Boxing Day is a holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers, in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and other Commonwealth nations. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December.
In Britain, it was a custom for tradespeople to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys' diary entry for 19 December 1663. This custom is linked to an older English tradition: since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day, which is also St. Stephen's Day, a religious holiday. When 26 December falls on a Sunday, Boxing Day in many Commonwealth countries and former British dominions is moved to 27 December. In the UK, Boxing Day is a bank holiday. If Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the following Monday is given as a substitute bank holiday. On the occasion when Christmas Day is on a Saturday and the 26 December on the Sunday, the following Monday (27) is the substitute bank holiday for Boxing Day and Tuesday (28) the substitute bank holiday for Christmas Day. In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974, by Royal Proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. In Ireland – when the island as a whole was part of the United Kingdom – the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of St. Stephen as a non-movable public holiday on 26 December. Since the creation of the Republic of Ireland following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland – being part of the United Kingdom – officially reverted to use of the British name 'Boxing Day'. In the UK, Canada, and some states of Australia, Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the US. Boxing Day sales are common in Canada. It is a time where shops have sales, often with dramatic price reductions. For many merchants, Boxing Day has become the day of the year with the greatest amount of returns. In the UK in 2009 it was estimated that up to 12 million shoppers appeared at the sales (a rise of almost 20% compared to 2008, although this was also affected by the fact that the VAT would revert to 17.5% from 1 January, following the temporary reduction to 15%). I dedicate this post to my friend Brandon, who is spending his second Christmas and Boxing Day in England! I hope everyone had a pleasant Christmas and a Happy Boxing Day! Cheers!
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I would like to wish a Happy 66th Birthday today to His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales. Charles, Prince of Wales was born 14 November 1948), is the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II. Known alternatively in Scotland as Duke of Rothesay and in South West England as Duke of Cornwall, he is the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, having held the position since 1952. He is also the oldest person to be next-in-line to the throne since 1714. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace as the first grandchild of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. He was educated at Cheam and Gordonstoun Schools, which his father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , had attended as a child, as well as the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia. After earning a bachelor of arts degree from Trinity College, Cambridge, Charles served in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976. He married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and they had two sons:Prince Willaim, Duke of Cambridge (born 1982), and Prince Harry (born 1984). In 1996, the couple divorced, following well-publicized extra-marital affairs. Diana died in a car crash the following year. In 2005, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, who uses the title Duchess of Cornwall. Charles was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 26 July 1958, though his investiture as such was not conducted until 1 July 1969, when he was crowned by his mother in a televised ceremony held at Caernarfon Castle, and gave his replies and speech in both Welsh and English. The following year he took his seat in the House of Lords, and later in the decade became the first member of the Royal Family since King George I to attend a British Cabinet meeting, having been invited by Prime Minister James Callaghan so that the Prince might see the workings of the British government and Cabinet at first hand. Charles also began to take on more public duties, founding The Prince's Trust in 1976, and travelling to the United States in 1981. Following royal tradition, Charles served in the navy and air force. After requesting and receiving Royal Air Force training during his second year at Cambridge, on 8 March 1971, he flew himself to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell to train as a jet pilot. Following the passing-out parade that September, he embarked on a naval career, enrolling in a six-week course at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and then serving on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk (1971–1972) and the frigates HMS Minerva (1972–1973) and HMS Jupiter (1974). He also qualified as a helicopter pilot at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974, just prior to joining 845 Naval Air Squadron, operating from HMS Hermes. On 9 February 1976, he took command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington for his last ten months serving actively in the navy. He learned to fly on a Chipmunk basic pilot trainer, a BAC Jet Provost jet trainer, and a Beagle Basset multi-engine trainer; he then regularly flew the Hawker Siddeley Andover, Westland Wessex and BAe 146 aircraft of The Queen's Flight. Although Charles first met Lady Diana Spencer in 1977—while visiting her home, Althorp, as the companion of her elder sister, Sarah—he did not consider her romantically until mid-1980. While sitting together on a bale of hay at a friend's barbecue in July, he mentioned Mountbatten's death, to which Diana replied that Charles had looked forlorn and in need of care during his uncle's funeral. Soon, according to Charles's chosen biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby, "without any apparent surge in feeling, he began to think seriously of her as a potential bride", and she accompanied Charles on visits to Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House. Charles's cousin, Norton Knatchbull (Amanda's eldest brother), and his wife told Charles that Diana appeared awestruck by his position and that he did not seem to be in love with her. Meanwhile, the couple's continued courtship attracted intense press and paparazzi attention. When Prince Philip told him that the media speculation would injure Diana's reputation if Charles did not come to a decision about marrying her soon, and realizing that she was a suitable royal bride (according to Mountbatten's criteria), Charles construed his father's advice as a warning to proceed without further delay. Prince Charles proposed to Diana in February 1981 and they married in St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July. Upon his marriage, Charles reduced his voluntary tax contribution from the profits generated by the Duchy of Cornwall from 50% to 25%. The couple made their homes at Kensington Palace and at Highgrove House, near Tetbury, and had two children: Princes William (born 21 June 1982) and Henry (known as "Harry") (born 15 September 1984). In December 1992, the British Prime Minister, John Major, announced their formal separation in Parliament. That same year, the British press published bugged recordings of a passionate private 1989 telephone conversation between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. Charles and Diana divorced on 28 August 1996. When Diana died in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997, Charles flew there, with Diana's sisters, to accompany her body back to Britain. The engagement of Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles was announced on 10 February 2005; he presented her with an engagement ring which had belonged to his grandmother. The Queen's consent to the marriage (as required by the Royal Marriages Act 1772) was recorded in a Privy Council meeting on 2 March. Charles is the first member of the Royal Family to have a civil, rather than religious, wedding in England. Government documents from the 1950s and 1960s, published by the BBC, stated that such a marriage was illegal, though these were dismissed by Charles's spokesman, and explained to be obsolete by the sitting government. The marriage was to take place in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle, with a subsequent religious blessing at St George's Chapel. However, because a civil marriage at Windsor Castle would oblige the venue to be available to anyone wishing to be married there, the location was changed to Windsor Guildhall. On 4 April the originally scheduled date of 8 April was postponed by one day, to allow Charles and some of the invited dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Charles's parents did not attend the civil marriage ceremony; the Queen's reluctance to attend perhaps arising from her position as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh did attend the service of blessing, and held a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle afterwards. The blessing, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, was televised. Prince Charles full title is as follows: His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. To learn more about all of the Prince's hobbies, charities, patronages, events, pictures, etc. check out the official website for the Prince of Wales. Happy Birthday Charles!
I have loved collecting coins since I was little. Up until I was about 15, I collected only American coins. When my fascination with Britain began,I began to search everywhere for British coins. I would check hobby stores, and my best luck was in antique stores. I also have the luxury of friends giving me coins they used while visiting Britain themselves. I started to accumulate coins from then and coins from now. By then and now I mean coins pre and post decimalization day, 17 February, 1971. In a nut shell, on that day, the entire British coinage and currency system changed (I shall explain later). I always wondered why coins differed from then and now and what the lingo meant, that you would hear in old films and television series. After studying the history of British currency, and trying to wrap my brain around the confusing methods of the money then, I finally understand how it worked, and I thought it would be interesting to explain both the old and new ways...but to explain before I explain, I want to tell you about the signage! The old method of identifying "pence" was the symbol/letter "d"! The new method for expressing "pence" is "P". Just keep that in mind!!! THE OLD WAY... Prior to 1971, the British Coinage system was as follows (pay close attention to the abbreviation symbols in parenthesis () next to the denomination, as I shall use them later to define value of coins): To begin... the Pound (£)was divided into 240 Pence (d). £1 = 240d The pound was divided into 20 Shillings (s). £1 = 20s A Shilling was divided into 12 Pence (d). 1s = 12d To simplify this process...all you have to remember is that there was 240 pence to the pound, 20 shillings to the pound and 12 pence to a shilling! It sounds simple in theory, but memorization is all it takes! Prior to Decimal Day in 1971 there were two hundred and forty pence in one pound sterling. Twelve pence made a shilling, and twenty shillings made a pound. Values less than a pound were usually written in terms of shillings and pence. For example, forty-two pence would be three shillings and six pence (3/6), pronounced "three and six". Values of less than a shilling were simply written in terms of pence. For example, eight pence would be 8d. The coins that were produced to represent these standards were as follows in descending order according to value:
The New Way... Following Decimal Day in 1971, the British coins got an update with some new rules. The new rules which go on to this day are as follows: The Pound (£) equals 100 pence (p). £1 = 100p There are no more shillings!!! The new coins were initially marked with the wording NEW PENNY (singular) or NEW PENCE (plural). The word "new" was dropped in 1982. The symbol "p" was adopted to distinguish the new pennies from the old, which used the symbol "d". The common way of saying this is "pee". For example 50 pence would be pronounced "fifty pee". The new and current coins of the realm are as follows (in descending value):
The Royal mint does also mint a £5 coin. The five pound (£5) coin is a commemorative denomination of the pound sterling. The coin has no standard reverse, which is altered each year to commemorate important events. Variant obverses have also been used on occasion. The coin is a continuation of the crown, which after decimalization become the commemorative twenty-five pence coin. Five pound coins are legal tender but are intended as souvenirs and are almost never seen in circulation. The Royal Mint states frankly "most retailers will refuse to accept them". However, the coins may be spent at all post offices. The coins are sold by the Royal Mint at face value and also, with presentation folders, at a premium to that face value. The coin to the left is an example of a commemorative design. This coin represents Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. I hope everyone finds these facts interesting. I always think it is good to have some background information on things that may affect you. I think it is bad practice to travel to Britain and have no knowledge or understanding on how to correctly use the money. Also, by knowing this system you are less likely to be cheated, which is very unlikely anyway. God Save the Queen!
My Scottish Referendum article appeared in today's edition of the Cumberland Times-News. Today I shall proudly wear my tartan kilt to my college classes. To read my article, you can click on the link below or download the print version below. Cheers!
The day we have long since feared has arrived! Tomorrow, Scotland's future will be determined! Tomorrow, September 18th, the people of Scotland will vote in a national referendum, to whether or not they shall break away from the rest of the United Kingdom and become an independent country. I am one of the thousands of people who are supporting the “NO” vote for independence, here are some of the reasons why Scotland should not become an independent country: First, if Scotland were to break away, this would mean that national stability in Britain could slip. Foreign enemies (such as ISIS or Al Qaeda) could see this as a weakness in the country and this could become a prime target for terrorism. If they stayed, they would remain part of one of the top members of defense alliances in the world, such as NATO and the UN. Second, Scotland means a lot to the economic stability of the United Kingdom. By this I mean all of the natural and man-made resources found in Scotland. Scotland's industry is built upon coal mining, ship building, and not to mention the Whisky Industry. The country is also big in the petroleum industry with the extraction of North Sea Oil. There is also a lot of buzz about what Scotland's Plan B will be if they cannot use the Pound as their currency. Alex Salmond, the First Minister has been questioned and questioned and will not explain. He keeps referring to page 110 of the publication "Scotland's Future", which is the guide to what will happen if there is a "Yes" vote. He says there are 4 plans. I have read page 110 and it lists them only, and does not describe them. He is pushing for a currency union with the UK to share the pound. Whether it would work or not is too large of a risk for Scotland to make. Third, we(England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland) have dedicated over 300 years to this glorious Union and it would be horribly demeaning and cruel to end it now. Yes, in the past 700 years there have been tensions, but through it all they have had Scotland's back in good and bad times. Others will disagree with this, but most people believe that Scotland was meant to be a part of this union, and that goes for Wales and Northern Ireland as well. The whole point is to show that the people of British Isles have a deep sense of communal relations and feelings that cannot be broken up no matter what a few people think. British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke at the recent NATO Summit in Wales. When asked about Scotland’s future, he had this to say “I take a very clear, loud message from the rest of the United Kingdom, which is “We want you to stay”. We care passionately about our family of nations. Of course Scotland can make a different choice, the Scottish people are sovereign in this matter. But, they shouldn't be in any doubt that the rest of the United Kingdom passionately wants them to remain a part of our successful family of nations.” He went on to speak about Scotland staying due to its importance to defense of the United Kingdom. He spoke about it being a “dangerous and insecure world”. This is what he said, “I would have thought, one of the strongest arguments that those of us who want to see the United Kingdom stay together can make, is in that dangerous and insecure world, with terrorist threats and other threats, isn’t it better to be a part of a United Kingdom that has a top five defense budget, that has some of the best security and intelligence services anywhere in the world, that is part of every single alliance that really matters in the world in terms of NATO, the G8, the G20, the European Union, a permanent member of the Security Council of the UN? To have all of those networks and abilities to work with allies to keep us safe. Isn’t it better to have those things, than to separate yourselves from them?" There are many other reasons, but I shall let you look into them yourselves. Below is the official site for the referendum. It provides all of the information about it, and what will happen with a "YES" or God permitting a "NO" vote! It also provides all of the details why the Scots are pleading for this vote.
Below that are two of the "No" campaign sites. These are really the two official ones. They provide excellent reasons why Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom and the plans they intend to put into effect should the Scots lovingly vote "NO". Below that is a link to read the Official Publication called "Scotland's Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland". It is a guide that maps out Scotland's plans and terms for what will happen if God forbid a "Yes" vote is successful. From the bottom of my heart I pray that this vote is not successful and the life of the United Kingdom shall not come to a forceful end. In honor and awareness of this historic event, I shall be wearing my Blackwatch Kilt and sporran with pride tomorrow as I attend school and walk through Cumberland. I hope that all of my fellow Americans with Scottish descent shall join me in awareness for this day. I shall be back tomorrow or Friday with the results. As always Rule Britannia and we are "BETTER TOGETHER"!!!! Thirty years ago today, Prince Charles and Princess Diana welcomed their second son, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. He was third in line to the throne at the time of his birth, the same as his grandmother the Queen when she was born. He was baptised on 21 December 1984 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. Diana wanted Harry and his older brother William to have a broader range of experiences than previous royal children and took them to venues that ranged from Disney World and McDonald's to AIDS clinics and shelters for the homeless. Harry began to accompany his parents on official visits at an early age; his first overseas royal tour was with his parents to Italy in 1985. Harry's parents divorced in 1996, and his mother died following a car accident in Paris the following year. Harry and William were staying with their father at Balmoral at the time, and the Prince of Wales told his sons about their mother's death. At his mother's funeral, Harry, then 12, accompanied his father, brother, paternal grandfather, and maternal uncle, Earl Spencer in walking behind the funeral cortège from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey. Like his brother and father before him, he was educated at privates schools. First, at Wetherby pre-prepatory school. Then, Ludgrove school, and finally, moving on to Eton College upon passing the entrance exam. In June 2003, Harry completed his education at Eton with two A-Levels (achieving a grade B in art and D in geography) having decided to drop history of art after AS level. He excelled in sports, particularly polo and rugby union. Passing two A-levels, Harry was eligible to apply for an officer commission in the British Army. Like most royals, Harry has done military service. He began at Sandhurt Royal Military Academy in May of 2005 where he was known as Officer Cadet Wales. Within a year, in April 2006, Harry completed his officer training and was commissioned as a Cornet (second lieutenant) in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry in the British Army. He was given the service number 564673. On 13 April 2008, when he reached two years' seniority, Harry was promoted to lieutenant. Later, he was deployed to serve in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His tour made Harry the first member of the Royal Family to serve in a war zone since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew helicopters during the Falklands War. For his service, Harry was presented with an Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan by his aunt, Princess Anne, at the Combermere Barracks in May 2008. Harry of course has many royal duties, such as carrying out engagements on behalf of the Queen and others. Along with that,Prince Harry is patron of the following organisations:
For more info on Prince Harry, view his official webpage below. On that point, I would like to wish him a very happy 30th birthday!
On the afternoon of September 3, 1939,75 years ago today, after Adolf Hitler's Nazi troop annexed Poland, a radio announcer in Britain had this to say... "This morning, the British Ambassador in Berlin, handed the German government a final note. Stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I am here to say that no such undertaking has occurred, and consequently this country (Britain) is at war with Germany." When this happened, the office of the Prime Minister quickly put to gether one of the greatest speeches of World War II. It was quickly rushed to Buckingham Palace for a six o'clock radio broadcast to the nation and the world by His Majesty King George VI. As it happens, George VI was known for having a stuttering problem. But, with the help of his speech therapist Lionel Logue and the loving support of his wife Elizabeth and his two daughters, he gave on of the best speeches in history. Here is a transcript of his speech: In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. It is the principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right; and if this principle were established throughout the world, the freedom of our own country and of the whole British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this - the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world's order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail. May He bless and keep us all. By delivering this speech, it announced officially that Britain had declared war on Nazi Germany. From that day on, the King became the face for British National stability during the dark days of the war. Although the Princesses were sent off to stay at Windsor for the duration of the war, he and his wife stayed in London to be close to their people. In 2010, a movie adaptation entitled "The King's Speech" was released starring Colin Firth as King George VI, Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth,and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue. It is a wonderful movie and for anyone who wants to learn more about King George VI or wants some insight about his speech impediment, I suggest you see this movie. It is based off a book called "The King's Speech: How One man saved the British Monarchy". It was written by Mark Logue who is the grandson of the real King's speech therapist Lionel Logue. Lionel kept journals and correspondence between him and the king all the years they worked together. I have also read that and it really sheds light onto the previously well hidden secret of the King's speech impediment. To listen to the real King's speech, click on the link below. Cheers!
17 years ago today, the world lost one of if not the most beloved and most publicly scrutinized women in the world, Diana, Princess of Wales in a car accident in Paris.
Diana Frances Spencer was born into an aristocratic English family with royal ancestry as The Honorable Diana Spencer. She was the fourth child of John Spencer, Viscount Althorp and his first wife, the Honorable Frances Roche, daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy. Diana became Lady Diana Spencer when her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer in 1975. She became a public figure with the announcement of her engagement. Her wedding to the Prince of Wales on 29 July 1981 was held at St Paul's Cathedral and seen by a global television audience of over 750 million. While married she bore the titles Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay, Countess of Chester and Baroness of Renfrew. The marriage produced two sons, the princes William and Harry, who were respectively second and third in the line of succession to the British throne for the remainder of her lifetime. After her marriage, she undertook a variety of public engagements. She was well known for her fund-raising work for international charities and as an eminent celebrity of the late 20th century. She also received recognition for her charity work and for her support of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. From 1989, she was the president of Great Ormond Street Hospital for children, in addition to dozens of other charities. Diana remained the object of worldwide media scrutiny during and after her marriage, which ended in divorce on 28 August 1996. If the Prince of Wales had ascended the throne during their marriage, Diana would have become queen consort. On 31 August 1997, Diana was fatally injured in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris, which also caused the deaths of her companion Dodi Fayed and the driver, Henri Paul, acting security manager of the Hôtel Ritz Paris. Millions of people watched her funeral. The sudden and unexpected death of an extraordinarily popular royal figure brought statements from senior figures worldwide and many tributes by members of the public. People left public offerings of flowers, candles, cards and personal messages outside Kensington Palace for many months. Her coffin, draped with royal flag, was brought to London from Paris by Prince Charles and her two sisters on 31 August 1997. After being taken to a private mortuary it was put at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. Diana's funeral took place in Westminster Abbey on 6 September. The previous day Queen Elizabeth II had paid tribute to her in a live television broadcast. Her sons walked in the funeral procession behind her coffin, along with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, and with Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer. Lord Spencer said of his sister, "She proved in the last year that she needed no royal title to continue to generate her particular brand of magic." Since I was only 4 years old when Diana was taken from us, I have little memory of her name in the news. But as I got older I started learning more about her life and tragic death. I just have this to say... it is because of her memory that people (by people I mean the Media) need to have more respect for humanity. It absolutely angers me to real blistering fury when I see those ravenous vultures printing that slime they call news which is nothing more than filthy lies about kind and selfless people like the royal family. These people have done nothing wrong and you are doing nothing but smearing their good name for the sake of taking home a few measly dollars. So it is because of Diana, we must all learn to have more respect for common and descent people. Treat them respect and you shall maintain your integrity. That is what I have learned from her life. May she Rest in Peace!!! Info retrieved from Wikipedia.org. As they say, better late than never. Sunday, was my favorite actor, Mr. Sean Connery's 84th Birthday. He will always be remembered as the very first and in my opinion the very best James Bond. He is also in my opinion the world's greatest living Scot!
He was born on August 25, 1930 in the neighborhood of Fountainbridge of Edinburgh, Scotland to Joseph and Euphemia Connery. He got his first job working as a local milkboy in Edinburgh. He later joined the Royal Navy. He was later discharged for medical reasons. Afterwards, he returned to the co-op, then worked as, among other things, a lorry driver, a lifeguard at Portobello swimming baths, a labourer, an artist's model for the Edinburgh College of Art, and after a suggestion by former Mr. Scotland, Archie Brennan, a coffin polisher. He later started a body building career. He finished third in the 1953 Mr. Universe competition. Sean had been drawn to theatre and musicals. Connery's breakthrough came in the role of secret agent James Bond. He was reluctant to commit to a film series, but understood that if the films succeeded his career would greatly benefit. He played the character in the first five Bond films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), and You Only Live Twice (1967) – then appeared again as Bond in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983). All seven films were commercially successful. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute. Although the James Bond persona made him a star, he grew tired of only being portrayed as James Bond. He went on to make many successful movies such as:
His notable awards include:
He is an avid and life long supporter for Scottish Independence. So it will be interesting when the Referendum rolls around on September 18th. So even though it is belated, I would like to wish a Happy 84th birthday to Sean Connery and I hope he has many more. There is only one word for the magic that this film has inspired over these past fifty years, and I think you know what it is...SUPERCALIFRAGELISTICEXPIEALIDOCIOUS! Today marks fifty years since its star studded premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood! The music, the characters, the special effects, these all come together to create one of the most beloved stories of all time. It remains to this day, one of Walt Disney's greatest achievements. Disney himself considered this film his crowning achievement. He after all spent over twenty years persuading the author P.L. Travers to sign over the film rights to her beloved nanny's story. Once he gained the rights, he did his best to ensure that Ms. Traver's story was beloved for all time. This was the break through for theatre star Julie Andrews as her introductory films. She paired with American actor Dick Van Dyke and his cockney accent, played through a story that was magical.
In recent weeks, I have come to realize that this film was one of the catalysts that began my fascination with British life. I don't mean the singing chimney sweeps or magic nannies, I am talking about the quaint and old fashion nature that is Britain. Whether it is afternoon tea, or the charming accents and landscapes of Britain, or the way people can do a little kindness when they can. Above all this film inspires the notion that it doesn't take much to bring a little kindness to this world that we live in. I beg you, don't let this movie be forgotten, pass it on to those who have not seen it and it will thereby inspire others to appreciate the magic and genius that is Mary Poppins! |