Annular Solar Eclipse

The annular solar eclipse of May 10 will be visible in certain parts of Australia and the islands of the Southern Pacific Ocean.

For all those outside these areas, it is possible to  watch the solar eclipse live on Space.com, via the online Slooh Space Camera, beginning at 5:30 p.m. EDT.

Earth Day

Millions of people around the world will take part in the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.

This year’s theme is The Face of Climate Change. Participants can add their own photo to a mosaic of images of people, animals, and places directly affected by climate change. An interactive display of these images will be shown at events around the world, and will also be available to view online.

Follow the campaign on social media using the hashtag #faceofclimate

http://www.earthday.org/2013/index.php

 

EU ban on animal testing for cosmetics

The European Union is banning the sale of new cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals. The European Commission has ordered the ban to take effect immediately, in a move which has been welcomed by animal rights groups.

The ban on cosmetics containing animal-tested ingredients was first agreed some years ago, but originally left loopholes for certain tests to continue.

Interntational Women's Day

International Women's Day is on Friday 8 March - celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday.

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Pancake Day

Pancake Day is a chance to use up foods that aren't allowed in Lent, (a period of abstinence) such as butter and eggs, which are among the ingredients of pancakes.

It is also known as Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year, this year it is Tuesday 12 February.

The word Shrove comes from the old verb "shrive" meaning to confess. In the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins and obtain forgiveness on Shrove Tuesday.

Wear Red Day

	National Wear Red Day raises awareness about heart disease. Today kicks off February’s Heart Health Awareness Month, a reminder that both women and men need to be aware of the dangers of heart disease. www.Heart.org.

Chinese New year

Chinese New Year will be the Year of the Snake, ushering out the Year of the Dragon. The New Year for 2013 falls on 10 February. Also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, it falls at the time of the first new moon of the year.