World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is held on May 8 every year, in celebration of the basic principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The day honors the birth anniversary of the first Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the great Henry Dunant. Every year, a theme is designated for observation, as people all around the world are encouraged to join the cause and contribute to peace in their own individual ways.
Queen’s Day
Queen’s Day is celebrated in the Netherlands every April 30. On September 6, 1948, Juliana, daughter of Princess Wilhelmina, ascended to the throne. In the following year, the Queen’s Day celebrations were moved to April 30, her birthday. The holiday continued to be celebrated on this date even after her daughter, Beatrix, became the new monarch on April 30, 1980. Although her birthday is on January 31, she retained the holiday date in honor of her mother. Therefore, Queen’s Day was not only the former Queen’s birthday but also the anniversary of her coronation. Though the day is not a public holiday in the Netherlands, some schools and businesses do shut down.
Big Word Day
Big Word Day takes place on April 21 every year. Big Word Day is all about words, specifically coming up with new large words to keep the English language alive and well. Every language on the planet has a lexicon made up of words. Through speech, people have created and polished words over time. We tend to use short words when communicating, so we can convey more meaning with fewer words. Big Word Day is exactly what the world needs.