It’s April 23rd: Happy St. George’s Day, my English Anglophile friends!

If you’re an American who’s clueless about St. George’s Day, think: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Helen Keller Day.  You know—one of those "non-holiday holidays." 

St. George, the patron saint of England (and numerous other countries around the world), was born in Turkey, became a Roman soldier, killed a dragon, saved a princess, and later got beheaded for refusing to denounce Christianity.  Thus his status as "Christian martyr" and propensity for being snatched up as a patron saint. 

The English used to celebrate St. George’s Day.  In the 1500s through 1800s, the day was a big deal, but the Edwardians got bored with it.  Nowadays in England, one will hear the occasional "Happy St. George’s Day!" while out and about.  In pubs, the lads (if they’re aware of the day at all) may buy one another a round of ale and toast the day.  BBC will dedicate some programming to it.  Newspaper articles will talk about how few people celebrate the day.  But beyond these things, not much else happens.

In recent years, England has experienced a growing movement to make St. George’s Day a public holiday.  A recent poll—albeit with a small sampling of only 3,600 English adults—showed that 73% support the idea of a public holiday.  (Some argue that people merely want another day off work.) 

Despite these efforts to amp up St. George’s Day, the effort still sputters and stalls.  One reason may be that extreme nationalism in England is not viewed by everyone as a good thing.  Some feel that the English flag represents a far-right type of chauvinism and racism often associated with organizations such as the English Defense League and the British National Party and with football hooligans.  (Akin to how some in the U.S. feel about the Confederate flag.)  Yet others claim that the English, being Protestant for five centuries, pay little attention to saints, so ratcheting up St. George’s Day is a bit forced. 

Those who do actually celebrate the day may do so by wearing a red rose in their lapel or wearing an article of clothing depicting the St. George’s Cross.  Or they may fly the St. George’s Cross flag and/or serve traditional British food.  Those hoping to make St. George’s Day a public holiday argue that it would be a perfect time to showcase English music, art, theater, and other such English creativeness.   

We’ll have to wait and see if St. George’s Day ever gets loft, but meanwhile, I’d like to wish everyone a happy day--of the St. George variety or otherwise!

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Dear Anglophiles:  I sincerely wish all of you a MIRTHFUL NEW YEAR... a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR... and a HEALTHFUL NEW YEAR.  Since the inception of my blog 9 months ago, I've tried to provide my fellow Anglophiles with a daily "dose of Britain," and I would like you to know how very much I appreciate you visiting ANGLOPHILES UNITED.  (And I do hope stateside Anglophiles included "Visit Britain" as one of their New Year's resolutions!)   

Okeydoke, Anglophiles, it's now time to roar into 2013.....Cheers!

TODAY'S "DOSE OF BRITAIN"....

Those in the UK know about the New Year's Day Parade in London, but many Anglophiles on this side of the pond may not.   The parade, now 28 years old, begins outside the Ritz Hotel and concludes on Parliament Street, passing many famous Central London landmarks along the way--such as Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster Abbey.

The parade, one of the largest in the world, boasts over 10,000 performers.  Beginning shortly before noon, it's three hours long and draws a street-side audience of a half million people and participants from all over the world.   Jazz bands.  Classical musicians.  Choirs.  Dancers.  Clowns.  Cycling  clubs.  Animals.  Cheerleaders.   Marching bands.

If I dare say so, one of the more admirable qualities of British society is the propensity for charitable giving--so I especially love the fact that the parade is used to raise funds for charities. 

You go, Britain! 

As you may know, the Royal Family spends Christmases in lovely Norfolk, at Sandringham House, where the entire clan gathers.  The Queen and much of her family remain there until February.  This year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upended Royal tradition by spending Christmas Day with Kate's parents in Bucklebury, Berkshire.   (I say, "Bully for you, Wills and Kate!  Bully for you!")  Prince Harry, too, was missing from the Sandringham nest--being in Afghanistan, where he's on active military duty.

Below is a Photo Gallery  you may enjoy of the Royals at Sandringham this year.  The Photo Gallery appears in a recent Huffington Post article; scroll to mid-page to find it.

Reading about the Royal Family during this holiday season, and seeing the closeness of William and Kate, who seemed determined to do their own thing, made me think of Princess Diana.  Below is a video I found, a tribute to Diana, that brought a smile to my face.  I hope you enjoy it too.

Happy Boxing Day to those across the pond! 

For Anglophiles outside the UK who are unfamiliar with Boxing Day, a quick primer is in order.  Boxing Day, December 26, the day after Christmas, is now a bank holiday (i.e., “public” holiday) in Britain, but its roots go back to at least to the 17th century.  One of the first known references to Boxing Day was found in a Samuel Pepys’ journal entry, penned in the late 1600s, where Pepys mentions giving "Christmas boxes" to servants.  (Pepys was a member of Parliament and famed diarist.)  At that time, the “haves” distributed boxes of coins, food, and used clothing to the “have nots,” which included the poor and servants. 

By the mid-19th century, Queen Victoria officially declared the day after Christmas a holiday.  In those Victorian times, Boxing Day was observed more as a servants’ holiday.  Domestics, after having spent Christmas Day catering to their masters, got leave the following day to visit their families (if the family lived nearby, that is).  Typically, families gave servants a box containing money, food, and gifts to take home.  With the servants gone, the wealthy contented themselves with Christmas-dinner leftovers.  Sometimes the “upstairs” families arranged special treats or a party on Boxing Day for the servants—or even a servant’s ball.  Landowners commonly sent game to their tenants and provided treats at the parish church.  Meanwhile, city dwellers tipped the poor blokes who kept the city running smoothly: lamplighters, delivery boys, postmen, and various tradesmen. 

And what has Boxing Day morphed into in modern times?  A day of rest, of course, but a few activities are particularly popular.  Historically, in modern times, the hoards shop on Boxing Day—with stores offering huge discounts.  Indeed, the day is Britain’s premier shopping day, equivalent to the day after Thanksgiving in the US.  Nowadays one even hears of “Boxing Week” in the retail sector.

Sports are also a big Boxing Day draw.  The Premier League, Scottish Premier League, Irish Premier League, and rugby leagues engage in football (soccer) and rugby matches.  The prestigious King George VI Chase (horse race) is run on Boxing Day.  Also popular, traditionally, has been mounted fox hunting.  The Hunting Act of 2004 put the kibosh on such fox hunting, though I’m not sure how effective the prohibition has been.  Politically correct hunters nowadays engage in drag hunting instead of tracking down live fox.  (A scent of aniseed oils and animal urine, applied to a rag, is dragged along the ground for a set distance, which includes a finish line.  Hunters and foxhounds follow the scent rather than live foxes.)  And finally, for Britons with a healthy bent, taking a long hike (rambling) is often a Boxing Day tradition.    

And now, dear Anglophiles, you're in the know about Boxing Day!

ANGLOPHILE ALERT!  
Don't forget: The Doctor Who Christmas special The Snowmen airs tonight on BBC-A at 9 p.m.  (And airing up until that time slot is a Doctor Who marathon!)

Enjoy, dear Anglophiles!

While some Christmas traditions in the U.S. are similar to those in Britain, others are not.  Naturally, we Anglophiles are especially curious about those that "are not."  Today we have the good fortune to have guest writer David Harding, a Londoner, give us the lowdown on Christmas traditions across the pond.

Many Christmas traditions started or evolved in Britain and spread throughout the Commonwealth and English-speaking world.  Other traditions stayed at home, some begun only recently.  What are these British Christmas traditions, both old and new?

The enduring popularity of the Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol have led many to associate a British Christmas with Victorian England.  Below are a list of the traditions and a few recipes for you to try!

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

Often accompanying food on Christmas Day, they were invented by the London baker - Thomas Smith - in 1846 and consist of a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at either end. Two people pull the cracker, which ‘cracks’, and the contents of a brightly coloured paper hat, joke and toy fall out.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

Eaten on the afternoon of December 25th and consisting of Roast Turkey, with ‘all the trimmings’, which typically refer to: stuffing, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, roast potatoes, carrots, pigs in blankets, bread sauce and cranberry sauce. 

CHRISTMAS PUDDING

A traditional pudding that’s covered with brandy and set alight.  It typically contains a coin or lucky charm.   

CHRISTMAS TREE

Technically a tradition ‘borrowed’ from Germany, it did not  become popular until Queen Victoria’s German husband, Prince Albert, introduced the custom to Britain in the 19th Century. Every year in Trafalgar Square, London, a tree is erected -- a gift from the people of Norway in gratitude for British support during World War II. 

FATHER CHRISTMAS

The name typically given to Santa Claus in English-speaking countries outside of the USA and Canada, although in practice, the terms are now interchangeable. In the past, Father Christmas was also referred to as Sir Christmas or Lord Christmas and was associated with good cheer and not particularly with children or gift-giving. Father Christmas dresses in red and white but used to dress in green, signifying his pagan roots.

MINCE PIES

A fruit based mincemeat, sweet pie that originated in the 13th Century. Mince Pies are widely available and eaten throughout late November and December. 

MULLED WINE / CIDER

Made from wine or cider with the addition of spices.  It is served warm, with or without alcohol, and found throughout Europe.

PANTOMIME

Popular amongst British children (and some adults!), pantomime plays are song and dance adaptations of popular fairy tales and often feature innuendo, audience participation and contemporary jokes, i.e. jokes about celebrities, politicians and songs from popular culture.

The Christmas panto Cinderella, in the video below, features songs and original music by Philip Pope, Kevin Powell on bass.

ROYAL CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

The reigning Monarch broadcasts a Christmas Message on Christmas Day, a tradition that began in 1932 with radio broadcasts and in 1957 expanded to include television broadcasts as well.  Now the message is broadcast on radio, television and the Internet--at 3pm, the time being chosen as a time convenient for the majority of the Empire.  Since 1993, Channel 4 has broadcast an ‘Alternative Christmas Message’ lampooning the Royal Message and featuring a controversial celebrity.

To read the history of the Royal Christmas Message on the official website of the British Monarchy, click HERE) 

GUEST WRITER BIO
David Harding
@davidhardinguk 

David Harding is a 25 year old who was born and raised in South West London, now living and working there. When he was younger, his older brother moved to Australia sparking an enduring fascination with the culture, kinship and common language of the English Speaking People's all over the world.

July 4, 1776.  A momentous moment in history for the United States; not so much for Britain.

Years ago, my older brother, who attended university in Canada and majored in history, wrote a college paper comparing the Canadian and American views of the American Revolution.  I was quite young at the time, but I remember reading his paper and was surprised that history wasn't "concrete," that there were different views about the same historical event.  In reading my grammar-school history books, I had taken their content as chiseled in stone--as truth.  But my brother's college paper introduced me to comparative history.  So naturally, years later, after my affliction with "Anglophilia,"  I developed a keen desire to understand how the British viewed our Revolutionary War. 

Over the years, I've done my own informal research about this topic--reading, probing my British friends, and perusing "history" sections of UK bookstores--and my conclusion is that the Brits hardly know about, or care about, our Declaration of Independence or Revolutionary War.  In the States, our grade-school and high-school history curriculum focuses a great deal on our fight for independence from the British.  Here, one can find whole books that cover the topic.  In Britain, the event (referred to as the "American War of Independence") garners maybe a few paragraphs in history textbooks, and one is hard pressed to find a book about the topic in a UK bookstore.  "Oh, dear!  How can that be?!" gasps the average American.  While I am not a historian, I believe these are some of the reasons why....

• Here's a joke illustrating one reason why the Brits gloss over our historic rebellion: 

A British gentleman was talking to an American college student.
Brit: So, young man, what are you studying in college?
Student: American history!
Brit: Well, that must be easy.
Student:  Why is that?
Brit: There's so little of it!

Really, British history curriculum must cover so much!  Hundreds and hundreds of years!  Prehistoric Britain, Roman Britain, the Tudors, the Jacobean era, the Restoration, the Industrial Revolution, the Elizabethans, the Georgian era, the Victorian era, the Edwardian period, WWII, modern Britain, etc., etc., etc.  But in the United States, our history curriculum covers little more than 200 years--and we rarely study prehistoric America.  What little bit of American history that Brits do study seems, I believe, to focus on events in 20th century--such as the American Civil Rights movement and the Cold War.

• In the writing of textbooks, all countries focus more on the wars they win than the wars they lose.  
  

• At the time, the upstart American colonies were of little importance to Britain.  Few people were living in the colonies, little had been accomplished there, more natural resources existed in the area that became Canada than in the colonies, and trying to protect the colonies was costing Britain money (thus its attempt to impose taxes on the colonists--such as those on tea and via the Stamp Act).  From what I gather, King George III paid little attention to the colonies across the pond....he did, after all, have a huge, mighty empire at that time.  So the British viewed the American Revolution as one component of the "the Atlantic empire question" and as a continuation of the Seven Years War (1756 - 1763), which led to Britain's war with France and the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars.  
  

• If British history curriculum included coverage of all the rebellions that occurred across Britain's previous far-flung empire, there would be little time left for studying anything else.
  

• Many Brits came to dislike King George III--due to his mental instability and his reluctance to relinquish certain powers to Parliament.  Consequently, many Brits sympathized with and supported the American colonists. 
  

So on this 4th of July, as my countrymen celebrate with picnics, firecracker displays, and patriotic music, I ponder what could have been.... Even if America had lost the Revolutionary War, we undoubtedly would have eventually gained independence as other British colonies did.  I ponder whether I would have been a Separatist or Loyalist had I lived in the colonies.  I've read that, supposedly, 40 to 45 percent of the colonists supported the rebellion, while 15 to 20 percent were Loyalists, and all others were either neutral or maintained a low profile by keeping their views to themselves.  I suppose my social and economic circumstances in the colonies would have dictated to whom I gave my allegiance.  But this is for certain: I'm proud of my country, the United States of America (maybe not unequivocally proud, but still proud....), and I greatly admire the culture of Great Britain (maybe not unequivocally, but still....)

Happy birthday, USA!

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