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benjamin wee

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Stamford Raffles

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles (6 July 1781 – 5 July 1826) was the founder of the city of Singapore (now the city-state of the Republic of Singapore). He was also heavily involved in the conquest of the Indonesian island of Java from Dutch and French military forces during the Napoleonic Wars. He is one of the more famous Britons who contributed to the expansion of the British EmpireRaffles was born on the ship Ann off the coast of Port Morant, Jamaica to Captain Benjamin Raffles and an unknown Dutch mother. His father was involved in the Caribbean slave trade, and died suddenly when Raffles was fourteen, leaving his family in debt. Raffles then started working as a clerk in London for the British East India Company, the trading company that shaped many of Britain's overseas conquests. In 1805 he was sent to what is now Penang in the country of Malaysia, then called the Prince of Wales Island, starting his long association with Southeast Asia. He started with a post under the Honourable Philip Dundas, the Governor of Penang.
As he was gazetted assistant secretary to the new Governor of Penang in 1805, he married Olivia Mariamne Devenish, a widow who was formerly married to Jacob Cassivelaun Fancourt, an assistant surgeon in Madras who had died in 1800. It was also at this time that he made acquaintance with Thomas Otho Travers, who would accompany him for the next twenty years.
His knowledge of the Malay language as well as his wit and ability, gained him favour with Lord Minto, governor of India, and he was sent to Malacca. Then, in 1811, after the invasion and annexation of the Kingdom of Holland by France during Napoleon's war, Raffles had no choice but to leave the country. He mounted a military expedition against the Dutch and French in Java, Indonesia. The war was swiftly conducted by Admiral Robert Stopford, General Wetherhall, and Colonel Gillespie, who led a well-organized army against an army of mostly French conscripts with little proper leadership. The previous Dutch governor, Herman Willem Daendels, had built a well-defended fortification at Meester Cornelis (now Jatinegara), and at the time, the governor, Jan Willem Janssens (who, coincidentally, surrendered to the British at the Cape Colony), mounted a brave but ultimately futile defense at the fortress. The British, led by Colonel Gillespie, stormed the fort and captured it within three hours. Janssens attempted to escape inland but was captured. The British invasion of Java took a total of forty-five days, during which Raffles was appointed the Lieutenant-Governor by Lord Minto before hostilities formally ceased. He took his residence at Buitenzorg and despite having a small subset of Britons as his senior staff, he kept many of the Dutch civil servants in the governmental structure. He also negotiated peace and mounted some small military expeditions against local princes to subjugate them to British rule, as well as a takeover of Bangka Island to set up a permanent British presence in the area in the case of the return of Java to Dutch rule after the end of the War of the Sixth Coalition in Europe.

During his governorship, Raffles introduced partial self-government, stopped the slave trade, became an early opponent of the Opium trade by placing strict limitations upon its importation, much to the dismay of Calcutta, led an expedition to rediscover and restore Borobudur and other ancient monuments, and replaced the Dutch forced agriculture system with a land tenure system of land management, probably influenced by the earlier writings of Dirk van Hogendorp (1761-1822). He also changed the Dutch colonies to the British system of driving on the left,[citation needed]which is why Indonesia drives on the left today.
Under the harsh conditions of the island, Olivia died on 26 November 1814, an event that devastated Raffles. In 1815, he left again for England after the island of Java was returned to control of the Netherlands following the Napoleonic Wars, under the terms of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814, but not before he was officially replaced by John Fendall on account of the poor financial performance of the colony during his administration, as deemed by the successors of Lord Minto in Calcutta. He sailed to England in early 1816 to clear his name, and en route, visited Napoleon, who was in exile at St. Helena, but found him unpleasant and unimpressive.

White Tigers

A white tiger is a tiger with a genetic condition that nearly eliminates pigment in the normally orange fur, though they still have dark stripes. (Another genetic condition also makes the stripes of the tiger very pale; white tigers of this type are called snow-white or "pure white".) This occurs when a tiger inherits two copies of the recessive gene for the paler coloration: pink nose, pink paw pads, grey-mottled skin, ice-blue eyes, and white to cream-coloured fur with black, grey, or chocolate-coloured stripes, this is rare. Mr. H.E. Scott of the Indian police gave this description of a captive white tiger's eyes: "The colourings of the eyes are very distinct. There is no well defined division between the yellow of the comex and the blue of the iris. The eyes in some lights are practically colourless merely showing the black pupil on a light yellow b

background.

White tigers do not constitute a separate subspecies of their own and can breed with orange ones, although all of the resulting offspring will be ehterozygous for the recessive white gene, and their fur will be orange. The only exception would be if the orange parent was itself already a heterozygous tiger, which would give each cub a 50% chance of being either double-recessive white or heterozygous orange. If two heterozygous tigers, or heterozygotes, breed on average 25% of their offspring will be white, 50% will be heterozygous orange (white gene carriers) and 25% will be homozygous orange, with no white genes. In the 1970s a pair of heterozygous orange tigers named Sashi and Ravi produced 13 cubs in Alipore Zoo, of which 3 were white.If two white tigers breed, 100% of their cubs will be homozygous white tigers. A tiger which is homozygous for the white gene may also be heterozygous or homozygous for many different genes. The question of whether a tiger is heterozygous (a heterozygote) or homozygous (a homozygote) depends on the context of which gene is being discussed. Inbreeding promotes homozygosity and has been used as a strategy to produce white tigers. Inbreeding is detrimental when deleterious genes are present, otherwise it is harmless. The white gene may be considered deleterious or categorized as a genetic defect.

Compared to orange tigers without the white gene, white tigers tend to be larger both at birth and at full adult size.This may have given them an advantage in the wild despite their unusual coloration. Heterozygous orange tigers also tend to be larger than other orange tigers. Kailash Sankhala, the director of the New Delhi Zoo in the 1960s, said "One of the functions of the white gene may have been to keep a size gene in the population, in case it's ever needed."
Dark-striped white individuals are well-documented in the Bengal Tiger subspecies, also known as the Royal Bengal or Indian tiger, (Panthera tigris tigris or P. t. bengalensis), may also have occurred in captive Siberian Tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), and may have been reported historically in several other subspecies. White pelage is most closely associated with the Bengal, or Indian subspecies. Currently, several hundred white tigers are in captivity worldwide with about 100 of them in India, and their numbers are on the increase. The modern population includes both pure Bengals and hybrid Bengal–Siberians, but it is unclear whether the recessive gene for white came only from Bengals, or from any of the Siberian ancestors as well.

The unusual coloration of white tigers has made them popular in zoos and entertainment that showcases exotic animals. The magicians Siegfried & Roy are famous for having bred and trained two white tigers for their performances, referring to them as "royal white tigers" perhaps from the white tiger's association with the Maharaja of Rewa.An article appeared in the Miscellaneous Notes of the Journal Of The Bombay Natural History Society on Nov. 15, 1909 which reported that a white tigress was shot in the Mulin Sub-Division Forest of the Dhenkanal State in Orissa. The report originally appeared in the Indian Forester in May 1909, and was made by Mr. Bavis Singh, Forest Officer. The ground colour of the white tigress was described as pure white and the stripes as deep reddish black. It was shot over a buffalo kill and "was in good condition not showing any signs of disease." Col. F.T. Pollock wrote in Wild Sports of Burma and Assam, "Occasionally white tigers are met with. I saw a magnificent skin of one at Edwin Wards in Wimpole Street, and Mr. Shadwall, Assistant Commissioner in Cossyah and Jynteah hills, also has two skins quite white." Mr. Lydekker wrote in Game Animals of India (1907) about five more white tiger skins: "A white tiger was exhibited alive at Exeter Change about 1820; a second was killed in Poona about 1892; in March 1899 a white tiger was shot in Upper Assam and the skin sent to Calcutta, where a fourth specimen was received about the same time. The Maharaja of Kuch-Behar also possesses a white tiger-skin."[5] (The white tiger exhibited at Exeter Change in London in 1820 was the first white tiger in Europe.)
S.H. Prater wrote in The book of Indian Animals (1948) that "White or partially white tigers are not uncommon in some of the dry open jungles of central India."[6] It is a myth that white tigers did not thrive in the wild. India planned to reintroduce captive-bred white tigers to the wild to a special reserve near Rewa.[7] In the wild white tigers reproduced and bred white for generations. A.A. Dunbar wrote in Wild Animals Of Central India (1923) that "White tigers occasionally occur. There is a regular breed of these animals in the neighborhood of Amarkantak at the junction of the Rewa state and the Mandla and Bilaspur districts. When I was last in Mandla in 1919, a white tigress and two three parts grown white cubs existed. In 1915 a male was trapped by the Rewa state and confined. An excellent description of the animal, by Mr. Scott of the Indian police, has been published in Vol. XXVII No. 47 of the Bombay Natural History Society's journal."[8] The previously mentioned article from The Journal Of The Bombay Natural History Society "Miscellaneous Notes: No. 1-A WHITE TIGER IN CAPTIVITY (with a photo)" states "The white tiger in captivity in Rewa was caught in December 1915 in the jungles of the State near Sohagpur. He was about two years of age at the time. There were two more white tigers in Southern Rewa related to this tiger but it was believed that the mother of this animal was not white." "These white tigers roam in the neighboring British Districts of the Central Provinces and seem to be living in the Maikal ranges of mountains." There is ample evidence that white tigers survived as adults in the wild.[9][10]Victor H. Cahalane reported white tigers in northern China in 1943: "...north China has produced a number of albinos, with the inevitable faint brown stripe. Very rare melanistic (black) tigers are known."[11] White tigers are not albinos. These would have been white individuals of the Amur tiger subspecies (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Siberian tiger. White tigers were reported from northern China and Korea. [12][13]White tigers have cultural significance in both countries. White tigers were also part of the folklore on Sumatra and Java.
Jim Corbett filmed a white tigress in the wild which had two orange cubs. This film footage was used in the 1984 National Geographic movie Man Eaters Of India, which is based on Jim Corbett's 1957 book by the same title. This is further proof that white tigers survived and reproduced in the wild. The website of the Bandhavgarh National Park, in the former princely state of Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh, features pictures of white tigers, and states "The forests of Bandhavgarh are the white tiger jungles of yesteryears." Today there are 46 to 52 orange tigers living in Bandhavgarh, the largest population of tigers in any national park in India.[14] The tiger is an endangered species.

Facts About Cars

The car is one of the most recognizeable inventions of the modern era. Without cars there would be no suburbs, car trips, endless drop-offs and pick-ups most parents are all to familiar with. Here are some fun facts about cars and their colorful past.

• 
  
  The first cars did not have steering wheels. Drivers steered with a lever.


• The New York City Police Department used bicycles to pursue speeding motorists in 1898.
  The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902.
  


• In 1916, 55 percent of the cars in the world were Model T Fords, a record that has never been beaten.
  


• The first gas gauge appeared in cars in 1922.
  


• In 1923, 173 new inventions by women for cars had been reported. Among these inventions were a carburetor and an electric engine starter.
  


• The first car radio was invented in 1929.
  


• Buick introduced the first electric turn signals in 1938.
  


• The Peanuts characters were first animated in 1957 for a Ford Fairlaine automobile commercial.
  


• Most American car horns beep in the key of F.
  


• The automobile is the most recycled consumer product in the world today.

Top fuel dragsters accelerate at up to 5g from standing start. The nitromethane injection produces 6000 BHP.
The fastest time for removing a car engine, and replacing it is 42 seconds for a Ford Escort, on 21 November 1985.
An airbag moves up to 4500 mph within a second when triggered. A force of 200g is generated. They are designed to explode at an impact speed of 19 mph. The bag inflates within 40 milliseconds of a crash.
The Ferrari Formula 1 team is unique in the fact that it produces both chassis and engines for its cars.
Ferrari makes a maximum of 14 cars every day.
There were only 107 models of the Ford GT40 made of which only 7 were road cars.
The Worlds longest traffic hold-up was 110 miles long, between Paris and Lyon on the French Autoroute in 1980. A more recent contender for the title was a 100 mile long traffic Jam, near Hamburg in Germany in 1993.
The first known automobile was built in 1668, it was a two foot long steam powered model constructed by Ferdinand Verbiest, a Belgian Jesuit preist.
Luxembourg has the most crowded roads in Europe with 570 cars per 1,000 people.
The first car race ever seen in the United States was held in Chicago in 1895. The track ran from Chicago to Evanston. The winner was J. Frank Duryea, whose average speed was 71.5 miles per hour.
In 1924 a Ford automobile cost $265.
The first auto insurance policy is purchased in Westfield, MA, in 1897.

Most Expensive Cars in the World
This isn't actually the top ten list of the most expensive cars. That would basically be a bunch of Ferraris, Bentleys, Rolls-Royces and only a few other makes. So instead here are the highest-dollar cars of each of ten carmakers (no manufacturer got two slots).
2003 Ferrari Enzo Coupe - $643,330

These are the fastest cars based on acceleration (in seconds) from 0 to 60 MPH. The fast and furious :-)
2.6 - 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans 2.7 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Concept 2.7 - 2000 Dodge Hennessey Viper Venom 800TT 2.7 - 1999 Leblanc Caroline 2.7 - 1993 Dauer 962 Le Mans 2.8 - 1996 Renault Espace F1 2.9 - 1991 Audi Avus Quattro 2.9 - 1997 Callaway C7 Corvette 2.9 - 1997 Dodge Viper GTS-R 3.0 - 2003 Bugatti 16/4 Veyron 3.1 - 2006 Mosler 3.1 - 1995 Ford GT-90 3.1 - 1993 Jaguar XJR-15 3.1 - 1998 Koenigsegg CC 3.1 - 1991 Lotec C1000 3.1 - 1991 McLaren F1 3.1 - 1995 Yamaha OX99-11 3.2 - 2002 Koenigsegg CC 8S 3.2 - 1992 Bugatti EB110 SS 3.2 - 1996 Quadraduce 3.3 - 1997 McLaren F1 3.3 - 2001 Saleen S7 3.3 - 1987 Vector Avtech WX3 3.4 - 1992 Bugatti EB110 GT 3.4 - 1985 Koenig Competition Evolution 3.4 - 1994 Schuppan 962CR 3.4 - 1987 Westfield SEI 3.4 - 1997 Dodge Viper Venom 600 GTS 3.5 - 2002 Pagani Zonda C12-S 7.3 3.5 - 2002 FERRARI ENZO 3.6 - 2002 Lamborghini Murciélago 3.6 - 2003 Ferrari Enzo 3.6 - 2001 Lamborghini Diablo 3.6 - 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 3.6 - 1987 Porsche 959 3.6 - 1997 RUF Porsche CTR-2 3.7 - 1991 BMW Nazca C2 3.7 - 1996 Ferrari F 50 3.7 - 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Jota 3.7 - 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 3.8 - 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 3.8 - 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.8 - 1997 Campagna T-Rex 3.8 - 1992 Jaguar XJ220 3.8 - 1996 Lamborghini Diablo SV 3.8 - 1998 Lotus GT1 3.8 - 1994 Ultima Spyder 3.9 - 2006 Dodge Viper 3.9 - 2001 B. Engineering Edonis 3.9 - 2003 Viper SRT/10 3.9 - 1987 Ferrari F 40 4.0 - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 4.0 - 2000 Dodge Viper ACR Coupe 4.0 - 2001 Porsche Carrera GT 4.0 - 2003 Porsche 911 GT2 4.0 - 1993 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 4.1 - 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta 4.1 - 1990 BMW Nazca M12 4.1 - 1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT 4.1 - 1996 Lamborghini Diablo Roadster 4.2 - 2000 BMW Z8 4.2 - 2000 Ferrari 360 Modena 4.2 - 2002 Ferrari 575 M Maranello 4.2 - 1994 TVR Cerbera 4.2 - 1985 Vector W8 Twin Turbo 4.3 - 2003 Porsche 911 GT3 4.3 - 1996 Bugatti EB112 4.4 - 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish 4.4 - 2002 Lotus Esprit V8 4.4 - 1988 Cizeta Moroder V16T 4.4 - 1997 Dodge Viper GTS 4.4 - 1997 Gillet Vertigo 4.4 - 1996 Mega Monté Carlo 4.4 - 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo 4.4 - 1996 Spectre R42 4.4 - 1990 TVR Griffith 4.4 - 1996 Vector Aeromotive M12 4.5 - 2003 z06 Corvette 4.6 - 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 4.6 - 1994 Ferrari F 512 M 4.6 - 1996 Ferrari F 355 GTS 4.6 - 1996 Ferrari F 355 Spider 4.6 - 1982 Lamborghini Countach 4.7 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL600 4.7 - 1992 Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 - 1996 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 4.7 - 1997 Ferrari F 550 Maranello 4.7 - 1985 Isdera Commendatore 4.7 - 1996 Lotus Esprit S4S 4.7 - 1997 Rinspeed Mono Ego 4.8 - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5 4.8 - 1996 Lotus Esprit V8 4.8 - 1997 Panoz Roadster 4.9 - 2002 Acura NSX 4.9 - 1994 Chaterham Seven HPC 4.9 - 1989 De Tomaso Guara 4.9 - 1996 Ferrari F 355 Berlinetta 4.9 - 1996 Ford Mustang Saleen S351 4.9 - 1997 Italdesign Scighera
Saleen S7 - $395,000
Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible - $363,990
Bentley Azure Convertible Mulliner - $376,485
Lamborghini Murciélago - $273,000
Aston Martin Vanquish - $228,000
Porsche GT2 - $180,665
BMW Z8 - $130,645
Mercedes-Benz CL 600 - $119,595
Jaguar XKR 100 Coupe and Convertible - $99,330

These are Exotic, tuned up cars. See below the tuners and the cars they modify into amazing tuned rides - marvelous modifications of these sports cars for super performance:
AMG Performance - 4 Cars
Trident Sports Car - Exotic sports car with 70 MPG - NEW
Saleen Raptor Super Car - Fast, powerful, stunning sports car - NEW
Lotus Concept Sports Car - Sleek curves, powerful exotic car - NEW
Bugatti Streamliner Concept Sports Car - With a nice retro flair ...
Mazda Concept Sports Car - Breathtaking new design ...
Hamann Ferrari - Tuned up high performance Ferrari sports car.
Toyota Concept Sports Car - Redefining the sports car experience ...
Mustang Concept Car - Preview some aspects of the next-generation Mustang.
Peugeot Concept Car - Very stylish concept car ...
Chevrolet Concept Car - Exotic diesel concept car with a very forward looking design.
Buick Riviera Concept Car - Concept sports car by General Motors.
BMW M6 Convertible - Super luxury sports car.
Caparo T1 Concept Sports Car - An amazing concept super sports car.
Porsche Gemballa Mirage GT - The ultimate exotic Porsche.
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What Is Total Defence?

Total Defence about the different things that we can do everyday in every sector of our society to strengthen our resilience as a nation. When we take National Service seriously, participate in civil emergency exercises, upgrade our skills, build strong bonds with different races and religions, and feel the pride of being Singaporean, we contribute to Total Defence.

Introduced in 1984, the concept of Total Defence (TD) was adapted from the experiences of countries like Switzerland and Sweden. As a young nation with a small population and a conscript armed forces, we needed to draw on the different strengths and abilities of our community to augment our defence capability. Conflicts between countries are no longer just military in nature. Potasetential aggressors and threats can appear in less obvious and non-conventional ways (e.g., destroying social cohesion by exploiting differences in race, language, religion, culture, social or economic class; weakening national resilience by using psychological warfare to play on the people’s fears and apprehensions; or waging economic warfare through economic boycotts, trade sanctions or acts of sabotage to bring down the economy). Total Defence provides the framework for a comprehensive and integrated response to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges. Whether it is a security threat such as global terrorism, or a national crisis like SARS, Total Defence brings together all relevant government agencies, private sector organisations and all Singaporeans in a coordinated effort to deal effectively with these threats and challenges. When Singaporeans take personal responsibility for and get involved in the defence of Singapore, they are playing their part to help keep Singapore safe and secure.

Total Defence has five aspects - Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence. These five aspects represent the key sectors of society. They also help Singaporeans understand how they can be involved. When we take National Service seriously, volunteer in civil defence exercises, help build a strong economy, strengthen community ties with one another regardless of race and religion, and stay committed to defend the country, we are doing something in every sector of our society to strengthen Singapore's resilience as a nation.

MILTARY DEFENCE

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is a strong defence force that is able to deter anyone from thinking of attacking the country. The SAF draws its strength from the support of every Singaporean – national servicemen, families, friends, colleagues and employers.

National Service is the only workable option to ensure our security. When National Servicemen (NSmen) and full-time NSmen (NSFs) take their training seriously, they help keep the SAF strong and operationally ready. Our operational readiness is also maintained by ensuring that all equipment is in good working order all the time, and keeping up with the latest advancements in technology to meet new challenges in the battle.The SAF has widened its capabilities to deal with non-conventional threats such as terrorist bombings, hijackings, and chemical, biological and radiological attacks. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF will continue to work with other security agencies to deal with such threats.

CIVIL DEFENCE

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) recruits and trains civil defence volunteers in first aid, rescue and evacuation procedures, and shelter management. The SCDF also conducts talks and exercises to familiarise the public with basic first aid, the nearest bomb shelters and emergency arrangements like relief supply of critical items such as blood, water and food. Participating in such exercises helps us to be prepared. When we know what to do, we can help to save lives and property, and ensure that life goes on as normally as possible in times of crisis.Alert at all times The threat of global terrorism will be around for some time. Much has already been done to ensure that Singapore is well protected against terrorist attacks, but security personnel cannot be everywhere. Singaporeans can help by looking out for, and reporting, anything suspicious.

ECONOMIC DEFENCE

“Working and saving to achieve a better life for everyone”Staying relevant and competitive through rapid change and developmentWhen we upgrade our skills and knowledge, it helps us to stay relevant and employable in this rapidly changing world. Our ability to embrace lifelong learning and re-training is vital to keeping our economy competitive.Putting in place robust economic systems that can continue to function in times of crisisWhen the foundation of our economy is strong, our economy will not break down so easily in times of war or crisis. Sound policies and practices help us withstand external shocks. Putting in place measures to keep businesses running and maintaining stockpiles of essential items also help to keep our economy going.Making Singapore livable for future generations By saving electricity and water, and by adopting environment-friendly practices as a way of daily life, we are helping to conserve energy and to protect our environment. As a result, Singapore will continue to be livable for future generations.

SOCIAL DEFENCE

“Living in harmony, looking out for one another”Singaporeans of all races and religions living and working together in harmony Maintaining racial and religious harmony is critical to ensuring peace and stability in Singapore. When Singaporeans understand and are sensitive to the cultures and traditions of one another, and build strong bonds across different ethnic groups, we help strengthen social cohesion.Looking out for one anotherAs one people, we have a duty to contribute to the community by helping the less fortunate and underprivileged among us, regardless of their race, language, religion, age or nationality. By doing so, we can further strengthen social cohesion, and build a gracious, compassionate society.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENCE

“Singaporean and proud of it” Loyal and committed to our country When Singaporeans are united in pride and passion for our country, we will stand up to defend what is ours and protect our independence as a nation.Having the will and resilience to overcome challenges Whatever the crisis or challenge, our ability to overcome challenges depends on how mentally strong we are. It is this will and the commitment of our people that will decide how strong we are as a nation.

Christmas Facts:Traditions

When thinking about Christmas facts one cannot overlook the number of traditions that surround the holiday. In fact, Christmas in itself, is a tradition. It is a tradition of celebrating the birth or incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Overtime, the way in which people have celebrated this day has evolved from culture to culture. However, the one thing each unique cultural celebration has in common is tradition. Everything from stocking stuffers to Christmas trees to family gatherings has been passed down from generation to generation. There are two types of tradition that each culture carries when celebrating Christmas; religious and secular. The religious tradition is the core or the root of the holiday’s existence and carries much stronger history and stability than those of its counter part. Christians throughout modern time have worshiped the Lord for His coming to humanity in the form of a babe. Though the actual birth date of Jesus is not known (there are strong opinions, like early spring, but no true confirmation) tradition has led to late December or early January as a common and accepted time period for celebrating the most important moment in human history. Regarding secular traditions one may remember the dilemma of Charlie Brown in the classic Christmas time cartoon by Charles M. Schultz – A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). His dilemma, answered later by his close friend Linus (as he quoted scripture from Luke Chapter 2), was that the true meaning of Christmas was being diluted by all the commercialization he seemed to find everywhere he looked. What he saw in his world is what we can see in ours every year starting in mid-fall. Over time, Christmas celebrations have grown and become more commercialized and secular. Those in the world who do not connect with the life of Christianity have spurred this on as they continue to observe Christmas for all its joy, togetherness, and tradition; but they simply remove the Christian value and replace it with positive secular imagery and verbalization. They attach no religious value and thus it changes with the whims of every human desire. Christmas’s purpose, despite its timelessness and generational traditions, can only be maintained in the heart of the everyday man or woman. Each tradition represents something revolving around the incarnation or kingship of Christ. However, if an individual does not choose to attach Christ to the celebration the basic heart and idea behind the said traditions and celebrations change to something methodically capricious. Though much joy and heart-felt connection can still be had, the life blood behind the action is no longer flowing. Therefore, it is important to understand and remember that it is Jesus who brings life to traditions. These then are some of the facts of Christmas and the general meaning behind some of the most common or well known traditions of the holiday. Christmas Facts: Each TraditionIt’s a birthday party: Luke chapter two describes the birth of Jesus and the start of His earthly life; a life that would lead to the salvation of all mankind. Today, believers recite this chapter and remember, through vivid celebration, the lThe Christmas Tree: Originating in Germany, a Fir tree was decorated to represent the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. The great reformer Martin Luther is said to be the first to decorate the tree prior to the tradition moving to England by way of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It eventually crossed the Atlantic and became an American tradition; though it took some time as it was considered to be a pagan symbol in the earlier years. Today, according to www.christmastree.org, “There are approximately 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year.” ife that Christ has brought them. Christmas is the most important birthday party of all time. It is a celebration that brings, joy, gifts, and the singing of traditional worship songs while feasting with joyous connection to family and friends. It is purely about bringing Him honor and loving those who God has blessed us with.

Facts:All about santa claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", is the legendary and mythical figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day).The legend may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of SaiWhile Saint Nicholas was originally portrayed wearing bishop's robes, in modern times, Santa Claus is generally depicted as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast.[3] This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, and films. In the United Kingdom and Europe, his depiction is often identical to the American Santa, but he is commonly called Father Christmas.nt Nicholas.One legend associated with Santa says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus says that he lives at his house in the North Pole, while Father Christmas is often said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province, Finland. Santa Claus lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and eight or nine flying reindeer. Another legend of Santa says that he makes a list of children throughout the wThere has long been opposition to teaching children to believe in Santa Claus. Some Christians say the Santa tradition detracts from the religious origins and purpose of Christmas. Other critics feel that Santa Claus is an elaborate lie, and that it is unethical for parents to teach their children to believe in his existence.[6] Still others oppose Santa Claus as a symbol of the commercialization of the Christmas holiday, or as an intrusion upon their own national traditions.[7]orld, categorizing them according to their behavior ("naughty" or "nice") and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh.

Facts about Chinese New Year

Here are some facts about Chinese New Year: Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. ThisNew Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.Probably more food is consumed during the New Year celebrations than any other time of the year. Vast amounts of traditional food is prepared for family and friends, as well as those close to us who have died.
On New Year's Day, the Chinese family will eat a vegetarian dish called jai. Although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them:
* Lotus seed - signify having many male offspring
* Ginkgo nut - represents silver ingots
* Black moss seaweed - is a homonym for exceeding in wealth
* Dried bean curd is another homonym for fulfillment of wealth and happiness
* Bamboo shoots - is a term which sounds like "wishing that everything would be well"
* Fresh bean curd or tofu is not included as it is white and unlucky for New Year as the color signifies death and misfortune. Other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. The chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. Noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.
In south China, the favorite and most typical dishes were nian gao, sweet steamed glutinous rice pudding and zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped up in reed leaves), another popular delicacy.
In the north, steamed-wheat bread (man tou) and small meat dumplings were the preferred food. The tremendous amount of food prepared at this time was meant to symbolize abundance and wealth for the household.