12-18 April 2014
Saturday
Blast off!
Stellar celebrations were in order for the United Nations’ International Day of Human Space Flight, which applauded technology and “the aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes”.
Sunday
Running the world
MPs received cheers from the public on the streets of London; not for their policies, but for the fact that a record number - eight, including shadow chancellor Ed Balls - took part in the gruelling marathon.
Monday
Seen on screen
In 1894, the first motion picture house opened in New York City. Its 10 Kinetoscope devices provided “peep-show viewing” of films, giving it one advantage over current cinemas: no loud popcorn-eaters.
Tuesday
Whisper it.
In the US, teachers and students honoured the unsung heroes of education, school librarians, during National Library Workers’ Day. They carried out the festivities as quietly as they possibly could, of course.
Wednesday
Voice of the people
Feeling a little hoarse? World Voice Day was upon us, highlighting the significance of human speech. Global events included concerts, workshops and a lecture on “the prophylaxis of voice disorders of teachers”.
Thursday
It’s in the blood
World Haemophilia Day was marked across the globe, with the 2014 theme “Speak out. Create change”. The aim of the movement is to raise awareness of the condition, along with related disorders.
Friday
Marble marvel
Competitors will be battling in the British and World Marble Championships in Sussex - if they haven’t lost them. The tradition dates back to the Elizabethan era, when two gentlemen would play for a lady’s hand.
19-25 April 2014
Saturday
Right on cue
Who will win this year’s World Snooker Championship? We’ll find out after the break. The sport’s finest will convene in Sheffield in a bid to take the title from last year’s winner, Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Sunday
Breaking eggs
Christians celebrate Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, non-Christians have an eggs-cellent excuse to eat far more chocolate in one day than is recommended.
Monday
Roman holiday
One of history’s greatest empires has a birthday. This date was agreed upon as the birth of Rome by a group of humanists during the Italian Renaissance. Just don’t ask Rome how old it is, it’s not polite.
Tuesday
The British are coming
An invasion of Hollywood begins with BritWeek, designed to celebrate links between the UK and California. The event lasts a fortnight and includes a celebration of crossover TV hit Downton Abbey.
Wednesday
Good day, Bard day
Ben Jonson described him as “the wonder of the stage”, while Voltaire considered his works “an enormous dunghill”. Either way, the literary impact of William Shakespeare, born 450 years ago today, is undisputed.
Thursday
Goggles at the ready
High school and middle school students in the US will participate in the National Science Bowl. The nationwide academic competition uses a Jeopardy-style approach to test students’ knowledge of the subject.
Friday
Back to black
A gloom will settle on the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby. Famous for its appearance in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the spot has been adopted by goths, who hold the Whitby Gothic Weekend music festival there.
