Earth Day is celebrated internationally on April 22

 Earth Day

Next Earth Day Saturday, 22 April 2023

Earth Day is celebrated internationally on April 22. It is a day to educate people about the issues affecting the planet and to raise awareness for and celebrate the efforts in place to protect the environment. 

Earth Day is celebrated internationally on April 22

As a global observance, it sometimes extends to a week-long celebration, named Earth Week, and the celebrations are coordinated by the Earth Day Network across 193 countries. 

It is not a public holiday, so businesses and schools remain open.

How Did People Start Celebrating Earth Day

Senator Gaylord Nelson (former senator and governor in Wisconsin) is said to invent Earth Day in 1970. This is when he deployed students to protest and demonstrate against air and water pollution. 

Events like rallies and many others were organized across the whole country. It opened the public eye to environmental issues and political agenda for perhaps the first time in America. 

In 1990 there was a large 20th-anniversary international celebration of the first Earth Day with people from over 140 countries taking part in official parades, marches, and activities.

This led Earth day to grow and expand into a global phenomenon. 

People continued to celebrate earth day through national events and locally organized activities from 1990 and 2010. 

On the 40th anniversary of the original earth day in 2010, nations came together to organize larger events including a magnificent rally in Washington DC. 

How To Observe Earth Day

Every year Earth Day has a theme. Last year (2022) the theme was "Invest In Our Planet".  

This year, the theme remains the same. It acts as a continuation of last year's campaign since it was very well-received and focuses on engaging governments and over 1 billion citizens across the world. 

There are many national events including festivals, parades, and initiatives such as recycling drives organized by local government, charities, schools, and private companies. Other activities include tree planting, trash collecting, and petitioning the government for change.

Eid al-Fitr Friday, 21 April 2023

 Eid al-Fitr

Next Eid al-Fitr Friday, 21 April 2023

Eid-al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Shawwal month. It is also known as the "Festival of Breaking Fast". 

It is a public holiday in India and many countries across West Asia. 

History Behind The Holy Day

Out of all the festivals in the Islam community, two major ones are Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha. Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is celebrated on the first and second days of Shawwal.

Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The date according to the Gregorian calendar varies every year since the Islamic calendar depends on the lunar cycle. 

Muslim tradition believes that the Islamic Prophet Muhammad originally started the festival of Eid-al-Fitr. 

 Eid al-Fitr Friday, 21 April 2023

Some traditions have it that the festivals were proposed in Medina after Muhammad migrated from Mecca. 

A popular friend of the Islamic Prophet, Anas, said that upon Muhammad's arrival in Medina, he saw people celebrating two specific days of recreation and festivities.

Hence, Muhammad concluded that two days of celebration were set by God. These two days are Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.

During Ramadan, the prophet of Islam Muhammad received the revelations from the angel Gabriel that allowed him to compile the holy book of the Quran.

It is also said that in the early days of Islam, Allah instructed the Prophet Muhammad to fast during the month of Ramadan to help develop empathy, self-discipline, and compassion and to strengthen the bond between Allah and his children. 

Administrative Professionals Day

 Administrative Professionals Day

Next Administrative Professionals Day Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Administrative Professionals Day is an observance that takes place on the Wednesday of the last week of April. It is a day to recognize the work that administrative professionals such as secretaries, administrative assistants, and receptionists, among others, do and how they are essential not only to their respective workplaces but also to the economy around the world.

It is not a public holiday, and most people celebrate the day while at work.

Administrative Professionals Day

Background

During World War II there were few Administrative Professionals available to work in all the new businesses that were booming because of the war. America was coming off the Great Depression which had not only greatly affected the economy but had also caused a decline in birthrates.

The National Secretaries Association was founded in 1942 to help recruit people for administrative roles in business. They highlighted the importance of administrators in the workplace and provided support and training to the new professionals.

As the roles of Administrative Professionals evolved, the organization changed name twice, in 1981 and 1998, first to Professional Secretaries Association and then to the International Association of Administrative Professionals, as it remains until today. These changes reflected how the responsibilities and tasks of the job grew in importance and became essential to businesses around the world.
The association grew internationally and dedicates itself to providing training and educating employees to excellent standards who then go on to work in the global community. 

In 1952 the United States Department of Commerce organized the first National Secretaries Week, with National Secretaries Day falling on Wednesday. Since 2000 the names for the celebration have changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Day to encompass all the job titles that fall into the administrative roles, as well as reflect the growing responsibilities that those jobs entail.

Orthodox Easter April 16th, in 2023.

 Orthodox Easter

Orthodox Easter, or Pascha, is celebrated at a later date than that observed by western Christianity. This is because the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar. Thus, those of the Orthodox faith will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on April 16th, in 2023. 

In the United States, the most established Orthodox churches are the Greek Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Orthodox Easter is not a federal holiday in the United States, but it falls on a Sunday, so most businesses will be closed or have reduced opening times. 

History

Just like western churches, Orthodox churches celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, three days after his crucifixion, on Easter Sunday. 

However, while the time for Easter celebrations was established in 325CE by the Council of Nicaea, to be observed on the first full moon around the March Equinox, Orthodox churches choose to commemorate their Easter according to the Julian calendar. 

For those of Orthodox faith, Easter starts with the Great Lent, on Clean Monday, and lasts for forty days that culminate on Lazarus Saturday. To officially close the Great Lent, the Vespers, a sunset evening prayer, is held during Lazarus Saturday services. After Lent, Holy Week begins, which ends with Easter Sunday. Orthodox Easter begins with the Midnight Office. For this, the church has its lights off, and a candle is lit at midnight, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus. Then, there is a procession that goes around the altar three times as a symbol of the three days that Jesus spent in the tomb. This is succeeded by a feast on Sunday morning that ends the fasting of the Great Lent.

Orthodox Easter Traditions

Greetings

During the time leading up to Easter, Orthodox Christians greet each other with a Paschal greeting. One person greets the other by saying "Christ is risen!" to which the other responds "Truly, He is risen!".

Food

The food eaten at the Paschal feast is important since it is the meal that breaks the Lenten fasting. At this occasional Orthodox Christians usually eat lamb and Tsoureki Paschalino, a sweet Easter bread. 

Other foods consumed during Orthodox Easter are smoked meats, cheeses, boiled eggs, and Pashka Easter bread cake. This is usually accompanied by red wine.

Some people participate in the tradition of blessing food baskets. 

Easter Eggs

Orthodox Easter eggs are hard-boiled and dyed red to symbolize the blood of Jesus Christ. The egg represents fertility and birth. 

World Art Day Saturday, 15 April 2023

 World Art Day

Next World Art Day Saturday, 15 April 2023

World Art Day is celebrated on April 15, the birthday of the famous artist Leonardo Da Vinci. This day was established by the International Association of Art, to raise worldwide attention to the work of international artists, and the ways of creative expression that exist. National Art Day celebrates all kinds of art, encouraging people to expand their artistic interests, and get to know artistic mediums that they were not aware of. 

History of National Art Day

The International Association of Art (IAA) founded World Art Day on April 15, 2012, after a proposition was put forward during their 17th General Assembly. They wished to create a day in celebration of the fine arts and to promote creative activity on an international scale.

The date chosen was Leonardo Da Vinci’s birthday, in honor of one of history's most renowned artists and inventors. 

The first official World Art Day celebration in the United States was held in Los Angeles, in 2015, where commemorations have been held ever since. The American chapter of the IAA was founded in 2017, with the intention of spreading World Art Day celebrations all over the country. 

In 2019, during the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference, World Art Day was officially proclaimed as a UNESCO observance, and the International Association of Art was made an NGO partner of UNESCO. 

Why do we celebrate World Art Day?

Since the beginning of time, humans have been creating and enjoying art. It is a way to express ourselves and see ourselves represented in other people's work. 

Art plays a very important role in our lives, whether we realize it or not. It promotes creativity, diversity, and innovation, and encourages people to start conversations about their interests and share knowledge with each other, opening horizons, and making us look at things in different ways. This is why we need to continue to support art and artists and contribute to the diffusion of new works of creative expression around the world. 

Many people associate art with Fine Art, such as painting or sculpture. In reality, art is constantly evolving, and it is anything in a visual form that has been created by someone using their imagination and creative skills. Art is photography, calligraphy, architecture, design, cinema, fashion, and so on. Look around you, you are probably enjoying art every day without noticing. 

World Art Day aims to spread art and artistic expression all around the world, get new artists known, and make art accessible to everyone. 

The Famous Artists

This World art day you could spend some time learning about the most famous artists who ever existed, here is a list of five to get you started:

• Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 in Vinci, a republic of Florence. As well as an artist he was also an inventor and a polymath with a curiosity in many subjects including music, mathematics, the sciences, and geology. His two most famous works are probably the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
• Michelangelo was also born in Florence and lived at the same time as Da Vinci. He was born in 1475 and as well as painting and sculpture he was also an architect and a poet. He created "David", a statue that is probably the work he is most well known for. 

After trying many years, and then
near death, the able man may know
an image living in the alpine stone.
If at all, the high and new come slowly,
and, for us, they do not last so long.
Oh my beloved! nature's like that too,
who tried for beauty times untold
until she triumphed, and made you.
Yet by that token she is old
and almost at the end of her career.
So terror, which is always near
to beauty, feeds desire strange food.
My mind falls silent and no longer says
if joy or pain be more: the sight
of you calls forth the End of Days,
yet gives me great delight.

After trying many years - A poem by Michelangelo 

• Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 in Zundert, Netherlands. His post-impressionist style led to the creation of such masterpieces as  Sunflowers, and The Starry Night. Despite immense talent, Van Gogh was plagued by his own mental health and he committed suicide in 1890. He was only recognized for his genius after his death.
• Pablo Picasso came from Málaga in the south of Spain. As a highly influential artist, he created the Cubist movement alongside the French artist Georges Braque. He is known for masterpieces such as "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" and "Guernica."
• Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known as simply Rembrandt, was a dutch artist who lived between 1606 and 1669. His most famous works include The Night Watch" and "Self-Portrait with Two Circles."

How to Celebrate World Art Day

Every year, the International Association of Art hosts events and festivities for World Art Day, in Los Angeles. If you live near or are willing to make the trip, attending is the perfect way to celebrate World Art Day and get into the spirit. 

However, there are other ways you can celebrate this day. Here are some ideas:

• Join an art class. Many people have artistic hobbies, so why not do it too? If you have an interest in drawing, pottery, photography, or any other art forms, joining a class is a great way to better your skills and get to know others that share your interest. 
• Visit a museum or a gallery. Nothing makes us appreciate art like seeing some real masterpieces up close and in person. Get inspired by paying a visit to your local museum. 
• Host a World Art Day party. Encourage friends and family to use their creativity to make something, and hold an art competition to pick the best artist out of all of you. 

National Gardening Day

 National Gardening Day

Next National Gardening Day Friday, 14 April 2023

Roll up your sleeves and get your garden ready for Summer on April 14 , as it is National Gardening Day. Gardening is a fun and relaxing hobby enjoyed by many. This is the perfect day for those who have been wanting to take up gardening, to finally gather their tools and seeds, and get their hands dirty

National Gardening Day takes place at the height of Spring. Thus, it is the perfect day to start growing your flowers, vegetables, herbs, and fruits, so that they're ready to be enjoyed in the summer. Even if you don't have a garden, you can still exercise your green fingers on houseplants, and bring the outside in. 

National Gardening Day History

National Gardening Day was established in 2018, by Cool Springs Press, a publishing organization that prints gardening books. It was done to encourage more people to take up gardening and to get seasoned home gardeners to learn even more about gardening. This day is also a celebration of gardening including all its physical and mental benefits.

Gardening is one of the oldest hobbies taken up by people in history. It dates back to 1500 BC when there is artistic evidence of people gardening for pleasure and to make their gardens beautiful, in Ancient Egypt. During the 16th century in Europe, people would use their gardens to plant food and herbs, with some flowers added here and there for decorative purposes. 

In America, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the first gardeners were those who owned land and used their gardens as a source of income, by selling whatever crops they could harvest. By the 19th century, home gardens became more popular, and gardening as a hobby grew in popularity, with people preferring decorative gardens to edible ones. 

Over the years, gardening has gathered even more hobbyists, and millions of people enjoy spending time taking care of their gardens. One of the appeals of gardening is that it is a very social hobby, with avid gardeners sharing tips with each other, and those without a home garden taking their green fingers to allotments and community gardens, where they can grow food together with others in their community. 

Benefits of Gardening

• Gardening improves your overall heart health because it helps to burn calories. 
• Gardening is also relaxing as it distracts us from daily life and relieves stress.
• Gardening helps to improve the strength of your hand.
• Growing your own food helps to build a healthier lifestyle.

How to Celebrate National Gardening Day

Get to work on your garden, by getting it ready for Summer. Research what flowers, vegetables, and fruits you should grow during the warmer months and plant them, so you'll have a full and beautiful garden when Summer arrives.

Visit your local garden center to ask for advice if you need it. 

If you're a beginner, look out for a gardening course in your area and sign up for it. You'll learn everything you'll need to make your garden beautiful as well as helpful. 

Take to social media to share gardening tips with others, exchange knowledge, and post photos of your plants to encourage others to join in on the hobby.

You might find these articles relevant: National Plant a Flower Day  and Earth Day .

Day of Silence

 Day of Silence

Next Day of Silence Friday, 14 April 2023

Day Of Silence is observed every year on the second Friday of April. This observance is led especially by the student community to bring awareness to the bullying of lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender students.

On this particular day, they vow to be silent for the whole day as a symbolic representation of the silencing of the LGBTQ+ community. The day is sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLENS).

The Theme for Day Of Silence 2023 is Rising Up.

History of the Day of Silence

The idea for this day originated in 1996 by student Maria Pulitzer of the University of Virginia. Maria wanted to do something that will leave a lasting impact on her colleagues.

She wanted to erase the stigma around the LGBTQ+ community and raise visibility among students and faculty. Her intention was to allow students to participate in an activity that was inclusive for all. 

Many schools and universities across the country started actively participating by the end of 1997. In 2000 GLSEN joined the efforts and made the day an official event of the organization.

The event continued to expand and now the Day of Silence is observed in all fifty states globally. 

What Happens On The Day of Silence

Most students that take part spend the whole day in silence, only using written ways of communication.

Some students will organize lectures and seminars to educate people and bring awareness to the issues of harassment that many LGBTQ + students face.

Teachers and school leaders are encouraged to give students the space and opportunity to be able to learn and take part in the school day as normal.

Breaking the silence 

A rally is organized to formally end the silence. Some students take part in this in person, making as much noise as possible; other students meet in online rallies where they speak and share their experiences virtually. 

American Civil War

 American Civil War

Next American Civil War Wednesday, 12 April 2023

The American Civil War, also sometimes known as The War Between States, was the biggest American conflict in US soil and lasted from 1861 to 1865. The war was fought between the Northern States (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) and began on April 12, 1861, with the Confederate forces’ attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina after the election of Abraham Lincoln as president.

The war was a result of the controversial and diverging opinions regarding slavery in America and was one of the defining moments of US history. It was the deadliest conflict in American land, with thousands killed and millions injured. 

What caused the American Civil War

In the 19th Century, the economy of the South was heavily dependent on agriculture, and therefore the labor of enslaved black people. At the same time, in the North, abolitionist ideas grew steadily after the 1830, which made the South fearful that the backbone of their economy, slavery, was in danger. 

In 1854 Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which effectively allowed slavery in all new territories of the United States. In a reaction to this, the North formed the Republican Party whose policies were founded on their opposition to slavery. This convinced southerners that the North was bent on destroying one of their oldest institutions. 

Tensions rose when in 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican President, resulting in seven states seceding from the United States. 

The American Civil War

On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces staged an attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina and fired the first shots of the American Civil War. The federal forces that held the Fort surrendered and the Confederacy took control of it. After this, four more states seceded and joined the forces in South Carolina. 

Even though the Confederacy was outnumbered by the 23 states that formed the Union, they had a strong military tradition and experience and were determined to protect their long-standing traditions, mainly slavery.

After the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, it became clear that this would not be a quick war as most people thought, and both sides had to call in for reinforcements. 

September 17, 1862, saw the bloodiest day of the whole war during the Battle of Antietam. The Union Army of the Potomac attacked Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s forces and halted Confederate advances. 

The Emancipation Proclamation

After the victory at Antietam, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January of 1863, freeing all slaves in the rebellious states. This resulted in the Confederacy losing the bulk of their labor forces, and 186,000 black soldiers joined the Union Army. 

In July 1863 the Confederate forces lost sixty percent of their numbers after attempting to take Gettysburg and were forced to retreat to Virginia. This was the last invasion of the North by Southern forces. 

After, the Siege of Vicksburg by Union general Ulysses S. Grant proved to be the turning point of the war. 

The Union’s Victory

After the siege, Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to the Supreme Commander of the Union Army and General William Sherman began what would become known as the “March to the Sea”, capturing Georgia, Savannah, Columbia, and Charleston leaving the Confederacy almost completely defeated. 

Robert E. Lee’s last attempt at victory happened with the attack on Fort Statesman, however, his forces were counterattacked and driven away, resulting in his capture by Union generals and subsequent surrendering on April 9, 1865, at the Battle of the Appomattox Court House effectively ending the American Civil War. 

On April 14 Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. 

The Reconstruction Era

In the aftermath of the War, the Confederacy collapsed ad much of the South was left destroyed, mainly their transportation systems. 

Slavery was abolished and 4 million slaves were freed, with black people being granted rights as American citizens after some amendments to the Constitution.

During the Reconstruction Era period, the country slowly regained its unity. 

NFT Art creation services

 NFT art is the newest trend in the art world. It is a form of digital artwork that is tokenized and sold on blockchain platforms like Ethereum. With NFTs, artists can easily monetize their work and get paid instantly without any middlemen or fees.

Fiverr has also jumped on the NFT bandwagon by offering services to help creators create and sell their artwork as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Fiverr's platform provides an easy-to-use interface for buyers and sellers to interact with each other, allowing them to buy, sell, and trade artwork securely. With Fiverr's services, artists can quickly monetize their work without having to worry about complicated technical processes or dealing with third parties.

History Of Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

 

History Of Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Pakistan has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The region that is now Pakistan has been home to many ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, which was one of the world's earliest urban civilizations and flourished between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE.

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

In the centuries that followed, the region saw the rise and fall of many empires and kingdoms, including the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire, and the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Empire, which was founded in the 16th century by the Babur, a Central Asian ruler, had a profound impact on the region's culture and architecture.

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

In the 18th century, the British East India Company began to expand its influence in the Indian subcontinent, including what is now Pakistan. In 1947, the British colonial government partitioned India into two separate countries: India and Pakistan. This led to a massive migration of Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan to India and Muslims from India to Pakistan.

History Of Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Since independence, Pakistan has experienced political instability and economic challenges. It has also been involved in several conflicts with India, including over the disputed region of Kashmir. Pakistan has also been a key player in the War on Terror and has been affected by terrorism and extremism.

History Of Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

Despite these challenges, Pakistan has made significant progress in areas such as education, healthcare, and economic development. The country is also known for its rich cultural heritage, including its vibrant music, literature, and arts scenes.

History Of Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

پاکستان کی ایک بھرپور اور متنوع تاریخ ہے جو ہزاروں سالوں پر محیط ہے۔ وہ خطہ جو اب پاکستان ہے بہت سی قدیم تہذیبوں

 کا گھر رہا ہے، بشمول وادی سندھ کی تہذیب، جو کہ دنیا کی ابتدائی شہری تہذیبوں میں سے ایک تھی اور 2600 BCE اور 1900 BCE کے درمیان پھلی پھولی۔

اس کے بعد کی صدیوں میں، اس خطے نے کئی سلطنتوں اور سلطنتوں کا عروج و زوال دیکھا، جن میں موری سلطنت، گپتا سلطنت، اور مغل سلطنت شامل ہیں۔ مغل سلطنت، جس کی بنیاد 16ویں صدی میں ایک وسطی ایشیائی حکمران بابر نے رکھی تھی، نے اس خطے کی ثقافت اور فن تعمیر پر گہرا اثر ڈالا۔

18ویں صدی میں، برطانوی ایسٹ انڈیا کمپنی نے برصغیر پاک و ہند میں اپنا اثر و رسوخ بڑھانا شروع کیا، جس میں اب پاکستان بھی شامل ہے۔ 1947 میں، برطانوی نوآبادیاتی حکومت نے ہندوستان کو دو الگ الگ ممالک میں تقسیم کیا: ہندوستان اور پاکستان۔ اس کی وجہ سے ہندوؤں اور سکھوں کی پاکستان سے ہندوستان اور مسلمانوں کی ہندوستان سے پاکستان کی طرف ہجرت ہوئی۔

آزادی کے بعد سے پاکستان کو سیاسی عدم استحکام اور معاشی چیلنجز کا سامنا ہے۔ یہ بھارت کے ساتھ کئی تنازعات میں بھی ملوث رہا ہے، جن میں کشمیر کے متنازعہ علاقے بھی شامل ہے۔ پاکستان دہشت گردی کے خلاف جنگ میں بھی کلیدی کردار ادا کرتا رہا ہے اور دہشت گردی اور انتہا پسندی سے متاثر رہا ہے۔

ان چیلنجوں کے باوجود پاکستان نے تعلیم، صحت کی دیکھ بھال اور معاشی ترقی جیسے شعبوں میں نمایاں ترقی کی ہے۔ یہ ملک اپنے بھرپور ثقافتی ورثے کے لیے بھی جانا جاتا ہے، بشمول اس کی متحرک موسیقی، ادب اور فنون لطیفہ کے مناظر۔

Islamic Republic Of Pakistan