Today is Wednesday September 29 2010
32 Days till Halloween
57 Days till Thanksgiving
87 Days till Christmas

National Coffee Day

Today is National Coffee Day! Are you one of the millions who will celebrate? Start by sending a free "Take a Coffee Break" eCard, then find out where you can go to get a free cup of joe. Some local and national businesses will offer free or discounted cups of coffee to celebrate. Participating Dunkin' Donuts, for example, are offering a free cup of coffee and a portion of their sales will be donated to the Special Olympics.

Don't forget to pay attention to social media as some businesses plan to share coupons and specials with their loyal followers. LaMar's Donuts, with locations in six states, plans to celebrate by offering a coupon on Facebook and Twitter for a free 12 oz. coffee!

So, where did coffee come from and how did it get so popular? Coffee dates as far back as the 9th century. It was first discovered in Ethiopia by a goat herder named Kaldi. He noticed the stimulating effects that the coffee berries had on his goats and began to experiment with them.

A century later, coffee began to be roasted and traded by Arabs. From there, the beans entered Indian and European markets and the first coffee shop opened in Constantinople in 1475. The popularity of coffee took off and began to grow at an exponential rate.

Today, over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year. It is a world commodity that is second only to oil. Hot, iced, flavored, decaf, espresso, cappuccino, or latte, there are many ways to enjoy your coffee. Don't forget to take a coffee break (or two) to celebrate this historical and important beverage!

Today is also Confucius Day

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

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

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On this day in History:

1789 - A regular army was established by the U.S. War Department with several hundred men. 1960 - "My Three Sons" debuted on ABC-TV. 1967 - "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" was released by Gladys Knight & the Pips. 1992 - Magic Johnson announced that he was returning to professional basketball. The comeback was ended the following November. 1998 - Hasbro announced plans to introduce an action figure of retired U.S. General Colin Powell.

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Quote of the Day:
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

--Anonymous

Today is Monday September 27 2010
34 Days till Halloween
59 Days till Thanksgiving
89 Days till Christmas

National Chocolate Milk Day

Who doesn't crave a nice, tall glass of frothy chocolate milk? It can be purchased pre-mixed or can be easily made at home using milk and chocolate syrup.

Chocolate milk was first produced in 1828 by Coenraad Johannes Van Houtan in Amsterdam, though the taste back then was of very poor quality. Today, chocolate milk is a favorite beverage for people of all ages to drink.

Here's an interesting tidbit: a study conducted in 2006 by the dairy industry indicates that chocolate milk actually aids athletes in muscle recovery? Providing nine essential nutrients, chocolate milk is both delicious and nutritious to drink!

So go ahead and pour yourself a nice tall glass today to celebrate National Chocolate Milk Day!

Today is also National Corned Beef Hash Day & World Tourism Day

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

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

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On this day in History:

1954 - The "Tonight!" show made its debut on NBC-TV with Steve Allen as host. 1959 - The Japanese island of Honshu was hit by Typhoon Vera. Nearly 5,000 people were killed. 1964 - The Beach Boys appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. They performed "I Get Around." 1983 - Larry Bird signed a seven-year contract with the Boston Celtics worth $15 million. The contract made him the highest paid Celtic in history. 1998 - Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals set a major league baseball record when he hit his 70th home run of the season.

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Quote of the Day:
"We tire of those pleasures we take, but never those we give."

--J. Petit-Senn

Today is Friday September 24 2010
37 Days till Halloween
62 Days till Thanksgiving
95 Days till Christmas

National Cherries Jubilee Day

Mmm...a dessert made with cherries and liqueur, how can you go wrong? Cherries jubilee is typically made with cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and liqueur (kirsch or brandy), then flambeed and served over vanilla ice cream.

The recipe is often credited to Auguste Escoffie who prepared the dish for one of Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations. Whether it was the Golden Jubilee in 1887 or the Diamond Jubilee in 1897, we're not so sure. However, cherries jubilee quickly became a starndard dessert item in America's finest restaurants reaching its peak of popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. 

If you're looking for a dessert for a dinner party (even if it's not on National Cherries Jubilee Day), try making this throwback sure to impress your guests. 

Today is also Native American Day & Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving & National Punctuation Day

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

This week is National Singles Week

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

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On this day in History:

1934 - Babe Ruth played his last game as a New York Yankee player. 1938 - Don Budge became the first tennis player to win all four of the major titles when he won the U.S. Tennis Open. He had already won the Australian Open, the French Open and the British Open. 1955 - Judy Garland made her TV debut on the "Ford Star Jubilee" on CBS. 1961 - "The Bullwinkle Show" premiered in prime time on NBC-TV. The show was originally on ABC in the afternoon as "Rocky and His Friends." 1977 - "The Love Boat" debuted on ABC-TV. 1982 - Prince's "1999" single was released. 1998 - The U.S. Federal Reserve released into circulation $2 billion in new harder-to-counterfeit $20 bills.

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Quote of the Day:
"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want."

--Margaret Young

Today is Thursday September 23 2010
38 Days till Halloween
63 Days till Thanksgiving
96 Days till Christmas

Checkers Day

Checkers Day, also known as Dogs in Politics Day, may not be what you think. If you're a history buff you may know its origins otherwise you will likely learn something new.

On September 23, 1952, Richard Nixon--then candidate for Vice President--gave a speech to address speculation that he was using campaign contributions for personal use. He assured the public that he did not use any of the funds for personal use then went on to say that his daughters received a dog as a gift. They named the dog "Checkers" and the speech became known as the "Checkers" speech. 

In honor of this day, challenge a friend to a game of checkers. Happy Checkers Day!

Today is also Bisexuality Day & Sukkot

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

This week is National Singles Week

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

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On this day in History:

1779 - John Paul Jones, commander of the American warship Bon Homme, was quoted as saying "I have not yet begun to fight!" 1845 - The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York was formed by Alexander Joy Cartwright. It was the first baseball team in America. 1952 - The first Pay Television sporting event took place. The Marciano-Walcott fight was seen in 49 theaters in 31 cities. 1962 - New York's Philharmonic Hall opened. It was the first unit of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The hall was later renamed the Avery Fisher Hall. 1962 - "The Jetsons" premiered on ABC-TV. It was the first program on the network to be carried in color. 1969 - It was reported by "The London Daily Mirror" that Paul McCartney was dead. It was the first time the rumor was printed.

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Quote of the Day:
"Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one's own way to the highest, to one's own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one's ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication."

--Algernon Black

Today is Wednesday September 22 2010
39 Days till Halloween
64 Days till Thanksgiving
97 Days till Christmas

National White Chocolate Day

White chocolate was first invented by Nestle in Switzerland in the 1930s and distributed in the U.S. in 1948. Made of cocoa butter, milk, and sugar, true white chocolate must be at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% total milk solids, 3.5% milk fat, and less than 63% sugar.

Technically, white chocolate isn't even real chocolate according to the Food & Drug Administration because it doesn't contain chocolate liquor, the key ingredient in all chocolates. What you call it doesn't matter to us -- we love the taste of white chocolate and can't wait to celebrate National White Chocolate Day!

Today is also Elephant Appreciation Day & Ice Cream Cone Day & Fall Begins

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

This week is National Singles Week

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

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On this day in History:

1862 - U.S. President Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. It stated that all slaves held within rebel states would be free as of January 1, 1863. 1903 - Italo Marchiony was granted a patent for the ice cream cone. 1966 - The U.S. lunar probe Surveyor 2 crashed into the moon. 1969 - Willie Mays hit his 600th career home run.

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Quote of the Day:
"Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess."

--Oscar Wilde

Today is Tuesday September 21 2010
40 Days till Halloween
65 Days till Thanksgiving
98 Days till Christmas

National Pecan Cookie Day

Pecan cookies are great because there are so many different recipes for these delicious cookies. From butter pecan to caramel pecan to orange pecan to maple pecan, what's your favorite?

There can't possibly be as many pecan cookie recipes, however, as there are varieties of pecans. Did you know there are more than 1,000 varieties! Enjoy National Pecan Cookie Day!

Today is also Minature Golf Day

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

This week is National Singles Week

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

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On this day in History:

1937 - J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" was first published. 1957 - "Perry Mason," the television series, made its debut on CBS-TV. The show was on for 9 years. 1970 - "NFL Monday Night Football" made its debut on ABC-TV. The game was between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns won 31-21. 1976 - The 20th album by the Bee Gees, "Children of the World," was released. 1981 - The U.S. Senate confirmed Sandra Day O'Connor to be the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. 1982 - National Football League (NFL) players began a 57-day strike. It was their first regular-season walkout. 1985 - North and South Korea opened their borders for their family reunion program.

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Quote of the Day:
"All men should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why."

--James Thurber

Today is Monday September 20 2010

Today is Monday September 20 2010
41 Days till Halloween
66 Days till Thanksgiving
99 Days till Christmas

National Punch Day

We might be biased but we think National Punch Day is a great idea! There are so many great punch recipes that you can make on this day and serve in a beautiful punch bowl -- the perfect excuse for a party.

The idea of punch was brought from India to England by sailors and employees of the British East India Company in the early 1600s. In fact the word "punch" actually comes from the Hindi word "panch," which is a drink made from spirit, sugar, lemon, water and tea. From there it was introduced to other countries and today we have hundreds of punch recipes from which to choose.

Happy National Punch Day!

September is National Piano Month & National Organic Harvest Month

This week is National Singles Week

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

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On this day in History:

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.

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Quote of the Day:
"Live as if you would die tomorrow; learn as if you would live forever."

--Mahatma Gandhi