Today is...

International Firefighters Day

Today is International Firefighters Day. Firefighters Day became a worldwide celebration in 1999. On January 4th of that year, a tragic wildfire claimed the lives of five firefighters in Australia. Soon after the event, a firefighter named JJ Edmondson sent an email to his colleagues calling for an international holiday that would honor the sacrifices and triumphs of firefighters everywhere. On May 4th people all over the world celebrated the first International Firefighters Day.

Did you know that May 4th is also the feast day of Saint Florian? According to legend, Saint Florian saved an entire burning village in Ancient Rome with a single bucket of water. He is the patron saint of chimney sweeps and firefighters, so it is fitting that we celebrate International Firefighters Day on this particular date.

The symbol for International Firefighters Day is a red and blue ribbon. The color red symbolizes fire and the blue represents water. These colors also signify emergency services around the world.

To celebrate International Firefighters Day, thank your local firefighters for all that they do to protect your community!

May is National Bike Month & National Strawberry Month & National Hamburger Month

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week

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

History for May 4  1715 - A French manufacturer debuted the first folding umbrella. 1776 - Rhode Island declared its freedom from England two months before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. 1927 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded. 1932 - Al Capone entered the Atlanta Penitentiary federal prison for income-tax evasion. 1964 - "Another World" premiered on NBC-TV. 1976 - KISS performed their first concert in their hometown of New York City. 1979 - Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first woman prime minister. _________________________________________________________ "There is no duty we so underrated as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world." --Robert Louis Stevenson

Today is...

National Two Different Colored Shoes Day

It’s National Two Different Colored Shoes Day! For 364 days a year, most people wear matching footwear, but today is your excuse to step outside the box.

Dr. Arlene Kaiser created National Two Different Colored Shoes Day to recognize and celebrate human diversity. According to Dr. Kaiser, the simple act of wearing two different colored shoes proclaims your individuality. By taking this “positive risk,” you can demonstrate your willingness to be different, and show your appreciation for the unique people in your life.

Wearing two different colored shoes can be as simple as wearing a black shoe and a brown shoe, or as outrageous as wearing a flip-flop and a boot. However you decide to express yourself today, do so with pride! Happy National Two Different Colored Shoes Day!

May is National Bike Month & National Strawberry Month & National Hamburger Month

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week

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

History for May 3  1802 - Washington, DC, was incorporated as a city. 1921 - West Virginia imposed the first state sales tax. 1937 - Margaret Mitchell won a Pulitzer Prize for "Gone with the Wind." 1971 - New York City's Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center announced that it would begin presenting rock, pop and jazz concerts as well as classical. 1976 - Paul McCartney made his first American stage appearance in 10 years. The "Wings Over America" tour began in Ft. Worth, TX. _________________________________________________________ "Life is what we are alive to. It is not length but breadth. To be alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, money-making, and not to goodness, kindness, purity, love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hope is to be all but dead." --Maltbie D. Babcock

Today is...

National Truffle Day

It’s National Truffle Day! According to legend, a man named Louis Dufour invented the chocolate truffle in Chambéry, France in 1895. A few years later, Antoine Dufour opened the Prestat Chocolate Shop in London. Historians believe this chocolate shop was solely responsible for popularizing chocolate truffles in England (and beyond), but the relationship between Louis and Antoine is uncertain. Fun fact: Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was a huge fan of Prestat truffles!

The first recipes for chocolate truffles appeared in the 1920s. Today there are three main types—American, European, and Swiss. Each type of truffle has a slightly different twist, but they all include a creamy ganache filling and a topping like cocoa, coconut, or drizzled chocolate.

To celebrate National Truffle Day, stop by your local candy shop and pick up a variety of delicious chocolate truffles!

May is National Bike Month & National Strawberry Month & National Hamburger Month

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week

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

History for May 2  1670 - The Hudson Bay Company was founded by England's King Charles II. 1776 - France and Spain agreed to donate arms to American rebels fighting the British. 1885 - "Good Housekeeping" was first published. 1932 - Jack Benny's first radio show debuted on NBC Radio. 1941 - The Federal Communications Commission agreed to let regular scheduling of TV broadcasts by commercial TV stations begin on July 1, 1941. This was the start of network television. 1974 - The filming of "Jaws" began in Martha's Vineyard, MA. 1994 - Nelson Mandela claimed victory after South Africa's first democratic elections. _________________________________________________________ "The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose." --William Cowper