June 27 - Independence Day in Djibouti

   Posted on June 27, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on June 27, 2011:



This tiny African nation, which borders the Red Sea, became independent of France in 1977. More than half the population lives in the capital, Djibouti City.




Apparently tourists in Djibouti can snorkel and dive to view “pristine” (untouched) coral reefs, or stroke a cheetah at an animal refuge, or swim with huge whale sharks (which eat only the tiniest creatures, so it's safe). 

There is an old Arabic town called Tadjoura, hot springs that are hot enough to cook fish (!), and Lake Assal, a crater lake that is the lowest spot in Africa and the third lowest spot on Earth (other than ocean-floor deepnesses such as the Mariana Trench). Lake Assal is also one of the saltiest lakes in the world - saltier, even, than the Dead Sea!


Lake Assal looks lovely, like a tropical island in a warm sea...
But actually it is a VERY salty lake that has weird salt
formations that is home to the business of scraping and
trading salt.

 



Another salt lake, Lake Abbe, is known for its tall limestone chimneys that puff out steam. The movie Planet of the Apes was filmed there.




To learn more about Djibouti, go to Multicultural Kid.


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June 26 - Invention of the Toothbrush

   Posted on June 26, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on June 26, 2011:



People used chew sticks, toothpicks, and even cloths to clean their teeth.

They rubbed sulfur oil, salt water (saline), or baking soda on their teeth.


They even frayed one end of a twig from a nice-smelling bush or tree to clean their teeth and freshen their breath.

But, until this day in 1498, people didn't brush their teeth.

The Emperor of China patented a toothbrush made of bamboo with stiff hogback bristles attached at right angles to the bamboo. Tooth hygiene was much easier with a brush rather than a stick, and word of the invention traveled back to Europe and, eventually, all over the world.

Celebrate! Buy new toothbrushes today!

Did you know you should...

  • use a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles.


  • change your toothbrush every 3 to 5 months, plus after every cold or flu.

  • clean your toothbrush with running water after each brushing and allow it to air-dry in an upright position without contacting other toothbrushes.



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June 25 - Independence Day in Croatia

   Posted on June 25, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on June 25, 2011:




A lot changed in Croatia in the year 1991. On May 19, there was a referendum about whether or not to break away from Yugoslavia. (About 94% of the population voted Yes, let's break away!). On May 30, the president announced the referendum results and declared Croatia independent. On June 25, the Croatian parliament formally joined it with its own declaration of independence. And on October 8, parliament cut all remaining ties with Yugoslavia.


When Yugoslavia broke apart, Slovenia, Croatia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia,
Montenegro, and North Macedonia formed. 

Kosovo is only partially recognized. 

To commemorate this series of events, May 30 is Croatia's National Day, called (I gather) Statehood Day.

Some websites claim that, separately from the May holiday, either June 25 or October 8 (or possibly both?) is considered Independence Day. Whether or not these days are celebrated is hard to verify!

More about Croatia...

Croatia is the home of the cravat, or necktie.


This piece of clothing used to be part of the Croatian soldier's uniform, and it was seen and copied all over Europe in the early 1600s. The French king Louis XIV loved the cravat and adopted the fashion, and it became so popular it was commonplace.


It's interesting to note that "cravat" came from the French word for "Croat," which means "a person from Croatia"! But the method of typing a cravat became so important - and so varied! - that the words "tie" and "necktie" began to be used more and more as time went on.
 

Nowadays men can dress up or individualize their work clothes with ties—sometimes even wearing ties that are funny!


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