TODAY - November 23

 

NIELS’ MORNING GREETINGS

ON: NOVEMBER 23

New edition

TODAY’s LENGTH:

This day is here in Belgium 7 hours and 53 minutes shorter than June 21. Its length is 8 hours and 36 minutes – from 08.11 to 16.47.

See more – also in English – about where you are on:  www.dagenslaengde.dk

TODAY’s NAME:

This day is called CLEMENS’ DAY.  It has its name from pope Clemens, who was the third pope after Peter. He was punished because of his faith and was sent to the island of Crimea for hard word. As this did not change his mind he was tied to a heavy anchor and thrown into the sea. He died in the year 107.

Clemens is the patron of the stone and marble workers. And together with Nicolai he is also the protector of all seamen.

Weather warning:  Mild weather on this day means that the winter will be mild.

Earlier many people saw this day as the first day of winter.

The day’s name in Belgium is SAINT TROND ( TRUIDEN in Flemish ). He was a Belgian priest, who founded the monastery in SAINT TROND in Flanders in Belgium in 655.  He died in 693.

 

TODAY’s EVENT:

1890:  The Grand-duchy of Luxembourg was made independent from the Netherlands.

 

TODAY’s QUESTION:

Cimbrians – who were they?

“Kimbrer” is what I am. Or “Cimbrian” in English.What is that? Where did they come from? And where are they/we now? Listen:

A “Cymbrian” belongs to a very brave and energetic tribe in the north of Denmark. From the part of Jutland called Himmerland – or rather “Kimbrerland”.Our first appearance are traced back to several centuries before year 0. While the Romans grew stronger in the south of Europe we Cimbrians grew bigger and stronger up north. Our symbol was – and is – a BULL. A strong one!

One sunny day – about 105 B.C. – our chief Cimbrian declared: “Let’s conquer Rome!!” Off we went – thousands of us. Heading south. With men, warriors, women, children, animals, equipment – and a strong will. A colourful crowd, which got bigger and stronger and more determined as we approached the Romans. One Roman Legion after the other was beaten up and destroyed. In the Gallic area (now France), in the south of Germany and Austria. The Roman Empire was in panic! Also when they saw our Cimbrian warriors use their shields as huge sledges down the Alps! When the Cymbrian approached Rome from the north the last Roman legion under the command of Marius did nothing. It let the thousands and thousands of Cimbrians pass. And the Romans were especially uneasy, when the Cimbrian worriors shouted at the passive Roman soldiers: “We will say hello to your wives in Rome, when we get there”!

But victories without defeats: all of a sudden the mean Romans attack from the back – where all the women and the children were. Thousands were tortured and killed. The Cimbrians were in total panic, and on that day – 101 B.C. – the Cimbrians were totally defeated. Rome was saved.

Only a few thousand Cimbrians managed to escape. Up north into the Dolomites! And they are still there – or rather their descendants! About 70.000 of them – with fair hair, blue eyes and a language which certainly has direct links back to the language of the Cimbrians at the time. The place – about 50 km north of Verona – is called Ljetzan (or Giazza in Italian).I visited Ljetzan in April 2004. A beautiful place in a beautiful nature. And with a very nice CimbriMuseum – telling this story.

Have a look at this site:www.rcvr.org/cittaepr/cimbri/welcome

Living history. Visit Himmerland (see:www.europe-today.com/denmark/himmerl.html ) -andLjetzan!

PS: A thousand years later many of the strongest VIKINGS sailed from Himmerland to conquer England and Normady.The descendants of the Cimbrians!

 

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:

Cobbler – stick to your last.

Where does that expression come from? And what does it mean?

47 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EUROPE:

EUROPE AT WORK     www.europe-at-work.be

 

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :

1.  Yesterday’s quote:

Who can govern a country with 400 different cheeses?

            This is a famous quote from the French president Charles de Gaulle.

2.  Today’s quote:

I was a father in the same way as I played the harp: I played by ear!

Who among this day’s persons has said that?

3.  Famous people born on this day:

1859:  Billy the Kid  ( died 1881 )

1860:  Hjalmar Branting  ( died 1925 )

1888:  Harpo Marx  ( died 1964 )

 

4.  Famous people died on this day:

1763:  Abbé Prevost  ( 68 years )

1976:  André Malraux  ( 75 years )

1991:  Klaus Kinski  ( 66 years )

 

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

niels4europe@gmail.com  

www.simplesite.com/kimbrer   +  EUROPE-AT-WORK  www.europe-at-work.be