Today is Tuesday August 10, 2010

S'mores Day

Who says you need a campfire to enjoy a s'more? These delicious treats can also be baked in an oven or microwave!  S'mores were first developed by campers during the early twentieth century and the first s'more recipe was published in 1927 in the Girl Scout Handbook.

Want to know how to celebrate S'mores Day? Just grab the ingredients—graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars—and a few friends and enjoy this tasty, American tradition. It will definitely leave you wanting...s'more!

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

This week is Elvis Week

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in History:

1846 - The Smithsonian Institution was chartered by the U.S. Congress. The "Nation's Attic" was made possible by $500,000 given by scientist Joseph Smithson.

1947 - William Odom completed an around-the-world flight. He set the solo record by completing the flight in 73 hours and 5 minutes.

1948 - On ABC, "Candid Camera" made its TV debut. The original title was "Candid Microphone."

1954 - Elvis Presley made an appearance in Memphis where he debuted "That's All Right (Mama)."

1981 - Pete Rose hit a single and broke the National League all-time hit record with his 3,630 hit. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'”

--Sydney J. Harris

Today is Monday August 9, 2010

National Rice Pudding Day

Rice pudding was first made in Asia to aid the malnourished. It then appeared hundreds of years later in Europe during the 1500's, where it was considered a luxury for the rich. Rice pudding has since spread worldwide in thousands of variations.

Popular rice pudding recipes often include cinnamon and sugar or other sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. In the United States, most rice pudding recipes have descended from European immigrants. Enjoy some rice pudding today in honor of National Rice Pudding 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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in History:

1678 - American Indians sold the Bronx to Jonas Bronck for 400 beads.

1854 - "Walden" was published by Henry David Thoreau.

1859 - The escalator was patented by Nathan Ames.

1936 - Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympics. He was the first American to win four medals in one Olympics.

1965 - Singapore proclaimed its independence from the Malaysian Federation.

1981 - Major league baseball teams resumed play at the conclusion of the first mid-season players’ strike.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote of the Day:
"The man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life."

--Albert Einstein

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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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