St. George

When is St. George's Day?

St George's Day is celebrated in England on 23 April, in honour of St George, the patron saint of England.

What does the flag of St George look like?

This is the flag of St George is also the flag of England.

Who was St George?

A story of the 6th century tells that St George rescued a maiden by killing a fearsome fire-breathing dragon. St George was a brave Roman soldier who protested against the Romans' torture of Christians and died for his beliefs.Saint George is popularly identified with England ideals of honour, bravery and gallantry. The popularity of St George in England stems from the time of the early Crusades when it is said that the Normans saw him in a vision and were victorious. The Saint's name was shouted as a battle cry by English knights who fought beneath the red-cross banner of St George during the Hundred Years War (1338-1453).

St. George was born in Cappadocia (now Eastern Turkey) in the year A.D. 270. He was a Christian. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and soon became renowned for his bravery. He served under a pagan Emperor but never forgot his Christian faith.
When the pagan Emperor Diocletian started persecuting Christians, St. George pleaded with the Emperor to spare their lives. However, St. George's pleas fell on deaf ears and it is thought that the Emperor Diocletian tried to make St. George deny his faith in Christ, by torturing him. St George showed incredible courage and faith and was finally beheaded near Lydda in Palestine on 23 April, 303.
In 1222, the Council of Oxford declared April 23 to be St George’s Day.

St George is patron saint not only of England but also of Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of  Ferrara, Genova and Moscow.
St George is also patron saint of scouts, soldiers, archers, cavalry and farmers.

What is the national emblem of England?

The national emblem and national flower of England is a red rose.

The flower has been adopted as England’s emblem since the time of the Wars of the Roses - civil wars (1455-1485) between the royal house of Lancaster (whose emblem was a red rose) and the royal house of York (whose emblem was a white rose).

Saint Patrick's Day Symbols

	The Shamrock One traditional symbol of Saint Patrick's Day is the Shamrock. "Shamrock" is the common name for several different kinds of three-leafed clovers native to Ireland. The shamrock was chosen Ireland's national emblem because of the legend that St. Patrick had used it to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is the idea that God is really three-in-one: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Patrick said that just as the shamrock is one leaf with three parts, God is one entity with three Persons. The Irish consider shamrocks as good-luck symbols.
	Leprechauns The name leprechaun comes from the old Irish word "luchorpan" which means "little body." A leprechaun is an Irish fairy who looks like a small, old man about 2 feet tall. He is often dressed like a shoemaker, with a crooked hat and a leather apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly. They live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also have a hidden pot of gold! Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If the leprechaun is caught, he can be threatened with bodily violence to tell where his treasure is, but the leprechaun's captors must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun - he's known to trick them into looking away - he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.
GREEN	The Color Green Believe it or not, the color of St. Patrick was not actually green, but blue! In the 19th century, however, green became used as a symbol for Ireland. The beautiful green landscape was probably the inspiration for the national color. Wearing the color green is considered an act of paying tribute to Ireland. It is said that it also brings good luck, especially when worn on St. Patrick's Day. Many long years ago, playful Irish children began the tradition of pinching people who forgot to wear green on St. Patrick's Day and the tradition is still practiced today.
	The Harp The harp is an ancient musical instrument used in Ireland. It is also a symbol of Ireland. Harpists, who were often blind, occupied an honored place in Irish society. Harpists and bards (or poets) played an important role in the social structure of Ireland. They were supported by chieftans and kings. Although it is not as recognizable as the shamrock, the harp is a widely used symbol. It appears on Irish coins, the presidential flag, state seals, uniforms, and official documents. O'Carolan was one of the most famous harpists, and many Irish melodies inspired by him still survive to this day.
	The Celtic Cross Saint Patrick was familiar with the Irish language and culture, because of his time as a slave there. When Patrick went back to Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity, he was successful because he didn't try to make the Irish forget their old beliefs. He combined their old beliefs with the new beliefs. One example of this is the Celtic Cross. Saint Patrick added the sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that the new symbol of Christianity would be more natural to the Irish.
	The Blarney Stone The word "Blarney" has come to mean nonsense or smooth flattering talk in almost any language. Tradition says that if you pay a visit to Blarney Castle in County Cork and kiss the Blarney Stone, you'll receive the gift of eloquence and powers of persuasion, a true master of the "gift of gab." The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. The castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhiv McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) -- its walls are 18 feet thick (necessary to stop attacks by Cromwellians and William III's troops). Thousands of tourists a year still visit the castle. The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. It's difficult to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support. The world famous Blarney Stone is situated high up in the battlements of the castle. Follow one of the several long, stone spiral staircases up to the top and enjoy the spectacular views of the lush green Irish countryside, Blarney House and The Village of Blarney. The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone which originally belonged to Scotland. Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone, because it was believed to have special powers. The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in return for his support in the Battle of Bannockburn.

Article from "Speak Up": Rebecca Ferguson

The theme of this article is music and the topic is Rebecca Ferguson . Her story is like a fairy tale. She was born in Liverpool, to a English mother and a Jamaican father, and she grew up in poverty. At the age of 17, she became a single mother and she had a second child when she was 19. Rebecca thought that her dream to become a singer was impossible. Even if she thought it was impossible, she participated to the TV show "The X factor" in 2010 and she came second. In 2011 she became a star with her debut album "Heaven" and her single "Nothing's real but love", written by herself. In the interview Rebecca says that her difficult youth gives her energy to go on and that she can have anything she wants , if she fights  to reach her aim. Rebecca thinks that, to have success after have participated to a TV show, it's important to know who you are like artist. You have to decide your look and your esibition, not the show organizers. She is happy to have kinds because they are her blessing, not money and career.
I think she is a good example for all the women, because she has got both talent and human values.

REMAMBRANCE DAY

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This feast takes place on the second Sunday of November or the Sunday nearest the 11th November. This is to commemorate the First World War which ended at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month 1918 (11 o'clock on the 11th November 1918). At that moment it was signed the Armistice by representatives of Germany. This memorial day is also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day. In 11th November 1918 King George V made 2 minutes of silence at 11 o'clock to commemorate  those who had died for their country. King George V decided to dedicate this day as a memorial day in 1919. On the morning of 11th November 1919 the king signed the Official Armistice with the President of French Republic, in Buckingham Palace. The red remembrance poppy is the emblem of Remembrance Day.

United Kingdom

Memorials in the Field of Remembrance outside London's Westminster Abbey for Remembrance Day.

In the United Kingdom, ceremonies are held at local war memorials, usually organised by local branches of the Royal British Legion, an association for ex-servicemen. Typically, poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown, the armed forces, and local civic leaders, as well as by local organisations including ex-servicemen organisations, cadet forces, the Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army.^] The beginning and end of the two minutes' silence is often marked in large towns and cities by the firing of ceremonial cannon.

The Cenotaph at Whitehall, London on Remembrance Day

The main national commemoration is held at Whitehall, in Central London, for dignitaries, the public, and ceremonial detachments from the armed forces and civilian uniformed services such as the Merchant Navy and Her Majesty's Coastguard. Members of the British Royal Family walk through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office towards the Cenotaph, assembling to the right of the monument to wait for Big Ben to strike 11:00 am, and for the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Horse Guards Parade, to fire the cannon marking the commencement of the two minutes of silence. There are: the Prime Minister; the leaders of the major political parties from all parts of the United Kingdom; Commonwealth High Commissioners to London; the Chief of the General Staff; the Chief of the Air Staff; representatives of the merchant navy and Fishing Fleets and the merchant air service. Other members of the Royal Family usually watch the service from the balcony of the Foreign Office. The service is generally conducted by the Bishop of London. Before the marching commences, the members of the Royal Family and public sing the national anthem.

ROYAL FAMILY

British Royal Family

The British Royal Family is the family group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom.  The Royal Family usually include the monarch, the consort of the monarch, the widows and widowers of previous monarchs, the children of the monarch, the male-line grandchildren of the monarch and previous monarchs, and the wives or widows of a monarch's and previous monarch's sons and male-line grandsons.

After 1917, when King George V changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, members of the Royal Family belong, either by birth or marriage, to the House of Windsor. Senior titled members of the royal family do not usually use a surname, although since 1960 Mountbatten-Windsor (incorporating Prince Philip's adopted surname of Mountbatten) has been prescribed as a surname for Queen Elizabeth II's direct descendants who do not have royal styles and titles, and has also sometimes been used when required for those who do have such titles. Members and relatives of the British Royal Family historically represented the monarch in various places throughout the British Empire, sometimes for extended periods as viceroys, or for specific ceremonies or events. Today, they often perform ceremonial and social duties throughout the United Kingdom and abroad on behalf of the United Kingdom. Aside from the monarch, their only constitutional role in the affairs of government is to serve, if eligible and when appointed by letters patent, as a Counsellor of State, two or more of whom exercise the authority of the Crown (within stipulated limits).


British Royal Family.

Family tree of members

King George V

Queen Mary

King George VI

Queen Elizabeth

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester

Prince George, Duke of Kent

Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent

The Duke of Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth II

The Duke of Gloucester

The Duchess of Gloucester

The Duke of Kent

The Duchess of Kent

Princess Alexandra, The Hon Lady Ogilvy

Prince Michael of Kent

Princess Michael of Kent

Diana, Princess of Wales[N 1] (div. 1996)

The Prince of Wales

The Duchess of Cornwall

The Princess Royal

The Duke of York

Sarah, Duchess of York (div. 1996)

The Earl of Wessex

The Countess of Wessex

The Duke of Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge

Prince Harry of Wales

Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Eugenie of York

The Lady Louise Windsor

Viscount Severn

Prince George of Cambridge

Prince William and Kate Middleton' marriage.

Prince George of Cambridge (George Alexander Louis, born 22 July 2013) is the only child of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The only grandchild of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, he is third in line to succeed his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, after his grandfather and father. Royal baby.
George is baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace on 23 October 2013, with Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Hugh Grosvenor, Earl Grosvenor, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem (son of the late Hugh van Cutsem) and Zara Tindall serving as godparents. The ceremony used a font that was made for Queen Victoria's first child and water from the River Jordan.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a celebration observed in a lot of countries on October 31. It's the eve of the Christian feast of All Hallows (or All Saints), the day dedicated to remembering the dead, the saints and the martyrs. All Hallows' Eve is a feast influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, and festivals of the dead with  pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic Samhain.
Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (also known as "guising"), costume parties, pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.
The history of Halloween is not entirely a clear one.Many hundreds of years ago, a people called the Celts lived in Europe and on the British Isles. The Celts believed that the souls of the dead visited Earth on the last day of October. They had a festival in honor of these souls of the dead, and they called it Samhain. In time, the Roman Empire conquered the Celts and took over some of their beliefs. This included Samhain. The Romans combined it with their own festivals. And since the Roman Empire spread across a great part of the known world, the idea that the souls of the dead visited Earth on the last day of October spread far and wide. Many ideas from the Roman days still survive in the United States and in other Western countries. Halloween is one of them. But how did we get the name Halloween? In the 8th Century, the Catholic Church declared November 1 to be All Saints' Day. November 1 was picked to be the day to honor all saints who didn't already have a day named in their honor. And the mass that the Catholic Church celebrated on November 1 was called Allhallowmas. This meant "mass of all the hallowed [saintly people.]" It was commonly called "All Hallows' Day." And somewhere the night before the "All Hallows' Day" became known as Allhallowe'en, which was short for "evening before All Hallows' Day." It was then shortened to what we now call it, Halloween. One last question: Why do people dress up as ghosts, goblins, vampires, and other scary creatures? The people who started all this Halloween business many years ago believed that if they appeared scary, they would scare away the spirits of the dead who were roaming the earth on All Hallows' Eve. These people also carried food to the edge of town and left it there, hoping the spirits would eat that food and not come raid the village

ENGLISH IDIOMS

Idioms exist in every language. An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally, because it has a figurative meaning. Some English idioms are:


It's raining cats and dogs. It means it's raining really hard.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the blush. A certain thing is better than two impossible.
A paper tiger. It means that a person pretends to be brave and powerful, but in reality she isn't that.

A chip on your shoulder - means you think you know a lot.

High as a kite - means you are drunk or on drugs.

Sick as a dog - means you are very ill.

In dance, "break a leg" means good luck.

"Out of the blue” means something happens that was unexpected.  

The blues” can refer to both a style of music and feeling sad.

Rub someone the wrong way - meaning to annoy or bother.
•    Jump the gun - would mean to be doing something early.
•    Pay the piper - means you need to face the consequences of your actions.

An alley cat - means that a person go in places to obtain food.

the jewel in the crown

If something is the jewel in the crown, it's part of a group or set of similar things, and it's the best of them all.

a bad hair day

If you're having a bad hair day, everything seems to be going wrong for you. ighten your belt, you try to spend less money.

wear your heart on your sleeve If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you show your emotions openly and you don't try to hide your feelings.

work your socks off | work your tail off If you work your socks off, or work your tail off, you work very hard.

Achilles' heel

An Achilles' heel is a weakness that could result in failure.