Many dishes are prepared or served for a special occasion or historic event. Especially children enjoy these special meals or snacks. It is also a good occasion to talk about cultural and historical aspects of life in general and food in particular, whilst enjoying the delicious dishes.

In 1889, the 1st of August was proposed to celebrate the Swiss Confederacy as the Federal Charter was dated in the beginning of August 1291. Only in 1993, it became a national holiday.

International Youth Day (UNESCO) is celebrated. Youth form a large part of the population but many of them are still poor and illiterate and with little opportunities for the future.

On the 24 August 1990, the "Declaration of Sovereignty" was adopted in the Ukraine. People formed a human chain to commemorate their unification in 1919. But after 1971, they became Soviet country.

Today we celebrate birthdays: the man of the house as well as grandma's. Together they are good for more than a century. So something they like, a cake or pie, to celebrate, or perhaps strawberry tartlets?

On 15 August 1947, India became independent from the rule of Great Britain. The British had come for trade purposes, but took over the country year by year. The holiday is celebrated all over the country with festivals.

Today is "A-bomb day" in Japan and the citizens of Hiroshima pray for an everlasting world peace. A minute silence is held at 8:15, the time the bomb exploded on the 6th of August, 1945.

Il Palio de Siena in Tuscany is a horse race, organized since 1287. It is run on the Piazza del Campo. From 17 districts of the city, 10 participants are selected. The race takes a few minutes.

Recipes from
Picardy

Holiday of Saint Juttemis, a Dutch version of Saint Glinglin. Juttemis is Saint Judith, with her name day on the 17th of August, as found in 16th century Chronicles in Limburg.

On the 17th of August 1672, Groningen was freed from the siege of the Bishop of Münster by Bishop Bernhard van Galen. The latter many bombs and was called "Bombing Berend". After 1700, the celebration was the 28th of August.

On the 19th of August 1919, Afghanistan gained independence from Great Britain with the Treaty of Rawalpindi. The British fought three wars: the first they lost, the second they won and after the third they gave up.

Today, in Georgia as well as in other countries with an Eastern Orthodox church, the Assumption of Mary is celebrated. Others also believe that Mary went to heaven, they just disagree on the date.

On 9 August 1965, Singapore withdrew from the Federation of Malaysia and became independent. One month later, it became a Republic. the day is celebrated with parades in the National Stadium.

Saint Stephen lived in the 10th century. He established the Kingdom of Hungary and spread Christianity, whilst fighting left and right. This was good enough to have him canonized on the 20th of August 1083.

In Great Britain, people legally stay home today, as it is Summer Bank Holiday, one of the 6 officially established Bank Holidays. If you are not a banker, you still have the day off, even if there is nothing to celebrate.