Gung Hay Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Welcome to the Year of the Horse. The Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, begins on January 31, according to the Gregorian Calendar in 2014.
Millions of Canadians, particularly those of Chinese heritage, and people all over the world will bring in the New Year. People of diverse religious, ethnic and political backgrounds come together to celebrate the common bonds of Chinese culture.
For more on Chinese New Year:
Chinese Historical and Cultural Project
As Provincial Exams and other final assessments take place at Lord Tweedsmuir this week, the school library schedule will vary. Thanks for your patience for those that are writing exams in the School Library. You are welcome to come into the library for study, research, quiet work, reading or book selection during those times when exams are not being written.
On Friday, January 31, the Second Semester begins and the school library schedule will return to normal.
India is sometimes described as “the world’s largest democracy.” With over a billion people, India is second only to China in population, and although it is certainly troubled, it has a more democratic system than its Asian neighbour. People in India and Indians around the world celebrate on January 26th of each year, commemorating the establishment of the Republic of India with the passing of the Constitution in 1950.
For more on Republic Day in India:
From the Government of Canada: “During World War II, millions of Jews perished in the Holocaust. Some, however, were saved by the efforts of courageous groups and individuals, such as Raoul Wallenberg who is credited with saving more than 100,000 Hungarian Jews.” (Read more.) Raoul Wallenberg disappeared on January 17, 1945. In 2001 the Canadian Government designated January 17 to be Raoul Wallenberg Day in Canada.
For more on Wallenberg:
Buddhists of the Mahayana tradition celebrate a New Year’s Festival on the first full moon of January. In 2014 this event takes place January 16. The Mahayana form of Buddhism spread north from India into the countries of East Asia.
Find out more about Buddhism:
On this day in 1974 “Happy Days” debuted on television, unleashing the Fonz on an unsuspecting world.
On this day Sikhs in Canada, India and around the world celebrate Maghi. This is a holy day for Sikhs in honour of the Chali Mukte, the “Forty Liberated Ones,” who died in defence of the 10th Guru of the Sikh Faith, Guru Gobind Singh.
For more information on Sikhism, check out some of the following links:
In the United States, the 3rd Monday in January is a National Holiday in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. While it is not a holiday in Canada, Canadians and people all over the world will take some time today to acknowledge the tremendous legacy of Dr. King as a champion of freedom, equality and peace. 
In the school library we will be taking the opportunity to view footage of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have A Dream” speech from the 1963 March on Washington. Please be sure to join us!
Learn more:
Belgian author Herge first wrote about Tintin in 1929. Originally written in French, The Adventures of Tintin would be published in many languages and feature in books, newspapers, film and more. Check out our display of Tintin books, both in English and French.
The family is where literacy begins. Parents, you can give your children the greatest gift by reading with them regularly. “Taking time every day to read or do a learning activity with children is crucial to a child’s development. Even just 15 minutes a day can improve a child’s literacy skills dramatically, and can help a parent improve their skills as well.” (ABC Life Literacy Canada)
For more information:
Acclaimed historical fiction author Philippa Gregory was born on this day in 1954. Changeling is Book One of a new young adult series, Order of Darkness, that combines historical fiction and fantasy.
Sikhs in Canada and around the world observe the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh who was born on this day in 1666 in Patna, India. He was the 10th and last of the (human) Gurus of Sikhism. He established the Khalsa, the organization of men and women baptized into the Sikh faith. He also established the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, as the final Guru for the Sikh people. For more on Guru Gobind Singh and the Sikh faith, check out some of the following links:
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 