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Thisnholiday marks the anniversary of the May 30, 1845, arrival of a shipnfull of East Indian people. Although the day used to be called IndiannEmigration Day, the early East Indian arrivals were not freelynchoosing to emigrate to the lovely Caribbean islands—instead, theynwere brought over as “coolies,” or slaves. Nowadays, the racialnmix of people living in Trinidad and Tobago includes around 40% blackn(many descendants of African slaves) and around 40% Indian (manyndescendants of “coolies”). It is this sizable Indian group whonhave encouraged the celebration of their ancestors’ arrival on thenislands by reveling in music, dance, and food from their Indian heritage.n
nTonlearn more about Trinidad and Tobago, see this earlier post.
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nHondurasnis a sort of tree heaven—also known as a biodiversity hotspot. Itnhas tropical rainforests, “cloud forests” (which are jungles thatnare almost always covered by low clouds and fog—and which getsnlittle rain but lots of “fog drip”), mangrove forests that grownin a sort of saltwater swamp, and forests of pine and oak trees innthe mountains. n
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Timbernis an important product for Honduras, but there are other, even more nimportant, products that don’t involve cutting down trees—such asntropical fruit and eco-tourism. Dia del Arbol (“Daynof the Tree”) is important in Honduras because so much of it isncovered by trees. Kids learn about the importance of caring for thennation’s forests, plant trees, and participate in special art projects.n
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nManyndifferent nations have set aside a day to celebrate mothers, but ofncourse they don’t all choose the same day. Today is Mother’s Day innNicaragua; the date was chosen by a president in the 1940s; May 30nwas the birthday of his mother-in-law.
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Tonfind out more about Nicaragua and Honduras, see this earlier post. n
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nAlsonon this date:
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nAnniversary of the eruption of Mount Lassen
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nAnniversary of the discovery of krypton
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