International Celebrations and Noteworthy Days Quiz

Answer: National Heroes' Day

On National Heroes' Day the seven National Heroes from Jamaican history are commemorated. In all parishes different activities are held which include dancing, story telling and honouring community figures. The major ceremony is held at the National Heroes Park where a speech is given by the Prime Minister. Wreaths are placed on the shrines of the National Heroes. The Order of National Hero is conferred at this time on an individual who performed acts that few would even think of doing.

(Question by Verne47)

Answer: Singapore

The World Toilet Organization was founded in 2001 in Singapore. The organization aims to raise awareness of the lack of access to sanitation in many countries in the world. World Toilet Day became an official UN day in 2013.

(Question by cairnster)

Answer: Wales

St Dwynwen is said to have been one of 24 children of the King of Wales, Brychan Brycheiniog, in the 5th Century AD.

Her sad experiences of love, and subsequent prayers to God, resulted in her receiving three wishes from an angel. One she used up to unfreeze the man she loved, who some versions of the story say had wronged her. Another wish was that God look kindly on all true lovers. The third wish was that she should never marry. She devoted the rest of her life to God and prayer.

(Question by Upstart3)

Answer: Revolutionary War

Many schools and banks are closed in Chicago and the suburbs on this date in honor of Pulaski. In 2009, he was granted the title of honorary citizen of the United States, one of just eight people to ever achieve this title.

(Question by VikingSon)

Answer: 11

There were 11 ships in the "First Fleet". Approximately 1400 people sailed, of which over 1000 were convicts. The voyage took about 251 days to complete. Apparently it cost $164,000 to equip and send the fleet, which is about $19,000,000 today.

(Question by bubbatom1)

Answer: It was moved from June 17 to October 3 because of the unification.

In West Germany (FRG), after WWII - more specifically in 1954 - June 17, the Day of German Unity, was made an official holiday to commemorate the 1953 uprising in East Germany (GDR). Upon unification on October 3 1990, the Day of German Unity was moved to this date and declared the German national holiday. Hence it was celebrated twice in 1990.

(Question by malama)

Answer: The Flying Spaghetti Monster

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is gaining in popularity. Adherents have special bumper stickers, which I once thought showed a strange looking octopus. So if you are driving and see one of these stickers, be sure to throw this Pastafarian driver a healthy "Ahoy Matey!".

(Question by VikingSon)

Answer: St George

April 23 is said to have been the date of St George's death in 303 AD. He is generally accepted to have been a Roman soldier from the province of Syria Palaestina. Many legends are told about him, and he has been adopted as a patron saint by the countries of England, Georgia (which may have been named after him , although it isn't certain), Malta, Portugal and Romania.

(Question by Upstart3)

Answer: Japan

Since the 8th century, in Japan people celebrate the happiness and growth of children twice each year. Girl's Day, also called Doll Festival, is on March 3 (3/3), houses are decorated with special dolls and plum blossoms, the traditional drink for the day is amazake. Boy's Day is on May 5 (5/5), as decorations carp streamers are flown outside the house, samurai dolls inside and the food of the day is chimaki (stuffed rice packages). After WWII the focus of May 5 on warrior virtues and masculinity has been toned down and it has been made an official holiday, celebrating the happiness and well being of all children, including girls. Many people still follow the old traditions.

(Question by malama)

Answer: National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day is on May 26 and has been celebrated since 1998. However, it wasn't until 2008 that the then Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, publicly apologised to the "Stolen Generations". The "Stolen Generations" involved the forcible removal of Aboriginal children from their families between 1905 and 1969. They were sent to white church missions and/or sent to white families to be used as domestic help. Many of the children were sexually abused by the families with whom they had been placed. The children were usually of mixed race or, as they were called in 1905 "half-castes". It was thought at the time of its inception that if a "half-caste" Aboriginal was "bred" with a white person, then over time the "black" would be bred out of them.

(Question by bubbatom1)