Cambridge, England

Fourth of June celebrations at Eton College

WHAT DATE IS FOURTH OF JUNE AT ETON? MAYBE NOT ON THE 4TH? WHAT AN ETON MESS! Fourth of June at Eton in 1932 When is Fourth of June at Eton College near Windsor Castle in Britain? Whereas Americans on July 4th mark their independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain and its monarch George III, students at Eton celebrate the birthday of this former king.

According to Eton’s official history, “No monarch other than the Founder showed more interest in the school, nor became more Etonian at heart than George III…In return the college deeply respected and loved the King, whose birthday, the fourth of June, was made a holiday.” It’s held annually on the Wednesday after Britain’s national May holiday. So Mad King George’s birthday could be celebrated in late May rather than on June 4th. What an Eton Mess! Actually a perfect excuse to make an Eton Mess for dessert. Eton is one of Britain’s top and most illustrious schools. It was founded in 1440 by another king – Henry VI. Nineteen prime ministers, including the current David Cameron, attended the school. Prince William and Prince Harry were also students at the boarding school. Other current well known Old Etonians are London’s mayor Boris Johnson, actors Hugh Laurie and Dominic West, and Johnnie Boden the owner of Boden clothing. The list of its past luminaries is vast including economist John Maynard Keynes and author George Orwell.

Exeter College Chapel, Oxford - John Piper (1977)

Glasgow University West End, winter 2008, Scotland

Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

The Library of Trinity College Dublin serves Trinity College and the University of Dublin. It is the largest library in Ireland and, as a legal deposit or "copyright library", it has rights to receive material published in the Republic of Ireland free of charge; it is also the only Irish library to hold such rights for the United Kingdom. The Library is the permanent home to the famous Book of Kells. Two of the four volumes are on public display, one opened to a major decorated page and the other to a typical page of text. The volumes and pages shown are regularly changed. Members of the University of Dublin also have access to the libraries of Tallaght Hospital and the Irish School of Ecumenics, Milltown.

Oxford, England

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow  is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. It was founded in 1451. Along with the University of Edinburgh, the University was part of the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century. It is currently a member of Universitas 21, the international network of research universities, and the Russell Group.