Month: April 2023

Netherlands Becomes First Country to Allow Same-Sex Marriage (2001)

In 1997, a Dutch parliamentary commission tasked with investigating the advisability of same-sex unions concluded that same-sex couples should be given the right to enter into civil marriages. Legislation was finalized in late 2000, and at the stroke of midnight on April 1, 2001, four same-sex couples were married by the mayor of Amsterdam, making the Netherlands the first nation to legally recognize same-sex marriages. How many same-sex couples took advantage of the new law in that first year? Discuss

Greek Cypriot National Day

This holiday marks the anniversary of the 1955 start of the Greek Cypriot liberation struggle against British colonial forces. The Turkish community, which preferred an alliance with Turkey, also took up arms, complicating the struggle. Greek Cypriot National Day is celebrated in South Cyprus, which is the Greek partitioned part of the island. Almost all public services and most private shops are closed. The holiday is often celebrated with parades in city streets, along with music, dancing and flag-waving. Discuss

Otto von Bismarck (1815)

Bismarck was a 19th-century Prussian and German statesman. Under his leadership, Prussia defeated Austria and France, and Germany was united. He was appointed premier in 1862 and became chancellor of the North German Confederation in 1867. When the new German Empire formed in 1871, he became its first chancellor, gaining almost complete control of foreign and domestic affairs and eventually earning the nickname “Iron Chancellor.” What was the Kulturkampf, and why did he encourage it? Discuss

The Philly Cheesesteak

The Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich of steak, cheese, and onions that is considered to be a city icon. Responsibility for its invention is claimed by Philadelphia’s Olivieri brothers, who began selling it at their hot dog stand near south Philadelphia’s Italian Market in the 1930s. Today, a number of long-running rival establishments each claim loyal followings, and Philadelphians enthusiastically debate the merits of each shop’s recipe. What types of cheese are commonly used on cheesesteaks? Discuss