DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   The American national flag has come through an eventful course of changes. The USA flag which we see these days has been effective since July 4, 1960. This was following the inclusion of Hawaii in the United States of America. However, this flag featuring 50 stars on a canton against the background of 13 stripes - 7 red and 6 white - has been evolved through a long course of time.    American national flag has come through an eventful course of changes. The flag which we see these days has been effective since July 4, 1960. This was following the inclusion of Hawaii in the United States of America. However, this flag featuring 50 stars on a canton against the background of 13 stripes - 7 red and 6 white - has been evolved through a long course of time.    From June 14, 1777, the day the Stars and Stripes, had received the approval of the Continental Congress till the June 14, 1960, there had been some 27 changes in the face of the flag. Out of these 25 were due to

   Footsteps reverberate down an empty hallway. Outside, wicked winds howl as they lap at the foundation of the house, enhanced by the endless drone of pelting raindrops. Occasionally, there is a blinding flash of lightning that reveals the maker of these footsteps. He is tall and wearing some sort of mask. In his right hand is a small axe, and it is dripping blood. He's after you, and it seems that no matter how fast you run, he's keeping up with you.    What can you do to escape? Why is this man after you and why does he want to kill you? Who is he? All that becomes suddenly immaterial as you trip and fall down. The man with the axe is almost upon you as you find your muscles unable to respond and you try to crawl away. You plead with your legs to help you up and run away, but they feel like jelly and refuse to work. The man is right by you now. He leans down and grabs a hold of your leg. You're helpless as you watch his arm's motion make a huge arc. Lightnin

COSTUMED WITH A MEDIEVAL AIR     A sport for all times, the Calcio Storico or traditional football played in costume, in Florence, Italy, dates back to the 15th century. Woven with Italian brain, brawn and passion, the Calcio Storico was played by the aristocratic young noble men in front of the Basilica of Santa Croce and some times in the areas of Via Il Prato, Piazza della Signoria or Piazza Santa Maria Novella in celebration of the Feast of St. John. Held every year on June 24th, the awesome pageant of the Calcio Storico takes you to its ancient origins where ‘calcio in costume’ or ‘costume football’ was played for over 500 years. The playing field     With traditional districts to identify each of the four teams, the Calcio Storico, ‘calcio livrea’ or ‘football in livery’, colors the spirited pageant with the teams dressed in different colors, blue for St. Croce, red for St. Maria Novella, white for St. Spirito and green for St. Giovanni. Stimulating and inv