Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Somali Independence Day: July 1, 1960

Really interesting old footage. (But watch who you're calling primitive there, Mr. 60s Announcer Guy.)

My dad would've been 10 in 1960. He's fluent in Italian. Makes me sad to see everyone celebrating back then, and then have to think about what's going on now. Here's to hoping things will get better someday.



An article about a Somali Independence Day celebration in Minneapolis, my soon-to-be-new-home.

Somali Independence Day Marked In Minneapolis
(AP) ―
Jun 27, 2009 5:55 pm US/Central

The Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis is celebrating Somali Independence Day.

July 1 is the 49th anniversary of the day in 1960 when Somalia achieved independence from Italy. The Somali holiday will be marked Saturday at Midtown Global Market's Safari Express restaurant, which will hold cooking demonstrations, historical presentations, live traditional music and a fashion show.

Minnesota has the largest population of Somali immigrants in the United States, with nearly 35,000 Somali residents. Midtown Global Market is located at the corner of Lake Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public.
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In March 2008, the Bush administration granted Somalis living in the United States under temporary protected status an extra 18 months in this country, as Somalia continues to be ravaged by violence and anarchy.

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