Elizabeth Monroe's Birth Anniversary

 

Elizabeth Monroe, born on 30 June 1768, in New York, New York, United States, was an American first lady (1817–25), the wife of James Monroe, fifth president of the United States. Although she was noted for her beauty and elegance, her aloofness made her unpopular.

Elizabeth Monroe is best remembered for her role in choosing new furniture for the presidential mansion when it was rebuilt in 1817 (after its destruction by the British during the War of 1812). Elizabeth had developed a great appreciation for French style and workmanship, and she and the president instructed an agent in Paris to spend a special congressional appropriation there. When the White House was refurbished in the early 1960s, these purchases were considered some of its finest holdings.

 

Día del Ejército (Guatemala)

 

Army Day, or ‘Día del Ejército’ commemorates all of the fallen soldiers that have served in the Guatemalan armed forces. It also celebrates the anniversary of an important turning point in Guatemalan history, the Liberal Revolution.

History of Army Day in Guatemala

In 1871, the ruler of Guatemala was President Vincente Cerna, who carried out much of the similar policies as his conservative predecessor, Rafael Carrera. Both of these men were considered to be dictators by many Guatemalans. The people were finally pushed to their limit when Marshal Serapio Cruz, an outspoken opposer of the Cerna regime, was assassinated. Generals Justo Rufino Barrios and Miguel García Granados lead soldiers into the capital, Guatemala City, and defeated Cerna’s forces on June 29th, 1871. The next day, Cerna fled to Honduras and the two generals entered the presidential palace.

International Day of Parliamentarism

The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on 30 June, the date in 1889 on which the IPU was founded. The Day was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution.

Instituting an international day for parliaments is particularly important at this critical time for parliamentary democracy, when people are losing trust in political institutions and democracy itself is facing challenges from populist and nationalist movements. If democracy is to thrive, then parliaments, as the cornerstone of functioning democracies, need to be strong, transparent, accountable and representative.

The International Day of Parliamentarism is a time to review the progress that parliaments have made in achieving some key goals to be more representative and move with the times, including carrying out self-assessments, working to include more women and young MPs, and adapting to new technologies.

National Camera Day (United States)

National Camera Day is observed annually on June 29 to honour one of the most groundbreaking inventions in human history- the camera. This day is a perfect occasion for photography lovers and enthusiasts to appreciate the device that captures memories, tells stories, and preserves moments forever. 

From grainy film cameras to today’s sleek digital marvels, the journey of the camera is nothing short of a captivating tale of creativity and innovation.

International Lightning Safety Day

International Lightning Safety Day is observed annually on June 28th. It was established to raise awareness about the dangers of lightning and promote safety measures. The date is significant as it marks the anniversary of a tragic lightning strike in Uganda that killed 18 children in 2011, according to the VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies. 

Key aspects of International Lightning Safety Day:

Raising Awareness:

The day aims to educate the public about the dangers of lightning and the importance of taking precautions during thunderstorms. 

Promoting Safety Measures:

It encourages individuals to learn and implement lightning safety guidelines, such as seeking shelter indoors or in a hard-topped vehicle when thunder is heard. 

Remembering the Tragedy:

The date, June 28th, serves as a reminder of the devastating 2011 lightning strike in Uganda. 

International Focus:

The day is observed globally, with various organizations and countries participating in awareness campaigns and events. 

Continued Effort:

The day is part of ongoing efforts to reduce lightning-related deaths and injuries worldwide. 

 

World ATM Day

 

27 June is World ATM Day. Did you know that the world's smallest ATM is on a Bagel stall in New York City, while the 'wettest' is in County Cork, Ireland? On June 27th, 1967, the world's first semi-automated cash dispenser was introduced by Barclays Bank in North London. Today, there are more than 3.2 million ATM - Automated Teller Machine. The son of the ATM's 'inventor', James Shepherd-Barron, founded The ATM Appreciation Society to draw attention to how crucial and indispensable ATMs are in our daily lives and their pivotal role in reducing disaster risk and enhancing financial inclusion.

 

Madagascar Independence Day

 

Madagascar was an independent kingdom before becoming a French colony in 1896. The country was under French rule until 1960, when it became the Republic of Madagascar. Since then, Malagasy people celebrate their Independence Day every year on June 26.

Celebrations:

Every year, Malagasy people prepare the arrival of this event some weeks in advance. Indeed, you would notice the Malagasy flag proudly displayed against every household’s wall or balcony from the very beginning of June. Madagascar’s Independence Day is traditionally celebrated with a lot of food (composed especially of poultry – goose, chicken or duck, and rice), drinking and dancing.

Additionally, the celebration makes the joy of children who are eagerly awaiting the nights of June 25 and 26 to admire the fireworks and also to show their colourful Arendrina or lanterns. These are probably the noisiest nights of the year due to firecrackers used as a remembrance of the gunfire occurring during the war for independence.