TODAY - January 3

 

NIELS’ MORNING GREETINGS

ON: JANUARY 3

New 2021 edition

TODAY’s LENGTH:

This day is here in Belgium 8 minutes longer than December 21. Its length is 8 hours and 6 minutes – from 08.44 to 16.50.

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

TODAY’s NAME:

Today’s name is ENOCH’s DAY. He was one of the 7 ancient fathers originating from Adam. Each of them died according to The Old Testament only when they were 365 years old.  Enoch was the son of Kain.  His name is now and then also spelled Henoch.

The day’s name in Belgium is SAINTE GENEVIÈVE. She lived in the years 419-512 and is the patron for Paris.  When the Huns threatened to invade Paris in 451 she convinced the inhabitants to stay.  And the Huns did not attack.

 

TODAY’s EVENT:

1918:  Finland becomes independent from Russia.

TODAY’s QUESTION:

Flying Dutchman   -  what is that? And what is the history behind it?

The origin of this expression is a legend from the 16th century. It tells about a Dutch merchant ship, which constantly sails over the oceans and never goes into any port. It is in particular seen in the seas around Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.  Seeing this ship gives other ships a warning that an accident is coming up.   The legend also tells that the ship is there as God’s punishment of the Dutch captain Vanderdecken for blasphemy.

The topic has often been treated in literature and other forms of art, including in Richard Wagner’s opera The Flying Dutchman.

Today we would rather talk about a so-called ghost ship. This is a ship which is sailing without any crew. Such ships exist. It is, though, not dangerous just to see them. It only becomes a real problem, if you run into them. And fortunately this happens very rarely.

 

QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:

To go to Canossa – 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:

You want to hear the most important commandment in the catechism of a politician?  It is:  Risk your skin!

This was once said by the Danish social-democratic minister Julius Bomholt.

2.  Today’s quote:

Nothing is more unbearable than a foll, who succeeds in being successful.

Who has said that?

3.  Famous people born on this day:

106 BC: Markus Tullius Cicero  ( died 43 BC )

1883:  Clement Attlee  ( died 1967 )

1892:  John Ronald Tolkien  ( died 1973 )

1909:  Victor Borge  ( died 2000 )  - see photo

           ( the world famous Danish-American entertainer )

1956:  Mel Gibson

1969:  Michael Schumacher

 

4.  Famous people died on this day:

1875:  Pierre Larousse  ( 58 years )

1923:  Jaroslav Hasek  ( 40 years )

 

Niels Jørgen Thøgersen

niels4europe@gmail.com  

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




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