24-30 May 2014
Saturday
Vocal atheist
Academic Richard Dawkins made his operatic debut in Manchester, providing a voice-over for Mysterious 44, based on an unfinished work by Mark Twain. A video of the performance will be available for schools.
Sunday
In the Open
Professional tennis players hoped Paris would not be the city of love for them as the French Open began at the Roland Garros stadium. Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams (left) are the top seeds for the singles titles.
Monday
The road to Salem
In 1647, Alse Young became the first person in the American colonies to be hanged for witchcraft, kicking off four decades of sporadic witch-hunts, which reached a peak with the Salem witch trials of 1692.
Tuesday
Wear it with pride
To mark the anniversary of homosexuality being decriminalised in Russia in 1993, a “Bearded Women and Men” pride parade for Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst was planned in Moscow, but banned by officials.
Wednesday
1D vision
Directioner fever may have broken out among your students but fear not - it’s not contagious. One Direction began the UK leg of their world tour this week, with many tween fans likely to be in attendance.
Thursday
Rash actions
Oak Apple Day, celebrating the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660, may be defunct. But beware history teachers punishing those not wearing a sprig of oak by thrashing them with stinging nettles.
Friday
Larger than life
If you head down to Rochester today, you may see some novel figures roaming the streets. The Kent town plays host to the annual Charles Dickens festival, where many people are expected to dress the part.
31 May - 6 June 2014
Saturday
No smoke without fire
Here’s an event that needs no puffing up: World No Tobacco Day is upon us. The campaign draws attention to the health problems tobacco can cause and this year is calling for higher taxes on the substance.
Sunday
Kidding around
International Children’s Day will be observed today. Established by the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Switzerland in 1925, it now means gifts and days off school for many students.
Monday
Viva la Repubblica
Italy will celebrate the Festa della Repubblica (Festival of the Republic), marking the 1946 referendum that led to the end of the monarchy. The king, Umberto II, was exiled after reigning for just over a month.
Tuesday
Sweet talk
The science of sweets, the origins of the universe and the mathematical secrets of The Simpsons are just a few of the eclectic topics under discussion at the Cheltenham Science Festival, which begins today.
Wednesday
Mind your Vs and Qs
VQ Day, a national celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers, recognises the talented and skilled people in the UK who work and study in this field.
Thursday
Island life
World Environment Day takes small islands as its theme this year. The campaign will raise awareness of the challenges these islands face, often as a result of climate change, and the solutions they have found.
Friday
Line in the sand
D-Day in 1944 was a decisive turning point in the Second World War. Many events are planned in the UK and on Normandy beaches and battle sites to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied invasion.
