“When the swallows come back to Capistrano … all the mission bells will ring.” This line from the song by Leon Rene has been crooned by scores of different American singers since its first rendition in 1940. And it has immortalized for us the event that takes place every year at the San Juan Capistrano Mission in California, where, in fact, all the mission bells do ring to welcome back the famous swallows. This week marks another celebration of this event, which has been taking place on March 19th, without fail, for at least 200 years, maybe more. The subject is so timely that I have re-blogged this article from my “Hangin’ Out With God” site because I thought some of my readers here might enjoy it and appreciate the links to more information on the historic event itself.
Did you hear the bells this past Monday? The bells at San Juan Capistrano? Thousands of people did hear them, because they gathered, as they do every year, to rejoice in and celebrate the return of the beloved Swallows. These famous swallows begin their flight every year at dawn on February 18th, from the Argentinian city of Goya, and arrive at the San Juan Capistrano mission, without fail, on the morning of March 19th.
According to Argentinian magazine correspondent Enrique Bermudez, who has made a thorough study of the swallows, they fly a total of 7,500 miles one way on this astounding trip, which they have been making every year for at least 200 years. Bermudez, who writes for Para Todos Magazine, says the swallows fly most of their journey at an altitude of 6,600 feet and move at a speed of 18…
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The Happy Wordcrafter 
Interesting – my birthday is February the 18th so each birthday now I’ll think of those swallows. 🙂
How interesting! Yes you will! And how neat that as you make a new beginning on a brand new year, they will also be making a new beginning with a new year’s journey to San Jaun.