A film about Thanksgiving

The Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month at the Eleventh Hour

World War I (sometimes we say the First World War) ended on this date in 1918. The cease fire agreement said that the fighting would end "on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, at the eleventh hour", which is to say November 11th at 11 in the morning.

This day has many names in the English-speaking world. In most countries it is called Remembrance Day. Some places it is called Armistice Day - an "armistice" is an agreement to stop fighting - and  in the United States it is usually called Veterans Day. A veteran is someone who has fought in a war.

The holiday is meant as a way of remembering and honoring those who fought in all wars for their country, not just World War I. Did you know that at least three people who served in World War I are still alive? They are all 109 years old!

My father served in the US Navy during the Korean War. Do you have any veterans in your family?

Open Thread for Week 43

Here's the open thread for this week! Talk about anything you'd like to in the comments.

Donald Duck - Trick Or Treat - 1952 (English)

Open Thread for Week 42

Every week, we will have an open thread. This is a chance to say whatever you want to say about our classes or about this blog. If you want to write about something that happened in class, please remember to tell us which class you are part of.

Halloween

This morning I saw pumpkins at the supermarket! Five years ago, we Americans who live in and around Oslo special-ordered our pumpkins for Halloween from a farmer who grew them for us. Now he and other farmers grow many more of them and sell them like any other vegetable. Halloween has become common in Norway, at least in Oslo and Akershus.
Some people do not like this. They feel Halloween gives children permission to destroy property and scare people who don't want to be part of the game. Others believe it is something shopkeepers are pushing so they can make more money. But children seem to enjoy the holiday. Some adults say it is a welcome break in the long dark autumn.

What do you think? Do any children in your neighborhood trick-or-treat? Did you dress up when you were younger?

Stephen Fry on Language and Pedants

Stephen Fry is a British actor, author, and comedian. Here he talks about language and pedants. Pedants are people who insist that everyone should do things in the way they believe is the right way. Because Stephen Fry is very smart and speaks with an upper-class accent, many people believe he is a language pedant. But he is not. What do you think of what he has to say?