Today is...
Hanukkah!

Tonight at sundown marks the beginning of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights!
Hanukkah starts on a different day each year according to the Western calendar, but it always begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. The word “Hanukkah” means dedication or induction, and the holiday signifies the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees revolted against Alexander, Antiochus IV and his persecution of the Jews. 
According to the Talmud, at the time of the rededication there was only enough oil left to burn the eternal flame in the temple for one day. It lasted for eight days—just the amount of time needed to make a fresh supply of oil. Hence, it is tradition at Hanukkah to light a candle on the menorah for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles at nightfall, playing dreidel, sending a free Hanukkah eCard, or eating some delicious potato latkes! Happy Hanukkah!

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Today is also National Bavarian Cream Pie Day

November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is National Game & Puzzle Week

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History for November 27th 1901 -  US Army War College established. 1910 - Penn Station opens in NY 1924 - 1st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade held 1957 - Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appeals for nuclear disarmament in New Delhi.   2001 - Hydrogen atmosphere is discovered on extrasolar planet Osiris by Hubble Telescope. ______________________________________________________ "With will one can do anything." --  Samuel Smiles

Today is...
National Cake Day!

On this day, we celebrate one of the world’s favorite desserts—cake. The cake we know and love today evolved from early leavened breads, which were sweetened with honey, fruit, and nuts. Did you know that the word “cake” comes from the Old Norse word, “kaka,” meaning a baked flour confection?
Whether you prefer vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, or even the pineapple-upside-down variety, grab a slice of your favorite cake to celebrate this delicious day! Happy National Cake Day!

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November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is National Game & Puzzle Week

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History for November 26th 1825 -  1st fraternity forms: Kappa Alpha Soc. 1842 - The University of Notre Dame is founded. 1922 - Archaeologists enter King Tut's tomb. 1941 - FDR's modern Thanksgiving holiday   1990 - Delta II rocket's maiden flight. ______________________________________________________ "When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself." --  Isaac Bashevis Singer

Today is...
National Parfait Day!

Did you know that the word "parfait" means "perfect" in French? It’s no wonder that this dish makes a perfect snack, meal, or dessert!
Although parfaits were originally served on decorative plates, today they are typically layered in tall, thin glasses. There are also many variations on the original parfait recipe, which originated in France in the 19th century.
American parfaits are made by layering ice cream with granola, nuts, yogurt, fresh fruits, and whip cream. Whip up your own version to celebrate National Parfait Day!

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November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is National Game & Puzzle Week

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History for November 25th 1936 -  Germany and Japan sign the Anti-Comintern Pact. 1947 - The London Council of Foreign Ministers meeting begins. 1958 - French Sudan gains autonomy as a self-governing member of the French Community. 1975 - Suriname: independent from Netherlands   1999 - The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is passed by the UN. ______________________________________________________ "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." --  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is...
Great American Smokeout!

The Great American Smokeout is a social engineering experiment that encourages people to quit smoking. Lynn Smith, the publisher of a Minnesota newspaper, introduced the concept in 1974 when she announced a “Don’t Smoke Day” or “D-Day.”
Today, the Great American Smokeout is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. On the third Thursday of November, smokers across the country try to give up their cigarettes for 24 hours. The idea is that many will quit smoking altogether. Learn more about the harmful effects of tobacco and how to participate in this year's festivities.

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Today is also World Television Day

November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is American Education Week

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History for November 21st 1783 -  Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent made the first untethered hot-air balloon flight over Paris. 1789 - North Carolina ratifies the US Constitution and is admitted as 12th US state. 1877 - Thomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph. 1922 - Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia becomes the first female United States Senator.   1964 - The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opens to traffic. ______________________________________________________ "If you aren't in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty, or back to pain and regret." --  Jim Carrey

Today is...
National Peanut Butter Fudge Day!

Peanut butter has been a staple in American kitchens for more than a century. It can be served in a sandwich, mixed with ice cream, combined with chocolate, or whipped into fudge! Peanut butter fudge is the perfect treat for anyone with a sweet tooth and a love for rich, decadent desserts.
According to legend, the origin of fudge can be traced back to the 1800s when people used the word "fudge" to mean "cheat" or "mess up." One day, a chef accidentally "fudged" a batch of caramel he was trying to make, inventing the delicious confection we know and love it today. 
Fudge is now made in many heavenly flavors, including the rich peanut butter variety. Try your hand at making a homemade batch in honor of National Peanut Butter Fudge Day!

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November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is American Education Week

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History for November 20th 1789 -  New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution of the United States). 1947 - NBC's political talk show "Meet the Press" premieres 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis ends. Soviet Union agrees to withdraw missiles from Cuba, and President Kennedy ends Caribbean quarantine 1985 - Microsoft Windows 1.0 is released.   1998 - The first module of the International Space Station, Zarya, is launched. ______________________________________________________ "Constant dripping hollows out a stone." --  Lucretius

Today is...
International Men's Day!

This holiday focuses on improving men's health, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.
The origin of International Men’s Day can be traced back to the 1960s, but the first official celebration did not occur until 1999. Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh conceived and coordinated the event in Port of Spain, the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He promoted the importance of male role models and eventually received written support from the United Nations. Today, over 60 countries recognize this event.
Celebrations of International Men's Day include marches, debates, panel discussions, public seminars, art displays, and much more. To learn more about this holiday and the events going on in your area, check out the official website.

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Today is also World Toilet Day

November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is American Education Week

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History for November 19th 1863 -  President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. 1895 - First US patent for a pencil issued to Fredrick Blaisdell 1942 - Mutesa II is crowned the 35th and last Kabaka (king) of Buganda. 1959 - Ford Motor Company discontinues Edsel   1994 - The first National Lottery draw is held in the United Kingdom. ______________________________________________________ "Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking." --  William B. Sprague

Today is...
National Vichyssoise Day!

This holiday celebrates vichyssoise—a delicious thick, French-style soup made from potatoes, cream, chicken stock, leeks, and onions.
Traditionally served chilled, vichyssoise (pronounced “vee shee swahzz”) has a French name but was invented in America. It was created in 1917 by a French chef named Louis Diat when he was working at the Ritz-Carlton in New York. He named the dish after “Vichy,” a town near to where he grew up.  
Never tried vichyssoise? Find a recipe online and make it for dinner tonight!

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November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is American Education Week

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

History for November 18th 1307 -  William Tell shoots an apple off his son's head 1626 - St. Peter's Basilica is consecrated. 1883 - American and Canadian railroads institute five standard continental time zones. 1903- The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty is signed by the United States and Panama   1997 - Willem de Kooning's painting "Two Standing Women" sells at an auction for $4.2 million ______________________________________________________ "Work spares us from three evils: boredom, vice, and need." --  Voltaire

Today is...
America Recycles Day!

Did you know that recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil, 4100 kilowatts of energy, 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space, and 60 pounds of air pollution?
These environmental benefits should be enough of an incentive for everyone to take part in the simple activity of recycling. By reusing the Earth's natural resources, we reduce green house gas emissions and the need to build landfills. We also ensure that these natural resources will be around for future generations to use.
America Recycles Day celebrates all of the benefits associated with recycling and encourages people to do their part. Learn more about this holiday and what you can do to help!

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Today is also National Raisin Bran Cereal Day

November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

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History for November 15th 1791 -  The first U.S Catholic college, Georgetown University, opens its doors. 1859 - First modern Olympic Games in Athens 1920 - First assembly of the League of Nations 1939 - Jefferson Memorial begins construction   1971 - Intel releases world's first commercial single-chip microprocessor, the 4004. ______________________________________________________ An obstacle is often a stepping stone. --  Prescott

Today is...
National Pickle Day!

Pickles have been a popular food for thousands of years. In 2030 B.C., cucumbers were imported from India to the Tigris Valley. There, they were first preserved and eaten as pickles.
In ancient Egypt, people consumed pickles for their nutritional value and because they were thought to enhance beauty. Cleopatra attributed her good looks to her full diet of pickles. Centuries later, Napoleon believed that pickles offered health benefits for his armies, so he offered a huge cash prize to anyone who was able to preserve them safely. 
Today we honor the culinary history of pickles. This versatile vegetable can be enjoyed as a condiment, snack, or side dish. Stock up on your favorite kind of pickles and celebrate National Pickle Day!

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Today is also National Spicy Guacamole Day

November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is Pursuit of Happiness Week

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History for November 14th 1666 -  Samuel Pepys makes first blood transfusion. 1832 - The first street car to be used in United States (car named John Mason) took its initial trip in New York City 1991 - Cambodian Prince Norodom Sihanouk returns to Phnom Penh after 13 years exile. 1995 - Democrat & Republican budget standoff results in closing of national parks & museums   2003 - Astronomers Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinowitz discover 90377 Sedna, a Trans-Neptunian object. ______________________________________________________ “He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.” -- Chinese Proverb