TODAY - January 28

 

NIELS’ MORNING GREETINGS

ON: JANUARY 28

New 2021 edition

TODAY’s PERSON:

This day is devoted to the Frankish-European emperor CHARLEMAGNE.  He was born in 748 and died on this day in Aachen in 814.   He managed to rule over most of Europe – as the first since the Roman times.  He is by many considered to be the father of modern Europe.  See more below under TODAY’s NAME.   And see his photo below.

TODAY’s LENGTH:

We have reached January 28, and the day is here in Belgium 1 hour and 5 minutes longer than December 21.  Its length is 9 hours and 3 minutes – from 08.24 to 17.27.

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

TODAY’s NAME:

This day is called CHARLEMAGNE’s DAY.  It has its name from the German-Roman emperor Charles the Great / Charlemagne, who died on this day in the year 814 AC in Aachen. This was his city of residence.

He was the ruler over the Germanic and the Frankian empire. In a way he managed to unite Europe after the total collapse of the Roman empire as is therefore often considered to the father of Europe.  He has given his name to the so-called Charlemagne Prize  ( Karls Preis ), which each year is given in Aachen to a prominent European.

The Charlemagne Prize was in 2014 given to Mr. Herman van Rompuy, president of the European Council. In 2012 it was given to the German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble. In 1966 the then Danish prime minister Jens Otto Krag receive the prize. Bill Clinton has also received it.  See more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne_Prize    In 2020-21 the Prize is given to the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.

A special Youth Charlemagne Prize has also been started. It is given to a young person between 16 and 30 years, who has done something special for the understanding and cooperation between Europeans.

Charlemagne became a saint in 1165.

In Belgium the day is called THOMAS OF AQUINO’s DAY – after the Italian philosopher, theologist and lawyer Thomas of Aquino  ( 1225-74 ). He is known as the founder of scholasticism and has had enormous influence.

 

TODAY’s EVENT:

1985:  The song “We are the World” was recorded by 45 well-known American singers as support to Africa.

TODAY’s QUESTION:

Horsetrading – what is the background of that expression? And what does it mean?

The original word horse-trading came from the big horse markets in the Middle ages.

In other countries the same expression is referring to cows (Germany) or bullocks (Denmark). Why? Because there were bigger markets in those countries for cows and bullocks than for horses.   In all these markets the trading often took the form of farmers (or more often professional animal traders) discussed – often in a very lively way – the price and at the end made the deal by slamming their right hands together. This was the deal.

Nowadays the expression horse trading is in particular used about political negotiations. It refers to talks where each part often has to reduce its ideological or other demands in order to get a political deal.  Among voters political horse trading is often seen as negative. But in reality it is a necessary and important part of politics in order to get results at the end.

 

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:

Potëmkin wings – what is that? And what does it mean today?

47 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EUROPE:

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

 

TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :

1.  Yesterday’s quote:

 I do not know any parties any longer. I only know Germans.

             This was said by the German emperor Wilhelm II.

2.  Today’s quote:

        Those people who always let their children do what they want have

             misunderstood the concept of freedom completely. It is simply wrong

             to say to your kids:  You can do what you like.

             Who among today's personalities has said that?

3.  Famous people born on this day:

1768:  King Frederick VI  ( died 1839 )

 

4.  Famous people died on this day:

        814:    Charlemagne  ( 72 years ) – see above and below.

             1754:  Ludvig Holberg  ( 69 years)

             2002:  Astrid Lindgren  ( 94 years )

 

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

niels4europe@gmail.com  

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



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