Anniversaries and Events in Cyprus 23.9.1985

Anniversaries and events have always been important in our lives. It is no different for tcountries too. In keeping with tradition Cyprus issued these two FDCs and the lovely stamps on them to highlight some important dates, namely on the 29.9.1985. Merja sent me these two pretty FDCs.

EOKA (Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters)) but sometimes expanded as Ethnikí Orgánosis Kipriakoú Agónos (Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Struggle) was a Greek Cypriot nationalist military resistance organisation that fought a violent campaign for the end of British rule of Cyprus, as well as for self-determination, and for union with Greece (enosis). The United Kingdom had promised Greece unification with Cyprus if Greece would enter World War I on the side of the Allies; but the Greeks declined this invitation and therefore the promise was never realised. In the 1950s, EOKA organised to free the Greek Cypriots from British rule. The leadership of AKEL at the time (a political party with communist roots), opposed EOKA's military action, advocating the Gandhiesque approach of civil disobedience such as workers' strikes and demonstrations. This came into direct contrast with the previous leadership who some five years previously had organised the plebiscite of 1950, where the vast majority of Greek Cypriots who voted were for the union with Greece (98%). EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving enosis (union of Cyprus with Greece). Despite this ideology being reflected in many of its members (and chiefly its military leader George Grivas) throughout the armed campaign, it was not of universal acceptance. The head of the political arm of EOKA, Makarios, took a more compromising approach especially during the later stages of the struggle. There were arguments of collusion with the CIA to further american interests. Ultimately, the intents of the struggle were political, not military. EOKA wanted to attract the attention of the world through high profile operations that would make the press headlines. In his memoirs Grivas admits to "by deeds of heroism and self sacrifice to draw the attention of international public opinion, especially among the allies of Greece".

International Youth Year. With the slogan "Participation, Development and Peace" the United Nations Organisation proclaimed 1985 as International Youth Year. Basic aim of the International Youth Year is for mankind to become aware to a large degree of the importance of Youth and to give the chance and possibility for a greater active participation and involvement in the process of social and economic development and in the benefits that result from this. The 13c stamp, depicting the International Youth Year emblem, has been released on this occasion.

European Music Year. The Council of Europe and the European Communities declared 1985 as European Music Year. The reason is that this year the birth-anniversaries of great European composers, Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Berg and Schutz coincide. It aims at making better understood the role of music in modern society and the responsibilities of the governments of Europe towards music. Cyprus has released the 15c stamp depicting the Cypriot composer, orchestra-conductor and musicologist Solon Michaelides (1905-1979).

40th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation. The foundation of the United Nations Organisation on October 24, 1945 is a milestone and starting point of the post war history of the world. With 159 members (in 1985), the UNO functions for the preservation and consolidation of world peace and security, the development of friendship among peoples of the world and the attainment of international cooperation in the search for ways and methods of peaceful confrontation of world and international problems.

25th Anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus. Twenty five years ago, a short while after midnight of the 15th to 16th of August, 1960 the flag of the Republic of Cyprus was hoisted for the first time in all public buildings in Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus was recognized as a sovereign and independent state and was accepted in the family of nations in September 21, 1960, when it became a member of the United Nations Organisation. In 1961 Cyprus became member of the Council of Europe and the British Commonwealth. The government of the Republic was carried out smoothly and the Republic proceeding with a firm and quick step towards progress, till December 1963 when, owing to the partitionist and expansionist policy of Turkey, Cyprus was wounded by the Turkish Cypriot rebellion. Yet both communities continued living in peace next to each other until the Turkish invasion of July-August 1974. Today, twenty five years after the establishment of the Republic, the people of Cyprus continue experiencing the painful results of the invasion and they are firm in their resolve to continue their efforts and find a peaceful, just and viable solution to the problem which safeguard of all inhabitants.

30 Years from the Commencement of the National Liberation Struggle. Thirty years have passed sine the heroic liberation struggle of the people of Cyprus started on April 1, 1955. The epos of legendary E.O.K.A. (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) is the result of a deliberate effort of the people of Cyprus who inspired by lofty principles and ideals and joined in a campaign with unanimity and faith in the struggle fought, under the political leadership of Archbishop Makarios III and the military leadership of Georghios Grivas-Dhigenis, to throw off the foreign yoke and for the freedom of their country. The heroic epos of 1955-59 with its sacrifices, its gallows and holocausts, marks the steps of our history and our national fate and renews today our faith and attachments to the moral values which guide our trying historic course. The stamp depicts a detail from the "Barn of Liopetri" painted by Pol. Georghiou.

Provincial Birds of Finland 15.1.2003

Pia gave me this FDC with the three lovely bird stamps on it which were issued in Finland on 15.01.2003. The birds on the stamps, reading from left to right are described below.

Common Cuckoo. The Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) (formerly European Cuckoo) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals. This species is a widespread summer migrant to Europe and Asia, and winters in Africa. It is a brood parasite, which lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly of Dunnocks, Meadow Pipits, and Eurasian Reed Warblers. Why a stupid human being is often compared to these pretty birds is beyond my comprehension.

Skylark. The Skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a small passerine bird species. This lark breeds across most of Europe and Asia and in the mountains of North Africa. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range, many birds move to lowlands and the coast in winter. Asian birds appear as vagrants in Alaska; this bird has also been introduced in Hawaii, western North America, eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Siberian Jay. The Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus, is a jay found in north Eurasia. The species has a wide range (estimated global Extent of Occurrence 10,000,000km²) and a large global population (estimated 680,000-1,400,000 in Europe). It is one of three members of the genus Perisoreus, the others being the Sichuan Jay, P. internigrans, restricted to the mountains of eastern Tibet and northwestern Sichuan, and the Gray Jay, P. canadensis, restricted to the boreal forest and western montane regions of North America. All three species

Moldova 25.12.1993 - Tulips

This Rare species of Tulip with golden yellow flowers and violet tinted back is featured on this stamp on the Moldovan FDC dated 25.12.1993 was sent to me by Lissea.

The radiant golden-yellow flowers of this rare treasure open in April on strong 18-inch stems. The "petals" – which are pointed in lily-tulip fashion – have a broad central band of olive-green on their exteriors. A sunny site with relatively dry soil in summer is ideal. Steppe/modified continental; E Europe. Zone 5.Normally found in theEuropean part of Russia (central regions), Crimea, the Caucasus, Aralo-Caspian region, western Siberia, Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. In steppes, semideserts, foothills, plains and other dry habitats.

Wright Brothers - Equatorial Guinea stamp MNH 1979 Aviation sheet

The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903. In the two years afterward, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible.

The Wright brothers were two of seven children born to Milton Wright (1828–1917) of English and Dutch descent and Susan Catherine Koerner (1831–1889) of German-Swiss descent. Wilbur was born near Millville, Indiana, in 1867; Orville in Dayton, Ohio, in 1871. The brothers never married (no interference – that must have been the secret of their successes in Aviation). The other Wright siblings were named Reuchlin (1861–1920), Lorin (1862–1939), Katharine (1874–1929), and twins Otis and Ida (born 1870, died in infancy). In elementary school, Orville was given to mischief and was once expelled. In 1878 their father, who traveled often as a bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, brought home a toy "helicopter" for his two younger sons. The device was based on an invention of French aeronautical pioneer Alphonse Pénaud. Made of paper, bamboo and cork with a rubber band to twirl its rotor, it was about a foot long. Wilbur and Orville played with it until it broke, and then built their own. In later years, they pointed to their experience with the toy as the initial spark of their interest in flying.

This sheetlet of eight stamps was issued by the Republic of Equatorial Giinea on 1st May, 1979. The top four stamps feature Orville Wright, and the lower four show Wilbur Wright. These stamps were issued to commemorate Aviation.

1985 EUROPA CEPT - Cyprus - European Music Year 6.5.1985

The theme for the Europa CEPT stamps for 1985 was that the year would be dedicated as the “European Music Year”. In keeping with this theme Cyprus issued these two stamps. One featuring two traditional musical instruments, and the other clay model figures depicting ancient musicians. And a well-illustrated cover celebrating this great cause on 6^th May, 1985. Merja sent me this nice and pretty First Day Cover.

Birds of Canada

The birds featured on the stamps in this FDC issued on 21.02.2003, are (top left to right) Leach’s Storm Petrel and a brant, and (lower left to right) are shown a Great Cormorant and a Common murre. Maria sent me this lovely FDC.

Abe Lincoln Death Anniversary Centenary Issue 1965

This minisheet of four stamps in Honour of Abraham Lincoln was issued by Ghana to commemorate his 100^th Death anniversary.

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and promoting economic and financial modernization. Reared in a poor family on the western frontier, Lincoln was mostly self-educated. He became a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, and a one-term member of the United States House of Representatives, but failed in two attempts at a seat in the United States Senate. He issued his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery.

As the leader of the moderate faction of the Republican party, Lincoln's policies and personality were "blasted from all sides": Radical Republicans demanded harsher treatment of the South, War Democrats desired more compromise, Copperheads despised him, and irreconcilable secessionists plotted his death. Politically, Lincoln fought back with patronage, by pitting his opponents against each other, and by appealing to the American people with his powers of oratory. His Gettysburg Address of 1863 became the most quoted speech in American history. It was an iconic statement of America's dedication to the principles of nationalism, equal rights, liberty, and democracy. At the close of the war, Lincoln held a moderate view of Reconstruction, seeking to speedily reunite the nation through a policy of generous reconciliation in the face of lingering and bitter divisiveness. However, just six days after the surrender of Confederate commanding general Robert E. Lee, Lincoln was assassinated by actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre while watching the play Our American Cousin. His death marked the first assassination of a U.S. president. Lincoln has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the three greatest U.S. presidents.