h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello there Englanders, are you going to celebrate your 'Englishness' on Monday, St George's day? If so, how will you do it? What exactly will you be celebrating? I only ask because St David's Day, St Andrew's Day and especially St Patrick's Day are all celebrated to some extent. I really admire Billy Bragg's take on it all, his positive reclamation of English patriotism, because sometimes English patriotism can seem a bit ugly. Why is that?

If i would celebrate it, it would be for it being the yearly 'holiday' for scouts and guides (not as in Hootoo, but as in Baden-Powell scouts...) But I've not been a member in many years, so probably won't wear my shirt and scarf. I did as a kid though

I will be celebrating the first day of my first week of paid holiday for 3 and a half years (my birthday is on the 25th).

Traveller in Time not unlike 'Milla'
"Just we will tell the story of the dragon slayer to our kids "

I was thinking of shaving my head, then going to watch Sky Sports at the pub.

I will be quietly celebrating the fact that I am English by wearing my St. George flag cufflinks and imbibing a number of Charles Wells 'Bombardier' which is the self-proclaimed of England, as Charles Wells have campaigned for the 23rd to be celebrated more enthusiastically.

http://www.thevalueofstgeorge.com/

For those who don't know it is also the date that William Shakespeare was both born and died...

I may also attend the Spamalot record-breaking attempt for a coconut orchestra:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6537023.stm

This is due to happen at 19:00 at Trafalgar Square.

Should be fun.



and enjoy!

I will wear a red rose on my buttonhole.

RF

When I was working I'd wear a red rose to work on 23rd April. This year I'll make do with my England flag (Cross of St. George) lapel pin.

And if anybody mentions killing dragons...

>>>For those who don't know it is also the date that William Shakespeare was both born and died...

I think we'll have that for Monday's 'on this day'

I think we'll have a St George's promo as well, four links to relevant Edited Entries. Any ideas for which ones to use?

Derek,

What happened to today's 'On This Day'?

I'm not sure whether to celebrate by taking a Turkish Bath or eating a Lebanese meal as its not clear which of these two countries he came from.

As he is also venerated as an Islamic Martyr I guess he's a pretty good icon for multicultural England.

It's also Passover.

There is a whole series of entries on Scouting in UK (perhaps other countries too?)...

Well, I don't know about the connection between St George and the scouts, but wasn't he the chap who slayed a dragon or somesuch?

Well, St George wasn't English, he never set foot here and the red & white cross probably derives from the the papal cross awarded to William the Conqueror by the Pope as his ‘holy’ banner to invade England that year.

Apart from that, a great choice!

Well!Would you believe our bank in Aus: is called St.George and their logo is a dragon,weird!I have mentioned to them that he (St.George,not the dragon!)is the patron saint of England but no one seems to care.Funny that 'cos St.Patricks day is celebrated with much imbibing of Guiness and green beer.I subscribe to the "This England" magazine and it seems to be gathering more support.Possibly since the EU (or ewwww!)have been trying to erode the English way of life,much as I love my home country,damn glad I don't live there any more. Enough of my ranting!!!Cheers.

>>>What happened to today's 'On This Day'?

We never have them on a Friday. We don't work on the site on weekends and so Friday's 'On this day' would be irrelevant come Saturday and Sunday.

In the neighbouring town near me, in the last month, they have celebrated the Polish Easter, the 50th anniversary of independence of Ghana, St Paddys day, some Indian day and a Muslim thingy, they havent got time for St.Georges Day.

Nevertheless, we still have a St.Georges flag flying from our house, even though we have been asked to take it down over the years by the council, but its still there, my dad has even said to them to take him to court, but as no crime is being committed, they say nothing further.

Council dorks.

I am English and proud of it, no skinhead haircut or tattoos needed.

"Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!"

Why don't we all celebrate St Delia day instead - by eating too much food and watching videos of Norwich City losing? I guess we could stretch to washing it all down with pints of Bombadier.

And isn't St Patrick's Day a triumph of the [English owned] Guiness marketing department rather than than anything intrinsicly Irish?

Thanks Derek - I never noticed that before!