In Colonial days, farm families worked from sunrise to sunset and sometimes longer. People had little time for play. They did not have a chance to see other people as much as we do today. But sometimes they were able to turn hard work into good times and still visit with their neighbours.

In Virginia, Indian corn was an important crop. In late autumn after the weather had turned cold, the corn was ready to be harvested. Each ear had a cover of leaves called the husk (壳). The colonists pulled ears of corn from the dry stalks and stored the ears of corn. Later, they held a corn husking­party.

On a clear night in November, neighbouring families gathered to husk (剥去……的壳) the corn. They lit lanterns in a barn and piled the corn in high mounds(垛) on the floor. Then everyone went to work.

Most of the corn was yellow or white. But from time to time, a red ear was found. The person who found it was supposed to have good luck.

As people worked together, they enjoyed each other’s company. There was cider to drink and cakes and cookies to eat. Corn husking was a favourite with boys and girls because they liked the chance to have a party.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th and was created to inspire people around the globe to take an active part in environmental protection and learn more about ways we can help to guarantee the future of our planet is safe.

The very first World Environment Day took place in 1974, established by the United Nations General Assembly on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment that took place in 1972. Each year the United Nations picks a theme and a host city where anyone who is concerned about the environment can talk about environmental topics with others, followed by different kinds of exhibits to promote environmental awareness. Environmentalists, academics and scientists come together to bring new ideas on the table concerning the environment.

The 2018 World Environment Day was hosted by India, and the theme was Beat Plastic Pollution. It urged people to explore and choose supportable alternatives like paper or cloth bags to reduce the production and use of disposable plastic, which made up 10% of all of the waste. Even though the United Nations picks a specific host city every year, people around the world still celebrate World Environment Day in their hometowns with parades (游行), concerts, cleaning up, tree planting and all kinds of green actions to work towards having a beautiful planet and battling pollution.

World Environment Day is not a public holiday, so you won’t be getting the day off work or school, but if you want to celebrate, why not bring it to the attention of your parents, friends, colleagues or classmates? World Environment Day is all about working together to take action for the planet, so try to get everyone you know interested in helping do something. Things as small as making sure people have a way to recycle can make a difference. You could also try beautifying your neighborhood by planting gardens, learn about green foods, raise money for a local wildlife conservation group or simply learn about the effects of different products on the earth.

BEST CULTURAL FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD

If you’re planning on hitting a cultural festival this year, make sure you check out the background information about some of them.

Burning Man started in 1986, when Larry Harvey and Jerry James built a 8-foot-tall wooden figure and dragged it to San Francisco’s Baker Beach. They lit it on fire and thus one of the world’s strangest, wildest parties was born. It takes place from the last Sunday in August to Labor Day, with an emphasis on freedom, creativity, and self-expression.

Arguably the biggest festival in the world, Brazil’s Carnival is widely considered “the greatest show on Earth”. The event takes place in February or March, attracting nearly 5 million people who’re baking in the heat each year. There are annual samba competitions for the celebration, and the carnival parades are usually the stuff of legend.

Located in Northeast China, Harbin receives some seriously cold winter winds blowing over from Siberia. So why would any healthy person want to visit for this month-long Chinese festival, which officially starts on January 5. Because it’s home to the largest ice sculptures in the world, and the celebration takes over the entire city. Activities in the area during the festival include touring ice lantern exhibitions and swimming in the river’s cold waters.

The rest of the world could learn a thing or two from the Netherlands about properly celebrating the national governor’s birthday. King’s Day is now officially celebrated on April 27 and includes an official government ceremony followed by sporting competitions and family-friendly celebrations. The great climate also makes for ideal conditions for a country-wide flea market you have to see to believe.