3-9 May 2014
Saturday
Holy Handout, batman!
Perhaps it wasn’t the event the world needed but it was the one it deserved. Free Comic Book Day took place across the world, with stores everywhere giving away graphic novels gratis to anyone who asked.
Sunday
Watching the worm turn
There was no forking around at the 30th annual Blackawton International Festival of Wormcharming. Teams competed to charm worms to the surface by any means except digging or forking the ground.
Monday
Baby Boom
Children in Japan and South Korea had the luxury of an extra holiday as both countries celebrated the health and happiness of their young people on Children’s Day. Sweets and presents featured heavily.
Tuesday
Tour of duty
The University of London’s Institute of Education launched its First World War centenary battlefield tours programme, which gives eligible pupils the opportunity to visit battlefields on the Western Front.
Wednesday
Going down a bomb
The World Water Bombing Championships took place in Sheffield. Teams of four hoping to make a big splash launched themselves off diving boards and were judged on their mid-air acrobatics.
Thursday
Quarterback calls
The hotly anticipated 79th Annual National Football League draft began at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the bigwigs of American football selecting newly eligible players for their rosters.
Friday
Get the continental drift
The European Youth Event 2014 starts today in Strasbourg, bringing together thousands of Europeans aged 16-30. With the motto “ideas for a better Europe”, the event will cover themes such as the digital revolution.
10-16 May 2014
Saturday
Flight pattern
Start twitching and line up in an orderly V formation: it’s World Migratory Bird Day. Supported by the United Nations, this global event celebrates the phenomenon of migration and the birds that do it.
Sunday
Stem support
All things scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical will be on the menu for India’s National Technology Day. Eerily, the date marks the anniversary of the country’s first nuclear bomb tests.
Monday
Medicinal purposes
The history teacher’s favourite, Florence Nightingale, was born on this day in 1820. The Lady with the Lamp was renowned for her work during the Crimean War and laid the foundation for professional nursing.
Tuesday
At fever pitch
After weeks of fevered speculation, football fans will wake up this morning to slightly more well-informed speculation: the squads for the Brazil 2014 World Cup will have been officially submitted to Fifa.
Wednesday
A pox on history
Physician Edward Jenner trialled his inoculation against smallpox on this day in 1796. His test subject? An eight-year-old boy. Luckily for Jenner, the child lived and the world got its first successful vaccine.
Thursday
Latino lessons
Mexicans will be gearing up to celebrate their country’s educators on Teachers’ Day. This important occasion is traditionally given as a (well-earned) holiday - something other places could learn from.
Friday
Radical ingredients
Follow Jamie Oliver to the barricades on Food Revolution Day by urging your class to make healthy choices and signing them up to a live cookery lesson hosted by the man himself. Go to tesconnect.comjamieoliver
