Today is...
National Croissant Day!

Although it is most likely just a myth, the history of the croissant is a colorful tale full of adventure. In 1683, the Turkish Empire laid siege on Vienna, Austria. The Turks made several attempts to enter the city by force, but were unsuccessful, so decided to dig an underground tunnel. The bakers of Vienna, who worked in the basement storerooms, heard the sound of digging and alerted the army.
The bakers received high honors and thanks for their assistance in outwitting the Turks. In celebration, they baked their bread in the shape of a crescent moon—the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. After the Turks were defeated, it became custom to serve morning coffee with the crescent-shaped pastry!
The legend goes on to say that over a hundred years later, Marie Antoinette (an Austrian Princess who married Louis XVI) introduced the pastry to the French who dubbed it a “croissant.” To celebrate National Croissant Day, warm up a delicious croissant and enjoy it with a generous helping of butter. Yum!

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January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 

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History for January 30th 1933 - "The Lone Ranger" radio program begins on station WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan 1948 - Indian spiritual and political leader Mahatma Gandhi murdered 1957 - US Congress accepts "Eisenhower-doctrine" 1968 -  North Vietnamese forces launch surprise Tet Offensive   2007 -  Microsoft releases its next Operating System, Windows Vista, and 2007 Microsoft Office System. ______________________________________________________ "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Today is...
Freethinkers Day!

It’s Freethinkers Day (also known as Thomas Paine Day)! Freethinkers Day celebrates the life and work of Thomas Paine, who was born on this day in 1737. Paine came to America in 1774 at the request of Benjamin Franklin. Throughout his life, he wrote many influential books and pamphlets including The Age of Reason, The Rights of Man, and Common Sense. Each of these works brought public attention to key issues and helped establish the philosophical foundation for the American Revolution.
Paine's writing inspired many people to strive for political, economic, and social advancement. He was also one of the first people to call for an end to slavery and universal human rights.
Freethinkers Day has been celebrated since the 1990s. Its purpose is to educate people about Paine's work and the importance of freethinking and freedom. To celebrate the occasion, pick up a copy of Common Sense and take a moment to appreciate your civil liberties!

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Today is also National Corn Chip Day

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 

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History for January 29th 1697 - Isaac Newton receives Jean Bernoulli's 6 month time-limit problem, solves problem before going to bed that same night 1845 - Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" first published 1964 - Anti-abortion radical Eric Robert Rudolph bombs abortion Alabama abortion clinic 1979 -  Chinese Vice Premier visits White House after formal relations established  1988 -  United Airlines Boeing 747SP, circles world in 36 hours 54 minutes 15 seconds ______________________________________________________ "Measure a thousand times and cut once." -- Turkish Proverb

Today is...
National Blueberry Pancake Day!

Blueberry pancakes are a wonderful treat to enjoy anytime of the day. They are nutritious enough to eat for breakfast, tasty enough for a mid-day snack, and easy enough to make for dinner. 
To make blueberry pancakes, mix up a batch of your favorite plain pancake batter. Wash the blueberries, pat them dry, and keep them in a separate bowl. Once you've poured the batter onto the griddle, drop a few blueberries on top. This will ensure that your blueberries aren’t bruised during the cooking process and will be perfect bursts of flavor when you bite into your pancake.
Make a delicious batch of pancakes, top them with a little blueberry maple syrup, and celebrate National Blueberry Pancake Day!

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Today National Kazoo Day is also

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 

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History for January 28th 1547 - Henry VIII dies. His 9 year old son, Edward VI becomes King. 1914 - Beverly Hills, California, is incorporated 1932 - First US state unemployment insurance act enacted-Wisconsin 1986 -  25th Space Shuttle (51L)-Challenger 10 explodes 73 seconds after liftoff  1988 -  Canada's Supreme court declares anti-abortion law unconstitutional ______________________________________________________ "It is best to learn wisdom by the experience of others." -- Latin Proverb

Today is...
National Chocolate Cake Day!

A company called O. Duff and Sons created the first boxed cake mix in the late 1920s. In 1947, after years of research and development, General Mills released the first “just add water” Betty Crocker cake mixes. The available flavors were Ginger, Spice, Yellow, and White. In 1948, Pillsbury introduced the first chocolate cake mix.
Today, the most popular kind of cake is chocolate. There are many different types, including Black Forest, Devil’s Food, Flourless, Fudge, Ganache, German Chocolate, Lava, and much more. Head to your local bakery or whip up your favorite recipe to celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day!

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Today is also Thomas Crapper Day & Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

 
January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 

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History for January 27th 1592 - Heresy trial begins of astronomer and philosopher Giordano Bruno 1785 - First US state university chartered, Athens GA 1943 - World War II: 50 bombers mount 1st all American air raid against Germany. 1945 -  Auschwitz concentration camp liberated by Soviet forces  1967 -  Treaty banning orbiting of nuclear weapons signed by over 60 countries. ______________________________________________________ "Not to dream boldly may turn out to be simply irresponsible." -- George Leonard

Today is...
National Peanut Butter Day!

Peanut butter is a staple in over 90% of American households and the average person consumes more than six pounds of peanut products each year. Women and children prefer creamy peanut butter, while most men go for the chunky variety. 
George Bayle, a St. Louis snack food maker, started making peanut butter in the 1890s. For many years, manufacturers struggled with the oil separating from the grainy solids of the peanut butter. In 1923 Heinz became the first company to homogenize the peanuts into the spreadable butter we know and love today. Before long peanut butter was a classic American food.
Did you know that it takes 550 peanuts to make a 12 ounce jar of peanut butter? Peanuts are cholesterol free and an excellent source of protein. In fact, it’s the high protein content that causes peanut butter to stick to the roof of your mouth.
To celebrate National Peanut Butter Day, bake some peanut butter cookies, spread some tasty peanut butter on toast, or enjoy a spoonful right out of the jar!

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Today is also National Compliment Day & Belly Laugh Day

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 This week is Sundance Film Festival
 

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History for January 24th 1848 - Gold is discovered in California 1924 - Russian city of Petrograd renamed Leningrad 1984 - Apple Computer Inc unveils its Macintosh personal computer 1986 -  The NASA space probe Voyager Two passes within 50,679 miles of Uranus.   2008 -  Trader at French bank Societe General loses five billion euros ______________________________________________________ "It matters not what you are thought to be, but what you are." -- Publilius Syrus

Today is...
National Pie Day!

Pies have a long and illustrious history, but the sweet filled treats we enjoy today are a relatively recent innovation. The Greeks and Romans made some of the first pies in history. People filled pastry shells with different kinds of meat or seafood, flavored them with a variety of spices, and served them as part of the sweet course of the meal.
When the Pilgrims made their voyage to the New World in the late 1600s they arrived with English pie recipes for beef, lamb, duck, or pigeon. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the first sweet pies emerged. These featured the ingredients we’re accustomed to today, and by the 1940s, pie had become the iconic American dessert.
Whether you prefer apple, berry, pumpkin, or sweet potato, bake your favorite pie recipe tonight in honor of National Pie Day!

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Today is also National Handwriting Day

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 This week is Sundance Film Festival & Slam Dance Week
 

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History for January 23rd 1849 - Patent granted for an envelope-making machine 1909 - The first radio rescue at sea 1933 - 20th amendment changes date of Presidential Inaugurations to 1/20 1968 -  North Korea Seizes USS Pueblo   2002 -  Journalist Daniel Pearl kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan ______________________________________________________ "I failed my way to success." -- Thomas Edison

Today is...
National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day!

Ever wondered why your feline companion acts a certain way or starts meowing at you for no apparent reason? Today is the day to unravel the mystery!
Cats and humans have a long and illustrious history of cohabitation. Historians believe that cats were domesticated as early as 12,000 years ago, but we still don’t fully understand each other.
To participate in National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day, heighten your awareness of your cat’s needs and recognize when he or she trying to ask you something. Here’s a list of possible cat questions and answers compiled by the California Veterinary Medical Association. Enjoy!

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Today is also National Blonde Brownie Day

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 This week is Sundance Film Festival & Slam Dance Week
 

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History for January 22nd 1905 - Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg, beginning of the 1905 revolution. 1917 - World War I: President Woodrow Wilson calls for "peace without victory" in Europe. 1944 - World War II: Allies begin Operation Shingle (an assault on Anzio, Italy). 1947 -  KTLA, the first commercial television station west of the Mississippi River, begins operation in Hollywood, California.   1970 -  The Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes its first regularly scheduled commercial flight on a route from New York to London. ______________________________________________________ "Change is not merely necessary to life, it is life." -- Alvin Toffler

Today is...
National Hugging Day!

Whether you prefer Bear Hugs, Heart-to-Heart Hugs, Cheek Hugs, or Side Hugs, embrace your loved ones today to show your love and affection.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that hugs are incredibly good for us. A hug can lower your blood pressure, trigger the release of healthy hormones (like oxytocin), and relieve stress. Doctors recommend a minimum of 4-6 hugs per day for our emotional and physiological well-being, but more is always better!
The record for most hugs given in one hour by an individual is 1,749. Nick Vujicic achieved this feat at an expo center in Oregon in 2010.
Find out more about National Hugging Day and celebrate it in your own special way. Create a hug chain, host a hug-a-thon, initiate a group hug, or substitute hugging for handshakes in honor of the occasion!

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Today is also New England Clam Chowder Day

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 This week is Sundance Film Festival & Slam Dance Week
 

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History for January 21st 1903 - "Wizard of Oz," premieres in New York City NY 1954 - World's first nuclear submarine enters service 1977 - U.S. President Jimmy Carter provides a presidential pardon to most Vietnam War draft dodgers. 1977 -  Italy legalizes abortion   1991 -  CBS News correspondent Bob Simon captured by Iraqis in Persian Gulf ______________________________________________________ "Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson