21st of October - Trafalgar Day, Apple Day
21st of October is the 295th day of the year
Trafalgar Day:
Trafalgar Day like Armada Day marks one of the great naval victories that in part define our national history. On October 21st 1805 Nelson defeated the combined might of the French and Spanish fleets south of Cadiz. The British lost no ships and fewer than 500 dead, but one of them was Nelson himself, thus ensuring his legendary status (like Wolfe before him). The French and Spanish surrendered 18 of their 33 vessels, and more than 2000 of their sailors died (another 8000 being captured). The victory ended any chance Napoleon had of invading Britain. The day is marked with particular vigour in Portsmouth with a service aboard HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship, and in Newcastle where the Mayor lays a wreath at the statue of Admiral Collingwood, who took over from the dying Nelson.
Apple Day:
Though some now think of this as being a custom rooted in our ancient past, it is in fact one of the most recently established ‘traditions’ in this country, first celebrated in 1990. The day was the idea of Common Ground, an environmental charity based in Shrewsbury, who started things with a bang with an event in the old Apple Market in Covent Garden, where growers from around the country brought their old varieties, as did M&S, and cider makers, chutney-bottlers, vinegar producers and others (inevitably street performers included) made contributions. The day has spread and now some Women’s Institutes, local authorities and schools hold special apple-related activities on October 21st.
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