NEWS January 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR
BIG BEN IS BACK
One of the world's most famous clocks is returning to service in time to* (*à temps pour) ring in the new year.
Big Ben last bonged* (*sonné) on August 21, 2017, before undergoing* (*subir) an intensive repair project* (*rénovation).
The task* (*tâche) was to clean the clock's face, chiming* (* carillon) mechanism and approximately 1,000 parts over the past four years.
The clock weighs* (*pèse) about 5 tons and is 7 feet, 2 inches* (*= 2m19) tall.
So, on December 31st 2021, the clock will chime again and this is the sound* (*son) you will hear:
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
K.L
KISS A GINGER DAY
On January 12th, an unofficial holiday is celebrated all over the world. It is called "Kiss A Ginger Day".
A "ginger" is a person with red* (*roux) hair. They are nicknamed*(*surnommé) like this, because of the spice* (*épice) of the same colour: ginger* (*gingembre).
The purpose* (*but) of this holiday is to show a special ginger in your life just how much you care* (*tenir à quelqu'un)
by giving them a kiss*(*embrasser), either on the cheek* (*joue) or on the lips* (*ici, la bouche, sinon les lèvres).
Who's your favourite red-haired star or cartoon character?
Ed Sheeran
Brave
Amy Addams
Ron Weasley
So, if you have red-haired friends, don't forget to kiss them 
or let them know how much you care!
K.L
A BLOODY ANNIVERSARY
BLOODY SUNDAY (or BOGSIDE MASSACRE)
50 years ago, a terrible event took place on Sunday, January 30th 1972, in Derry, Northern Ireland.
On that day, 13 people died and 14 others were severely injured* (* blessé) after demonstrating against the 'internment' of Irish people by the English government.
Bloody Sunday, 1972, Northern Ireland
A war between IRELAND and ENGLAND
This demonstration* (*manifestation) was organised by the Irish Civil Rights Association,
At the beginning people marched quietly. All the demonstrators were Irish Roman Catholics.
But one of the streets to the town hall was blocked by the British troops* (*armée britannique), in order to prevent riots* (*empêcher les émeutes) in the town center.
But Irish people refused to follow the rules and started to push through* (*forcer le passage).
Derry, Northern Ireland, 1972
British soldiers responded by sending a water cannon* (*canon à eau) to throw water on the rioters. who defended themselves with bricks and bottles.
The British soldiers answered back with rubber bullets* (*balles en caoutchouc) and tear gas* (*gaz lacrymogène).
Later, soldiers started to shoot at the demonstrators with real bullets* (* à balles réelles).
They killed 13 marchers and injured 14 others.
A PUBLIC APOLOGY
David Cameron, 10 Downing Street, London
After years of enquiries* (*enquêtes) and trials* (*procès), British Prime Minister David Cameron apologized* (*s'excuser) for these shootings in 2010.
A FAMOUS SONG
The Irish group U2 wrote a song called "Sunday, bloody Sunday" telling the story of that terrible day.
U2 album WAR, 1983
Click and listen to the lyrics: https://youtu.be/Iqlzoz_jH3c
Thanks to this song people all around the world have heard about this tragic event.
*****
And you? Have you already heard this song?
K.L
Commentaires
-
- 1. Anne T. Le 01/02/2022
Thanks for letting your students know about this Bloody Sunday. I can't remember that day because I was a baby at that time, and yet I do know what happened ! It's part of England's dark history and Ireland's drama. U2's song will keep people's memory alive years after years...
Take care.-
- englishteacher8Le 06/02/2022
Indeed, thanks to the U2 song, this event has become known all over the world. Even though we were babies at the time the album came out, we've heard this song many times since then!
-
- 2. Anne T. Le 12/01/2022
No doubt whatsoever, my favorite ginger person is you !
Lots of kisses on both cheeks !
Your forever friend...-
- englishteacher8Le 21/01/2022
Loooooooove and huuuuugs just for you! K.L
-
- 3. Anne T. Le 01/01/2022
So happy to hear Big Ben bonging again ! Thanks for sharing this event with us !
It's time for Big Ben to be at work again... now it's time for me to wish you a very Happy New Year dear teacher !
Love-
- englishteacher8Le 06/01/2022
Thanks so much! Happy New Year to you too! I hope you'll get better soon and be able to work again, like Big Ben! Love
Ajouter un commentaire