According to the used, and frequently abused Wikipedia, 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. It has been designated as:
- International Year of Planet Earth;
The International Year of Planet Earth is a 2008 international observance, declared by the 60th United Nations General Assembly. The Year's activities will span the three years 2007-2009.
The Year aims to raise $20 million from industry and governments and will spend half on co-funding research, and half on "outreach" activities. It will be the biggest ever international effort to promote the Earth sciences.
- European Year of Intercultural Dialogue;
Intercultural dialogue has long been a principle supported by the European Union and its Institutions. The year 2008 has been designated "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" by the European Parliament and the Member States of the European Union. It aims to draw the attention of people in Europe to the importance of dialogue within diversity and between diverse cultures.
- Australian Year of the Scout;
2008 is the Centenary of Australian Scouting and has been declared The Year of the Scout by the Australian Government. In line with this and the success of our 2006 and 2004 advertising campaigns, Scouts Australia has embarked on another communications campaign to which various media organisations have lent their support. Scouts Australia also greatly appreciates the significant assistance of the Australian Government through its financial support and encouragement of Scouting in Australia.
- International Year of the Potato;
The year 2008 has been declared the International Year of the Potato by the United Nations, noting that the potato is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population, and affirming the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty.
The corresponding resolution adopted on 25 November 2005 by the Food and Agriculture Organization, which is to facilitate the implementation of the year, affirmed "the need to revive public awareness of the relationship that exists between poverty, food security, malnutrition and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger."
This is one of many International observances declared for specific days, months and years.
It is hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice (2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources.
- International Year of Sanitation.
The year 2008 has been declared the International Year of Sanitation by the United Nations in conjunction with the Water for Life Decade.
In Chinese astrology, most of 2008, starting with February 7 will overlap with the Year of the Rat (Dates before February 7 are Year of the Pig). The next Year of the Rat will be in 2020.
More About the RAT (the year most of us were born under)The Rat (鼠) was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is an animal associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities. In the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Rat is associated with the earthly branch symbol 子.
Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are perhaps the most organized and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.
Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have an immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit another person, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.
A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and to avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.
According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rat in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.
Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Dragons, and Oxen.
Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective, actor, and pathology
| Attribute | |
|---|---|
| Zodiac Location | 1st |
| Ruling hours | 11pm-1am |
| Direction | North |
| Season and month | Winter, December |
| Gemstone | Garnet |
| Colors | Black, red, white |
| Roughly equivalent western sign | Sagittarius |
| Polarity | Yang |
| Element | Water |
| Food | Pork, peas, cabbage |
| Positive Traits | Meticulous, intelligent, sociable, charismatic, charming, ambitious, practical, industrious, eloquent |
| Negative Traits | Controlling, obstinate, stubborn, resentful, manipulative, cruel, vengeful, power-driven, critical |
| Countries |  Germany,  Austria,  Sweden,  Netherlands,  Brazil,  Colombia |
| Most Compatibility | Dragon, Monkey, Ox |
| Semi-Compatibility | Snake, Pig, Rat, Dog |
| Incompatibility | Rabbit, Goat, Rooster, Tiger, Horse |
