Here’s a nice video for you about the history of fireworks. After you watch it a couple times, take the quiz to test your understanding!
Tag: holidays
Today Is Juneteenth!
Today is a special holiday in the United States. Read the article below and watch the video above to learn more about Juneteenth and then when you’re ready take the quiz to test your understanding! (Remember when watching videos you can slow it down by going to the Settings and changing the Playback Speed!)
From CNBC.com:
Juneteenth is a 155-year-old holiday celebrating the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery in the U.S. It is celebrated on June 19 (the name is a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth”) because on that date in 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army landed in Galveston, Texas and informed slaves that the Civil War had ended and slavery had been abolished.
Click here to take the quiz!
Today is Memorial Day
Many veterans are buried abroad, near where they died during battle. Pictured is an American cemetery in Impruneta, Italy. – Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis
Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2020 occurs on Monday, May 25.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
from History.com
Click here to read more!
Year of the Rat!
m01229 from USA [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
From chinesenewyear.net:
The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.
The Rat is also associated with the Earthly Branch (地支—dì zhī) Zi (子) and the midnight hours. In the terms of yin and yang (阴阳—yīn yáng), the Rat is yang and represents the beginning of a new day.
In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.
Optimistic and energetic, people born in the Rat year are likable by all. They are sensitive to other’s emotions but are stubborn with your opinion. Their personality is kind, but due to weak communication skills, their words may seem impolite and rude.
On the financial side, they like saving and can be stingy. However, their love for hoarding will sometimes cause them to waste money on unnecessary things.
To learn more about the Year of the Rat, click here.
