TODAY - November 30

 

NIELS’ MORNING GREETINGS

ON: NOVEMBER 30

New edition

TODAY’s LENGTH:

This day is here in Belgium 8 hours and 9 minutes shorter than June 21. Its length is 8 hours and 20 minutes – from 08.22 to 16.42.

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

TODAY’s NAME:

Today’s name is ANDREW’s DAY. He was one of the apostles of Jesus and also brother to the apostle Peter. He went to Greece as a missionary. Here he was later crucified by the authorities because of his faith. His execution happened on an X – formed cross. This has later been named an Andrew’s Cross.

Today has traditionally been used for old weather warnings. In the Nordic countries people said in the old days that “ if is cold on Andrew’s day it will be a mild winter, but a cold spring “

The day’s name in Belgium is the same:   SAINT ANDRÉ.

 

TODAY’s EVENT:

1840: The remains of Napolean Bonaparte were moved from St. Helena to Paris. They are now in the Eglise des Invalides.

 

TODAY’s QUESTION:

The French Foreign Legion – what is it, and what is its background ?

This is part of the French army. It consists of enlisted soldiers, especially non-French citizens. It was created in 1831 in Algeria. It played a major role in World War I.  Its main base today is on the island of Corsica. It is often used overseas such as in Africa.

You recognize soldiers in the Foreign Legion by their white Kepi  (their headgear) and by their slow rhythm, when they march.

When you enlist in the Foreign Legion you get a contract for a number of years, normally 5 years at a time. In the contract period you cannot leave the Legion. And often you get a new name and a new identity. Both practices have been criticized.

 

It is the only part of the French armed forces, which does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself. And if a member of the Foreign Legion is wounded in battle, he automatically gets French citizenship.

The Foreign Legion holds today about 8.000 men – coming from about 140 countries.

 

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:

December – where does that name come from?  And what is linked to that month?

 

47 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EUROPE:

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

 

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :

1.  Yesterday’s quote:

We will end up as a bunch of folk dancers, porters and hoars, if we do not do something about it.

            This was once said by the Danish film maker Erik Balling.

2.  Today’s quote:

Books – the children of the brain.

Who has said that?

3.  Famous people born on this day:

1667:  Jonathan Swift  ( died 1745 )

1817:  Theodor Mommsen  ( died 1903 )

1835:  Mark Twain  ( died 1910 )

1874:  Winston Churchill  ( died 1965 )

1960:  Gary Lineker


4.  Famous people died on this day:

1879:  Auguste Bournonville  ( 74 years )

1900:  Oscar Wilde  ( 46 years )

1957:  Beniamino Gigli  ( 67 years )

 

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

niels4europe@gmail.com  

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

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