21 February: International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. Its observance was also formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.

International Mother Language Day originated as the international recognition of Language Movement Day, which has been commemorated in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) since 1952, when a number of students including the students of the University of Dhaka were killed by the Pakistani police in Dhaka during Bengali Language Movement protests.

Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

"Information and communication technologies can be especially useful in promoting mother languages. We must harness the power of progress to protect diverse visions of the world and to promote all sources of knowledge and forms of expression. These are the threads that weave the tapestry of humanity’s story. "

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
Message for International Mother Language Day 2011

Did you know that Irina Bokova is a Bulgarian? Proud to be Bulgarian!

20 February - World Day of Social Justice

 20 February - World Day of Social Justice

       Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

     For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of our global mission to promote development and human dignity. The adoption by the International Labour Organization of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization is just one recent example of the UN system’s commitment to social justice. The Declaration focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.

     The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

"Social justice is more than an ethical imperative, it is a foundation for national stability and global prosperity. Equal opportunity, solidarity and respect for human rights -- these are essential to unlocking the full productive potential of nations and peoples.."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the 2011 World Day of Social Justice
20 February 2011

Source: http://www.un.org

On This Day: February 14

Holidays Happy St. Valentine's Day! Bulgaria: Viticulturists' Day / Trifon Zarezan. International Book Giving Day Events 1849 - The first photograph of a U.S. President, James Polk, was taken by Matthew Brady, in New York City. 1859 - Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state. 1870 - Esther Morris became the world's first female justice of the peace. 1876 - Rival inventors Elisha Gray and Alexander Graham Bell both applied for patents for the telephone. 1899 - President William McKinley signed legislation authorizing states to use voting machines for federal elections. 1912 - Arizona became the 48th state of the Union. 1912 - The first diesel engine submarine was commissioned, in Groton, Connecticut. 1920 - The League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago; its first president was Maude Wood Park. 1924 - Thomas Watson founded International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). 1929 - The St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place in a Chicago garage when Al Capone's employees gunned down seven members of the George "Bugs" Moran North Siders gang. 1945 - Peru, Paraguay, Chile, and Ecuador joined the United Nations. 1946 - The world's first all-electronic computer was unveiled at the University of Pennsylvania, ENIAC. 1966 - Rick Mount of Lebanon, Indiana became the first high school male athlete to be pictured on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." 2003 - Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, was euthanized by veterinarians after being found to be suffering from progressive lung disease. Births 1819 - Christopher Sholes, American, typewriter inventor. 1847 - Anna Howard Shaw, American, influential leader of the women's suffrage movement. 1859 - George Ferris, American engineer, inventor of the Ferris wheel. 1894 - Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky), American comedian of vaudeville, radio, and television. 1913 - Jimmy Hoffa, American labor leader. 1921 - Hugh Downs, American TV host. 1948 - Teller, (born Raymond Joseph Teller), American magician, best known as the smaller, silent half of the comedy magic duo Penn & Teller.