On Monday, May 21st, Canadians celebrate Victoria Day.

"In late May, Victoria Day has been known by several different names: the Queen's Birthday, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day. It was first observed in Canada West [Ontario] in 1845, to celebrate the birthday of the young Queen Victoria of England. In the 1890s, when enthusiasm for the British Empire was at its height, the name was changed to Empire Day. But by the mid-20th century the Empire had given way to the Commonwealth, so another name change was made. It has been a national holiday in Canada since 1901."

"Traditionally, Victoria Day marks the beginning of the summer season in Canada, when people plant their gardens and open up their cottages. Some cities hold magnificent fireworks displays in the evening. In order to make the first long weekend of the summer season, Victoria Day has been celebrated since 1952 on the Monday preceding May 25."

(Source: Junior Canadian Encyclopedia | eLibrary Canada Curriculum Edition)

In History Study Center, look for information on the reign of Queen Victoria. You may try a search in all content areas for “Queen Victoria” to answer the following essential questions:

• Why do we celebrate Victoria Day every year?
• How long was her reign?
• What contributions and controversies are noted throughout her life?
• There are two significant men in Queen Victoria’s life. Who are they and how do they affect her life and her reign?
• Why does she become known as the “widow of Windsor?”
• What celebrations will mark Victoria Day in your home town?

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CultureGrams can help you broaden your students' understanding of the world and its peoples. The World Edition includes 190+ country profiles, written for junior high students and older. CultureGrams also has a Kids Edition, Provinces Edition, and a States Edition, geared for upper elementary students. These editions include kid-friendly profiles of 70+ countries, all 50 states (including Washington, D.C.), and the Canadian provinces.

CultureGrams goes beyond mere facts and figures to deliver an insider's perspective on daily life and culture, including the history, customs, and lifestyles of the world's people.

• Capital: Rome
• Population: 58,103,033 (rank=22)
• Area, sq. mi.: 116,305 (rank=69)
• Area, sq. km.: 301,230
• Real GDP per capita: $27,119
• Adult literacy rate: 99% (male); 99% (female)
• Infant mortality rate: 4 per 1,000 births
• Life expectancy: 77 (male); 83 (female)

• In Italy, pulling down the lower eyelid with a finger is a way of acknowledging someone's cleverness.
• Italians refer to one another by their city of origin (Milanese, Roman, Florentine, etc.).
• Nearly every city and town honors the local patron saint with an annual celebration.

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Our trainer, Tasha Maddison, is standing by to help you get the most out of your subscription--and learn more about our other digital learning resources! She offers a wide variety of online training sessions (check our calendar of events) each month.

The training sessions cover after-school hours within several time zones. Best of all, there's no cost to participate. All you need is a computer with Internet access, a phone and one hour. Click the button to sign up:

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Each month, our SIRS® WebSelect and SIRS® Discoverer WebFind editorial teams scour the Internet for top-quality sites that help teachers teach and students learn. Although no Internet site can supplant a quality research database, these vetted resources offer unique resources that are sure to be of interest.

Portraits of India: Markets, Merchants, and Artisans
Organization: Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley

"This exhibit explores how people relate to objects through their occupations of producing, selling, and repairing them. The 48 images on display were chosen from a collection of about 1,700 photographs taken by anthropologist Dr. Richard Lerner in 1968-70 and 1988-89. The three sections focus on artisans, merchants and service-providers. (PHOEBE A. HEARST MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY) View photographs of markets, merchants and artisans of India.

Frontline: News War
Organization: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

"In a four-part special series, News War, Frontline examines the political, cultural, legal, and economic forces challenging the news media today and how the press has reacted in turn. Through interviews with key figures in print, broadcast and electronic media over the past four decades--and with unequaled, behind-the-scenes access to some of today's most important news organizations, Frontline traces the recent history of American journalism, from the Nixon administration's attacks on the media to the post-Watergate popularity of the press, to the new challenges presented by the war on terror and other global forces now changing--and challenging--the role of the press in our society." (PBS) Watch the full series online.

The Partisans of Ali
Organization: National Public Radio (NPR)

[We're] "...immersed more deeply than ever in the Muslim world's sectarian divide. A five-part series explores the split between Shia and Sunnis, from its origins shortly after the death of Muhammed in the seventh century to the modern-day upheaval in Iraq." (NPR)