Today is...
National Cherish an Antique Day

Do you have any family heirlooms hidden away in your closets? Today is the day to polish them up and put them on display! Humans have been collecting antiques since the beginning of our history. We have always been fascinated by the stories behind these curiosities and the rare glimpse they give us into the lives of our predecessors. In 1979, the first episode of Antiques Roadshow aired in the United Kingdom. Local residents presented their family heirlooms and collectibles for appraisal, and learned their true value. The show was an instant success and is still in production today. On the American version of the show, the most valuable find to date was a set of carved rhinoceros horn cups, which were appraised at $1-$1.5 million!
To celebrate National Cherish an Antique Day, learn the story behind your favorite antique and share the tale with family and friends. Happy antiquing!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 9 1682 - Robert La Salle claimed the lower Mississippi River and all lands that touch it for France. 1865 - General Robert E. Lee and his 26,765 troops surrendered to Union General Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This event was effectively the end of the U.S. Civil War. 1770 - Captain James Cook discovered Botany Bay on the Australian continent. 1872 - S.R. Percy received a patent for dried milk. 1959 - NASA announced the selection of America's first seven astronauts. ______________________________________________________ "At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique human being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time." --Friedrich Nietzsche

Today is...
National Empanada Day

An empanada is a delicious Spanish and Portuguese type of stuffed bread, also known as "delicioco." Empanadas can be served hot or cold as the main course or as a side dish.
Empanadas are made by folding dough around a premade stuffing of chicken, cod, or pork loin. Other ingredients include tomatoes, garlic, and onion sauce.
Though this delectable dish originated in Europe, immigrants brought the recipe to various countries around the world where it was adopted and slightly altered to fit the tastes of that particular country. In Argentina, for example, empanadas are sometimes made with a fruit filling and served as dessert. In Jamaica, empanadas are referred to as "Jamaican patties" and are made with crispy pastry dough.
Empanadas were first served in the U.S. at Taco Bell, however they are now found on menus at Latin American restaurants around the world. To celebrate National Empanada Day, try making your own empanadas for dinner!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 8 1513 - Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain. 1789 - The U.S. House of Representatives held its first meeting. 1946 - The League of Nations assembled in Geneva for the last time. 1974 - Hank Aaron hits 715th home run breaking Babe Ruth's record. 1986 - Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, CA. ______________________________________________________ "There is more to life than increasing its speed." --Mahatma Gandhi

Today is...
National Caramel Day

Americans began making sugary syrups in the 1600s, but the delicious chewy caramel we know and love today was a more recent innovation. Caramel candy emerged during the 18th century and quickly became one of the most popular sweets on the market. In fact, Milton Hershey’s first business was the Lancaster Caramel Company!
Caramel is made with butter, brown and white sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla. It is usually enjoyed as an ice cream topping, a candy filling, or on its own. You can also find caramel flavored puddings, popcorn, desserts, and coffee.
To celebrate National Caramel Day, enjoy some of your favorite caramel candies or make a batch of homemade caramel!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 5 1614 - American Indian Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Virginia. 1792 - U.S. President George Washington cast the first presidential veto. The measure was for apportioning representatives among the states. 1843 - Queen Victoria proclaimed Hong Kong to be a British crown colony. 1955 - Winston Churchill resigned as British prime minister. 1985 - An estimated 5,000 radio stations around the world simultaneously played the song "We Are the World." 1998 - The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan opened becoming the largest suspension bridge in the world. It links Shikoku and Honshu. The bridge cost about $3.8 billion. ______________________________________________________ "To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment." --George Edward Woodberry

Today is...
National Cordon Bleu Day

Did you know that “cordon bleu” means “blue ribbon” in French? In the 1500s, the Order of the Knights of the Holy Spirit became known as “Les Cordon Bleus.” The knights used a blue ribbon to hang their talisman, and eventually the term became associated with distinction and honor. Today, we still award blue ribbons for excellence!
In the culinary world, cordon bleu is a savory roulade dish made with chicken (or veal), ham, and Swiss cheese. Contrary to popular belief, chicken cordon bleu did not originate at Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts school. As with most dishes, it evolved over time and first appeared in America during the 1960s.
To celebrate National Cordon Bleu Day, cook up some delicious chicken cordon bleu for your family to enjoy tonight! Bon appétit! 

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 4 1581 - Frances Drake completed the circumnavigation of the world. 1818 - The U.S. flag was declared to have 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars and that a new star would be added for the each new state. 1850 - The city of Los Angeles was incorporated. 1917 - The U.S. Senate voted 90-6 to enter World War I on the Allied side. 1949 - Twelve nations signed a treaty to create The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 1960 - Elvis Presley recorded "Are You Lonesome Tonight." 1974 - Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth's home-run record with 714. ______________________________________________________ "Fear is static that prevents me from hearing myself." --Samuel Butler

Today is...
World Party Day

World Party Day (or P-Day) is a synchronized global celebration that seeks to make the world a better place. The motto for this holiday is “Party is the opposite of War.” The idea behind it is that we can only create a better reality by taking positive action and celebrating life (instead of passively promoting peace).
The first World Party Day (known as World Party I) took place on April 3, 1996. The novel Flight by Vanna Bonta inspired the event. The story ends with a countdown to a mass celebration where all of humanity is united. Readers took the idea and organized a real worldwide party!
To celebrate World Party Day, throw a party, attend a party, enjoy some laughs, and just have fun! We have a good idea about where you can start planning your next celebration!

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Today is also National Chocolate Mousse Day

 
April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 3 1862 - Slavery was abolished in Washington, DC. 1953 - "TV Guide" was published for the first time. 1955 - Fred Astaire appeared on television for the first time on "The Toast of the Town," with host, Ed Sullivan. 1965 - "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh's was released. 1968 - Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "mountaintop" speech just 24 hours before he was assassinated. ______________________________________________________ "Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better." --John Updike

Today is...
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

Did you know that the average American consumes 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the age of 18? The combination of sweet jelly and salty peanut butter has been a staple in school lunchboxes for over fifty years.
According to one story, American soldiers invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich during World War II. They decided to combine their bread, jelly, and peanut butter rations into a fabulous new treat. When the soldiers returned home after the war, peanut butter and jelly sales soared.
To celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, make this iconic American sandwich for lunch!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 2 1513 - Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed in Florida. 1956 - "The Edge of Night" and "As the World Turns" debuted on CBS-TV. 1963 - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King began the first non-violent campaign in Birmingham, AL. 1967 - The Beatles finished recording the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." 1978 - "Dallas" premiered on CBS-TV. ______________________________________________________  "If you treat an individual as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Today is...
April Fools' Day

Beware of practical jokes, pranks, and tricks! Although it’s been celebrated for hundreds of years, no one really knows how the tradition of April Fools’ Day began. According to one theory, when France officially adopted the Roman calendar in the 1500s many rural communities continued to celebrate New Year’s Day in April. The people in these small villages became known as the “April fools.”
There are many famous (and infamous) April Fools’ Day jokes. In 1957, the BBC ran a very successful fake documentary that explained to viewers how spaghetti is grown on spaghetti trees. Many people actually believed it! In 1996, the Taco Bell Corporation took out full-page ads in six major newspapers announcing that it had purchased the Liberty Bell. Hundreds of enraged citizens called to protest the newly named “Taco Liberty Bell.” The company waited a few hours before admitting that it was a practical joke.
To celebrate April Fools’ Day, send a free April Fools’ Day eCard, play a trick on someone you know, and watch out for pranks played on you!

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Today is also National Sourdough Bread Day
 
April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 1 1621 - The Plymouth, Massachusetts, colonists created the first treaty with Native Americans. 1748 - The ruins of Pompeii were found. 1778 - Oliver Pollock, a New Orleans businessman, created the "$" symbol. 1976 - Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" was released. 1982 - The U.S. transferred the Canal Zone to Panama. 1985 - The "We Are the World" album was released. 1992 - Players began the first strike in the 75-year history of the National Hockey League (NHL). ______________________________________________________ "It is good to act 'as if'. It is even better to grow to a point where it is no longer an act." --Charles Holton