Category Archives: Events and Occasions
The Origins of April Fools’ Day
Practical jokes and hoaxes abound on 1 April as pranksters around the world celebrate April Fools’ Day. But why is this date associated with all things mischievous and how did it come about?
The Anniversary of England’s First Parliament
On 20 January 1265, England’s parliament met for the first time. Although this event occurred over 750 years ago, it is viewed as an important milestone in the country’s history. In fact, many historians regard this initial assembly as a key factor in shaping England’s political landscape.
Christmas Traditions – From Deep-fried Caterpillars to Trees Decorated With Spiders’ Web
Christmas is a season of celebration and fun that is observed in many ways around the world. From hanging spiderweb decorations to eating deep-fried caterpillars, this whistlestop tour around the globe explores some of these seasonal traditions.
Why do we celebrate Halloween?
Halloween is a fun time of year for many families, with activities such as dressing up in spooky costumes, decorating our homes and carving pumpkins. But why do we celebrate it on 31 October? And what are the origins of some of the Halloween traditions? Read on to find out!
Commemorating the First Wimbledon Tennis Championship
With Wimbledon starting on Monday 3 July we take a look back 146 years to the first Grand Slam tournament which took place on 9 July 1877. Since then, Wimbledon has grown from a somewhat modest sporting event into the longest-running and perhaps best known tennis tournament in the world.
Why do We Celebrate Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in many countries around the world including the UK. This year (2023) it will be celebrated on Sunday, 18 June. Father’s Day is a relatively modern occurrence, as it was only formalised as a national holiday in the US in 1972. However, we can in fact trace its origins back much further to the Middle Ages. Let’s take a look at why and when Father’s Day is celebrated around the world.
