Today is...
Martin Luther King Day!

On this day we celebrate the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and equality for all.
President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law on November 2, 1983—fifteen years after the assassination of the civil rights leader. A congressman from Michigan introduced the legislation just a few months after Dr. King’s death in 1968, but it took years of petitions, politics, and personal appeals from Coretta Scott King to get it passed.
Martin Luther King Day is celebrated every year on the third Monday in January. There are only two other federal holidays that honor individuals—Washington’s Birthday (also known as Presidents Day) and Columbus Day.
Today, take a moment to honor Dr. King’s work and reflect on his dream for America. Find out how you can participate in the national day of service and volunteer on Martin Luther King Day.

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Today is also National Cheese Lover's Day & National Buttercrunch Day & Penguin Awareness Day

January is Get Organized Month & National Oatmeal Month

 This week is Sundance Film Festival & Slam Dance Week
 

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History for January 20th 1783 - Great Britain signs preliminary peace treaty ending American Revolutionary War 1920 - American Civil Liberties Union Founded 1942 - Japanese invade Burma 1949 -  President Truman announces his Point Four program   1981 -  Ronald Reagan inaugurated as President ______________________________________________________ "We make our fortunes, and we call them fate." -- Earl of Beaconsfield

Today is...
National Cake Day!

On this day, we celebrate one of the world’s favorite desserts—cake. The cake we know and love today evolved from early leavened breads, which were sweetened with honey, fruit, and nuts. Did you know that the word “cake” comes from the Old Norse word, “kaka,” meaning a baked flour confection?
Whether you prefer vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, or even the pineapple-upside-down variety, grab a slice of your favorite cake to celebrate this delicious day! Happy National Cake Day!

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November is Family Literacy Month & National Pet Adoption Month & National Pomegranate Month & Peanut Butter Lover's Month

This week is National Game & Puzzle Week

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History for November 26th 1825 -  1st fraternity forms: Kappa Alpha Soc. 1842 - The University of Notre Dame is founded. 1922 - Archaeologists enter King Tut's tomb. 1941 - FDR's modern Thanksgiving holiday   1990 - Delta II rocket's maiden flight. ______________________________________________________ "When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself." --  Isaac Bashevis Singer

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

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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...
National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

An insurance salesman named Harry Baker invented chiffon cake in the 1920s. He sold his cakes to the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles and all of Hollywood fell in love with the dessert’s lighter-than-air texture. Baker carefully guarded the recipe for over twenty years before selling it to General Mills (home of the Betty Crocker brand) for an undisclosed amount.
The recipe for chiffon cake debuted in a 1948 edition of Better Homes and Gardens. General Mills marketed it as “the first new cake in 100 years” and it quickly became a nationwide sensation. The secret recipe called for vegetable oil instead of butter or shortening, and instructed the baker to beat the egg whites and egg yolks separately.
There are many flavors of chiffon cake including chocolate, orange, walnut, maple, and today’s reason to celebrate, lemon! To celebrate National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day, try baking a delicious lemon chiffon cake for your family tonight!

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March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

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History for March 29 1848 - Niagara Falls stopped flowing for one day due to an ice jam. 1932 - Jack Benny made his radio debut. 1943 - U.S. rationing of meat, butter and cheese began during World War II. 1962 - Jack Paar made his final appearance on the "Tonight" show. 1967 - France launched its first nuclear submarine. 1976 - In Memphis, Bruce Springsteen jumped a fence at Graceland in an attempt to see his idol, Elvis Presley. ______________________________________________________ "The greatest danger, that of losing one's own self, may pass off as quietly as if it were nothing; every other loss, that of an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc., is sure to be noticed." --Soren Kierkegaard

Today is...
Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day

 What country music song always puts a smile on your face? Perhaps it’s Johnny Cash's "Every Time I Itch I Wind Up Scratching You," Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," or Homer & Jethro's "She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart." Today is the day to pay tribute to these unique songs!
Country music evolved from Appalachian folk music in the 1920s and became a nationwide sensation in the 1940s. The Grand Ole Opry radio station in Nashville, Tennessee began broadcasting weekly concerts that showcased all the different genres of country music—hillbilly, honky-tonk, bluegrass, western, rockabilly, gospel, and more.
In honor of today’s Reason to Celebrate, put on your cowboy hat, get out your banjo, and belt out your favorite quirky country music song!

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Today is also Holi 
 
March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

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History for March 27 1836 - The first Mormon temple was dedicated in Kirtland, OH. 1860 - The corkscrew was patented by M.L. Byrn. 1986 - Sammy Hagar played his first show as lead singer of Van Halen. 1987 - U2 filmed their video "Where the Streets Have No Name" on a rooftop in L.A. ______________________________________________________ "Remember that there is only one important time and that is now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person you are with, who is right before you, for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future? The most important pursuit is making the person at your side happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life." --Thich Nhat Hanh

Today is...
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

If you’ve been following our daily Reasons to Celebrate, then you know how many interesting and unique holidays there are in the world. Today is your chance to make one up!
Establishing an official national holiday is not an easy process. For example, in the 1800s Sarah Josepha Hale decided that our nation should observe a national day of thanks. She wrote countless letters to politicians, governors, and even the president. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln agreed to Hale’s proposal, but Thanksgiving did not become an official national holiday until 1941!
To celebrate Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, come up with a creative, meaningful, or quirky idea for a holiday. Invite friends and family over tonight for its first annual celebration!

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March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

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History for March 26 1804 - The Louisiana Purchase was divided into the District of Louisiana and the Territory of Orleans. 1965 - It was announced that Jeff Beck would take Eric Clapton's place in the Yardbirds. 1972 - The Los Angeles Lakers broke a National Basketball Association record by winning 69 of their 82 games. 1989 - The first free elections took place in the Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin was elected. ______________________________________________________ "The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and change amid order." --Alfred North Whitehead

Today is...
National French Bread Day

Today is National French Bread Day! French bread, also known as a baguette, is a crusty loaf baked in a long, thin shape. The French have been making long sticks of bread since at least the mid-eighteenth century, but the baguette didn’t become an iconic symbol of French cuisine until the twentieth century. A new law passed in 1920 banned workers from beginning their shift before 4am, which made it difficult for French bakers to have fresh bread ready for their customers in the morning. They turned to the fast-baking baguette for a solution, and soon it became a part of daily life.
While the baguette claims the title of “French bread,” France produces many other famous types of bread including: croissants, brioche, pain de campagne, batard, pain de mie, and fougasse. To celebrate National French Bread Day, buy or bake a delicious loaf of fresh French bread to share with your family!

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March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

This week is American Chocolate Week & National Spring Fever Week & National Wildlife Week

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History for March 21 1859 - In Philadelphia, the first Zoological Society was incorporated. 1970 - "ABC" by the Jackson Five was released. 1994 - Wayne Gretzky tied Gordie Howe's NHL record of 801 goals. _______________________________________________________ "Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity." --R.I. Fitzhenry

Today is...
National Chocolate Caramel Day

 The union of chocolate and caramel is arguably one of the greatest flavor combinations ever conceived by man. These two ingredients appear in countless candy bars, ice cream flavors, confections, and desserts.
Did you know that Milton Hershey began his career at a caramel company? In the late 1800s he began experimenting with ways to improve caramel candy and found some German-built machines for manufacturing chocolate. His attention would eventually shift completely to chocolate, but Hershey’s first product was a chocolate-covered caramel!
To celebrate National Chocolate Caramel Day, enjoy some of your favorite goodies made with chocolate and caramel. Enjoy!

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March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

This week is American Chocolate Week & National Spring Fever Week & National Wildlife Week

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History for March 19 1822 - The city of Boston, Massachusetts, was incorporated. 1918 - The U.S. Congress approved Daylight-Saving Time. 1957 - Elvis Presley bought the mansion he called Graceland. 1964 - Sean Connery began shooting his role in "Goldfinger." 1977 - The last episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" aired. 1991 - Brett Hull, of the St. Louis Blues, became the third National Hockey League (NHL) player to score 80 goals in a season. ________________________________________________________ "Since the mind is a specific bio-computer, it needs specific instructions and directions. The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever consider them as believable or achievable." --Denis Waitley

Today is...
Oatmeal Cookie Day

Oatmeal cookies have been around since the late 1800s. They originated in England, and evolved from the savory oatcake. In the Middle Ages, soldiers carried oatcakes with them in case they needed a quick boost of energy during battle. Although our modern-day version is much sweeter, oatcakes and oatmeal cookies share many of the same ingredients including spices, nuts, and raisins.
Oats are an excellent source of iron and fiber, which explains why oatmeal cookies are the healthiest type of cookie! Make a batch today to celebrate Oatmeal Cookie Day!

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March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

This week is American Chocolate Week & National Spring Fever Week & National Wildlife Week

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History for March 18 1813 - David Melville patented the gas streetlight. 1834 - The first railroad tunnel in the U.S. was completed. The work was in Pennsylvania. 1911 - Theodore Roosevelt opened the Roosevelt Dam in Arizona. It was the largest dam in the U.S. at the time. 1945 - Maurice "Rocket" Richard became the first National Hockey League (NHL) player to score 50 goals. 1997 - Yanni became the first western composer/performer to play at the Taj Mahal in India. ________________________________________________________ "The true way to soften one’s troubles is to solace those of others." --Mme. De Maintenon

Today is...
Ear Muffs Day

A fifteen-year-old boy from Maine named Chester Greenwood invented ear muffs in 1873. According to one legend, Chester liked to go skating at a nearby pond but couldn’t find a way to keep his ears warm. Everything he tried was either too bulky or too itchy, so he came up with the “Greenwood Champion Ear Protectors.” In 1877 Chester patented his invention and opened a successful factory. People have been wearing ear muffs ever since.
While you may or may not need your ear muffs in March, everyone can celebrate this iconic winter accessory. Sport a pair today in honor of Ear Muffs Day!

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Today is also Coconut Torte Day & Registered Dietitian Day

March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

This week is Teen Tech Week

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History for March 13 1781 - Sir William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. 1877 - Chester Greenwood patented the earmuff. 1901 - Andrew Carnegie announced that he was retiring from business and that he would spend the rest of his days giving away his fortune. His net worth was estimated at $300 million. 1972 - "The Merv Griffin Show" debuted in syndication for Metromedia Television. 1997 - Sister Nirmala was chosen by India's Missionaries of Charity to succeed Mother Teresa as leader of the Catholic order. ________________________________________________________ "It is not length of life, but depth of life." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is...
Girl Scout Day

Today is Girl Scout Day! On this day in 1912, Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled a group of eighteen girls from Savannah, Georgia for the first ever Girl Scout meeting. Low believed that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. She organized service projects, outdoor adventures, and enrichment programs to get girls out of the house and into the community.
Today, over 3.2 million girls and adults are active Girl Scout members, and over 50 million women are Girl Scout alumnae. According to the mission statement of the organization, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
In honor of Girl Scout Day, take a moment to recognize and celebrate all that Girl Scouts of the USA has done for local communities across the country!

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Today is also National Baked Scallops Day

March is National Peanut Month & International Ideas Month & National Craft Month

This week is Teen Tech Week

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History for March 12 1609 - The Bermuda Islands became an English colony. 1789 - The U.S. Post Office was established. 1879 - The British Zulu War began. 1894 - Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time. 1933 - U.S. President Roosevelt presented his first presidential address to the nation. It was the first of the "Fireside Chats." 1957 - Buddy Holly and the Crickets recorded "Maybe Baby." ________________________________________________________ "This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can." --George Bernard Shaw