Showing posts with label celebration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebration. Show all posts

Friday, April 23, 2010

St George for England!!!!!

St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.

Who was St George?

St. George is the patron saint of England. 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.    image

Like England, every country within the United Kingdom has its own patron saint who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. For instant, Wales has St David, St Patrick for Northern Ireland and St Andrew for Scotland.

Who was the real St George and what did he do to become England's patron saint?

St. George was born in Turkey sometime in the third century. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and became renowned for his bravery and feats of arms. The most famous story of St. George is that he slew a Dragon somewhere in Libya. On one of his missions, St. George was sent to England. While in England he heard about the horrible persecutions of Christians in Rome. Returning to Rome, George pleaded for mercy for the Christians, but in the end was himself beheaded when he refused to renounce his faith. In 1222 AD, the Council of Oxford declared St. George as the Patron Saint of England (replacing Edward the Confessor).

St George is always depicted as a knight carrying a shield with a red cross (or a banner with a red cross), generally sitting upon a horse and always killing a dragon.  image

How does England celebrate St George's Day?

By tradition, 23 April is the day for a red rose in the button hole, the national flower. However, unlike other countries, England does not celebrate it like Americans celebrate 4 July with fireworks. In fact, you are more likely to see big St Patrick parades in England celebrating Ireland's National Day, more than you would see any sign of St Georges Day being celebrated.

For most people in England St George's Day is just another ordinary working day.

Factoid!

Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 and he died on the same day in 1616.

Whilst not all of the following, strictly speaking, have much to do with St George and the Dragon you will have to admit they do have something to do with dragons!

image Pink Dragon Silk Scarf by AltheaP

image New Dragon’s Blood Soap by AJs Country Cottage

image

Sewing Pattern – Little Fairytale Dragon by Fantasy Creations

imageVintage St George and the Dragon by Nonnie’s Treasures

imageRed Vintage Dragon by  ByTheWayside

Like what you see?  Why not ‘pop’ over to see other fantastic items from the BBEST Team on Etsy!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Summer Celebrations

July is almost here and Americans will soon be celebrating their most popular summer holiday, the Fourth of July, or Independence Day. Fondly referred to as the birthday of the United States, the Fourth of July commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration declared freedom from British rule for the 13 American colonies. The Declaration was not completely signed until August, 1776, but July 4th was adopted as the official anniversary date of American independence, with the first celebration taking place on July 4, 1777. Since the early 1800s, Americans have enjoyed their favorite holiday traditions of fireworks, parades and picnics on Independence Day. All over the United States, the red, white and blue of the American flag, and stars and stripes can be seen decorating everything from plates, tablecloths, banners, and balloons, to clothing, and jewelry.





from Sixsisters













Patriotic Flower Focal
from Zuda Gay















Red, White and Blue Heart Pin in Polymer Clay
from Artsy Clay












American Flag Patriotic Half Circle Window Cling Suncatcher
from Clinging Images







Fourth of July Stemless Wine Glasses
from Glitz N Glass











Stars in the Sky ACEO/Sun Catcher
from Designs by Christine








But did you know that July was chock full of other, lesser-known, and somewhat unusual holidays? According to Holiday Insights, almost every day of the month offers something to celebrate. It seems July is sometimes known as National Blueberry Month, National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, and National Anti-Boredom Month!

Many of the holidays are related to food:

July 1 - Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day
July 6 - National Fried Chicken Day
July 7 - National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 7 - Chocolate Day
July 9 - National Sugar Cookie Day
July 12 - Pecan Pie Day
July 15 - Tapioca Pudding Day
July 17 - Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18 - National Caviar Day
July 19 - National Ice Cream Day
July 19 - National Raspberry Cake Day
July 21 - National Junk Food Day
July 23 - National Hot Dog Day
July 23 - Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 28 - National Milk Chocolate Day
July 29 - National Lasagna Day
July 30 - National Cheesecake Day


Though these "holidays" may not be entirely official or universally confirmed (most have cloudy origins), it is still fun to think about ways to spark up the dog days of summer with entertaining, celebratory activities. So break out of National Anti-boredom Month by doing something special for...

July 10, Teddy Bear Picnic Day






Hand Needle Felted Brownie Bear
from Felt 4 Ewe







July 15, Cow Appreciation Day








Happy Holstein
from Luke18










July 20, Moon Day






African Moon Necklace
from Rosegardenfae









July 2, World UFO Day








Whoa...Spaceships, Quilted Fabric Postcard
from Attack of the Vintage










July 25, Threading the Needle Day









Dragonfly Summer Felted Needle Book
from JN Originals








July 11, Cheer Up the Lonely Day







Summer Original Mixed Media Painting of Sunflower
from Yankeegirl's Watercolors










No matter how you decide to spice up the summer, BBEST wishes you lots of fun and memorable times spent with friends and family!