Today is...
National Carrot Cake Day!

Carrot Cake has been around since the Middle Ages. At that time, sugar and other sweeteners were rare and very expensive, so people used sweet vegetables to flavor their puddings.
This technique became obsolete for several hundred years, but resurfaced in the 20^th century. During World War II, the British government rationed many luxury foods and household staples including sugar. To appease the nation’s sweet tooth, the Ministry of Food promoted recipes for carrot puddings, carrot-filled pies, and carrot cakes. Today, many families in the UK still serve carrot cake on Christmas Day!
Carrot cake is much healthier than many other baked goods. A traditional recipe calls for carrots, raisins, walnuts, and brown sugar (instead of refined white sugar). Enjoy a slice from your local bakery in honor of National Carrot Cake Day!

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

This week is Boy Scout Anniversary Week & International Friendship Week

 

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History for February 3rd 1690 - The first paper money in America issued 1913 - 16th Constitutional Amendment ratified. 1984 - First baby conceived by embryo transplant 1994 -  Bill Clinton lifts trade embargo   1995 -  Space Shuttle Discovery launched with first female pilot Eileen Collins ______________________________________________________ "Purpose is what gives life a meaning." -- C. H. Parkhurst

Today is...
National Cat Day!

“What greater gift than the love of a cat?” Charles Dickens once mused. Cats are one of the most beloved human companions of all time. They were first domesticated in the Middle East’s Fertile Crescent as early as 12,000 years ago. When humans relied on hunting as their main source of food, dogs were most useful, but when the first agricultural societies emerged, cats became invaluable. Domesticated cats became responsible for keeping grain stores free of mice and other rodents. Today, cats can be found in 34% of American households, making them the most popular house pet in the United States.
Pet lifestyle expert and animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige established National Cat Day in 2005. In honor of the occasion, celebrate cats and the unconditional love and companionship they give to their owners. If you don't own a cat, volunteer at your local animal shelter or make a donation. It’s the purrrrfect way to show you care!

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Today is also National Oatmeal Day

October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month & National Breast Cancer Awareness Month & National Chili Month & National Dessert Month & National Pasta Month & National Roller Skating Month

This week is International Magic Week

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History for October 29 1682 - William Penn landed at what is now Chester, PA. He was the founder of Pennsylvania. 1863 - The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded. 1956 - "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" premiered on NBC. 1960 - Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) won his first professional fight. 1995 - Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers) became the NFL's career leader in receiving yards with 14,040 yards. 1998 - The space shuttle Discovery blasted off with John Glenn on board. Glenn was 77 years old. In 1962 he became the first American to orbit the Earth. ______________________________________________________ "For the happiest life, days should be rigorously planned, nights left open to chance." --Mignon McLauglin

Today is...
National Comic Book Day!

These creative and inventive books have been entertaining children and adults alike for more than 200 years!
While comic books have quite a storied history, they reached massive popularity in the late 1930s. By the mid 1940s, comic books were outselling traditional books. From Spider-Man to Batman to Superman, we all know a little something about these sketched panel books.
To celebrate National Comic Book Day, take a few minutes to catch up on your favorite comic or watch a movie based on your favorite series!

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Today is also Crab Meat Newburg Day

September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

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History for September 25 1789 - The first U.S. Congress adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution. Ten of the amendments became the Bill of Rights. 1890 - The Sequoia National Park was established as a U.S. National Park in Central California. 1953 - Liberace made his debut at Carnegie Hall for a sellout crowd. 1954 - Elvis Presley appeared live on "Grand Ole Opry" and performed "Blue Moon of Kentucky." 1965 - Willie Mays, at the age of 34, became the oldest man to hit 50 home runs in a single season. He had also set the record for the youngest to hit 50 ten years earlier. 1981 - Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court when she was sworn in as the 102nd justice. ______________________________________________________ "Weary the path that does not challenge." --Hosea Ballou

Today is...
National Punch Day!

National Punch Day—is one of our favorite holidays here at Punchbowl.com! The word “punch” allegedly comes from the Hindustani word “panch,” which means “five.” In the early 1600s, sailors and employees of the British East India Company brought a new exotic drink from India to England. The beverage was made with five ingredients—spirits, lemon, sugar, water, and tea.
Punch spread from country to country and became one of the most popular party drinks in the world. Today there are hundreds of different punch recipes. Many of them still incorporate the five key ingredients: base (alcohol), citrus, sugar, water, and spice.
Mix up your favorite concoction for National Punch Day and serve it in a beautiful punch bowl!

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September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is National Singles Week

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History for September 20 1953 - Jimmy Stewart debuted on the radio western "The Six Shooter" on NBC. 1973 - The Roxy Theater opened in Los Angeles, CA. The opening acts were Elton John, Carole King and Jackson Browne. 1984 - "The Cosby Show" premiered on NBC-TV. 1995 - AT&T announced that it would be splitting into three companies. The three companies were AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and NCR Corp. ______________________________________________________ "For people to live, they must learn to kneel." --Fyodor Dostoevsky

Today is...
National Cheeseburger Day!

Fire up the grill or head to your favorite restaurant because today is National Cheeseburger Day! 

There are several theories about the origins of the cheeseburger. One story claims that the cheeseburger was created between 1924 and 1926 by a chef named Lionel Sternberger. As the story goes, a homeless man dining at Sternberger's restaurant in Pasadena, California, suggested the addition of a slice of cheese to his hamburger order. Sternberger complied, eventually added it to his menu, and the rest is history. 

Today, cheeseburgers are a staple at restaurants and backyard celebrations all across the country. Hungry yet? Enjoy a delicious cheeseburger in honor of National Cheeseburger Day!

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Today is also Sukkot

September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is National Singles Week

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History for September 18 1789 - Alexander Hamilton negotiated and secured the first loan for the United States. The Temporary Loan of 1789 was repaid on June 8, 1790 at the sum of $191,608.81. 1810 - Chile declared its independence from Spain. 1965 - The first episode of "I Dream of Jeannie" was shown on NBC-TV. The last show was televised on September 1, 1970. 1998 - The FDA approved a once-a-day easier-to-swallow medication for AIDS patients. ______________________________________________________ "Contrary to what we usually believe, the best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times--although such experiences can be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." --Mihaly Csikszentmihayli

Today is...
Citizenship Day!

Citizenship Day (also known as Constitution Day) marks the anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. It also recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.
The origin of this holiday dates back to 1940 when "I am an American Day" was celebrated on the third Sunday in May. In 1952, Congress moved the date to September 17 and renamed it “Citizenship Day.” In 2004, the official name changed to “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.”
To celebrate this holiday, schools around the country receive federal funding to provide lessons about the Constitution. Take a moment today to reflect on the Constitution and what it means to be a U.S. citizen!

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Today is also National Apple Dumpling Day

September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is National Singles Week

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History for September 17 1796 - U.S. President George Washington's Farewell Address was read before the U.S. Congress. 1862 - The Battle of Antietam took place during the American Civil War. More than 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing. The Rebel advance was ended with heavy losses to both armies. 1972 - "M*A*S*H" premiered on CBS-TV. 1983 - Johnny Bench, of the Cincinnati Reds, retired after 16 years as a catcher. ______________________________________________________ "I can but think that the world would be better and brighter if our teachers would dwell on the duty of happiness as well as the happiness of duty; for we ought to be as bright and genial as we can, if only because to be cheerful ourselves is a most effectual contribution to the happiness of others." --Sir John Lubbock

Today is...
National Guacamole Day!

We all know and love guacamole as a party snack, but there's more to guacamole than meets the eye. Guacamole is made from avocados, which are packed with more than twenty vitamins, contain "good fats" that reduce cholesterol, can help fight cancer, and can be used as a substitute for butter or shortening in baking.
You can purchase pre-made guacamole at your local supermarket or buy some ripe avocados to make your own. Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Super Bowl Sunday, and Easter each account for approximately five percent of annual avocado sales. Have no fear, avocado trees produce up to 400 fruits a year so there should be plenty to go around. Happy National Guacamole Day!

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Today is also Mexican Independence Day & Mayflower Day & National Play-Doh Day

September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is National Singles Week

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History for September 16 1620 - The Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England. The ship arrived at Provincetown, MA on November 21st and then at Plymouth, MA, on December 26th. There were 102 passengers onboard. 1630 - The village of Shawmut changed its name to Boston. 1924 - Jim Bottomley knocked in 12 runs in a single game setting a major league baseball record. 1974 - U.S. President Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for draft-evaders and deserters during the Vietnam War. 1988 - Tom Browning pitched the 12th perfect game in major league baseball. 1994 - Two astronauts from the space shuttle Discovery went on the first untethered spacewalk in 10 years. ______________________________________________________ "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." --Dennis Waitley

Today is...
National Peanut Day!

Today is a celebration of the peanut, which isn’t really a nut at all. Technically, peanuts are legumes—simple dry fruits in the same family as peas and beans. But don't let this fun fact get in the way of your celebrating!
George Washington Carver discovered over 300 practical uses for peanuts. Carver, a graduate of Iowa State University, found ways to use peanuts in shampoo, fuel, dyes, and flours. Ironically, historians suspect that Carver never tasted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. What a shame!
To celebrate National Peanut Day, bake peanut butter cookies, watch a ballgame with a bag of whole peanuts, enjoy a nice chunk of peanut butter fudge, or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Enjoy!

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Today is also Fortune Cookie Day & Yom Kippur

September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is Line Dance Week

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History for September 13 1759 - The French were defeated by the British on the Plains of Abraham in the final French and Indian War. 1949 - The Ladies Professional Golf Association of America was formed. 1960 - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission banned payola. 1970 - The first New York City Marathon took place. Fireman Gary Muhrucke won the race. 1977 - General Motors introduced the first diesel automobiles. ______________________________________________________ "This is my 'depressed stance.' When you’re depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you’ll start to feel better. If you’re going to get any joy out of being depressed, you’ve got to stand like this." --Charlie Brown

Today is...
National Chocolate Milkshake Day!

Smooth, frothy, rich, and sweet are just a few of the words that describe today's reason to celebrate. Did you know that the first reference to a milkshake appeared in a British newspaper in 1885? The original recipe called for a shot of whiskey! Milkshakes were popular at soda fountain counters in the early 1900s and are now a mainstay at ice cream shops, diners, and fast food restaurants throughout the country.
To celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day, enjoy a delicious milkshake for dessert tonight! To make your own at home, combine 2 cups of chocolate ice cream, 2 bars of dark chocolate candy (diced), and 1/2 cup whipped cream in a blender. Garnish with more cream and chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

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September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is  Fashion Week & Line Dance Week

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History for September 12 1873 - The first practical typewriter was sold to customers. 1928 - Katharine Hepburn made her stage debut in the play "The Czarina." Four years later she made her film debut in "A Bill of Divorcement." 1953 - Nikita Krushev was elected as the first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 1970 - "Josie and the Pussycats," the cartoon, debuted on CBS. 1979 - Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox became the first American League player to get 3,000 career hits and 400 career home runs. 1984 - Michael Jordan signed a seven-year contract to play basketball with the Chicago Bulls. ______________________________________________________ "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." --Dolores Ibarruri

Today is...
National Hot Cross Bun Day!

A hot cross bun is a sweet, spiced bun made with currants or raisins and leavened with yeast. Just as the name suggests, these baked goodies are marked with a cross on the top, which is supposed to symbolize the crucifixion. Hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday.

So, why is National Host Cross Bun Day six months after Good Friday? We don't know! The origins of this day are unknown, but we're thankful to have an excuse to enjoy this treat anytime of year! Enjoy!

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September is National Organic Harvest Month & National Piano Month

This week is  Fashion Week & Line Dance Week

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History for September 11 1847 - "Oh, Susannah" was sung in public for the first time. Stephen Foster sold the rights to the song for a bottle of whiskey. 1883 - The mail chute was patented by James Cutler. The new device was first used in the Elwood Building in Rochester, NY. 1936 - Boulder Dam in Nevada was dedicated by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt by turning on the dam's first hydroelectric generator. The dam is now called Hoover Dam. 1954 - The Miss America beauty pageant made its network TV debut on ABC. Miss California, Lee Ann Meriwether, was the winner. 1974 - "Little House On The Prairie" made its television debut. ______________________________________________________ "You don’t just luck into things as much as you’d like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it’s friendships or opportunities." --Barbara Bush