And today is .......

[Buttface]

International Surfing Day duck-dives onto our calendars each June 20 and is dedicated to keeping oceans clean and encouraging people to surf the waves.

The ocean makes up most of our planet, and plays a crucial role in our health and survival. Today’s when we’re encouraged to be aware of the environmental impact of our activities in the sea and promote the protection of the ocean by building a passion for surfing.

Over the last 20 years, celebrations for this important surfing holiday have grown massively. The number of celebrations have increased over the years to 200+ events in more than 30 countries with over one million participants.

Surfing is an amazing gift and the beach is an incredible place that should be healthy, safe and accessible to all people. As surfers and beach-goers alike, it is our responsibility to foster a vibrant, inclusive community that comes together to protect and enjoy this extraordinary resource.

Surfing refers to the ability of riding a wave, no matter if the surfer is using a board or not. It also doesn't matter what the stance is, as long as the person is "riding a wave" they are surfing. In modern times, most surfers are found standing on a surfboard as they navigate a wave.

Surfing involves several skills:

• Paddling strength: You need strong arms to paddle out and catch waves.
• Positioning: Knowing where to be to catch the wave at the right time.
• Timing: Popping up quickly as the wave starts to push your board.
• Balance: Staying upright on the board. Practicing with a Balance board can help!

Surfers who are passionate about their sport also give back by volunteering for beach cleanups, habitat restorations, and maintaining recreational areas to keep the environment healthy and people happy.

Surfable waves are not created by wind alone; they require just the right underwater topography.

Ocean swells generated hundreds or thousands of miles away only transform into clean, rideable waves when they encounter seabeds with gradual slopes, reefs, or sandbars that cause the wave to steepen and break in a predictable way.

Small differences in bottom shape can turn the same swell into world-class surf at one beach and unsurfable closeouts a short distance away.

Modern surfing has grown into a sizable global industry that reaches far beyond the beach. The Australian government estimates that surfing contributes around multi-billion per year to the Australian economy alone through tourism, retail, and associated services.

In many coastal regions, surfers have become de facto “sentinels” for the shoreline, noticing changes in water quality, erosion, and marine life before the general public.

Research on surf-break protection shows that local surf communities have successfully campaigned for marine reserves, sewage-treatment upgrades, and legal protection of surf breaks, linking their intimate knowledge of waves with broader coastal management and conservation policies.

Across our nation, the day is celebrated with community coastal clean-ups, free surf sessions, and ocean conservation activities at beaches nationwide. Major festival events and competitions coincide with the weekend to mark the occasion. Because June marks the start of the winter swells in Australia, today’s celebrations provide prime wave conditions for local events including:

• NRMA Insurance Seas The Day Festival (Kingscliff, NSW): The world’s largest female participation surf festival takes over Kingscliff Beach from 20–21 June. It features inclusive surfing divisions for all skill levels, wellness hubs, breathwork, and surf psychology, as well as live entertainment.
• Surf Fest Nose Riding Lessons (Freshwater, NSW): Hosted at the Harbord Hotel, pro surfer Tully White is leading dedicated longboard masterclasses on 20 June to teach advanced traditional manoeuvres.
• The Mindful Surfer Workshop (Kingscliff, NSW): Held at Rowan Robinson Park on 20 June, this session dives into the social psychology of surfing and its impact on mental health.
• Global Conservation Launch: Conservation International is officially launching its new global "Surf For The Ocean" campaign on 20 June to establish community-led surf-protected coastal areas.
• National Ocean Conservation: Throughout the coast, various local boardriders clubs and environmental groups - including Surfers for Climate - host beach clean-ups and habitat restoration projects to protect local marine environments.

Many local boardrider clubs and chapters of the Surfrider Foundation organise volunteer tidy-ups to protect local marine environments. For the rest of us, there’s always more ways to contribute to this great day:

• Go Surfing – Grab a surfboard and have fun in the waves, whether you are an expert or a beginner. If you’ve never tried surfing, this is a great day to start!
• Clean Up a Beach – Join a local group or go with friends to pick up trash on the beach. This helps keep the ocean safe for animals and people.
• Spread the Word – Share pictures, videos, or messages about surfing and ocean conservation on social media. Use hashtags like #InternationalSurfingDay and #ProtectTheOcean to inspire others.
• Be a Responsible Surfer – Choose eco-friendly surf gear, avoid using plastic, and always follow beach rules to keep nature safe.

Cowabunga!! Gotta go – the surf has my name on it!


Fun Facts about Surfing:

• The shape of a "tube" or "barrel" wave is measured by how long it is compared to how wide it is: Square - less than 1:1 (wider than long); Round - 1-2:1 and Almond - more than 2:1 (longer than wide)
• The speed of a tube wave depends on its angle: Fast - 30 degrees; Medium - 45 degrees and Slow - 60 degrees
• Hanging ten: Having both feet on the very front of the board with all ten toes hanging off the edge.
• Hanging five: Having just one foot near the front with five toes off the edge.

“The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun”

“Surfing is attitude dancing”

“If you're having a bad day, catch a wave”

“There are a million ways to surf, and as long as you're smiling, you're doing it right”



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Mmmm salty water.

 

[tiger_one]

World Music Day rhythmically sounds onto our calendars each June 21.

Music is universal. Music is for everyone, everywhere. Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent. What a special day this is.

Get ready to tap your feet, because World Music Day is here. Today, Australia-wide is an all-embracing, multi-genre music festival that shows how strong and beautiful music can be. People celebrate everywhere, so it does not matter if you are one of the professional musicians or just someone who likes to listen.

This day is all about the power of music and how it brings people together as a universal language. This is a celebration of music for everyone.

Music brings people of various cultures together. Song and tune can cross any line or wall. On this day, you get the chance to hear new sounds, take in free shows, and feel close to your community.

It is a good time to enjoy the beauty of music and open your ears to something new.

There’s nothing in the world like the sound of your favourite song coming on, it just gets right into your head and your body and makes you move.

Or maybe it takes you on a journey to a faraway place and time, where you languish in a memory of times gone by and people who are no longer present.

Some of our favourite songs can lift us up out of depression and worry and make an otherwise horrible day suddenly seem like it’s not so bad. World Music Day celebrates music in all its forms and the impact it’s had on the world and the human spirit.

Here in Australia, today is an open-access "Do-It-Yourself" music festival where thousands of musicians, community groups, and schools host free, public live performances and workshops in streets, parks, and venues nationwide.

Major cities and regional hubs across Australia have extensive programs and free entry events scheduled for the weekend, including:

Sydney is getting ready to turn the beautiful harbour-front into a huge music festival for World Music Day. The public spaces will fill up with free concerts, making it a good day for all. The city’s best spots will be front and centre, with all kinds of acts taking the stage, from classical groups to indie rock bands and lively cultural music.

These live shows are here to bring music to the people, giving both locals and visitors a great and easy day out. (It’s simple to join in the fun. Just get down to the harbour-front and follow the music. There will be stages in lots of places, so you can wander around, find new artists, and enjoy the festive feeling that makes music day in Australia something special.)

Melbourne’s laneways will be full of life as they become the centre of the city’s Music Day. These spots are known for street art and lots of cool little bars and cafes. With music, they turn into the best places for fresh and close-up street shows. As you walk on the cobblestone streets, you’ll find new artists and musicians who’ve been playing for years. There will be everything from relaxed solo acoustic sets to lively jazz groups. You’ll hear all kinds of genres of music in the laneways. This is a top way to find a new favourite while you walk around Melbourne’s famous streets.

These pop-up shows are what make World Music Day in Australia feel so fun and free. You never know who or what you’ll run into around the next turn, so every part is a surprise for music lovers. So, grab a coffee, get out there, and let the music lead you on a new adventure.

Brisbane will put on a big open-air music festival by the river for its World Music Day celebration. The city’s lovely riverbanks are the place to be, with live music, food, and good times with the crowd. It’s the best way to soak up an outdoor concert in the sunny Queensland winter. This music festival will have a mix of local and international artists. You’ll see how different countries join in for this world music event. There will be stages for folk, pop, and world music, so there’s something for everyone. The vibe is relaxed and very family-friendly.

It’s the kind of day that’s good for all ages who love and enjoy music in all its forms.

Perth will be getting everyone involved in Music Day. There will be jam sessions for the community and special spots for busking all across the city. This hands-on style puts musicians and fans right in the middle of things. Public spaces turn into live music stages for all.

It’s a great way for local people to show what they can do and for people to share the fun of making music together.

Adelaide is set to show the world its rich cultural diversity on Music Day with lively music parades and exciting concerts out in the open. The city will light up with bright colours and the beat of music, showing the many traditions that make this community special. It is a good example of how different countries and cultures get involved in this big event.

You will see cultural music parades with performers in their traditional clothes. They will play instruments and sing songs that come from their roots. After the parades, you can go to one of the many outdoor concerts in parks or city squares. These events have a fantastic mix of artists, playing both traditional and new music.

So, as we mark World Music Day 2026, it’s the best time to dive into the lively sounds and many cultures that music brings to Australia. We can see shows by the water in Sydney or join the busy action in Melbourne’s laneways. There’s something for all, no matter what music you like. These fun, free music day events get people together and help local bands and artists keep doing what they love.

Music has a special way of bringing people close. It can lift you up and bring real happiness. Grab your mates, get out and see what’s on in your area, and take part in the good times. Let the beat of world music lift your spirits on this day for all of us in Australia.

Can you hear it? Can you feel it? Just go with the beat …….


Fun Facts about Music/instruments:

• In some places, people have made drums from hollowed-out trees, pots, and even big cans. Anything that makes a “boom” can be a drum!
• The Hawaiian word “ukulele” means “jumping flea” because of how the player’s fingers hop around the strings.
• The flute is one of the oldest instruments ever discovered. Ancient flutes were made from bird bones!
• Before they were used for music, trumpets were played during battles to send signals to soldiers. They were loud enough to be heard over all the noise!
• Australian Aboriginal people make didgeridoos by finding tree trunks hollowed out by termites. They didn’t even need tools to carve them!

"Where words fail, music speaks"

"Music is the shorthand of emotion"

"Musicians are the loud voice for so many quiet hearts"

“Music comes from a place we don’t know”

 

[tiger_one]

Onion Ring Day sizzles onto our calendars each June 22, and is widely recognized internationally and observed by foodies, pubs, and snack brands across Australia.

This day showcases the popular crispy, deep-fried side dish which lifts every meal it accompanies. Some might even say it runs “rings” around other appetizers.

Onion rings are a favourite go-to side or appetizer for many fast-food connoisseurs thanks to their crispy texture and savory taste. These cross-sectional rings of onions are dipped in batter, then deep-fried or baked until crispy and golden brown. They deliver the ultimate contrast in texture and flavour. They’re one of the most mouth-watering dishes out there.

Did someone say “taste?” Onion rings deliver a craveable combination of sweet, savory, and rich flavours wrapped in a satisfyingly crunchy/shatteringly crisp, salty, and savory exterior giving way to a tender, steaming-hot, and intensely sweet interior. The cooked onion provides a mellow, naturally sweet base, while the deep-fried batter contributes a salty, savory crunch.

The overall flavour profile of an onion ring can be broken down by its distinct layers:

• The Batter: This is the crispy, golden-brown shell. It provides a rich, salty, and deeply savory (or umami) flavour. Depending on how it's made, it can be light and flaky, like a beer batter, or thicker and crunchier, like traditional panko breadcrumbs.
• The Onion Core: Soft, juicy, and toothsome, this is where the sweetness comes from. The high natural sugar content of the onion caramelizes during the frying process, yielding a flavour similar to sweet yellow onions. It leaves a mild, earthy, and savory undertone without the harsh, tear-inducing sulfur notes of a raw onion.
• The Sauces: Onion rings are almost always paired with a tangy or creamy dipping sauce to cut through the richness of the fried batter. The most common accompaniments include tangy tomato sauce, creamy ranch, or a sweet-spicy dipping sauce.

Onion rings are popular in Australia because they serve as a comforting, indulgent, and easily shareable snack. The combination of a crispy, battered exterior and a sweet, tender interior makes them a staple at local pubs, sports bars, and fish and chip shops.

Their widespread appeal across the country is driven by a few specific factors:

• Pub and Cafe Culture: Onion rings are a highly profitable menu item and act as the perfect partner for quintessential Australian pub fare, such as burgers, steaks, and a cold beer.
• Fast Food Integration: Major chains like Hungry Jack's and McDonald's (Macca's) have featured them on national menus, heavily normalizing them as a go-to side alternative to regular french fries.
• Local Ingredients: Australian-grown sweet onions are highly accessible, allowing manufacturers and chefs to create light, tempura-style batters that appeal to local palates.
• The "Bar Snack" Appeal: Much like hot chips or calamari, they are the ideal share plate for gatherings.

Even diabetics can eat onion rings, but traditional deep-fried, breaded versions should be limited. They can be made at home using a light whole-grain, crushed flake, or parmesan coating, and even better one in an air-fryer. Numbers eaten should be limited to 4 to 5 rings at a time to keep your carb intake in check; and preferably alongside a protein like grilled chicken or fish and leafy greens to slow down carbohydrate digestion and blood sugar absorption.

Feeling peckish? Easy. I know just the thing.
Some perfectly golden and extra-crunchy onion rings will do the trick.
Now. Or anytime.


Fun Facts about Onion Rings:

• Many chefs prefer to use beer as their secret ingredient in their batter. The carbon dioxide bubbles in the beer make the batter lighter and significantly crispier when deep-fried.
• Onions usually make your eyes water when you cut them. This happens because of a chemical called propanethial oxide. But when you cook onion rings, something cool happens! The heat changes this chemical. It turns into something called bispropenyl disulfide. This new chemical is what gives onion rings their slightly sweet and yummy taste. It's a bit like magic, turning a tear-jerking onion into a sweet treat!
• Australia’s agricultural sector produces over $135 million worth of onions yearly, and commercial fast-food chains like Hungry Jack's alone sell millions of serves as a popular menu alternative to French fries.

“Crunch, bite, love, on repeat”

“When life gives you onions, fry them”

“Battered but better”

“I do… take this ring. Often.”

 

[jadtiger]

Onion Ring Day sizzles onto our calendars each June 22, and is widely recognized internationally and observed by foodies, pubs, and snack brands across Australia.

This day showcases the popular crispy, deep-fried side dish which lifts every meal it accompanies. Some might even say it runs “rings” around other appetizers.

Onion rings are a favourite go-to side or appetizer for many fast-food connoisseurs thanks to their crispy texture and savory taste. These cross-sectional rings of onions are dipped in batter, then deep-fried or baked until crispy and golden brown. They deliver the ultimate contrast in texture and flavour. They’re one of the most mouth-watering dishes out there.

Did someone say “taste?” Onion rings deliver a craveable combination of sweet, savory, and rich flavours wrapped in a satisfyingly crunchy/shatteringly crisp, salty, and savory exterior giving way to a tender, steaming-hot, and intensely sweet interior. The cooked onion provides a mellow, naturally sweet base, while the deep-fried batter contributes a salty, savory crunch.

The overall flavour profile of an onion ring can be broken down by its distinct layers:

• The Batter: This is the crispy, golden-brown shell. It provides a rich, salty, and deeply savory (or umami) flavour. Depending on how it's made, it can be light and flaky, like a beer batter, or thicker and crunchier, like traditional panko breadcrumbs.
• The Onion Core: Soft, juicy, and toothsome, this is where the sweetness comes from. The high natural sugar content of the onion caramelizes during the frying process, yielding a flavour similar to sweet yellow onions. It leaves a mild, earthy, and savory undertone without the harsh, tear-inducing sulfur notes of a raw onion.
• The Sauces: Onion rings are almost always paired with a tangy or creamy dipping sauce to cut through the richness of the fried batter. The most common accompaniments include tangy tomato sauce, creamy ranch, or a sweet-spicy dipping sauce.

Onion rings are popular in Australia because they serve as a comforting, indulgent, and easily shareable snack. The combination of a crispy, battered exterior and a sweet, tender interior makes them a staple at local pubs, sports bars, and fish and chip shops.

Their widespread appeal across the country is driven by a few specific factors:

• Pub and Cafe Culture: Onion rings are a highly profitable menu item and act as the perfect partner for quintessential Australian pub fare, such as burgers, steaks, and a cold beer.
• Fast Food Integration: Major chains like Hungry Jack's and McDonald's (Macca's) have featured them on national menus, heavily normalizing them as a go-to side alternative to regular french fries.
• Local Ingredients: Australian-grown sweet onions are highly accessible, allowing manufacturers and chefs to create light, tempura-style batters that appeal to local palates.
• The "Bar Snack" Appeal: Much like hot chips or calamari, they are the ideal share plate for gatherings.

Even diabetics can eat onion rings, but traditional deep-fried, breaded versions should be limited. They can be made at home using a light whole-grain, crushed flake, or parmesan coating, and even better one in an air-fryer. Numbers eaten should be limited to 4 to 5 rings at a time to keep your carb intake in check; and preferably alongside a protein like grilled chicken or fish and leafy greens to slow down carbohydrate digestion and blood sugar absorption.

Feeling peckish? Easy. I know just the thing.
Some perfectly golden and extra-crunchy onion rings will do the trick.
Now. Or anytime.


Fun Facts about Onion Rings:

• Many chefs prefer to use beer as their secret ingredient in their batter. The carbon dioxide bubbles in the beer make the batter lighter and significantly crispier when deep-fried.
• Onions usually make your eyes water when you cut them. This happens because of a chemical called propanethial oxide. But when you cook onion rings, something cool happens! The heat changes this chemical. It turns into something called bispropenyl disulfide. This new chemical is what gives onion rings their slightly sweet and yummy taste. It's a bit like magic, turning a tear-jerking onion into a sweet treat!
• Australia’s agricultural sector produces over $135 million worth of onions yearly, and commercial fast-food chains like Hungry Jack's alone sell millions of serves as a popular menu alternative to French fries.

“Crunch, bite, love, on repeat”

“When life gives you onions, fry them”

“Battered but better”

“I do… take this ring. Often.”



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I love the taste but for the last 30+ years i have dire problems after eating any amount of onion,cooked or raw makes zero difference.Sadly the older i get the worse the effects and i used to love them.If chilli ever has the same effects on me i am doomed.

 

[tiger_one]

International Widows Day triumphs itself onto our calendars each June 23.

Today is more than an observance; it’s a beacon of hope, illuminating the challenges of widows everywhere. It’s a moment to recognize their strength, to pledge our support, and to ensure their voices echo in every corner of our world.

The intense grief of losing a spouse is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, a loss of identity, and the weight of sole decision-making.

And time is slow and unyielding. The first year is simply the acute stage of grief - a fog of tears, pain, and disbelief. Then follows one of the most misunderstood parts of grief: the second year of widowhood which commonly feels harder than the first. The shock has worn off, the support has thinned, and the reality of your loss feels heavier and ever present.

However, these exceptional, courageous women navigate the tumultuous waters of life without their partners, often while trying to keep their families afloat. Today we can step up, offer a hand or a listening ear, and make sure no widow walks her journey alone.

It’s about breaking down barriers and building a world where empathy and support are abundant.

So, today is a serious but great day of being aware; of feelings and care that is needed, and all for a demographic that is independent (mostly), fiercely determined and resilient. Mothers and grandmothers who have learned to rely on themselves only and barely are heard in the moments of their brave journeys.

Today is being there for anyone in your life who has tragically had to outlive her spouse and carry on alone.

In Australia, there are more than 1.2 million widowed people living across Australia, the vast majority of whom are women. Australian women are much more likely to experience widowhood than men, often enduring it for a longer duration—averaging 15 years compared to 9 years for men. Advocacy primarily highlights the specific financial vulnerabilities and social impacts of this long-term widowhood.

Organizations like the Families of Veterans Guild provide continuous year-round resources and events tailored to Australian veteran families and war widows. Australian commemorations - led by organisations such as Australian War Widows and various state guilds -focus on local advocacy, financial rights, and community connection for surviving spouses.

While global advocacy for the day (observed by the UN) focuses on broadly highlighting the poverty and injustice faced by widows worldwide, events in Australia focus on three core pillars:

• Financial & Legal Equality: Highlighting superannuation gaps, pension reforms, and equitable legal access for surviving partners.
• Mental Health & Connection: Providing peer support, specialized grief counselling, and social outreach to combat isolation.
• Advocacy & Recognition: Honouring the personal sacrifices of widows (particularly war widows) and lobbying to improve social support systems.

Our widows deserve our respect. These are women of fulfilled marriages. Singles and married women should be learning from widows instead of the other way around. Promise made, promise kept, promise honoured.” Til death did us part.

Reach out where you can – you may be surprised who and what you find.



“The greater the love, the greater the grief”

“It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to give up”

“Goodbyes hurt the most when the story was not finished”

“Just keep swimming”

 

[krissy]

I think it should be widows & widowers, losing a spouse is a terrible experience for anyone regardless of their sex. I am not trying to be “politically correct”, I just think to only have it about one sex rather than both is close to dismissing the pain felt by men who have lost their life partner. Perhaps there is a widowers day but I don’t know, either way it would make more sense to acknowledge both on the same day.
To anyone that has lost their partner, I wish you well navigating your grief & I hope you have lots of support & fond memories to help you through life. ❤️

 

[tiger_one]

Swim a Lap Day dives onto our calendars each June 24. It is a day to get your snorkel and goggles on and get wet down at your local pool or baths.

Swimming is great for our physical health, giving us cardio and strength training in one. Take a Lap around the pool to boost both health and mood. Swimming is incredibly popular in Australia. In fact, national data consistently ranks it as the number one participation sport in the country, with over 4.4 million Australians hitting the water.

Whether it's in a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool or one of the many famous ocean baths, lap swimming is a deeply ingrained part of the Australian lifestyle.

Swimming is a great way of getting exercise, especially for those who have health problems that make traditional exercise difficult due to weakness or difficulty moving. Swimming is, in fact, ranked among the most popular forms of physical activity, even among otherwise sedentary individuals.

The buoyant nature of water makes it much easier on those with physical limitations to get out and have a good time, and the act of coursing through the water is often described as feeling a bit like flying!

Swimming has also been shown to be excellent for your health Those engaged in swimming tend to engage in the activity for longer than other forms of exercise, and the act of swimming often engages the entire body while moving through the water.

This also results in the body drawing on large supplies of oxygen during almost all stages of the activity. Other benefits seen from this activity include a reduction in stress related illnesses and it can even improve posture!

There are many health benefits to swimming, and it’s an activity especially encouraged for those suffering from degenerative diseases, and ones that impede mobility such as arthritis.

It’s low impact nature allows those whose movement would otherwise be restricted to engage in a full body workout without causing further damage. Even those who are of advanced age can find an ability to remain active in this sport! Because water supports up to 90 percent of body weight, lap swimmers place far less load on hips, knees, and spine than walkers or runners do at comparable effort levels.

Sustained lap swimming forces the body to coordinate breathing with stroke cycles, which can improve how efficiently the heart and lungs use oxygen.

Beginners may start swimming with just one or two laps and gradually increase over time. Intermediate swimmers may aim to swim 10 to 20 laps per session, while advanced swimmers may swim up to 50 laps or more per session.

Lap swimming combines aerobic training with full‑body resistance because water is denser than air, so each stroke works major muscles in the arms, shoulders, core, and legs while keeping impact on joints low.

Compared with activities like walking or cycling that mainly work the lower body, lap swimming trains upper and lower body at the same time and can meet recommended moderate‑to‑vigorous activity levels when done at a steady pace.

Due to its full body nature, this sport is also excellent for building cardiovascular and respiratory health, increasing how much oxygen the body can take advantage, as well as how much blood the heart is able to move with each stroke.

Consistent lap swimming helps the heart pump blood more efficiently and trains the lungs to use oxygen more effectively, offering benefits comparable to other endurance exercises while keeping impact forces relatively low.

And it’s so easy to start. Remember to:

• Start small and try for a few laps initially.
• Find a stroke that you enjoy or an exercise with foam/body weights. Remember, you don’t want to strain your body too hard at first.
• Stretch on land before and after you attempt swimming laps
• Always set yourself goals that you can work towards each and every week.
• Make sure to have fun! By enjoying the workout, you will ensure consistency and thus a healthier lifestyle than if you forced yourself.

Swim a Lap Day reminds us that any activity is better than remaining sedentary, and a single lap is a great way to get a start on a healthful and engaging exercise that can involve the whole family.

Get your togs, bring your towel, grab those flippers and get swimming!



Fun Facts about Lap Swimming:

• The rhythmic breathing, sensory separation, and focus required for laps make swimming an excellent moving meditation. It also increases blood flow to the brain, which improves focus, alertness, and memory.
• Japanese woman Mieko Nagaoka set a record in 2015 for being the first 100-year-old to complete a 1,500m freestyle swim in a 25m pool. This was an amazing feat given that Nagaoka only started swimming when she was 80 years old, to help recuperate from a knee injury. It’s never too late to learn how to swim!
• In one hour, swimming burns about 40% more calories than biking and about 30% more calories than running
• Swimming in saltwater can detoxify the skin and promote new cell growth.

“The water doesn’t know how old you are”

"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch"

"Work hard in silence. Let your success make the noise."

"Jump in and lose yourself"

 

[tiger_one]

Global Beatles Day “fab fours” itself onto our calendars each June 25. This year marks a massive milestone because Apple Corps Ltd. - the band's official multimedia company - has formally recognized and endorsed the celebration for the first time since its fan-led creation in 2009.

The date commemorates June 25, 1967, when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr performed "All You Need Is Love" live on the BBC's Our World program. This historic event was the world's first live, international satellite television broadcast, reaching an estimated 400 million viewers.

Fans across the globe invited to take part in Global Beatles Day online or at in person events - spreading The Beatles’ message of love and unity.

On 25th June, 1967, The Beatles, John, Paul, George and Ringo, walked into Studio One at Abbey Road Studios in London and sent a message to the world. Broadcast live as part of the BBC’s Our World, the first international satellite television broadcast of their song, “All You Need Is Love” reached an estimated 400 million people around the globe. For a few extraordinary minutes, the world was watching together.

Decades later in 2009 lifelong fan Faith Cohen decided this day deserved to be commemorated. From that belief, Global Beatles Day was born. A fan-made, fan-run celebration dedicated to the band, their music, and a message that continues to resonate across generations and around the world: love is all you need.

From tribute concerts in Tokyo to Beatles-themed exhibitions in New York City, singalongs in Buenos Aires, and fan gatherings in Liverpool, Global Beatles Day has continued to grow organically. Its growth has been built on an enduring love for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr and their message, and evolved into an annual event embraced by fans spanning generations and continents.

Now, in a major milestone for the celebration, Apple Corps Ltd, the company founded by The Beatles to manage their creative and business ventures, has formally acknowledged Global Beatles Day.

This year, On 25th June, alongside online and in-person events around the world that celebrate the band, The Beatles will also release a colourised version of their BBC Our World performance of “All You Need Is Love” for free on YouTube. The first time the iconic performance has been made available online, it will celebrate the iconic performance’s anniversary, mark Global Beatles Day, and give fans around the world the chance to relive that spectacular, global moment from 1967 and share their reaction in the live chat.

Writing to Faith Cohen this week, Apple Corps CEO Tom Greene praised the fan-led initiative, writing: “More than ever, the message of The Beatles, and of ‘All You Need Is Love’ speaks to something vital for community, connection, and the power of bringing people together. That is what makes Global Beatles Day so special. It asks nothing more than for people, wherever they are, to stop, listen, and share a little joy.”

The recognition feels fitting for a band whose enduring impact remains unparalleled.

The Beatles remain one of the most successful and influential acts in history. More than five decades after their split, their music continues to resonate across generations, from fans who lived through Beatlemania in the 1960s to new audiences discovering Hey Jude and Let It Be through streaming and social media or The Two of US, currently used in the hit film Project Hail Mary. Beyond record sales, they reshaped fashion, youth culture, songwriting and album production, sparked the “British Invasion” in America, and redefined popular music with groundbreaking albums like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Their legacy continues to draw millions of visitors to landmarks such as Abbey Road Studios, where fans still flock to recreate the iconic Abbey Road crossing photo. In an announcement made earlier this month 3 Savile Row, the location of their iconic rooftop concert, is to be made into the first official fan experience, opening in 2027. Looking ahead, an eagerly anticipated four-film Beatles cinematic event is set for release in April 2028 through Sony Pictures Entertainment and Neal Street Productions. The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. Directed by Sam Mendes, it will star Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney) and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison).

Global Beatles Day started as a simple idea that has become a global movement built on joy, togetherness and connection, values that feel increasingly relevant today. And on 25th June, millions of fans worldwide are expected to do exactly what Global Beatles Day encourages: celebrating The Beatles, their music, and a message that continues to resonate across generations and around the world: love is all you need.

The band remained very popular around the world even after they broke up. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, they are the highest-selling recording artists ever. They have sold over one billion records, including albums and singles. Their music is still important and influences many musicians today. Artists still perform cover versions of Beatles songs. People everywhere still listen to their music. Their song 'Yesterday' has been recorded by more artists than any other song. It is also the most played song on radio ever.

Their music was revolutionary across the world’s musical landscape:

• Innovative: Pioneered studio techniques, music videos, and concept albums (e.g., Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band).
• Eclectic: Blended rock and roll with psychedelia, Indian classical, and symphonic pop.
• Melodic: Known for soaring, unforgettable vocal harmonies and catchy hooks.
• Versatile: Shifted seamlessly from the upbeat pop of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to the introspective "Yesterday".

In 2026, the living members of The Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, are in their 80s. The two deceased members, John Lennon and George Harrison, would have been in their 80s as well. There again, as all music fans know, Beatles music is timeless.

Global Fan Events in 2026: Organizers are coordinating synchronized listening parties, street busking, tribute concerts, and mass sing-alongs spanning major hubs from Liverpool and London to New York, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo.

Today, remember everything Beatles and celebrate Global Beatles Day wherever you are in this great southern land, because ……..

All You Need is LOVE.



Fun Facts about The Beatles:

• John Lennon and some friends started a band called the Quarrymen in 1956. Over the next few years, the band members changed. By 1960, the group was known as The Beatles. Their first big hit song came out in 1962.
• The melody for one of the most covered songs in history, "Yesterday," came to Paul McCartney completely finished in a dream.
• A Hard Day's Night is the only Beatles album where all of the songs were solely written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
• In April 1964, they occupied all top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously, a record that remained unbroken for nearly 60 years.
• The Beatles made thirteen albums and twenty-six singles together. They also started their own record label, Apple Records. They made two movies where they acted: A Hard Day's Night and Help!. Later, they made Magical Mystery Tour, a television special. Yellow Submarine was a cartoon movie based on their music. Let It Be showed them working on a new album.
• Ringo was the narrator for some of the Thomas the Tank Engine TV series.
• The Beatles' last live concert was in 1966. It was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

"Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans"

"The Beatles saved the world from boredom"

“And, in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make”

“The Beatles were just four guys that loved each other. That’s all they’ll ever be”