LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP DAY

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP DAY
By. RodriguezUc

Colombians like many Latin American people have chosen the third weekend in September to celebrate the Day of Love and Friendship. The tradition of exchanging presents is celebrated in different parts of the world in different days; for example:
- In the US, it is celebrated on February 14 and it is called San Valentine.
- In Argentina, it is celebrated in July and it is called “Dia de los Enamorados”
- In Bolivia, it is celebrated in September and it is known as the day of the Student or The Spring Day.
- In China, Qi Qiao Jie (Day of the Skills) It is celebrated the 7th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar.
- In Japan the celebration is promoted by the chocolate company Morozoff.
- In Central America, It is known as “Dia del Carino” and it is also celebrated in September.
The Day of Love and Friendship in Colombia began in 1969. During the Day of Love and Friendship Colombians play “Amigo Secreto” – “Secret Santa” the days before the 19th, friends give candies or chocolates as well as clues to find out who the secret friend is. Love and Friendship Day also brings the opportunity to share with friends. Some people go to restaurants, discos or attend a live concert. Although celebrating love and friendship is a business, some people find it as a perfect opportunity to show how much they care for their loved ones. There are two common gifts in Colombia: music and roses but what do they mean? What else is common?
ROSES:
Roses are always related to love however the color of roses have a different meaning:
Red roses: expression of sincere love
Pink roses: thank you for your friendship
Yellow roses: I care for you
White roses: I admire you (in secret)
MUSIC:
Love songs are very popular. The songs “El Camino de la Vida” by Hector Ochoa and “La Mujer que yo Quiero” by Juan Manuel Serrat and “Somos Novios” by Armando Manzanero were chosen as the most popular for the Day of Love and Friendship.

PROVERBS:
Writing notes is also usual. There are some friendship proverbs:
"Books and friends should be few but good."
"A friend in need is a friend indeed."
- Latin Proverb
"A good friend is my nearest relation."
"God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself."
"Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes."
SONGS:

Many known singers have belted out songs on friendship, the following is a list of famous friendship songs:
Ben by Michael Jackson, 1972.
Friends Never Say Goodbye by Elton John- 2000
I'll Be There for You by ‘The Rembrandts’ -1995.
Lean On Me by Bill Withers – 1972
That's What Friends Are For by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager – 1982
You've got a Friend by Carole King 1971


SAYINGS:
First Top-10 List of Friendship Sayings
#1 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
It is better in times of need to have a friend rather than money.
— Greek proverb
#2 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
When you are looking for a best friend, don't look for perfection; just look for friendship.
— Author Unknown
#3 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
A true friend wants nothing more from you than the pleasure of your company.
— Author Unknown
#4 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
Heaven must be an awfully dull place if your best friends end up elsewhere.
— Author Unknown
#5 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing
it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
— Author Unknown
#6 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
Best friends are the most important ingredient in the recipe for a happy and fulfilled life.
— Author Unknown
#7 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
My wife ran off with my best friend, and I sure do miss him.
— Author Unknown
#8 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
A mere friend will agree with you, but a real friend will argue.
— Russian Proverb
#9 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
Money might make you wealthy, but friends make you rich.
— Author Unknown
#10 of Top Ten Friendship Sayings
Best friends are those who, when you show up at their door with a dead body, say nothing, grab a shovel, and follow you.
Author Unknown

YOUR TURN!
What does friendship mean to you?
What does love mean to you?
How do you celebrate Love and Friendship Day?

SOME SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS

SOME SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS
By RodriguezUc

People make history and people live histories are two common sentences in our world. Everyday when we read the newspaper, we read the history of our times. Have you ever thought of what you have lived or witnessed so far? Have you reflected on the future consequences of today´s actions in our world? Let´s read three examples of three happenings in the world´s history. All these events occurred in September and have caused an impact on our lives till present time.

1939 – World War II begins – Germany

On September 1st, 2009, the world witnessed the beginning of II World War. Adolph Hitler declared that Germany should take back all its former lands, this situation ended up with the killing of Jews, gypsies, Russians and allies among others against this German ideology. As a consequence Germany invaded Poland and a series of other events would occur. World War II took the lives of more than 20 million people. This war would last six years. However, some survivors and some places like the Holocaust Museum in DC tell what happened.


1980 – World Tourism Day

On September 27th, 1980 the World Tourism Organization declared the World Tourism Day. ¨The principle of World Tourism Day is to show wakefulness that tourism is essential to the worldwide population and to display how it concerns the cultural, social, economic and political values worldwide

2001 - September eleven attacks – US






On September 11, 2001, US faced the most terrible attack to this nation. Two airplanes crashed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in NY, third one the Pentagon in DC and the fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania. Thousands of people, not only workers but also the airplane passengers and hijackers died; other civilians suffered the sad results of this happening which has been named ¨The Day the World Changed¨. The suicide attacks were blamed on Al- Qaeda which originated in the late 70´s when Osama Bin Ladem with the help of the US organized an Arab group to defend against Soviets.



Do you know when these events happened? Check the answers with your teacher.

1. The election of the first Afro American president in the US

2. The Fall of the Berlin wall

3. Mao Tse-Tung died and a new era began for China

4. Iran officially became an Islamic country when Iranians overwhelmingly approved a national referendum to make it happen

5. President Hugo Chavez took power

What has happened so far this month?

In which ways can the actions of an individual change the life of others?

Listen and read about some reflections and opinions on September 11.

¨Stories and programs from Understanding America after 9/11 were broadcast on public radio stations nationwide September 3 through September 10, 2002. Many of the stories are archived on this site¨.

http://understandingamerica.publicradio.org/

Listen and write a paper expressing your own opinion.