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Archiver > CAN-ORANGE > 1999-05 > 0928150451


From: "Brian McConnell" <>
Subject: Contest - What is the meaning of the Twelfth?
Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 08:34:11 -0300


Greetings all:

Well, in about 6 weeks time it will again be the 12th of July; the day
on which Orangemen around the world parade, picnic, or gather in some
fashion to remember and celebrate their past history and events
surrounding William of Orange and the Battle of the Boyne. Or, is
that what the 12th is really about?

A couple of years ago, I read a book called "The Twelfth - what if
means to me" edited by Gordon Lucy and Elaine McClure. It is a
compilation of some 50 short stories on the meaning of the day. It
contains a wide spectrum of opinion.

My own experience is to first think of it in terms of my Grandfather
and Uncles who were Orangemen in Ireland and then of my own Dad's
experience as a young boy marching with his relatives and friends in
the parades on the Twelfth in Toronto some 60 years ago when they were
the biggest event of the year in that city. It was not just a parade
but a family event for which the preparations began days before and it
was a chance to meet again with old friends from Ulster and Ireland.

Those days are gone; at least here in Canada. Time has moved forward.
Now that I am older and have read more about Orangeism, and have more
experience, I tend to think of it not just in a family sense but also
a cultural one and as an event associated with a particular culture -
a culture that is endangered here in Canada as it is in other places.

How do others feel about the Twelfth?

To find out I've decided to hold a contest over the next 4 weeks,
during the month of June. At the end of the month a winner, selected
by myself, the list owner, will be announced and that winner will
receive a prize. The prize will probably be a short book dealing
with Canadian Orange history or some aspect of it and will be awarded
based on how interesting I judge the submission to be. In essence how
interesting I think it will be to other members of the List. It will
doubtless be a subjective test but that is one of the liabilities (or
assets, depending on your point of view ) of being a List Owner.

So, please give this some thought and email me
( ) your thoughts regarding the meaning of the
Twelfth. All submissions will be considered and appreciated.

To get things going I'll post a couple of the opinions about the
Twelfth from "The Twelfth - what it means to me".

Brian McConnell
List Owner
Canada Orange Mailing List
Email:

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