Today is Friday August 6, 2010

National Root Beer Float Day

Between the smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream and the frothy, delicious root beer foam, it's difficult to imagine a person who doesn't love root beer floats. This amazing dessert beverage is the perfect way to cool off on a sultry summer night.

The first root beer was made and sold in 1880. Thirteen years later, Frank Wisner of Colorado felt inclined to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to his glass of root beer, creating the first root beer float. It instantly became a popular treat, but was often referred to back then as a "black cow."

So go ahead, participate in this delectable American tradition and make your own for National Root Beer Float Day!

August is National Peach Month & National Goat Cheese Month & National Water Quality Month

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

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On this day in History:

1879 - The first Australian rules football game to be played at night took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game was to promote the introduction of electricity to the city of Melbourne.

1890 - The electric chair was used for the first time when Auburn State Prison in New York executed convicted murderer William Kemmler.

1914 - Austria-Hungary declared war against Russia. Serbia declared war against Germany.

1945 - The American B-29 bomber, known as the Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb on an inhabited area. The bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people were killed.

1960 - Chubby Checker performed "The Twist" on American TV for the first time on "American Bandstand."

1962 - Jamaica became an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth.

1996 - NASA announced the discovery of evidence of primitive life on Mars. The evidence came in the form of a meteorite that was found in Antarctica. The meteorite was believed to have come from Mars and contained a fossil. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think."

--Toni Morrison

Today is Thursday August 5, 2010

Sister's Day

Though you may argue, fight, tattle tail to mom, and pull each others hair, you know that deep down your sister truly is your best friend. You share your deepest secrets, earliest memories, and countless laughs with one another. 

Did you know that approximately 85% of the people living in the United States have at least one birth sibling? Children often learn lessons about socializing and interacting with others through their sibling relationships. Sisterhood is a strong bond between siblings that should always be cherished.

Take this day, Sister's Day, to show your gratification and love to your sister. Plan a trip to the beach, grab lunch together, or spend a day at the spa. You can exchange childhood memories and build a sister bond that will last a lifetime! 

Today is also National Oyster Day & National Walk on the Moon Day & International Beer Day

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

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On this day in History:
1884 - On Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor, the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid.

1923 - Henry Sullivan became the first American to swim across the English Channel.

1957 - American Bandstand made its network debut on ABC-TV. The show was hosted by Dick Clark.

1963 - The Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed by the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union. The treaty banned nuclear tests in space, underwater, and in the atmosphere.

1969 - The Mariner 7, a U.S. space probe, passed by Mars. Photographs and scientific data were sent back to Earth.

1984 - Toronto’s Cliff Johnson set a major league baseball record by hitting the 19th pinch-hit home run in his career.

1990 - U.S. President Bush angrily denounced the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"Life’s a pretty precious and wonderful thing. You can’t sit down and let it lap around you...you have to plunge into it; you have to dive through it! And you can’t save it, you can’t store it up; you can’t horde it in a vault. You’ve got to taste it; you’ve got to use it. The more you use the more you have...that’s the miracle of it!"

--Kyle Samuel Crichton

Today is Wednesday August 4, 2010

Coast Guard Day

Today, we honor the military branch that protects our waters and shorelines: the United States Coast Guard. Did you know that the term "Coast Guard" wasn't used until 1915? This military branch got its start on August 4, 1790 and was originally referred to as the Revenue Cutter Service. More than two hundred years later, we celebrate all that the Coast Guard has done to protect our great country!

To celebrate today, attend the Coast Guard Festival in America's own "Coast Guard City," Grand Haven, Michigan. The mission of the festival is to honor the men and women of the US Coast Guard. This fun-filled event includes a parade, downtown carnival, ship tours, fireworks, and much more. The Coast Guard Festival been around since 1924 and sees over 350,000 people annually.

Today is also National Night Out

August is National Peach Month & National Goat Cheese Month & National Water Quality Month

This week is Simplify Your Life Week

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

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On this day in History:

1790 - The Revenue Cutter Service was formed. This U.S. naval task force was the beginning of the U.S. Coast Guard.

1821 - "The Saturday Evening Post" was published for the first time as a weekly.

1934 - Mel Ott became the first major league baseball player to score six runs in a single game.

1944 - Nazi police raided a house in Amsterdam and arrested eight people. Anne Frank, a teenager at the time, was one of the people arrested. Her diary would be published after her death.

1956 - Elvis Presley's song "Hound Dog" was released.

1957 - Florence Chadwick set a world record by swimming the English Channel in 6 hours and 7 minutes.
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Quote of the Day:
"My code of conduct is simply this: work hard; play to the allowable limit; disregard equally the good and bad opinion of others...live the moment to the utmost of its possibilities...and be satisfied with life always, but never with oneself."

--George Jean Nathan

Today is Tuesday August 3, 2010

National Watermelon Day

Today, we celebrate the staple of many American picnics: the watermelon. Comprised of 90% water, it's no wonder why this fruit is such a refreshing, summer favorite. Eat it plain, grill it, or mix it into salsa, however you eat your watermelon it will leave you wanting more.

It is believed that the first watermelons were planted in Egypt during the Twelfth Dynasty after many watermelon seeds were recovered from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen. Did you know that watermelons can be found in a variety of colors including red, pink, white, or yellow and weigh an average of 10 to 45 pounds?

Watermelon lovers, celebrate National Watermelon Day by cutting yourself an extra large slice of this juicy, sweet fruit and checking out this site just for you!

Today is also Grab Some Nuts Day

August is National Peach Month & National Goat Cheese Month & National Water Quality Month

This week is Simplify Your Life Week

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

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On this day in History:

1900 - Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. was founded.

1914 - Germany declared war on France. The next day World War I began when Britain declared war on Germany.

1933 - The Mickey Mouse Watch was introduced for the price of $2.75.

1936 - Jesse Owens won the first of his four Olympic gold medals.

1949 - The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed. The league was formed by the merger between the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League.

1984 - Mary Lou Retton won a gold medal at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"It is not length of life, but depth of life."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is Monday August 2, 2010

Friendship Day

Through thick and thin, our friends are always by our sides. Friendship Day has taken place in the United States since 1935 after Congress proclaimed it a national holiday. Following the popularity and success of Friendship Day in the U.S., many other countries around the world soon adopted this tradition. In 1997 the United Nations named Winnie the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship!

Take part in this national tradition by spending some time today with your friends. Go to lunch, hit the mall, or have a party! Friendship Day is also a great reminder to call friends that you don't see regularly just to catch up.

Today is also National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

August is National Peach Month & National Goat Cheese Month & National Water Quality Month

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

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On this day in History:

1858 - In Boston and New York City the first mailboxes were installed along streets.

1892 - Charles A. Wheeler patented the first escalator.

1939 - Albert Einstein signed a letter to President Roosevelt urging the U.S. to have an atomic weapons research program.

1983 - It was designated that the third Monday of January would be a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1990 - Iraq invaded the oil-rich country of Kuwait. Iraq claimed that Kuwait had driven down oil prices by exceeding production quotas set by OPEC.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we have wasted, of all that we might have done which we did not do. For me the conception of Hell lies in two words: 'too late.'”

--Gian-Carlo Menotti

Today is Friday July 30, 2010

National Cheesecake Day

Calling all dessert fanatics, it's National Cheesecake Day! This worldwide favorite can be eaten plain or topped with your favorite fruits. Its crispy pastry crust combined with a creamy, rich center will leave you asking for seconds.

Cheesecake is a wonderful dessert because it can be made in so many different flavors. Some fan favorites are peanut butter cup, key lime, raspberry white chocolate and rocky road.

To celebrate National Cheesecake Day, many pastry shops will give away cheesecake at a discount (or even for free!) Buy or make your favorite flavor of cheesecake today to celebrate this glorious occasion!

July is National Ice Cream Month & National Grilling Month

Today is also National Father-in-law Day 

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

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On this day in History:

1619 - The first representative assembly in America convened in Jamestown, VA.

1942 - Frank Sinatra recorded the last of 90 recordings with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

1942 - The WAVES were created by legislation signed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The members of the Women's Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service were a part of the U.S. Navy.

1965 - U.S. President Johnson signed into law the Medicare bill. It went into effect the following year.

1998 - A group of Ohio machine-shop workers (who call themselves the Lucky 13) won the $295.7 million Powerball jackpot. It was the largest-ever American lottery. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"In the concentration camps, we witnessed some of our comrades behave like swine while others behaved like saints. Man has both potentialities within himself; which one is actualized depends on decisions but not on conditions. The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity--even under the most difficult circumstances--to add a deeper meaning to his life. His unique opportunity lies in the way he bears his burden."
--Viktor E. Frankl

Today is Wednesday  July 28, 2010

National Lasagna Day

We have a lot to thank our Italian friends for--fine art, sports cars, leather goods, handsome men, and pizza. We also have the Italians to thank for today's reason to celebrate: National Lasagna Day.

Favorite food to beloved cartoon character Garfield as well as many others, lasagna alternates layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce (and sometimes meat and/or veggies). It's utterly delicious and extremely filling. Celebrate National Lasagna Day by finding a new recipe to try and pairing it with an Italian wine!

July is National Ice Cream Month & National Grilling Month

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

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On this day in History:

1950 - Disney's adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" was released.

1957 - The International Atomic Energy Agency was established.

1958 - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was authorized by the U.S. Congress.

1961 - Dick Clark premiered his summer stage show, the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City.

1965 - The Beatles film "Help!" premiered in London. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"All things good come to those for whom the Good is all things."

– Guy Finley