Today is...

Leap Day

Today is Leap Day! Julius Caesar (with help from his astronomer, Sosigenes) added Leap Years to the calendar in 45 BC. They discovered that there are actually 365.2425 days in a year and decided to compensate by adding one extra day to “Februarius” every four years. Under normal circumstances, a date that falls on a Tuesday one year will fall on a Wednesday the next year. However, in a Leap Year we “leap” over one day of the week, which is how this phenomenon got its name.

There are many traditions and superstitions associated with Leap Years and Leap Days. According to an Irish legend, women have the privilege of proposing marriage in a Leap Year, and any man that refuses must offer a gift in recompense. People born on a Leap Day are known as Leaplings or Leapers. Each country has to have a policy about when a February 29th birthday is legally observed in a non-Leap Year!

Leap Day comes around just once every four years, so take some time to celebrate this unique occasion! Share a free Leap Day eCard with friends and family, and watch out for surprise marriage proposals!

Today is also National Surf and Turf Day

February is Black History Month & Potato Lover's Month & National Weddings Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for February 29 1860 - The first electric tabulating machine was invented by Herman Hollerith. 1904 - In Washington, DC, a seven-man commission was created to hasten the construction of the Panama Canal. 1940 - Hattie McDaniel became the first black person to win an Oscar. She won Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind." 1952 - In New York City, four signs were installed at 44th Street and Broadway in Times Square that told pedestrians when to walk. 1972 - John Lennon's U.S. immigration visa expired. It was the beginning of a 3 1/2 year fight for Lennon to stay in the U.S. 1980 - Buddy Holly's glasses and the Big Bopper's wristwatch were found in old police files by the Mason City Sheriff. The items were worn by the men when their plane crashed of February 3, 1959. _________________________________________________________ "The test of pleasure is the memory it leaves behind." --Jean Paul Richter

Today is...

National Tooth Fairy Day

For hundreds of years, mystical legends, stories, and traditions have been shared about the loss of baby teeth. In some cultures, children's teeth were buried in order to hide them from witches and evil spirits who would use the tooth's powers for voodoo. The Vikings believed that children's teeth had a magical power in them that would help them fight in battle. They would even pay their children for their lost baby teeth so that they could be used to string onto battle necklaces and other jewelry.

Over time, people began to share stories about a Tooth Mouse who would scamper around town and steal children's teeth in the middle of the night. This story of the mouse soon transformed into the story of the Tooth Fairy, who would leave treasures under the children's pillows in exchange for their lost teeth.

The traditions and legend of the Tooth Fairy are still practiced today all around the world. It is considered a useful practice by many parents because it gives their children something to look forward to when they lose their teeth. And so year after year, baby teeth are placed under children's pillows at night in hopes of waking up to a wonderful surprise from none other than the Tooth Fairy!

Today is also National Chocolate Souffle Day

February is Black History Month & Potato Lover's Month & National Weddings Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

On this Day in History 1924   U.S. troops are sent to Honduras to protect American interests during an election conflict. 1936   The Japanese Army restores order in Tokyo and arrests officers involved in a coup. 1945   U.S. tanks break the natural defense line west of the Rhine and cross the Erft River. 1946   The U.S. Army declares that it will use V-2 rocket to test radar as an atomic rocket defense system. 1953   Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia sign a 5-year defense pact in Ankara. 1967   In Mississippi, 19 are indicted in the slayings of three civil rights workers. 1969   A Los Angeles court refuses Robert Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan's request to be executed. 1971   The male electorate in Lichtenstein refuses to give voting rights to women. 1994   U.S. warplanes shoot down four Serb aircraft over Bosnia in the first NATO use of force in the troubled area.

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"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want."

--Margaret Young

Today is...

National Kahlua Day

It’s National Kahlua Day! Kahlua is a rich, creamy alcoholic liqueur from Mexico. People enjoy it straight up, on the rocks, and mixed in coffee or cocktails (like the White Russian). Kahlua is also used to flavor desserts such as ice cream, cakes, and cheesecakes.

The word “kahlua” means “house of the Acolhua people” in the Nahuatl language. A company named Domecq has produced the drink since 1936 and named it for the native people of Veracruz. Kahlua is made with rum, Mexican coffee, sugar, and vanilla.

To celebrate National Kahlua Day, mix up your favorite Kahlua cocktail or bake a divine Kahlua-flavored cake to share with friends!

Today is also National Strawberry Day

February is Black History Month & Potato Lover's Month & National Weddings Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

On this Day in History On February 27th 1827, a group of masked and costumed students dance through the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, marking the beginning of the city's famous Mardi Gras celebrations. The celebration of Carnival, or the weeks between Twelfth Night on January 6 and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian period of Lent, spread from Rome across Europe and later to the Americas. Nowhere in the United States is Carnival celebrated as grandly as in New Orleans, famous for its over-the-top parades and parties for Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), the last day of the Carnival season.

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"Nothing succeeds like success."

--Alexandre Dumas