Charles ll returned triumphantly to London after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
The reason for the wearing of oak apples or oak leaves was to celebrate the King's narrow escape from capture by Cromwell's soldiers by hiding in an oak tree.
Other Superstitions for May:
The month of may was considered an unlucky month particularly for getting married.
'Marry in May and you'll rue the day'
Cats born this month will not be good rodent catchers and even worse, will bring snakes into the home. And about Anniversaries? Labour day is celebrated on the first day of May and this is an event that takes place in many countries.The penny black stamp (the world´s first postage stamp)became valid for use in the UK. Florence Nightingale, a famous nurse, was born and King Arthur died in this month in the year of 542. Well, now you know a little more about May.

Mayo

ya llegó y aunque nosotros celebramos el día de la madre en el primer domingo (aparte del Día del trabajo o Labour Day que se celebra internacionalmente)hay curiosidades que deberías saber sobre este mes: en primer lugar su nombre viene de una diosa griega; los anglosajones lo llamaron Tri-Milchi porque pensaban que con los verdes pastos podrían ordeñar a sus vacas tres veces al día, pero en realidad se llamó May hacia 1430. Existen curiosidades como que las jóvenes se lavaban la cara con el rocío de la mañana para tener una tez bonita, que es un mal mes para casarse, que los gatos nacidos en mayo no atraparán roedores o también que existe el día del "roble" para conmemorar la vuelta a Londres de Carlos II para restaurar la monarquía en 1660. Y respecto a sucesos que ocurrieron durante este mes destacamos la celebración del Día del Trabajo, el nacimiento de Florence Nightingale o la muerte del rey Arturo.

Welcome April ...Bienvenido Abril.

Perhaps you don`t know that April gemstone is the diamond and its flower is the Sweet Pea. Its name may have come from the Latin word 'aperire' which means 'to open'.
Eastremonath was the Anglo-Saxon name for the month. Various April dates are called 'Cuckoo Day ' and some places hold 'Cuckoo Fairs' to celebrate the arrival of spring, when we begin to see this kind of birds; the swallow makes its reappearance during April too.
Traditions and Festivals: Easter usually comes in the month of April. April Fool's Day begins on the first of April and it´s a day of fun and jokes kept for hundred of years. The 1st Sunday in April is called Daffodil Sunday: In Victorian times families picked daffodils from their gardens and took them to local hospitals to give to the sick. 19 April was celebrated as Primrose Day in memory of British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who died on this day in 1881. The 23rd April is St. George’s Day . St. George is the Patron Saint of England, also of Scouting and it´s England National Day MORE ▼

St George was a brave Roman soldier who protested against the Romans' torture of Christians . His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle. St George is patron saint not only of England but also of Aragon, Catalonia,Cáceres...
Anniversaries:
During the month of April some events took place through different years: Shakespeare was born in this month as well as Charlie Chaplin, Queen Elizabeth II or Samuel Morse (have you ever heard Morse Code?). In 1606 Union Flag became the official flag of the United Kingdom, in 1912 R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg and sank, in 1969 Concorde's maiden flight and finally in 1973 VAT (Value Added Tax) was introduced in Britain.

Abril está representado por el diamante como piedra preciosa y la flor del guisante. Su origen es romano pues viene del verbo "abrir" y en efecto se abría una nueva estación, la primavera. Los ingleses también conocen a esta época como "Easter"-Pascua- muy parecida a su nombre anglosajón. Durante este período empezamos a ver golondrinas y a oir el canto del cuco, típico de la primavera. Las fiestas más conocidas son el día de los inocentes (April Fool´s Day) o el día de San Jorge, patrón de Inglaterra y fiesta nacional. Respecto a aniversarios que tengan lugar en abril encontramos el nacimiento y muerte de Shakespeare,- el escritor inglés más conocido -, el nacimiento de Isabel II que reina actualmente en Inglaterra o el hundimiento del Titanic tras chocar con un iceberg.

March....Marzo!

The word 'March' comes from the Roman 'Martius'. This was

originally the first month of the Roman calendar and was named after Mars, the god of war.The Anglo-Saxons called the month "Hlyd monath" which means Stormy month. One of the flowers most associated with March is the narcissus -Wild daffodil-, named after the boy in Greek mythology, who was changed into a flower. Narcissus is also known as Lent Lily because it blooms in early spring and the blooms usually dropping before Easter. It is the main daffodil species of Britain.MORE ▼

Festivals and Traditions: During this month are celebrated St David's Day - Patron Saint of Wales-, Mothers Day (3 weeks before Easter), St Patrick's Day - Patron Saint of Ireland-, Lady Day, Palm Day (this special day marks the beginning of Holy Week when we remember Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem and the waving of palm branches)and Oranges and Lemons.
Anniversaries:
English football league formed in 1888. In 1891 goal nets were used for the first time in English football.These days there are too the anniversary of the first daily weather forecast, the opening of Heathrow Airport...
Find more information clicking on the pictures.
LADY DAY

El mes de marzo debe su nombre al dios romano de la guerra Marte; los anglosajones lo lllamaron el mes de las tormentas. Su flor característica es el narciso. Los días más celebrados en este mes son el de San Patricio, San David, el día de la madre, el domingo de Ramos...Hay otras celebraciones que quizás no conozcas como Lady Day o Oranges and Lemons. Si quieres saber algo más sobre ellas pincha en las imágenes-enlace. Entre los aniversarios destacamos la formación de la liga nacional inglesa de fútbol, la inauguración del aeropuerto de Heathrow...

Saint Valentine's Day...Día de San Valentín.

There are two important events in February: Carnivals and Saint Valentine's Day; but now, let´s have a look at Saint Valentine`s Day.

Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno,

the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, on the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaignsMORE ▼

and he was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues: therefore Claudius cancelled all marriages, but the good Valentine, a priest at Rome, secretly married couples, and for this reason he was condemned to be beaten to death. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". He died on February 14, 269 A.D. In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated by the middle of the eighteenth century, and it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology.
ACTIVITIES FOR SAINT VALENTINE: Write your love letter visiting these sites:
love letters: SELF-MADE----Love letter 1---Love letter 2---Love letter 3
----Love letter 4

En la antigua Roma el 14 de febrero se celebraba una fiesta en honor a Juno, diosa del matrimonio. Esa noche los nombres de las jóvenes se escribían en trozos de papel, se ponían en tinajas y al día siguiente, en las fiestas de Lupercalia, los jóvenes recogían un papel con el nombre de una de las jóvenes con las que pasarían las fiestas. Si la relación salía bien, más tarde la pareja podría casarse. En tiempos del emperador Claudio II Roma estaba sumida en numerosas batallas y no era fácil que los jóvenes se alistaran en el ejército, de modo que el emperador suprimió las bodas. El sacerdote Valentín casaba a las parejas en secreto y por ello fue condenado al martirio. Dice la leyenda que se despidió de la hija del carcelero con una nota en la que firmaba "de tu Valentín"; murió el 14 de febrero. En Inglaterra el día de San Valentín se hizo popular a mediados del siglo XVIII, y jóvenes de todas las clases sociales se intercambiaban notas escritas demostrando su amor de una manera anónima.

VICTORIAN LOVE CARDS:

February :curiosities.....Curiosidades de Febrero

Facts about February: its gemstone is the Amethyst and

its flower the Primrose. Did you know that the Romans and the Celts regarded February as the start of spring? The word comes from 'februa'-which means purification, and reflects the rituals undertaken before Spring. The Anglo Saxons called February 'Sol-monath' or cake-month because cakes were offered to the gods during that month.

• Customs and Traditions:

MORE ▼

2nd February is Candlemas Day (the Christian festival of lights): This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. This feast is called Candlemas because that was the day on which the year's supply of candles for the church were blessed.
St Valentine's Day was originally thought to be the day on which birds chose their mates. Other traditions are Ash Wednesday or Kissing Friday when English schoolboys were once entitled to kiss girls in without fear of punishment or rejection, a custom that lasted until at least the 1940s.

• Anniversaries: During this month in different years, for example Robert Peel formed the first police force in London, hence nickname 'Bobbies'; Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne on 6th in 1952; Charles Dickens was born, Sir Francis Drake became the first known Englishman to sail the pacific in 1578 or the cinema came to Britain when a programme of films was shown for the first time to a paying audience in 1896.

The Legend of the Snowdrop

The flower called snowdrop appears in February and is a symbol of hope. According to legend, the snowdrop became the symbol of hope when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. When Eve was about to give up hope that the cold winters would never end, an angel appeared. She transformed some of the snowflakes into snowdrop flowers, proving that the winters do eventually give way to the spring.

La gema del mes de Febrero es la amatista y su flor la primavera. Para los romanos y celtas este mes marcaba la mitad del invierno; para los anglosajones era el mes de los pasteles porque se les ofrecían a los dioses. Los días más importantes de este mes son el día de las velas, el de San Valentín, miércoles de ceniza o el viernes de los besos, una costumbre que ha permanecido hasta los años cuarenta en la que los niños podían besar a las niñas sin temor de ser castigados o rechazados. Entre los aniversarios caben destacar la subida al trono de Isabel II, el nacimiento de Dickens o el primer pase de películas con audiencia de pago. No te pierdas la leyenda de Snowdrop ( o campanilla blanca): es fácil de entender en inglés.

J. D. Salinger has died...Murió Salinger(1919-2010)

It´s possible that you haven´t heard about Salinger before,

but in the world of English literature he was a successful writer mainly known by The Catcher in the Rye, a novel about teenagers which has been both the most frequently censored book across the American nation and the second-most frequently taught novel in public high schools.If you are interested in studying English Philology or just in reading, you shouldn´t miss this book, an indispensable manual for seventeen-year-old teenagers. For more information about Salinger visit these websites: Wikipedia, Listening (in Spanish), USA Today News and The Mirror.uk

Quizás nunca hayas oído hablar de Salinger, pero todos los que hemos estudiado Filología Inglesa lo hemos estudiado y por supuesto hemos leído su novela más famosa, El guardián entre el centeno,manual donde los haya para los diecisieteañeros. Si estás interesado en la literatura deberías leerlo no sin antes saber que El guardián entre el centeno es el libro más leído por los adolescentes americanos seguido de De ratones y hombres de Steinbeck.

January came....Llegó Enero!

January means the beginning of the new year and the time to make New Year resolutions such as giving up smoking or

practising sports.Its gemstone is the Garnet and its flower the Carnation.
January was established as the first month of the year by the Roman Calendar, and it was named after the god Janus who has two faces which allow him to look backwards into the old year and forwards into the new one at the same time.The Anglo-Saxons called it Wolf monath because wolves came into the villages in winter looking for food.MORE ▼

Customs and Traditions:
New Year's Day is the first day of the year and it is also a holiday.People welcome in the New Year on the night before, New Year's Eve. All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock - Big Ben - strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called Auld Lang Syne. It reminds them of old and new friends.The Door Custom:In the old days, the New Year started with a custom called 'first footing', which was suppose to bring good luck to people for the coming year. As soon as midnight had passed and January 1st had started, people used to wait behind their doors for a dark haired person to arrive. The visitor carried a piece of coal (to make sure that the house would always be warm),some bread (to make sure everyone in the house would have enough food to eat),some money (so that they would have enough money)and some greenery to make sure that they had a long life. The visitor would then take a pan of dust or ashes out of the house with him, thus signifying the departure of the old year. St Hilary's feast day on 13th January has gained the reputation of being the coldest day of the year due to past cold events starting on or around this date.
Festivals:
On the twelfth day after Christmas, Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi or wise men to the baby Jesus (Epiphany or Twelfth Day, also known as Old Christmas Day and Twelfthtide)Plough Monday: the day on which labourers had to return to the fields.
Anniversaries:For example, the BBC began broadcasting its first programmes in 1927 and made its first world broadcast in 1930;Traffic policemen were introduced in Great Britain in 1931. The London Underground began operating in 1863;in 1807 London's Pall Mall became the first street in the world to be lit by gas lights; the Victoria Cross originated in 1856 and the medals were made from the metals of guns captured in the Crimea.

Enero es el primer mes del año y los anglosajones lo llamaron el mes de los lobos porque éstos se acercaban a los poblados en busca de comida. Su piedra preciosa es el granate y su flor el clavel. Este primer dia del año es festivo también para los ingleses que celebran su entrada la víspera al son de las campanadas del Big Ben; antiguamente se celebraba algo así como la fiesta de la puerta en la que se esperaba a un caballero moreno que les llevaba una serie de regalos para que les diesen suerte durante el año. para los ingleses el trece de enero suele ser el día más frio y se celebra la fiesta de St. Hilary, aunque este año aquí no podemos quejarnos del invierno nevado que estamos "padeciendo" como bienvenida.Días importantes son la Epifanía (nuestra fiesta de Reyes)o el día del arado en el que los labradores vuelven al trabajo. Entre los aniversarios caben destacar la emisión de programas de la BBC, la apertura del metro o la incorporación de la policía de tráfico en la vida inglesa.

December Facts....Diciembre.

December gemstone is the turquoise and the flower is the Narcissus, although the typical plant for this
 month is the Poinsettia. December gets its name from the roman word 'decem', which means ten. The Anglo-Saxons called it 'Winter monath' but after becoming Christians they called it holy month because Christmas, the birth of Jesus, is celebrated in December. At the beginning of December, the season of Advent starts.The word advent means 'coming', and as its name suggests it is a time of preparation for the coming feast of Christmas. Festivities: 6th December is the feast day of St Nicholas, the patron saint of children. St Nicholas evolved into Santa Claus in the USA and into Father Christmas in the UK. Holy Innocents Day falls on 28 December. It commemorates King Herod's massacre of all male infants in and around Bethlehem under the age of two in attempt to kill the young Christ. In the days when Christmas
was less child-centred, this day was a time for indulging children with treats and parties. Unlucky: On a more sombre note, 28 December is widely regarded as the unluckiest day of the year, so don't do anything and certainly don't start anything on this day! 31st December is the last day of the year. It is New Year's Eve. All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock - Big Ben - strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called 'Auld Lang Syne'. It reminds them of old and new friends.
Anniversaries: In December many events happened like the opening of the English Channel tunnel in 1990, the opening of the first Britain´s motorway in 1958, Sir Isaac Newton was born or the first powered flight by Orville in 1903.

La piedra preciosa de Diciembre es la turquesa y su flor el narciso, aunque es más típica de estas fechas la Poinsettia o flor de Pascua.Diciembre toma su nombre del calendario romano; los anglosajones lo llamaron el mes del invierno pero cuando muchos de ellos se convirtieron al catolicismo lo llamaron Christmas por celebrarse el nacimiento de Jesús. Las celebraciones más conocidas son el dia de San Nicolás, patrón de los niños, que se convertiría en Santa Claus en América o en Papá Noel en Inglaterra.También se celebran el día de los Inocentes o Año Nuevo. Entre los aniversarios destacan el nacimiento de Newton, la apertura del canal que une Inglaterra con Francia, la inauguración de la primera autopista inglesa o el primer vuelo a motor de Orville.

Welcome November...Noviembre.

Facts about November:
Its gemstone is the topaz and its flower the chrysanthemum. The name
comes from the Roman word 'novem' meaning nine, because it was the ninth month in their Roman calendar. Few people find November pleasant. The Anglo-Saxons called November
'Wind monath', because it was the time when the cold winds began to blow.
Traditions and Celebrations: On All Souls' Day the Roman Catholic Church remembers all those who have died - not just the great and the good, but ordinary man-in-the-street. Families visit graves with bunches of flowers and in church the names of the dead may be read out on request. In some parts of the country, All Souls' Day ends with a play or some songs. Bonfire Night is the most widespread and flourishing of all British customs. The day was declared a holiday by decree of Parliament after Parliament was saved from being blown up by Guy Fawkes in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Until 1859, all parish churches were required to hold services this day. Unlike today, celebrations were heard throughout the day, with bells ringing, cannons firing and beer flowing.The story is remembered each 5th November when 'Guys' are burned in a celebration known as "Bonfire Night"... and in the United States Thanksgiving is celebrated.
Anniversaries:
In November 1969 the first colour TV advert aired in the UK for Birds Eye. On the 3rd of November 1957 the first living creature was sent into space. It was a Russian dog named Laika and the ship was called Sputnik 2. Laika could not be brought home. November 20th 1992 Windsor Castle is badly damaged by fire.

Noviembre era el noveno mes para los romanos y el desagradable mes del viento para los anglosajones. Entre sus tradiciones caben destacar la Fiesta de todos los Santos celebrada por los católicos que, al igual que aquí, consiste en llevar flores a los cementerios para recordar a los familiares fallecidos. Más británica es la fiesta de Guy Fawkes que conmemora el intento de volar el parlamento en 1605: cada 5 de noviembre se encienden hogueras para celebrar este día. Entre los aniversarios destacan la emisión del primer anuncio de publicidad en color en la televisión inglesa o el envío a la luna de la perrita Laika en el Sputnik 2, que nunca regresó a la tierra, o el incendio del castillo de Windsor.

A look at October...Octubre.

In the old Roman calendars,  October was the

eighth month of the year and got its name from the word 'Octo' meaning eight. The Saxons called it Wyn Monath because it was the season of wine making. Festivals and Traditions: Among them there are some interesting as St Luke's Little Summer, at the centre of a spell of particularly fine weather; English Pudding Season where pudding started or Punky night which falls on the last Thursday in October and is a Somerset tradition: Some time in the Middle Ages, all the men of Hinto St George went off to a fair. When they failed to return that evening, the women went looking for them by the light of punkies. You should know that Punky is another name for a pumpkin which has been hollowed out and has a candle standing inside it. Traditionally on this night, children in the South of England would carve their ‘Punkies’, (pumpkins) into Jack O'Lanterns. Once carved the children would go out in groups and march through the streets, singing traditional ‘punky’ songs, calling in at friendly houses and competing for best lantern with rival groups they meet. The streets would be lit with the light of the Punkies. Nowadays, on Punky Night in Hinton St George, Somerset, local children join a procession through the village streets, swinging their homemade lanterns and going

house to house, singing traditional ‘punky’ songs and sometimes getting a few pennies at the front door. On October 31st, we celebrate Halloween, thought to be the one night of the year when ghosts, witches, and fairies are especially active. Anniversaries: 1st October 1870 the first official issue of the post card was made in Britain by the Post Office together with the introduction of the halfpenny postage stamp. The first Model T Ford was introduced by Henry Ford. American fast-food chain, McDonald's, opens its first British outlet in London. S.O.S. was established as an international distress signal; Orville Wright became the first to fly an aircraft for over 33 minutes;In London, the Savoy Theatre, Britain's first public building to be lit by electricity, opens with a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Patience'; Apollo 7 was launched from Cape Kennedy; Columbus Day is celebrated in the USA; Winnie-the-Pooh was first published and All Hallows Eve is celebrated. And don´t forget that 21st October 1805 The Battle of Trafalgar took place (with the defeat of the Spanish) but Admiral Nelson died that day and a column was erected to his memory in Trafalgar Square.

En el calendario romano Octubre era el octavo mes del año; los sajones lo llamaron el mes del vino porque era cuando empezaba a fabricarse. Dentro de este mes también tienen lugar el llamado "Veranillo de San Martín", la estación del pudding o la noche de Punky, también llamada de la calabaza, que cae en el último jueves de octubre y que es una tradición medieval de Somerset. Entre los aniversarios dentro de este mes destacan la introducción oficial de la postal y su sello de medio penique, la apertura del primer McDonald´s, la noche de los Santos ... que ya conoces, o la conmemoración de la batalla de Trafalgar que supuso la derrota de España.

September comes!...Ya es Septiembre.

September is here and its gemstone is the sapphire and its flower is the aster. The name September comes from the old Roman word 'septem', which means seven, because in the Roman calendar it was the seventh month. The Anglo-Saxons called it Gerst monath (Barley month), because it was their time when they harvested barley to be made into their favourite drink - barley brew. They also called it Haefest monath, or Harvest month. The Romans believed that the month of September was looked after by the god, Vulcan. As the god of the fire and forge they therefore expected September to be associated with fires, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. September is the start of the school year. Students return to school after the six week summer holiday. Festivals and Traditions: Traditionally 24th September was the day on which harvesting began in medieval England. Michaelmas Day is the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, celebrated on

29 September. St. Michael is the patron saint of the sea and maritime lands, of ships and boatmen, of horses and horsemen. He was the Angel who hurled Lucifer (the devil) down from Heaven for his treachery.Michaelmas Day is traditionally the last day of the harvest season. A Great custom in England was to dine on goose on Michaelmas. One reason for this was said to be that Queen Elizabeth I was eating goose when news of the defeat of the Armada was brought to her. In celebration she said that henceforth she would always eat goose on Michaelmas Day. Others then followed her lead. Anniversaries: The Great Fire of London raged for four days - destroying more than 13,000 houses and almost 100 churches - including St Paul's Cathedral. A total of 6 people are killed.William the Conqueror died and Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming.

Septiembre ya está aquí y se identifica con el zafiro y las margaritas. En el calendario romano era el séptimo mes pero los anglo-sajones lo llamaron el mes de la cebada porque es cuando ésta se recolectaba. Septiembre se relacionaba con los terremotos, incendios... pues estaba regido por el dios romano Vulcano. Respecto a sus tradiciones, Septiembre era el mes de la recolecciòn, de los mares debido a su patrón, el arcángel San Miguel y es costumbre cenar ganso debido a que la reina Isabel I se encontraba cenando ganso cuando le comunicaron la derrota de la Armada Invencible española. Entre los aniversarios de Septiembre se encuentran el gran incendio de Londres que destruyó la catedral de San Pablo, la muerte de Guillermo el Conquistador o el descubrimiento de la penicilina por Fleming.

August...still enjoy it!... Agosto...¡Disfrútalo!

As in other months, let´s have a look at August: its gemstone is the agate and its flower is the gladiolus.
August is the eighth month of the year and the sixth month of
the Roman calendar. The Romans called the month Sextilis, which means sixth. Eight years before Jesus was born the name of the month was changed to Augustus in honour of the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, because many of the important events in his life happened around that time of year.The Anglo-Saxons called it Weod monath, which means Weed month, because it is the month when weeds and other plants grow most rapidly.
August is the busiest time for tourism, as it falls in the main school holiday of the year, the summer holidays, which lasts for six weeks for state run schools.
1st August is Lammas Day, and was Thanksgiving time (Harvest time) in Britain. The name comes from an Anglo-Saxon word Hlafmaesse which means Loaf Mass. The festival of Lammas marks the beginning of the harvest, when people go to church to give thanks for the first corn to be cut. This celebration predates our Christian harvest festival.The custom ended when Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church.
A number of cultural festivals are held in August:
Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, dating from 1947 is primarily a celebration of the performing arts, with live concerts, plays, ballets, operas and other shows.
Notting Hill Carnival, held on the Summer Bank Holiday, the last Monday in August. It features a colourful procession, elaborate and extravagant costumes, and the music of many steel bands. The carnival originated in the mid 1960s as a way of celebrating and maintaining the cultural traditions of the Caribbean immigrants who live in and around the Notting Hill area.
Anniversaries:
The First World War. August 1914 – 11th November 1918
Great Train Robbery
The Model T Ford, known as the Tin Lizzie and the first mass-produced car, went on sale in 1908.
The first communications Satellite, Echo 1, was launched in 1960 from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Josef Jakob, a German spy during World War II, is the last person to be executed at the Tower of London. (1941)

¿Qué sabes de Agosto? Su piedra preciosa es el ágata y su flor el gladiolo.
Los romanos llamaron a este mes Agosto en honor de Cèsar Augusto. Este mes es por excelencia el de las vacaciones y festivales culturales como el de Edimburgo o el carnaval de Notting Hill se celebran en este mes. Respecto a los aniversarios en Agosto comenzó la Primera Guerra Mundial, Ford sacó al mercado el modelo T o el espía alemán de la segunda Guerra Mundial, Jakof , fue la última persona ejecutada en la torre de Londres...Y no quiero ser gafe, pero recuerda que el tiempo pasa y los exámenes de Septiembre se acercan: estudia un poco todos los días.