Showing posts with label Holland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holland. Show all posts

December 29 - Happy Birthday, Dexter Holland

Posted on December 29, 2018

 Rock star...

 ...and molecular biologist!!!

 There are some rock or pop musicians who have ditched music, earned PhDs in science fields, and achieved a lot as scientists. Physicist Brian Cox comes to mind.

And there are several rock stars who have earned PhDs in science fields but have worked primarily in music all their lives. Queen co-founder and lead guitar player Brian May is also an astrophysicist who has worked with NASA and who started an asteroid awareness campaign. Punk rocker Greg Gaffin of Bad Religion also earned a PhD in zoology and is a university professor.

Well, here's one more:
Dexter Holland (born on this date in 1965) is best known as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the punk rock band The Offspring. But he, too, has achieved academically. He went to USC, earned a bachelor's in biology and a master's in molecular biology, and - after a break while The Offspring became successful worldwide - completed his doctorate in molecular biology in 2017.

Holland's doctorate work involved better understanding HIV.

 In addition to a huge career in music and his work in molecular biologist, Holland has started a successful hot sauce business and a record label. He also does important philanthropy - doing charity concerts and marathons to benefit AIDS research, the Innocence Project, and other worthy causes.

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September 5 - Benelux Formed

Posted on September 5, 2018

You know that annoying thing fans and entertainment writers sometimes do, joining together couples' names? Like Bennifer and Brangelina and TomKat - all couples who have since split! - and Kimye and...well, there are lots of famous examples, and I bet a lot of not-famous couples - or their friends - have done the join-names thing as well.

Well, today's historical anniversary is three small nations that banded together to form a customs union - this was before the E.U. - and they named their economic / political union by combining the first part of each name.
Benelux is Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg all becoming stronger together! 


This early union was the predecessor of the six-nation European Coal and Steel Community, which was the predecessor of the European Economic Community, which was the predecessor of today's European Union. That puts Benelux residents at the cutting edge of modern global political and economic unions!

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were also three of the first five nations who established open borders between their nations. They also established common visa policies. 
Since the E.U. now exists, and all three nations plus 16 more share one money system, the Euro, and almost all 28 members, plus several non-E.U. members, have open borders, Benelux still serves as a viable geographical and cultural union.

By the way, I mentioned that today is the anniversary of the creation of Benelux, but I didn't tell you in what year this union was formed: in 1944. That means that it was formed while the Allies were still liberating these nations from the Nazis! It was actually formed when the exiled representatives of the three nations met in London. I think this was a time when nations were definitely wanting to become stronger!!

Here are a few facts about the Benelux countries:

Official languages:
Luxembourg - French, German, and Luxembourgish
Belgium - French, Dutch, and German
the Netherlands - Dutch

Size:
Luxembourg - 2.5 thousand square km
Belgium - 30.5 thousand square km
the Netherlands - 41.5 thousand square km

Population:
Luxembourg - more than 600 thousand
Belgium - more than 11 million
the Netherlands - more than 17 million

And here are a few pictures of the Benelux nations:

Above, the lovely, canal-filled Amsterdam,
and below, the beautiful town of Bourtange, both in Amsterdam.
Above, gorgeous Dinant, and below, next two photos,
the famous canal-filled Bruges, both in Belgium.


Above and below, Luxembourg City.

One thing that the Netherlands is famous for - other than windmills and canals and ice skating - is tulips! Check out some of the amazing tulip farms and Keukenhof Gardens:




Actually, the tulip garden above is in Belgium -
it just goes to show you that these neighboring nations
share a lot in terms of climate and culture.



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Anniversary of a tax on beards



























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August 6 – Anniversary of the Sale of New Holland

Posted on August 6, 2015


Knowing that the Dutch colony that eventually became New York City was called New Amsterdam, I thought that “New Holland” might refer to the larger New York area. But, instead, the Dutch territory in North America was called New Netherlands.

Knowing that there are several towns, villages, or communities called “New Holland” in the U.S., I still assumed that this sale might be located here in North America.

What I didn't know is that there a LOT of “New Holland”s in the world! From an island in Russia to a settlement in Jamaica, from a village in England to the entire continent of Australia, a lot of places are or have been called Nova Hollandia or some other form of New Holland.

The one we are talking about today was in what is now Northeast Brazil.
The Dutch West India Company created several settlements and eventually the Dutch Republic controlled almost half of Brazil.

However, while the Dutch were settling parts of South America, the Spanish and Portuguese were settling other parts of the continent. And there were squabbles and battles over the land, for sure. (I didn't see a report of battles by native peoples against European settlers, but that had to happen somewhere, right?)

The Portuguese ended up winning a decisive battle against the Dutch, and on this date in 1661, the Treaty of The Hague was signed, and New Holland was formally ceded to Portugal in return for four million réis.


Learn more about Northeastern Brazil!

It is known for hot weather, beautiful beaches, and warm waters. 





This region is known for unique, diverse culture and festivals.

There is a lot of African influence on food and other culture
in Northeastern Brazil. (Above and below)

Recife (above and below) was the capital city of the Dutch Republic.
It is crossed by so many rivers and canals, it is sometimes called
the Venice of Brazil. 


The region is also known for arid backlands.



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