English in Madrid

Image generated by Chat GPT The 2nd of May (Dos de Mayo) is a significant public holiday in Madrid, Spain, commemorating the uprising of the people of Madrid against French occupation on May 2, 1808. This rebellion marked the beginning of the Peninsular War (also called the Spanish War of Independence), in which Spanish forces fought Napoleon’s army . Historical Significance: On May 2, 1808, citizens of Madrid rose up against the French troops stationed in the city. Although the rebellion was brutally suppressed , it sparked a nationwide resistance movement. The event is especially remembered for the heroism of ordinary Madrileños, including the famous Daoíz and Velarde, two Spanish army officers who resisted the French at the Monteleón Artillery Barracks . Spanish painter Francisco de Goya famously depicted the brutality of the events in works like The Second of May 1808 and The Third of May 1808. Celebrations: The Community of Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid) observes this day a...

Who was Robert Burns and why do we celebrate Burns Night? https://t.co/LSFLKVV02a — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 22, 2024 Six-minute English - Burns Night Here are  three examples of his works: To A Mouse Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,                   O, what a panic's in thy breastie!  Thou need na start awa sae hasty,  Wi' bickering brattle!  I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,  Wi' murd'ring pattle!  I'm truly sorry man's dominion,  Has broken nature's social union,  An' justifies that ill opinion,  Which makes thee startle  At me, thy poor, earth-born companion,  An' fellow-mortal!  I doubt na, whiles, but thou may thieve;  What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!  A daimen icker in a thrave  'S a sma' request;  I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,  An' never miss't!  Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin!  It's silly wa's the win...

For the Fallen  by Laurence Binyon With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill ; Death august and royal  Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb , true of eye, steady and aglow . They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe . They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:  Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;  They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam . But where our desires are an...

The stores snubbing Black Friday's mega-sales Many retailers flaunt rock-bottom prices the day after Thanksgiving, but others opt out of the shopping frenzy . Ethics, image and margins all play a part in the calculus. On Black Friday, REI's 181 storefronts will go dark. None of the US outdoor cooperative's 16,000 employees will clock in at retail locations, warehouses or offices – they'll all be on paid leave instead. Bucking the trends of many major brands, the day after Thanksgiving, REI will be closed. For many shoppers, Black Friday kicks off the zenith of the shopping season – in the US, nearly 73 million people visited a brick-and-mortar store during 2022's Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with billions spent online, too. And even without the US-based November holiday on their calendars, other parts of North America and Europe have jumped on the consumer trend . Every year, shoppers mob stores for steep markdowns . Widely circulated videos on soci...

Source:  Henrique Craveiro en Unsplash Today is Saint Patrick's Day and who knows why - some cities around the world illuminate their landmarks in green.  Test your knowledge of Ireland with the following questions.  1. Which is the flag of the Republic of Ireland? A: B:  C: D: 2. What is the Irish name for Ireland? A: Éire B: Alba C: Hibernia D: Eejit 3. Which of the following authors is not Irish? A: James Joyce B: Bram Stoker C: Robert Louis Stevenson D: George Bernard Shaw E: Oscar Wilde 4. Which of  the following is the work of an Irishman? A: The Picture of Dorian Day  B: Ulysses C: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde D: Frankenstein 5. Which musical instrument is synonymous with Guinness? A: Bagpipes B: Harp C: Penny Whistle D: Drums 6. What is the name of this mischievous creature? A: Blarney B: Leprechaun C: Sláinte D: Banshee Source: Wikipedia   7. Where was the Titanic built? A: Dublin B: Galway C: Belfast D: Cork 8. Who is / was the Irish J...

Source: Wikipedia (Brianboru100) Things got very feisty during 823rd Atherstone Ball Game To most people in the UK, Shrove Tuesday means a lovely pile of warm pancakes for breakfast, saturated with lemon juice or maple syrup. But in the town of Atherstone in Warwickshire, the only ‘ batter ’ locals worry about is battering the opposing team in a brutal game of medieval football. The traditional Atherstone Ball Game, which has now been running for more than eight centuries, involves hundreds of people brawling for possession of a large ball. Unsurprisingly , it has a tendency to turn violent, as pictures from this year’s event – the 823rd – demonstrate. Shopfronts around the small town are boarded up in preparation for the Ball Game, and it is clear to see why. Things may start off relatively calm when the ball is first tossed down to the crowd at 3pm, but as the clock ticks towards the end of the game at 5pm, it gets a bit feisty. Luckily for the participants, one of the few s...

Source: Wikipedia (Chrionexfleckeri1350 ) China's Singles Day: 3m people, 4,000 planes and cargo ships Three million workers, helped by 4,000 planes and ships, are getting ready for the world's biggest online sale - with " revenge spending" tipped to be one of this year's biggest trends . China's Singles Day on 11 November is the world's biggest 24-hour online shopping event, with 1.9bn products ordered and delivered last year. But it is thought pent-up demand from the pandemic will break new records . Robot cleaners, vacuums and toolboxes are all expected to be popular. However, luxury brands are also hoping to get a boost , as millions of Chinese who have been unable to travel overseas on shopping trips go online for what experts are dubbing "revenge spending". "We anticipate ongoing international restrictions will cause a meaningful shift in Chinese consumers buying luxury online," said Michael Norris, at market research...

Celebrated annually on 26 January, Australia Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove. It isn't without its controversy: The evolution of Australia Day controversy https://t.co/TtZAskrN0R — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) 26 de enero de 2019 Australia Quiz: 1. Which is the Australian flag? Do you know what the other ones are? A:  B:    C: D:       2. I wonder if you know what the capital of Australia is. A: Sydney B: Canberra C: Melbourne D: Brisbane 3. Can you tell me what the current population of Australia is estimated to be? A: 15,385,400 B: 25,234,600 C: 30,925,200 D: 35,678,900 4. Which of the following isn't an Australian state? A: Queensland B: New South Wales C: Newfoundland D: Victoria 5. Which of the following isn't true? A: The Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps. B: 5...