Today is...

Waitangi Day

It’s Waitangi Day! If you're not from New Zealand, chances are you've never heard of today's Reason to Celebrate. Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840. This is the document that officially made New Zealand part of the British Empire, guaranteeing the indigenous people of New Zealand the rights to their land and the same personal rights as British citizens.

The indigenous people (called the Maori) viewed the treaty as a sacred pact. There are many customs associated with Waitangi Day including family gatherings, ceremonies, and parades to celebrate Maori culture. It is also the day that the Order of New Zealand is bestowed upon individuals who have given outstanding service to their country.

To celebrate Waitangi Day, book a trip to New Zealand, learn more about the history of this island nation, or watch a movie filmed amidst its beautiful landscapes! Happy Waitangi Day!

This week is Boy Scout Anniversary Week & International Friendship Week

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 6  1815 - The state of New Jersey issued the first American railroad charter to John Stevens. 1926 - The National Football League adopted a rule that made players ineligible for competition until their college class graduated. 1943 - Frank Sinatra made his debut as vocalist on radio's "Your Hit Parade." 1959 - The U.S., for the first time, successfully test-fired a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile from Cape Canaveral. 1971 - NASA Astronaut Alan B. Shepard used a six-iron that he had brought inside his spacecraft and swung at three golf balls on the surface of the moon. 1985 - The French mineral water company, Perrier, debuted its first new product in 123 years. The new items were water with a twist of lemon, lime or orange. 1987 - Sonny Bono declared his candidacy for mayor of Palm Springs.

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"If one only wished to be happy, this could easily be accomplished; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are."

--Montesquieu