20 | June | 2015 | M'chelsMusings

Saturday, the 20th of June, 2015 is the 171th day in 2015 and in the 25th calendar week.

General Events:

World Refugee Day
June 20, 2015 in the World

World Refugee Day is observed on June 20, 2015. World Refugee Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world. From June 18 to 20 the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) commemorates World Refugee Day in Washington, DC, in order to draw the public’s attention to the millions of refugees worldwide who are forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution.

The annual commemoration is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries, involving government officials, humanitarian aid workers, celebrities, civilians and the forcibly displaced themselves. Each year, UNHCR selects a theme and coordinates events across the globe. Individuals and community groups are encouraged to mark the day by attending a local World Refugee Day event, watching and sharing World Refugee Day videos, and raising awareness for refugees on social media.

A refugee is a person who is outside his or her country of origin or habitual residence because they have suffered (or fear) persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a member of a persecuted ‘social group’ or because they are fleeing a war or natural disaster. Such a person may be called to as an ‘asylum seeker’ until recognized by the state where they make a claim.

http://www.un.org/en/events/refugeeday/

Where is the event?
Worldwide

World Productivity Day
June 20, 2015 in the World

One of the less well-known celebratory days, World Productivity Day does not have a central focus for celebration. It’s instead an occasion for suppliers of productivity tools, training and advances to celebrate their contributions and give something back to their users. For example, some consultancy firms use the event to provide free online sessions to prospective clients to demonstrate what a difference focus on productivity can make.

Other, less obviously relevant, businesses also use World Productivity Day to draw attention to their products and services in the context of getting the most out of work. Coffee and other caffeinated beverage manufacturers use the day as a chance to promote the putative benefits of using their products to stay alert and productive at work. Companies that sell products such as chocolate that can be used to reward productivity may also choose to use the occasion as a chance to promote this.

Where is the event?
Worldwide

National American Eagle Day
June 20, 2015 in the USA

This day is set aside to honor our national symbol, raise awareness for protecting the Bald Eagle, to assist in the recovery of their natural environments and to take part in educational outreach.

The Bald Eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States of America and appears on it”s Seal.

In the later 20th century, the Bald Eagle was on the brink of extirpation in the continental United States. Eventually populations recovered and on July 12, 1995, the species was removed from the U.S. Federal Government’s List of Endangered Species and transferred to the List of Threatened Species. On June 2007, it was removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States.

The Bald Eagle’s range includes most of Canada, Alaska, all of the contiguous United States and northern Mexico. They can be found near large bodies of open water where there is an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.

Opportunistic feeders, Bald Eagle’s survive mainly on fish, swooping down and snatching them from the water. Their nests are the largest nests of any North American bird and the largest tree nest ever recorded for any animal species. A Bald Eagle’s nest was measured at 13 ft deep and 8.2 ft wide and it weighed 1.1 ton.

The name “Bald Eagle” derives from an older meaning of “white headed” as the bird is actually no bald. The adult eagle is mainly brown with a white head and tail.

http://www.eagles.org/programs/American-Eagle-Day-2015.php

Where is the event?
Nationwide USA

West Virginia Day
June 20, 2015 in West Virginia

West Virginia Day is celebrated on June 20. 2015, as the name suggests, in West Virginia, USA. On this state holiday the anniversary of the creation of the 35th state, also known as the Mountain State, is celebrated. During the American Civil War, delegates from 50 northwestern counties of Virginia decided the secession from Virginia and the creation of a new state: West Virginia.

The reason were political differences between the poor peasants in the mountain regions and the plantation owners in the plains, who dominated the state policy. On June 20, 1863 this new state was admitted to the Union. West Virginia is the 41st largest US state by area and the 38th by population.

Where is West Virginia Day?
Nationwide West Virginia

Historical Events on 20th June:

451 – Germans & Romans beat Atiila the Hun at Catalarinische Fields

1567 – Jews are expelled from Brazil by order of regent Don Henrique

1631 – The sack of Baltimore: the Irish village of Baltimore is attacked by Algerian pirates

1675 – Abenaki, Massachusetts, Mohegan & Wampanoag indians form anti-English front under Metacom

1756 – Black Hole of Calcutta – 146 British soldiers imprisoned in small dungeon in Calcutta, India where most die

1756 – Siraj ud-Daulah Nawab of Bengal takes Calcutta from the British

1782 – Congress approves Great Seal of US & eagle as it’s symbol

1791 – King Louis XVI caught trying to escape French Revolution

1819 – 320 ton Savannah becomes 1st steamship to cross any ocean (Atlantic)

1837 – Queen Victoria at 18 ascends British throne following death of uncle King William IV. She ruled for 63 years ending in 1901