(May 26, 2012) Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May, which this year is May 28, this coming week. Government offices and most businesses will be closed.
Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. Previously, Southern ladies' organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond, Va., and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.
By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. There are parades and civic ceremonies. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
By the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visited the graves of their deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they had served in the military or not. The long weekend increasingly became devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race, held since 1911 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
As a marker, Memorial Day typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
For details about this busy weekend, check out Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs online at newjerseyhills.com. Anyone interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers is invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out about blogging, a free, simple communication tool.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May flowers for Mom
(May 10, 2012) It looks like May showers are bringing May flowers just in time for Mother's Day, here the second Sunday in May, which is this coming weekend. The holiday honors mothers and celebrates motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March, April or May. It complements Father's Day, the celebration honoring fathers.
The modern holiday was first celebrated in the United States in 1907, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother. She then began a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the U.S. Although she was successful in 1914, she eventually was disappointed with its commercialization by the 1920s. Jarvis' holiday was adopted by other countries and it's now celebrated all over the world.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers as well as those who serve as mothers. May you enjoy beautiful May flowers.
The modern holiday was first celebrated in the United States in 1907, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother. She then began a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the U.S. Although she was successful in 1914, she eventually was disappointed with its commercialization by the 1920s. Jarvis' holiday was adopted by other countries and it's now celebrated all over the world.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers as well as those who serve as mothers. May you enjoy beautiful May flowers.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Cinco de Mayo
(May 5, 2012) Today is Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, Mexico's Independence Day.
Today also, as the first Saturday in May, is the day of the running of the 138th annual Kentucky Derby in Louisville. The stakes race is the first leg of horse racing's triple crown, featuring 3-year-olds' running 1 1/4 miles in about two minutes in front of more than 125,000 cheering spectators.
Traditionally, the first Saturday in May also is First Communion day for young Catholics and two granddaughters, Emily and Lucia, will receive today. God bless them all.
But for me, May 5 is most significant because it is the birthday of my first-born. In fact, this year is very special since it's his 50th. Happy birthday, John!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A reprieve
(April 15, 2012) U.S. federal income tax returns usually must be postmarked by midnight on April 15, unless you have an extension. But, since today, April 15, is a Sunday and post offices are closed, the deadline has been extended until midnight tomorrow.
On the one hand, last-minute taxpayers have one more day to get their forms and checks together. But on the other, it's a shame they have to spoil this beautiful day doing paperwork.
Anyone who had a refund coming hopefully already has filed.
On the one hand, last-minute taxpayers have one more day to get their forms and checks together. But on the other, it's a shame they have to spoil this beautiful day doing paperwork.
Anyone who had a refund coming hopefully already has filed.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Spring holidays
(April 4, 2012) Easter and Passover, both movable spring holidays, occur this week this year. The method for determining the dates is complex, based on lunisolar calendars.
The Christian Holy Week began last Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday, which falls on April 7, the day before Easter Sunday, April 8. Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD 26 and 36, traditionally 33.
The Easter celebration comes after Lent, a 40-day preparatory period of fasting, prayer and penance. The last week, Holy Week, begins with Palm Sunday remembering Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem and continues with Holy Thursday honoring the Last Supper (his last Passover seder), Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death, and Easter Vigil Saturday, a commemoration of the day that Jesus lay in his tomb. Easter Sunday is a joyous celebration of church song and family feasting.
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar.
The eight-day Jewish holiday begins Friday, April 6, at sundown and continues through Friday, April 13. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Families celebrate at a ceremonial meal called a seder featuring symbolic foods (unleavened bread, bitter herbs, a mixture of apples and nuts, roasted egg, parsley or celery, roasted lamb shank and wine) and reading of the Haggadah which tells the Exodus story.
Also, this coming weekend, trout fishing season begins on Saturday, April 7. More than 180,000 trout have been released in nearly 200 N.J. waterways, waiting for eager trout anglers. After opening day, the Pequest Trout Hatchery will stock nearly a half million more trout during the seven-week stocking season, which extends to May 25.
Keep abreast of important dates and more by reading Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs online at newjerseyhills.com. Anyone interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers is invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out about blogging, a free, simple communication tool.
The Christian Holy Week began last Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday, which falls on April 7, the day before Easter Sunday, April 8. Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD 26 and 36, traditionally 33.
The Easter celebration comes after Lent, a 40-day preparatory period of fasting, prayer and penance. The last week, Holy Week, begins with Palm Sunday remembering Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem and continues with Holy Thursday honoring the Last Supper (his last Passover seder), Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death, and Easter Vigil Saturday, a commemoration of the day that Jesus lay in his tomb. Easter Sunday is a joyous celebration of church song and family feasting.
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar.
The eight-day Jewish holiday begins Friday, April 6, at sundown and continues through Friday, April 13. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Families celebrate at a ceremonial meal called a seder featuring symbolic foods (unleavened bread, bitter herbs, a mixture of apples and nuts, roasted egg, parsley or celery, roasted lamb shank and wine) and reading of the Haggadah which tells the Exodus story.
Also, this coming weekend, trout fishing season begins on Saturday, April 7. More than 180,000 trout have been released in nearly 200 N.J. waterways, waiting for eager trout anglers. After opening day, the Pequest Trout Hatchery will stock nearly a half million more trout during the seven-week stocking season, which extends to May 25.
Keep abreast of important dates and more by reading Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs online at newjerseyhills.com. Anyone interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers is invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out about blogging, a free, simple communication tool.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Not a joke
(March 30, 2012) Sunday is April Fools' Day which is celebrated in different countries on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness. The day is marked by the commission of good-humoured or otherwise funny jokes, hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbors, work associates, etc.
This, however, is not a trick: My phone number has been changed temporarily to (908) 617-0656. Messages left at my old number,(908) 832-7420, will not register. I will notify you when that number is again operational, probably within the next month.
This year April 1 is also Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. Christian churches distribute palms (and sometimes pussy willows) on Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest and Crucifixion on Good Friday.
For more information on these days and more, read Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs online right here at newjerseyhills.com.
Those interested in joining the 60+ Recorder bloggers can find out more about blogging by contacting me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or (908) 617-0656.
This, however, is not a trick: My phone number has been changed temporarily to (908) 617-0656. Messages left at my old number,(908) 832-7420, will not register. I will notify you when that number is again operational, probably within the next month.
This year April 1 is also Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. Christian churches distribute palms (and sometimes pussy willows) on Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest and Crucifixion on Good Friday.
For more information on these days and more, read Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs online right here at newjerseyhills.com.
Those interested in joining the 60+ Recorder bloggers can find out more about blogging by contacting me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or (908) 617-0656.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Spring has sprung
(March 20, 2012) The four seasons are determined by changing sunlight which is determined by how our planet orbits the Sun and the tilt of its axis. Today is the first day of spring here, although unseasonably it feels almost like early summer.
On the first day of spring — the vernal equinox — day and night are each about 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days before the vernal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going northward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west.
On the first day of spring — the vernal equinox — day and night are each about 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days before the vernal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going northward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west.
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