Culture File UK: Afternoon Tea - A Very British Tradition

Tea remains one of the most popular beverages in the British Isles. Only introduced in the 17th century, it has since become the nation's staple. 

It is not only a hot drink, taken with milk and sugar, or pure; it is a tradition, a philosophy, a lifestyle. As a matter of fact, coffee has become well-loved over recent decades; even so, tea remains at the centre of everyday life in the UK.

Culture File U. S. A. - The Inauguration of a New President

Donald J. Trump's Inauguration as the 47th President of the United States

On Monday, 20 January 2025, the United States will witness Donald J. Trump's second inauguration, this time as the 47th POTUS. 

The inauguration is a formal event to mark the beginning of a new presidency, and it involves a ceremonial induction into office. It is usually held around two and a half months after the presidential elections, and its core component is the president-elect taking the oath of office, which is mandated by the United States Constitution. 

Most inaugurations have been held in Washington D. C., more specifically at the west front of the Capitol, the seat of Congress as the legislative branch of the U. S. government, facing the National Mall with its iconic Washington Monument and the distant Lincoln Memorial.

Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama, 2013, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/photo/2013/01/panoramic-view-west-front-us-capitol

Inaugurations are social events as much as political ones, often with hundreds of thousands of spectators descending onto Washington and parades as well as other social gatherings. Often, the event is used by protesters to express their opposition to or concern about the president-elect and their politics. However, they are also an opportunity to unite all state representatives, regardless of political affiliation, as well as to invite foreign dignitaries. 

Donald J. Trump taking the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States, Jan 20, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/podcast/inside-impeachment/transcript-president-s-oath-n1111861

The vice-president-elect first pledges allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, and after that the president-elect recites the oath: 

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Besides the oath of office, other ceremonial elements are also central to the proceedings, among them the inaugural address, which is the speech the newly inaugurated presidents deliver and in which they set out their objectives for their presidency and outline the vision they build their presidency on. Some speeches have entered cultural memory owing to the orator's eloquence and their memorable statements. Among them is John F. Kennedy's "And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Inauguration of John F. Kennedy, 1961; https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/inaugural-address-2/

 Listen here to John F. Kennedy's inaugural address

Due to projected low temperatures and wind gusts, caused by a polar vortex, this year's inauguration ceremony has been moved into the U. S. Capitol and will be held in its Rotunda. 

CNN: Trump's inauguration to be moved indoors

Another important element of the inaugural events is the presidential parade which usually takes place on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart Washington D. C. Again, due to the weather conditions, it will be relocated to the Capitol One Arena.

President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy during the Inaugural Parade, 1981

President Reagan's Inaugural Parade, 1981 (video)

After that, the newly inaugurated president heads to the White House, the official presidential residence for the 4-year-term. The Oval Office, the official workplace of the president, will be the place for another ceremony. 

President George W. Bush in the Oval Office of the White House, 2003; https://www.georgewbushlibrary.gov/bush-family/george-w-bush

The day of the inauguration draws to a close with a series of inaugural balls which cater to a diverse audience: military service members, supporters, and the big donors whose financial contributions have made all of this possible, in the first place. 

Bill and Hillary Clinton at the Inaugural Ball, 1993

Culture File UK: Celebrating Christmas - the Holidays

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, people decorate their homes with Christmas trees, fairy lights, tinsel, and ornaments, and they place garlands on mantelpieces and windowsills. 

A Christmas garland draped around the mantelpiece of a fireplace 

Door wreaths are particularly common, and preparing them is a source of anticipation and excitement for many people. Traditional materials used for a wreath include plants such as holly and ivy. Together with mistletoe, these plants are central to the mythology surrounding Christmas and the Winter Solstice, when the light returns after the longest night of the year. 

Listen to the carol of the holly and the ivy: 

King's College Choir, Cambridge, 2008: the Holly and the Ivy

In ancient times, people's survival was closely connected to light and warmth and the return of spring after a long and cold winter. Bringing these evergreen plants into their homes as a symbol of the vegetation at the longest and darkest moment of the season was symbolic of their dependence on nature.  

Christmas door wreath with holly (red berries) and ivy (green leaves)

Find out more on how to make a Christmas wreath:

Country Living UK: How to make a foraged Christmas wreath and garlands

Christmas Eve (24 December) in the UK is a time for preparations and anticipations. It is usually the last opportunity to buy gifts or get food. Many people opt to attend a church service such as Midnight Mass; others enjoy a cozy evening of relaxing and winding down with the family, singing carols, listening to festive music, watching a Christmas movie, or preparing the Christmas feast, wrapping gifts, or finalizing decorations. 

Many British children believe in Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas. The magic of Santa Claus is a big part of the Christmas season for kids in the UK. They eagerly await his visit on Christmas Eve, believing he travels from the North Pole on a sleigh pulled by reindeer to deliver gifts to all the good boys and girls.

Father Christmas aka Santa Claus on the sleigh pulled by reindeer

Find out more about Father Christmas

English heritage: the history of Father Christmas

Listen to a very popular Christmas song:

Greg Lake - I believe in Father Christmas

The children leave stockings by the fireplace or at the foot of their bed, hoping they'll be filled with gifts in the morning. They usually leave out a snack for Santa (often mince pies and a glass of milk or sherry) and a carrot for the reindeer.

Christmas Stockings by the fireplace

On Christmas Day (25 December), a public or bank holiday, the main celebrations take place. The day typically begins with opening the presents that have been placed under the Christmas tree. Family and friends have been invited to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with a range of traditional dishes.

The main course comprises a roast turkey stuffed with breadcrumbs, herbs and onions, and served with roast potatoes, a variety of vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, and red cabbage, and accompaniments such as cranberry sauce, gravy made from the juices of the roasted meat or Yorkshire Puddings.

Roast turkey with vegetables and roast potatoes

As a dessert, people like to enjoy a Christmas Pudding made of fruits, flamed with brandy and served with custard. They also have mince pies filled with a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and brandy, or they enjoy a trifle, a layered dessert consisting of sponge cake, custard, fruit jelly, and whipped cream.

Christmas Pudding 

Typical drinks enjoyed with a Christmas meal are mulled wine with spices or eggnog, a creamy, sweet drink made with milk, cream, sugar, and eggs, often spiked with rum or brandy.

Eggnog, a traditional Christmas beverage

Christmas crackers are an important part of the British Christmas tradition. Depending on the size of the Party crackers, the crackers usually contain a paper crown, some jokes, games or puzzles and a small gift. English Christmas crackers are especially popular with children. But also for adults this British Christmas tradition is a funny highlight - whether at the Christmas party, as a gift for friends and colleagues or with the family at Christmas.

Christmas crackers

At 3 PM on Christmas day, many people tune in to watch the King's Christmas Speech, a cherished tradition in Britain, dating back to 1932, when King George V, the current monarch's grandfather, delivered the first broadcast. Each year, the speech reflects on the past year's events, offers hope and encouragement, and emphasized the importance of family, community, and togetherness. 

King Charles III at Buckingham Palace

Christmas Day usually ends in a cozy and relaxed manner. People sit down to enjoy some activities such as board games, card games, or charades, or they settle down to watch Christmas specials, films, or the traditional pantomime on TV. After a long day, this is the time to relax with some mulled wine or hot chocolate for the children, before their bedtime.

Dick Whittington and his cat (Pantomime, Hackney, 2024)

Boxing Day (26 December) is a public holiday or bank  holiday in the UK. It is known for its sales, and many people head to the stores or shop online for post-Christmas bargains. It is a big day for sports when football matches or horse racing events take place, and attending these events or watching them is a popular post-Christmas pastime.  Often, the day is spent visiting friends and relatives, or people take the opportunity to do some outdoor activities such as a relaxing walk or a visit to the beach, or they just stay at home and unwind from the Christmas celebrations. Traditionally, Boxing Day was a day for giving to the less fortunate. Some people still honor this by donating to a charity or volunteering their time.

London Evening Standard: Why is Boxing Day called Boxing Day?

 

Culture File UK: Celebrating Christmas - the Festive Season

Christmas in the United Kingdom is very much like other Christmas celebrations across Europe. However, there are some idiosyncrasies that make it a special and truly British holiday. Let's explore what these are and learn more about them 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Culture File USA: Presidential Elections, Part 3 - Red, Blue & Swing States

The implementation of the "winner-takes-all" electoral system in the USA results in most individual states not splitting their congressional representatives and their electors proportionally among the political contenders but favoring the party with most of the votes.

The color "red" thus represents states which go to the Republican party, and those won by the Democrats are called "blue" states. 

Despite a long history of associating the main political parties with the colors red and blue, modern media broadcast eventually led to today's color coding, most visible in the electoral maps on the screens of TV sets across the country on election night. 

Culture File USA: Presidential Elections, Part 2 - The Electoral College

In terms of candidates winning an election, the popular vote remains the most significant parameter in modern western democracies. 

In many democratic states, proportional representation means that the distribution of seats in a legislative institution such as a parliament corresponds closely with the number of total votes cast by the electorate for each political contestant. Thus, the seats in parliament for each contender reflect the proportion of votes cast and, in many cases, political parties have to build a coalition to achieve sufficient mandates in order to form a government.

In other cases, a "winner-takes-all" system is in place; the party with the most votes can gain a majority of seats in the legislature and form the government consisting of solely its own representatives, excluding political competitors from active participation. This system favors two or more larger parties and systematically disadvantages smaller contestants. The United Kingdom is a prominent example of the "winner-takes-all" system.

Culture File USA: Presidential Elections, Part 1

With the United States of America remaining a global super power and arguably the most powerful country in the world, presidential elections in the USA and their outcome potentially impact on geopolitics around the world and the global economy. Their significance warrants a closer look at the US political system and how it works.