Saint Crispin's Day

Saints Crispian and Crispinian are the Christian patron saints of cobblers and leather workers executed on 25 October 285 or 286 during the reign of Diocletian.

They are commemorated by Saint  Crispin's Day.

Saint Crispin's Day is often used as a reference date for battles, including the 15th Century Battle of Agincourt.

The Battle of Agincourt in 1415 was conducted on Saint Crispin's Day as well as the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War (25 October 1864) in Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade.

The European Tradition of Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday

"Whit Monday" is a holiday celebrated in many European countries, but not the UK.

It is the day after Pentecost, known as Whitsunday or Pentecost Sunday. Some countries in the West Indies also observe this holiday (examples being Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia).

The name Pentecost comes from the Greek meaning "fiftieth" - referring to the fiftieth day after Passover (also known as Pesach) which originated as an agricultural or seasonal feast.

It was a public holiday in the UK until 1967 formally replaced by the Spring Bank Holiday on the last Monday in May in 1971.

CRISPR Technology, Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein) and Underlying Inspiration (Arigato, Ishino San)

CRISPR is a tool for editing genomes (also know as CRISPR-Cas9). By altering DNA sequences, gene function can be modified.

The protein Cas9 ("CRISPR-associated protein 9") is used in this technique which is an enzyme acting as a pair of "molecular scissors".

The technique was inspired by the approach used by bacteria to defend themselves against viruses. 

It was discovered in its current form by molecular biologist Yoshizumi Ishino (PhD Osaka University).

Taking Silk

"Taking silk" refers to appointment as a Queen's Counsel (QC), an honorific title signifying excellence in Law. The designation is used in the United Kingdom, where it originated, and also in several Commonwealth countries, namely Australia, Barbados, Canada and New Zealand (where the biggest concentration is in Auckland).

Saturnalia

The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia took place in December. The ruins of the Temple of Saturn are still visible in Rome.

Black Rock City

Black Rock City is a temporary city erected in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It is 2-3 hours drive north of Reno.

Sechselaeuten

Sechselaeuten is a Swiss festival to signify the beginning of Spring. It is a German word which literally means the "six o'clock ringing of the bells".