Today is...
Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day!

What country music song always puts a smile on your face? Perhaps it’s Johnny Cash's "Every Time I Itch I Wind Up Scratching You," Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," or Homer & Jethro's "She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart." Today is the day to pay tribute to these unique songs!
Country music evolved from Appalachian folk music in the 1920s and became a nationwide sensation in the 1940s. The Grand Ole Opry radio station in Nashville, Tennessee began broadcasting weekly concerts that showcased all the different genres of country music—hillbilly, honky-tonk, bluegrass, western, rockabilly, gospel, and more.
In honor of today’s Reason to Celebrate, put on your cowboy hat, get out your banjo, and belt out your favorite quirky country music song!

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March is International Ideas Month & National Craft Month & National Peanut Month


 

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		History for March 27th 1841 - Paul R. Hodge tests first steam-powered fire engine.   1846 - Mexican forces lay siege for Fort Texas, launching the Mexican-American War.   1905 -  New technology allows fingerprints to be used as evidence in trials. 1915 -  Typhoid Mary, the first healthy carrier of the disease, is quarantined a second time. 1998 - Federal Drug Administration approves the sale of Viagra. ______________________________________________________ "A failure is a man who has blundered, but is not able to cash in on the experience." - Elbert Hubbard

Today is...
National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day!

Did you know that Nestlé Raisinets are one of the most popular candies for movie-goers? People can’t get enough of the delicious fruit and dark chocolate combination!
Culinary historians believe that humans first discovered raisins when they came across grapes drying on a vine. These sundried morsels soon became one of the most popular food sweeteners, second only to honey. Raisins are an excellent source fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, and certain B vitamins. Add some dark chocolate into the mix and you’ll also get a healthy dose of antioxidants and important minerals.
Enjoy a handful of chocolate-covered raisins today in honor of National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day!

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March is International Ideas Month & National Craft Month & National Peanut Month

This week is National Spring Fever Week

 

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		History for March 24th 1882 - German scientist Robert Koch announced in Berlin that he had discovered the bacillus responsible for tuberculosis.   1955 - "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams opened on Broadway.   1973 -  The album "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd was released, remaining on the charts until 1988, the longest run in history. 1989 -  Exxon Valdez disaster. 2008 - Bhutan holds its first ever general election, as an official democracy. ______________________________________________________ "Our business in life is not to get ahead of other people, but to get ahead of ourselves." - Maltbie D. Matlock

Today is...
National Cookie Day!

Did you know that the English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "koekje," which means little cake? Dutch bakers used to test oven temperatures on small amounts of batter so that they would not waste the entire cake mix if the temperature wasn't right. It was not long before they discovered that these tiny pieces of cooked batter were actually quite tasty!
Cookies come in all different flavors, shapes, and sizes. To celebrate National Cookie Day, bake a few batches of your favorite variety and invite your friends over for a cookie swap!

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Today is also National Dice Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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History for December 4th 1619 -  America's first Thanksgiving Day (Va) 1906 - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity founded. 1945 - Senate approves US participation in UN 1959 - Space monkey returns to Earth safely.   1978 - Dianne Feinstein is named San Francisco first female mayor ______________________________________________________ "The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." --  Mother Teresa

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 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

Today is...
National Nachos Day!

 Nachos are a popular Mexican dish that can be served as a snack, appetizer, or main course. The perfect recipe for nachos includes a huge plate of stacked tortilla chips topped with lots of melted cheese, salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, and guacamole! Nachos originated in the city of Piedras Negras, Mexico. One night in 1943, the wives of ten U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Duncan arrived at a restaurant called Victory Club after it had already closed for the evening. Restaurant employee Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya quickly put together what he had left in the kitchen for the women, and called the dish "Nachos Especiales." Word about this tasty treat quickly spread throughout Mexico and Texas. Anaya went on to open his own nacho restaurant and his original nacho recipe was printed in St. Anne's Cookbook in 1954.
Celebrate National Nachos Day by having a big plate stacked high with delicious nachos. Bake your own version or head to your local Mexican restaurant. Enjoy!

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

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History for November 6th 1913 -  Mohandas Gandhi is arrested while leading a march of Indian miners in South Africa. 1935 - First flight of the Hawker Hurricane. 1962 - UN ends economic & military relations w/ South Africa because of racist apartheid 1965 - Cuba & United States agree to begin airlift for Cubans who want to go to US   1975 - Green March begins: 300,000 unarmed Moroccans in Tarfaya wait for signal from King Hassan II to cross Western Sahara. ______________________________________________________ "With will one can do anything." -- Samuel Smiles

Today is...
Guy Fawkes Day!

 Guy Fawkes Day is an annual celebration commemorating the foil of the Gunpowder Plot in England on November 5, 1605. This plot was a conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London and to kill King James I. Fawkes became involved in the small group of rebels and was valued for his experience in the military and his knowledge about explosives. After the plot was discovered, the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, were tortured, hanged, and drawn and quartered.
Guy Fawkes Day celebrates the king's escape from assassination. Today, it is still a popular holiday in the United Kingdom, as well as other current and former British territories including New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Newfoundland, Australia, Bermuda, and other Caribbean islands.
People celebrate Guy Fawkes Day by lighting fireworks and bonfires. Several traditional rhymes such as the “bonfire cry” often accompany the fanfare. Take part in the festivities today and celebrate Guy Fawkes Day!

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Today is also Election 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 5th 1605 -  Guy Fawkes, "Remember, remember the 5th of November", caught in Westminster in plot to destroy House of Lords. 1872 - Guy Fawkes, "Remember, remember the 5th of November", caught in Westminster in plot to destroy House of Lords. 1895 - George B. Selden is granted the first U.S. patent for an automobile. 1968- Winning a close election, Richard Nixon defeats Vice President Hubert Humphrey.   2007 - China's first lunar satellite, Chang'e 1 goes into orbit around the Moon. ______________________________________________________ "The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." -- Benjamin Mays

Today is...
International Caps Lock Day!

It's a whole day dedicated to something that drives most people crazy—text that is written in ALL CAPITALIZED LETTERS.
International Caps Lock Day was created in 2000 by Derek Arnold of Iowa. This holiday began as a parody. It was intended to poke fun at those individuals who unnecessarily capitalize letters, words, and phrases.The day became so popular with internet users that it is now celebrated twice a year—on June 28 and on October 22.
Hit your caps lock button and celebrate INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY!

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     Today is also National Nut 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

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History for October 22 1746 - The College of New Jersey was officially chartered. It later became known as Princeton University. 1883 - The New York Horse show opened. The first national horse show was formed by the newly organized National Horse Show Association of America. 1954 - The Federal Republic of Germany was invited to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 1961 - Chubby Checker appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and performed "The Twist." 1962 - U.S. President Kennedy went on radio and television to inform his nation about his order to send U.S. forces to blockade Cuba. The blockade was in response to the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the island. 1995 - The 50th anniversary of the United Nations was marked by a record number of world leaders gathering. ______________________________________________________ "Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still." --Henry David Thoreau

Today is...
National Chocolate Cupcake Day!

Chocolate cupcakes are a delightful treat served at gourmet bakeries and kitchen tables across the country.
Cupcakes first emerged during the 19th century in the United States. There are two theories about how they got their name. One claims that the miniature cakes were originally baked in cups. The other suggests that the name comes from the recipe, which was measured out by the cup—one cup butter, two cups sugar, three cups flour, four eggs, one cup milk, one spoonful baking soda.
Cupcakes are now made with a variety of flavors, ingredients, and decorations, but simple chocolate cupcakes remain a perennial favorite. Bake, frost, and decorate a batch today to celebrate National Chocolate Cupcake Day!

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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 National Baking Week & National Cereal Lovers Week

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History for October 18 1867 - The U.S. took formal possession of Alaska from Russia. The land was purchased for $7 million dollars (2 cents per acre). 1943 - The first broadcast of "Perry Mason" was presented on CBS Radio. The show went to TV in 1957. 1950 - Connie Mack announced that he was going to retire after 50 seasons as the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics. 1967 - "How I Won the War," starring John Lennon, premiered in London. 1971 - After 34 years the final issue of "Look" magazine was published. 1977 - Reggie Jackson tied Babe Ruth's record for hitting three homeruns in a single World Series game. Jackson was only the second player to achieve this. ______________________________________________________ "The fear of life is the favorite disease of the 20th century." --William Lyon Phelps