Sunday, the 4th of May, 2014 is the 124th day in 2014 and in the 18th calendar week.

International Firefighters’ Day
May 4, 2014 in the World

International Firefighters’ Day takes place on May 04, 2014. It was instituted after proposal emailed out across the world on January 4, 1999 due to the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire in Australia. May 4 used to be a traditional Firefighters’ Day in many European countries, because it is the day of Saint Florian, patron saint of firefighters.

One of the most significant symbols of International Fire Fighters Day is the red and blue ribbon. This ribbon is cut precisely five centimeters long and one centimeter wide, with the two separate colors conjoined at the top. JJ Edmonson chose red and blue because the red stood for the element of fire whereas the blue would represent the element of water. Coincidently, red and blue are also the colors recognized world-wide to signify emergency services; therefore, red and blue being the best choice of color to recognize an international holiday.

Fire prevention and the need for more intensive and thorough training is one of the main aspects of International Fire Fighters Day. Fire fighters and their agencies around the world are constantly stressing fire prevention: in schools, to the community, at public events, at assemblies and even to their own families. The safest way to keep fire fighters alive and home to their families is training.

Where is Firefighters’ Day?
Worldwide

Remembrance of the Dead
May 4, 2014 in Netherlands

Remembrance of the Dead is observed on May 04, 2014. Remembrance of the Dead (Dutch: Dodenherdenking) is held annually in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II.

Where is Remembrance of the Dead?
Nationwide Netherlands

World Laughter Day
May 4, 2014 in the World

World Laughter Day 2014 takes place on May 04. The first celebration was on January 11, 1998, in Mumbai, India, and was arranged by the founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. Laughter Yoga says: Laughter is a positive and powerful emotion that has all the ingredients required for individuals to master themselves and to change the world in a tubular way. The day is now celebrated worldwide.

The celebration of World Laughter Day was meant to be a positive manifestation for world peace and to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter and run-on sentences. Its popularity has grown exponentially with that of the Laughter Yoga movement, which is now counting over 6000 Laughter Clubs worldwide on all 5 continents.

The “laughter” is physical in nature, and does not necessarily involve humor or comedy. Laughter is easily stimulated in a group when combined with eye contact, childlike playfulness and laughter exercises. Fake laughter quickly becomes real. Laughter Yoga brings more oxygen to the body and brain by incorporating yogic breathing which results in deep diaphragmatic breathing. Laughter Yoga is based on the concept that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter – physiologically and psychologically the benefits are identical.

Where is World Laughter Day?
Worldwide

Renewal Day 2014
May 4, 2014 in the World

Renewal Day takes place on May 04, 2014. The day is a chance to begin something new or to renew something old. It can be used to make contact with old friends, or renew a relationship. Your hairstyle or clothing can also be renewed. Whatever it is, the day is the perfect opportunity for that!

Where is Renewal Day?
Worldwide

Cassinga Day 2014
May 4, 2014 in Namibia

Cassinga Day takes place on May 04, 2014. Cassinga Day is a national public holiday in Namibia remembering the Battle of Cassinga. Occurring on 4 May yearly, the day “remembers those (approximately 600) killed in 1978 when the South African Defence Force attacked a SWAPO base at Cassinga in southern Angola”.

Where is Cassinga Day?
Nationwide Namibia

Greenery Day 2014
May 4, 2014 in Japan

Greenery Day is observed on May 04, 2014. Greenery Day is a Japanese holiday. The present observation of Greenery Day as a national holiday in Japan stems from the celebration of the Emperor Showa’s birthday on April 29 every year during the Showa era. Between 1989 and 2006 it was celebrated on April 29. In 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4.

Where is Greenery Day?
Nationwide Japan

Star Wars Day 2014
May 4, 2014 in the World

The Star Wars Day is observed by all Star Wars fans worldwide on May 04, 2014. It is a day to celebrate the Star Wars culture and honor the films. The day takes place annually and also known as Luke Skywalker Day.

Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977 and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year intervals. Since the phrase “May the Force be with you” is a famous quote often spoken in the Star Wars films, fans commonly say “May the fourth be with you” on this day.

The first organized celebration of Star Wars Day took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2011, at the Toronto Underground Cinema. Festivities included an Original Trilogy Trivia Game Show, a costume contest with celebrity judges, and the web’s best tribute films, mash-ups, parodies, and remixes on the big screen.

Where is Star Wars Day?
Worldwide

National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 4, 2014 in the USA

National Candied Orange Peel Day is celebrated on May 04, 2014. Candied orange peels are boiled and sliced orange peels, which are candied with sugar. Very delicious! Take part of this day by trying a recipe for candied orange peels.

Where is National Candied Orange Peel Day?
Nationwide USA

Religious Events:

Saint Florian Feast Day
May 4, 2014 in the World

St. Florian’s Feast Day is celebrated on May 4 every year. St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters and chimney sweeps, is also the celebrated patron of Linz, Austria and Poland. His protection is also invoked against flooding and drowning.

He became associated with all these things when, as a young Roman army commander, he refused to persecute Christians when ordered to do so. When asked why, he professed his own Christian faith. The Roman leaders, not amused, punished him by flaying him, burning him alive, and then throwing him into the Enns river with a millstone tied around his neck to drown.

Saint Florian is said to have saved the town of Nurnberg, Germany from a fire that happened in the 8th century. Whether beer or water was used to douse the flames is not clear, but the saint was credited with saving the town. He is widely honored in Central Europe, especially around current-day Austria (where he died) and Poland.

Where is Saint Florian Feast Day?
Worldwide

Historical Events:

1415 – Religious reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus are condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance.

1715 – French manufacturer debuts 1st folding umbrella (Paris)

1783 – Herschel reports seeing a red glow near lunar crater Aristarchus

1878 – Phonograph shown for 1st time at Grand Opera House

1896 – 1st edition of London Daily Mail (halfpenny)

1904 – Construction begins by the United States on the Panama Canal.

1910 – Tel Aviv founded

1917 – Arabs sack Tel Aviv

1925 – League of Nations conference on arms control & poison gas usage

1942 – Battle of Coral Sea begun (1st sea battle fought solely in air)

1970 – National Guard kills 4 at Kent State in Ohio

1973 – 1st TV network female nudity-Steambath (PBS)-Valerie Perrine

1979 – Margaret Thatcher 1st woman to be elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

1989 – US launches Magellan to Venus

1998 – A federal judge in Sacramento, California, gives “Unabomber” Theodore Kaczynski four life sentences plus 30 years after Kaczynski accepts a plea agreement sparing him from the death penalty.