nPostednon August 1, 2014
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nCouldnthere be two nations less alike, and two national days as varied?
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Switzerlandnis a European nation with three official languages and a reputationnfor great cheese, chocolate, watches and clocks, and (especially)nbanks. It has the highest nominal wealth per adult in the world.
Switzerlandnis a European nation with three official languages and a reputationnfor great cheese, chocolate, watches and clocks, and (especially)nbanks. It has the highest nominal wealth per adult in the world.n
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| Switzerland is marked in bright pink. |
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Beninnis an African nation with only one official language but severalnindigenous languages; the economy depends largely on subsistencenfarming and a few agricultural exports such as cotton and nuts.
Beninnis an African nation with only one official language but severalnindigenous languages; the economy depends largely on subsistencenfarming and a few agricultural exports such as cotton and nuts.n
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ThenSwiss National Day harkens back to an oath of confederation sworn bynrepresentatives of three Alpine cantons against the Holy Roman Empiren– way back in 1291! It is a federal representative democracy andnhas one of the most stable governments and economies in thenworld—partly, no doubt, because the nation has a long history ofnarmed neutrality and therefore it doesn’t waste people and resourcesnon war.
ThenSwiss National Day harkens back to an oath of confederation sworn bynrepresentatives of three Alpine cantons against the Holy Roman Empiren– way back in 1291! It is a federal representative democracy andnhas one of the most stable governments and economies in thenworld—partly, no doubt, because the nation has a long history ofnarmed neutrality and therefore it doesn’t waste people and resourcesnon war.n
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Benin’snIndependence Day celebrates its much, much more recent (1960)nindependence from colonial power France.
Benin’snIndependence Day celebrates its much, much more recent (1960)nindependence from colonial power France. n
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nSince its independence, thennation has attempted to set up democratic governments many times butnhas experienced many military coups and governments.
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nMostnof Switzerland is high mountain country with lots of glaciers andnsnow. Tourism—especially winter tourism—is important.
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nMostnof Benin is flat and tropical. Much of the land that is not farmed isncovered with mangroves or is savannah covered with thorny scrubs andnthe occasional huge baobab tree.
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Toncelebrate today, some Swiss people will enjoy the Rhine Fallsnilluminated, and others will enjoy a historical reenactment or anfireworks show. Basically, the celebrations tend to be more regionalnand local than national.
Toncelebrate today, some Swiss people will enjoy the Rhine Fallsnilluminated, and others will enjoy a historical reenactment or anfireworks show. Basically, the celebrations tend to be more regionalnand local than national.n
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Benin’snIndependence Day sounds pretty typical – speeches from nationalnleaders and flag-raising ceremonies.
Benin’snIndependence Day sounds pretty typical – speeches from nationalnleaders and flag-raising ceremonies.n
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nThere are also some events of dancing or other shows of cultural pride.
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nAlsonon this date:
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nSpider-Man Day
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nLaanLuanys in the Isle of Man
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nAstronomernMaria Mitchell’s birthday
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nLammasnDay in Scotland
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nAugustn holidays
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nAugustn birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in August
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nSeptember holidays
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nSeptember birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in September
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