Every year World Population Day has its own specific theme, and this year’s theme is “Everyone Counts,” highlighting the importance of reliable demographic data in development.
Today is the Day of the Flemish Community among the Dutch-speaking people of Belgium. This day commemorates the Battle of Courtrai (The Battle of the Golden Spurs) on July 11, 1302 -- an operation to suppress the Flemish resistance by the French king who ruled over Flanders at that time. However, the well-organized Flemish militia crushed the French knights. The battle was one of a series during the 14th century that showed knights could be defeated by disciplined and well-equipped infantry. It was also a landmark in the development of Flemish political independence. It is considered one of the main reasons that Dutch is the language spoken in Flanders today.
Today is the National Day of Commemoration in Ireland. Held on the Sunday closest to July 11, this day commemorates the anniversary of the truce signed in 1921 ending the Irish War of Independence. The day honors all Irish men and women who died in past wars or in service with the United Nations.
On this day in 1989, Laurence Kerr Olivier (b. 1907), one of the greatest actors of his time, died. Olivier was an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and four-time Emmy-winning English actor, director and producer. Olivier’s academy acknowledgments are considerable -- 14 Oscar nominations, with two wins for Best Actor and Best Picture for the 1948 film “Hamlet,” and two honorary awards, including a statuette and a certificate. In 1999 the American Film Institute (AFI) named Olivier among the greatest male stars of all time, ranking him 14th on the list.
Today is St. Benedict’s Day in Western Christianity. The feast commemorates Catholic recognition of the father of the Benedictine Order, the first order of the Western Church’s monastic tradition. The rule that St. Benedict of Nursia (480-543) established became the norm for monastic living throughout Europe. In 1964, acknowledging the works of Benedictine monks in the evangelization of so many European countries in the Middle Ages, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Benedict the patron saint of all Europe.
Gregorian Calendar: 11 July 2010 C.E.
Hijri Calendar: 29 Rajab 1431 A.H.
Hebrew Calendar: 29 Tamuz 5770
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