(June 20, 2013) Summer officially begins here tomorrow morning at 1:04 with the summer solstice. The timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. The day has the most hours of sunlight during the entire year.
The word solstice is from the Latin "solstitium," "sol" (sun) and "stitium" (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice). In temperate regions, the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming of summer.
In our area most schools close for the summer. Living is more laid back and families plan vacations during this time. Outdoor events, including farmers' markets, are plentiful.
Keep abreast of what's happening in your town 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.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
June is bustin' out all over
(June 11, 2013) June is a month of celebrations from end-of-school events, to graduations, weddings, plus start of summer celebrations. Flag Day is Friday, June 14, and Father's Day is Sunday, June 16. Everyone seems to be in a happy mood with the beautiful weather of moderate temperatures, blue skies and flowering gardens.
Keep abreast of what's happening in your town 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.
Keep abreast of what's happening in your town 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.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Memorial Day
(May 25, 2013) Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, when Americans remember their war dead. Towns usually celebrate the federal holiday, the last Monday of May, with parades and speeches, while families follow those observances with picnics and/or short getaways. Most government offices and schools are closed.
The holiday originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in that war. Their graves were decorated (hence Decoration Day) with flags and flowers. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in military service. Families remember also other deceased members of their families by visiting their graves.
The day too typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day, the first Monday in September, marks its end. And usually the threat of frost is over here and garden planting is in full swing.
Keep abreast of important holidays 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 holiday originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in that war. Their graves were decorated (hence Decoration Day) with flags and flowers. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in military service. Families remember also other deceased members of their families by visiting their graves.
The day too typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day, the first Monday in September, marks its end. And usually the threat of frost is over here and garden planting is in full swing.
Keep abreast of important holidays 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.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Belated wishes
(May 13, 2013) I was having such a fun Mother's Day yesterday I forgot to wish all mothers a happy day, too. So, a day late, belated happy Mother's Day greetings to all mothers and those who serve as mothers! You're the best.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Cinco de Mayo
(May 5, 2013) Today is Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "fifth of May." It is celebrated in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla ("The Day of the Battle of Puebla"). It originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War, and today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. People celebrate primarily with Mexican food and music.
In Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.
Cinco de Mayo has its roots in the French occupation of Mexico, which took place in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, the Mexican Civil War of 1858 and the 1860 Reform Wars. These wars left the Mexican Treasury nearly bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for two years.
In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, at the time ruled by Napoleon III, decided to use the opportunity to establish a Latin empire in Mexico that would favor French interests. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving Juárez and his government into retreat. Moving on from Veracruz toward Mexico City, the French army encountered heavy resistance from the Mexicans near Puebla, at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. The 8,000-strong French army attacked the much smaller and poorly equipped Mexican army of 4,500. Yet, on May 5, 1862, the Mexicans managed to decisively crush the French army, then considered "the premier army in the world."
Since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by any other European military force.
Some historians have argued that France's real goal was to help break up the American Union, at the time in the midst of a civil war, by helping the southern Confederacy. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the Confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build a powerful army. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Vicksburg and Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War. The Mexican victory on Cinco de Mayo denied Napoleon III the opportunity to resupply the Confederate rebels for another year.
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day — the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico — which is celebrated on Sept. 16.
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.
In Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.
Cinco de Mayo has its roots in the French occupation of Mexico, which took place in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, the Mexican Civil War of 1858 and the 1860 Reform Wars. These wars left the Mexican Treasury nearly bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for two years.
In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, at the time ruled by Napoleon III, decided to use the opportunity to establish a Latin empire in Mexico that would favor French interests. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving Juárez and his government into retreat. Moving on from Veracruz toward Mexico City, the French army encountered heavy resistance from the Mexicans near Puebla, at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. The 8,000-strong French army attacked the much smaller and poorly equipped Mexican army of 4,500. Yet, on May 5, 1862, the Mexicans managed to decisively crush the French army, then considered "the premier army in the world."
Since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by any other European military force.
Some historians have argued that France's real goal was to help break up the American Union, at the time in the midst of a civil war, by helping the southern Confederacy. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the Confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build a powerful army. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Vicksburg and Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War. The Mexican victory on Cinco de Mayo denied Napoleon III the opportunity to resupply the Confederate rebels for another year.
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day — the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico — which is celebrated on Sept. 16.
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.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
May Day
(May 1, 2013) Today, May 1, is May Day, a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Usually the weather (without the threat of frost) allows the beginning of flower and crop planting.
May Day is related to the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. May Day falls exactly half a year from Nov. 1, another cross-quarter day which is also associated with various northern European pagan and the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations.
As Europe became Christianized, the pagan holidays lost their religious character and either changed into popular secular celebrations, as with May Day, or were merged with or replaced by new Christian holidays as with Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and All Saint's Day. In the 20th and continuing into the 21st century, many neopagans began reconstructing the old traditions and celebrating May Day as a pagan religious festival again. Some countries celebrated the date as Labor Day.
A more secular version of May Day continues to be observed in Europe and America. In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the maypole dance and crowning of the Queen of the May.
The day was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While Feb. 1 was the first day of spring, May 1 was the first day of summer; hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was midsummer.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, May is observed as Mary's month, and in these circles May Day is usually a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this connection, in works of art, school skits and so forth, Mary's head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning.
Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of May baskets, small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbors' doorsteps. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver. If they catch the person, a kiss is exchanged.
Modern May Day ceremonies in the United States vary greatly from region to region and many unite both the pagan and labor traditions.
May 1 is recognized in the U.S. also as Law Day.
May Day is related to the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. May Day falls exactly half a year from Nov. 1, another cross-quarter day which is also associated with various northern European pagan and the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations.
As Europe became Christianized, the pagan holidays lost their religious character and either changed into popular secular celebrations, as with May Day, or were merged with or replaced by new Christian holidays as with Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and All Saint's Day. In the 20th and continuing into the 21st century, many neopagans began reconstructing the old traditions and celebrating May Day as a pagan religious festival again. Some countries celebrated the date as Labor Day.
A more secular version of May Day continues to be observed in Europe and America. In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the maypole dance and crowning of the Queen of the May.
The day was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While Feb. 1 was the first day of spring, May 1 was the first day of summer; hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was midsummer.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, May is observed as Mary's month, and in these circles May Day is usually a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this connection, in works of art, school skits and so forth, Mary's head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning.
Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of May baskets, small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbors' doorsteps. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver. If they catch the person, a kiss is exchanged.
Modern May Day ceremonies in the United States vary greatly from region to region and many unite both the pagan and labor traditions.
May 1 is recognized in the U.S. also as Law Day.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tax Day today
(April 15, 2013) Today, Monday, April 15, is the annual deadline to file income tax returns to both the state and the federal governments. Mailed returns must be postmarked by midnight. To file later without penalty, an official extension is required.
Many United States residents mark Tax Day as the day to file their income tax details to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The date is usually on or around April 15. However, this deadline may be extended to accommodate holidays or extreme weather conditions. For those filing a U.S. tax return but living outside the United States and Puerto Rico, Tax Day typically has fallen on June 15, due to the two-month automatic extension granted to filers by IRS Publication 54.
A large proportion of U.S. residents have to inform the IRS of all income they received in the previous fiscal year. Some groups, particularly veterans, pensioners and some low-income families, do not have to file a tax return unless they wish to qualify for certain types of income subsidy. Others may wait until the last moment to file their tax return and pay any money they owe. Some people may find that filing a tax return is complicated, while others may feel that they should not have to pay income tax. In the United States, income tax returns may be filed on paper or electronically. Now, people are encouraged to file a return via Internet as this is efficient and reduces the risk of mistakes being made or documents being lost in the post.
Tax Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States. Schools, post offices, stores and other businesses and organizations are open as usual. Public transport services run to their usual schedules and no extra congestion on highways is to be expected.
Income tax was introduced in the United States in 1861. A rate of 3 percent was levied on incomes above $800 per year and the resulting revenue was used to help fund the American Civil War effort. However, income tax was seen as unconstitutional and the law was repealed in 1872. The idea of a tax on personal income, at a rate of 2 percent, was reintroduced in the Revenue Act of 1894, but the legal status of this kind of tax was still unclear. In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. This cleared the way for the modern income tax system in this country.
The details of the income tax system have changed greatly since 1913. The top rates of tax have varied enormously and were particularly high during World War I and II and the Great Depression. Individuals and families with very low levels of income do not have to pay income tax and may receive some subsidy via the tax system.
In 1913 Tax Day, or the filing deadline, was fixed on March 1. However, it was moved to March 15 in 1918 and to April 15 in 1955, where it has remained since then. If April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a civil holiday, the deadline is extended to the next working day. An extension due to a holiday may affect only certain states. In 2007, the residents of some states were granted an extension due to the disruption to public life in many areas caused by a huge Nor'easter storm. In some years the observance of Emancipation Day (April 16) in Washington, D.C., may be the reason to extend the national deadline. In 2007, that observance on Monday had the effect of extending the deadline to Tuesday, April 17.
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.
Many United States residents mark Tax Day as the day to file their income tax details to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The date is usually on or around April 15. However, this deadline may be extended to accommodate holidays or extreme weather conditions. For those filing a U.S. tax return but living outside the United States and Puerto Rico, Tax Day typically has fallen on June 15, due to the two-month automatic extension granted to filers by IRS Publication 54.
A large proportion of U.S. residents have to inform the IRS of all income they received in the previous fiscal year. Some groups, particularly veterans, pensioners and some low-income families, do not have to file a tax return unless they wish to qualify for certain types of income subsidy. Others may wait until the last moment to file their tax return and pay any money they owe. Some people may find that filing a tax return is complicated, while others may feel that they should not have to pay income tax. In the United States, income tax returns may be filed on paper or electronically. Now, people are encouraged to file a return via Internet as this is efficient and reduces the risk of mistakes being made or documents being lost in the post.
Tax Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States. Schools, post offices, stores and other businesses and organizations are open as usual. Public transport services run to their usual schedules and no extra congestion on highways is to be expected.
Income tax was introduced in the United States in 1861. A rate of 3 percent was levied on incomes above $800 per year and the resulting revenue was used to help fund the American Civil War effort. However, income tax was seen as unconstitutional and the law was repealed in 1872. The idea of a tax on personal income, at a rate of 2 percent, was reintroduced in the Revenue Act of 1894, but the legal status of this kind of tax was still unclear. In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. This cleared the way for the modern income tax system in this country.
The details of the income tax system have changed greatly since 1913. The top rates of tax have varied enormously and were particularly high during World War I and II and the Great Depression. Individuals and families with very low levels of income do not have to pay income tax and may receive some subsidy via the tax system.
In 1913 Tax Day, or the filing deadline, was fixed on March 1. However, it was moved to March 15 in 1918 and to April 15 in 1955, where it has remained since then. If April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a civil holiday, the deadline is extended to the next working day. An extension due to a holiday may affect only certain states. In 2007, the residents of some states were granted an extension due to the disruption to public life in many areas caused by a huge Nor'easter storm. In some years the observance of Emancipation Day (April 16) in Washington, D.C., may be the reason to extend the national deadline. In 2007, that observance on Monday had the effect of extending the deadline to Tuesday, April 17.
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.
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