Educando

For the past few days, citizens of the United Kingdom have been throwing a royal party. Ten thousand people picnicked in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. Fireworks exploded over the London sky. Andcommunities throughout the U.K. have lit more than 4,000 beacons, or signal lights.
What’s all the fuss about? The people are celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, or 60th year on thethrone. A jubilee is a celebration that marks a special anniversary, such as a 25th anniversary (silver jubilee) or 50th anniversary (golden jubilee).
The Queen, who is 86 years old, became themonarch, or ruler, of the U.K. in 1952. Her Diamond Jubilee is only the second ever celebrated in the 1,000-year history of British royalty. Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, celebratedthe first Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
A KINGDOM UNITES
British officials declared a four-day holiday in honor of the event. It began Saturday, June 2, and ends today, June 5. The Royal Family held aseries of special events over the holiday weekend. They included horse races, concerts, and flybys of Royal Air Force planes.
On Sunday, a pageant of 1,000 boats rowed on the River Thames incelebration. The Queen herself waved at an estimated 1 million spectators from a royal barge.
Afterward, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir performed a medley, ormusical mix, of patriotic English songs. They ended with the chorus of the U.K.’s national anthem, “God Save the Queen. ”
A BRITISH SYMBOL
The English monarchy was once the near-absoluteauthority in England. During the 1800s, however, the British government slowly became more democratic. These days, the monarchy exists mostly as a symbol of British culture.
Parliament, which consists of anelected House of Commons and an appointed House of Lords, makes the country’s laws. The Prime Minister leads the British government and serves in a role similar to the U.S. President.
Even though...