Currently viewing the tag: "holidays"

We thought it was great that the 4th was a Monday last year, since it gave us a 3-day weekend, but we’re thrilled that the Tuesday holiday this year gives us a 4-day weekend! The weather forecast looks good, so why not take advantage of all the 4th of July activities in the Boston area?

The quintessential Boston 4th of July celebration is the Boston Pops performance and fireworks show on the Esplanade. Visit the official event website for a rundown of the schedule and more event details. CBS Boston has also put together a handy guide with viewing location suggestions and other useful tips. Want to hear the music but don’t want to deal with the crowds on the 4th? The Pops will be doing a rehearsal (minus fireworks) on Monday July 3rd.

For fun throughout the weekend, head down to Boston Harborfest . Dedicated to celebrating Boston’s harbor and history, it’s the largest 4th of July festival in the country and features tons of activities, some free and some paid. Here’s the full schedule.

Don’t want to fight the crowds for Boston fireworks on the 2nd or the 4th? Here’s a list of all the fireworks displays planned for this summer in MA. Of particularly local note, Somerville will be having a display tonight (6/29) at 9:15pm and Newton and Waltham will also have fireworks displays on Tuesday 7/4.

Want to keep learning while the library’s closed Sun-Tues? Why not take in a historical tour with National Park Service or visit the Colonialfest at the Old North Church?

 

Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe Independence Day. And don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

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June 17, 2017 is the 242nd anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, an event we mark in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Bunker Hill Day. It falls on a Saturday this year, so why not take the opportunity to visit some historic sites and learn more?

  • Visit the Bunker Hill Monument for the “Decisive Day” guided tour offered by the Boston National Historic Park, which departs daily every half hour.
  • There are also special Bunker Hill Day tours at the Adams National Historical Park in Quincy.

If you don’t have time to get out this weekend, here are the Top Ten Things You Should Know About Charlestown and the Battle of Bunker Hill according to our Head of Research & Instruction and Charlestown denizen, Becky Morin

1) The Battle of Bunker Hill was mostly fought on Breed’s Hill. That’s where the Monument is. Bunker Hill is actually taller and steeper, and is home to the lovely Saint Francis de Sales, a beautiful Roman Catholic church dedicated in 1862. If you don’t know which hill is which, we know you’re a tourist.

Bunker Hill Monument and Col. William Prescott statue

By Siddharth Mallya. CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

2) Charlestown was actually not part of the City of Boston when the Battle took place. Charlestown is OLDER than Boston (as any proud Townie will gladly inform you), and did not become part of the City until 1874.

3) Charlestown is where Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride really kicked off. He was ferried in a rowboat from Boston, landing near the Charlestown Battery, and picking up a horse from his friend Deacon John Larkin, a lifelong Charlestown resident.

4) There is debate as to why the Colonial forces fortified Breed’s Hill instead of Bunker Hill, although many think it is because Breed’s Hill is closer to Boston. The British had planned the siege to capture Bunker Hill, as they wanted to dig in fortifications on the area’s highest points.

5) It took the British three attempts to capture Breed’s Hill, even though their numbers were far greater than the Colonial forces.

6) Charlestown burns during the Battle, the first of two major fires to strike the community.

7) Proud Charlestown residents still fly the Bunker Hill Battle Flag.

Bunker Hill Flag

By DevinCook at English Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons

8) While the British defeat the Colonists at the Battle of Bunker Hill, they suffer severe casualties and the Siege of Boston comes to a stalemate.

9) The Bunker Hill Monument (which you now know is on Breed’s Hill) is 221 feet tall and was completed in 1842.

10) Beloved French hero of the American Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette, is said to be buried beneath a sprinkling of soil from Bunker Hill, procured by his son.

Want More?

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-true-story-of-the-battle-of-bunker-hill-36721984/
http://charlestownhistoricalsociety.org/history/historic-timeline/
https://www.masshist.org/revolution/bunkerhill.php
https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun17.html

 

heartsThe weather is gross and you have a lot of work to do. Why not cheer yourself up by sending some love? This Thursday and Friday we’ll have a variety of supplies out at the Library Service Desk so you can make valentines for yourself, your friends, or that special someone (your favorite librarian, perhaps?). Let someone know how much you appreciate them! (Or just have fun playing with some glitter and doilies).  Crafting starts at noon!

The Student Wellness Advisor will also be hosting a few fun events this week:

Wed 2/8 : Tea and Treats
2:30-4pm, Sackler 4 behind the cafe
Enjoy an afternoon study break with the Wellness Advisor

Thurs 2/9: Analysis of Love and Relationships
12-1pm in Sackler 316
Lunch will be provided for this discussion group

Fri 2/10: Fun Day
3-4:30pm, Sackler 507
Unwind with therapy dogs and people treats!

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Boston Chinese New Year 2016

2016 Chinese New Year Parade in Boston (Matthew Dailey)/ CC BY-NC 2.0

Tomorrow, January 28th, is the first day of the Chinese Calendar and the beginning of the Year of the Rooster. Starting this evening, the next two weeks will be filled with celebrations. Fireworks, feasts, family reunions and parades are some of the well-known festivities associated with the Lunar New Year. There are also a great many traditions associated with the Lunar New Year that are centuries old, such as the hanging of traditional ‘new years’ poems, cleaning the home, the receiving new clothes and getting one’s haircut.

And because our campus is located very conveniently in Chinatown, be sure to check out the Chinese New Year Parade! It’s the largest annual celebration in Boston’s Chinatown with lion dancers, music, and firecrackers—and if you haven’t tried the plethora of food options in our neighborhood, what a better time to venture out and celebrate? This year’s parade will be held on Sunday, February 12th. Here’s some more information about the festivities in Boston. .

If you are celebrating Lunar New Year, we wish safe travels and  much joy and prosperity this year! 恭贺新禧  Happy New Year!

Further reading:

About the Lunar New Year

Chinese New Year Traditions

Five Things You Didn’t Know About the Year of the Rooster

Stories about Chinese New Year

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GingerbreadHouses

Torn between taking a break to make a craft or to eat a snack? This week you’re in luck! Stop by the Library Service Desk this Thursday 12/8 and Friday 12/9 starting at 12pm and create an architectural masterpiece with graham crackers, frosting, and a bunch of candy. Each element tastes good on its own, but it tastes even better together in the shape of a house.

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TheGobbleGang

It’s our favorite time of year! Yes, that’s right. It’s turkey time!

Starting at 12pm this Thursday 11/17 and Friday 11/18, you can stop by the Library Service Desk and create your own feathered friend to bring home to Mom (or back to your study carrel). We’ll have a variety of materials out so you can create anything your heart desires, from the simple and majestic hand turkey (our personal favorite) to some 3D  pinecone poultry.

HirshTurkey

Don’t have time to delve into a craft?

Just lend a hand–we only need the outline!–to the giant library turkey we plan to make.

See you there!

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happyhirshpumpkin

Pumpkin time is here! Take a break from studying and flex your creative muscles at the Library Service Desk this Thursday and Friday. Starting at 12pm each day, we’ll have all the supplies you need to create a festive pumpkin to adorn your apartment or study carrel.

 

Hope to see you there!

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September 19 – 23 is National Postdoc Appreciation Week (or NPAW, which is a great acronym).

Last year, Tufts had ~190 postdocs working in a variety of disciplines in Boston, Grafton and Medford.  Almost half of those postdocs were here on the Health Sciences Campus, so chances are you know a postdoc!  Take this opportunity to thank them for their tireless hard work and dedication to research.

 

Post contributed by Laura Pavlech

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With the 4th falling on a Monday (yay 3-day weekends!) and a beautiful weather forecast, all the elements are in place for a great Independence Day! Here are our suggestions for how to enjoy a happy and healthy holiday weekend:

The quintessential Boston 4th of July celebration is the Boston Pops performance and fireworks show on the Esplanade. Visit the official event website for a rundown of the schedule and more event details. CBS Boston has also put together a handy guide with viewing location suggestions and other useful tips.

For fun throughout the weekend, head down to Boston Harborfest . Dedicated to celebrating Boston’s harbor and history, it’s the largest 4th of July festival in the country and features tons of activities, some free and some paid. Here’s the full schedule. Don’t miss the fireworks over the Inner Harbor on Saturday night!

Don’t want to fight the crowds for Boston fireworks on the 2nd or the 4th? Here’s a list of all the fireworks displays planned for this summer in MA. Of particularly local note, Somerville will be having a display on Thursday 6/30 at 9:15pm and Newton and Waltham will also have fireworks displays on Monday 7/4.

 

Image courtesy of www.centercutcook.com

Image courtesy of www.centercutcook.com

Hosting a barbeque? Check out our post from last year about quick summer desserts.

Since lots of sun is in the forecast, don’t forget the American Cancer Society‘s mnemonic device for protecting yourself:

Slip! Slap! Slop!® and Wrap
Slip on a shirt.  Slop on sunscreen.  Slap on a hat
Wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes and sensitive skin around them

Have a Happy 4th of July!

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The Hirsh Health Sciences Library will be open 12noon – 7pm on Monday, April 18th–shortened hours  in observance of Patriot’s Day.

Patriots’ Day is a holiday commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord in the American Revolutionary War.

Creative Commons license by  Lee Wright  https://www.flickr.com

 

It is also the day that the Boston Marathon takes place!

However you spend the day (perhaps with us in the library) have a good one!

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