Today is...

National Piña Colada Day

It’s Piña Colada Day! You don’t need to be on a beach to enjoy this refreshing tropical cocktail. No matter where you are in the world, a piña colada is a great way to sit back, relax, and enjoy a little taste of the summer.

Did you know that piña coladas originated in San Juan, Puerto Rico? The term, "piña colada" means "strained pineapple" in Spanish, which makes perfect sense. A traditional recipe calls for pineapple juice, light rum, and coconut cream poured over crushed ice.

If you like piña coladas (“and getting caught in the rain!”) fix yourself an ice cold drink, top it with a mini umbrella, and celebrate National Piña Colada Day!

Today is also Teddy Bear Picnic Day

 
July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month


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History for July 10  1913 - The highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was 134 degrees in Death Valley, CA. 1925 - The official news agency of the Soviet Union, TASS, was established. 1940 - The 114-day Battle of Britain began during World War II. 1962 - The Telstar Communications satellite was launched. The satellite relayed TV and telephone signals between Europe and the U.S. 1985 - Coca-Cola resumed selling the old formula of Coke, it was renamed "Coca-Cola Classic." It was also announced that they would continue to sell "New" Coke. 1991 - Boris Yeltsin took the oath of office as the first elected president of the Russian republic. _________________________________________________________ "It is not in doing what you like, but liking what you do that is the secret of happiness." --James M. Barrie

Today is...

National Sugar Cookie Day

It’s National Sugar Cookie Day! Today, we honor a cookie that is simple and straightforward, but totally delicious. Traditional sugar cookie recipes call for just six ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, and baking powder.

Although sugar cookies by themselves can be quite plain, they are incredibly versatile. Use cookie cutters to create shaped sugar cookies, and top them with frosting or sprinkles. You can also make cookie sandwiches with two sugar cookies and fillings like marshmallow, melted chocolate, or jam.

To celebrate National Sugar Cookie Day, make a batch of homemade sugar cookies to share with friends and coworkers. Provide a variety of interesting decorations and let everyone personalize their bite-sized dessert!

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month


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History for July 9  1540 - England's King Henry VIII had his 6-month-old marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, annulled. 1776 - The American Declaration of Independence was read aloud to Gen. George Washington's troops in New York. 1816 - Argentina declared independence from Spain. 1872 - The doughnut cutter was patented by John F. Blondel. 1878 - The corncob pipe was patented by Henry Tibbe. 1968 - The first All-Star baseball game to be played indoors took place at the Astrodome in Houston, TX. 1985 - Joe Namath, signed a five-year pact with ABC-TV to provide commentary for "Monday Night Football." _________________________________________________________ "The tragedy of life is not in the fact of death. The tragedy of life is in what dies inside a man while he lives--the death of genuine feeling, the death of inspired response; the death of awareness that makes it possible to feel the pain or the glory of other men in oneself....No man need fear death: he need fear only that he may die without having known his greatest power--the power of his free will to give his life for others." --Albert Schweitzer

Today is...

National Fried Chicken Day

It’s National Fried Chicken Day! Today we honor a finger-licking American favorite. To make this flavorful delight, smother a piece of chicken in batter and fry it. The result is a savory treat that’s crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Yum! 

American fried chicken has its roots in the Southern United States, but Europeans have been eating fried chicken since the Middle Ages! During that time period, cooks discovered that covering meat in flour and spices before cooking it helped seal in the flavor and made it more portable.

National Fried Chicken Day is a great time to try out a new recipe or to visit your local KFC. Better yet, get your friends in on the fun and plan a backyard picnic! Corn, mashed potatoes, and biscuits are all great accompaniments for fried chicken. Dig in!

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month


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History for July 6  1885 - Louis Pasteur successfully tested his anti-rabies vaccine. The child used in the test later became the director of the Pasteur Institute. 1923 - The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was established. 1928 - "The Lights of New York" was previewed in New York's Strand Theatre. It was the first all-talking movie. 1933 - The first All-Star baseball game was held in Chicago. The American League beat the National League 4-2. 1945 - Nicaragua became the first nation to formally accept the United Nations Charter. 1964 - The Beatles' first film, "A Hard Day's Night," premiered in London. 1984 - The Jacksons began their Victory Tour in Kansas City, MO. 1985 - Martina Navratilova won her 4th consecutive Wimbledon singles title. _________________________________________________________ "For people to live, they must learn to kneel." --Fyodor Dostoevsky

Today is...

Workaholics Day

Today is Workaholics Day! By definition, a “workaholic” is a person addicted to their work. While dedication is certainly an admirable trait, a healthy work-life balance is also important.

For all the workaholics of the world, today is the day to step back and take it easy. If you fall into this category, take an afternoon nap, read a book, or spend a few hours watching videos on YouTube. You’ll have plenty of time to finish your work tomorrow!

For everyone else, today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the workaholics in your life and to recognize all they have accomplished. To celebrate Workaholics Day, arrive at the office a little earlier than usual and tackle a project that you’ve been avoiding. Happy Workaholics Day!

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month


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History for July 5  1811 - Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain. 1865 - William Booth founded the Salvation Army in London. 1941 - German troops reached the Dnieper River in the Soviet Union. 1946 - The bikini bathing suit, created by Louis Reard, made its debut during a fashion show at the Molitor Pool in Paris. Micheline Bernardini wore the two-piece outfit. 1950 - U.S. forces engaged the North Koreans for the first time at Osan, South Korea. 1954 - Elvis Presley's first commercial recording session took place in Memphis, TN. He recorded "That's All Right (Mama)" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." 1975 - Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Wimbledon singles title when he defeated Jimmy Connors. _________________________________________________________ "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’" --Hohn Greenleaf Whittier

Today is...

Independence Day

Today is Independence Day! On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This historic document severed all ties with Great Britain and established many of our nation’s fundamental principles of freedom, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, but four other delegates assisted him. Among them was John Adams. Both Adams and Jefferson later served as President of the United States, and both men passed away on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of our nation’s birth.

To celebrate the 4th of July, send a free eCard to friends and family, host a cookout, or watch your local fireworks display! Happy Birthday America!

 

Today is also National Country Music Day

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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History for July 4  1776 - The amended Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, was approved and signed by John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress in America. 1802 - The U.S. Military Academy officially opened at West Point, NY. 1895 - The song "America the Beautiful" was first published. 1934 - Boxer Joe Louis won his first professional fight. 1939 - Lou Gehrig retired from major league baseball. 1955 - The first king cobra snakes born in captivity in the U.S. hatched at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. 1970 - Casey Kasem hosted radio’s "American Top 40" for the first time. 1997 - The Mars Pathfinder, an unmanned spacecraft, landed on Mars. _________________________________________________________ "The essence of personal mastery is learning how to generate and sustain creative tension in our lives." --Peter M. Senge

Today is...
Eat Beans Day

Today is Eat Beans Day! Did you know that beans have more fiber than most whole grain foods? They are also high in protein and very low in fat, which makes them one of the most heart-healthy foods known to man. The USDA recommends that adults eat at least three cups of beans every week, which is about three times more than the average person usually consumes.

There are thousands of different bean varieties. Some of the most popular include: soybeans, lima beans, pinto beans, green beans, black beans, white beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, and black-eyed peas.

To celebrate Eat Beans Day, cook up your favorite bean recipe for dinner tonight! If you don’t have one handy, check out these recipes for easy baked beans or Thai black bean salad.

 

Today is also National Chocolate Wafer Day

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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History for July 3  1775 - U.S. Gen. George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, MA. 1863 - The U.S. Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, PA, ended after three days. It was a major victory for the North as Confederate troops retreated. 1901 - The Wild Bunch, led by Butch Cassidy, committed its last American robbery near Wagner, MT. They took $65,000 from a Great Northern train. 1912 - Rube Marquand of the New York Giants set a baseball pitching record when earned his 19th consecutive win. 1940 - Bud Abbott and Lou Costello debuted on NBC radio. 1971 - Jim Morrison (Doors) died in Paris at age 27. _________________________________________________________ "Resolve to be thyself; and know that who finds himself, loses his misery." --Matthew Arnold

Today is...
World UFO Day

Today is World UFO Day! People have been reporting UFO sightings since the beginning of recorded history. UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) became a major topic in pop culture after World War II, around the same time that the United States and Russia began experimenting with rocketry. Over the years, there have been a number of governmental investigations into UFO reports, but none of them has resulted in any significant evidence.

The possibility of life beyond our planet is thrilling to imagine, so it’s no surprise that aliens have become a common subject in our modern-day books and films. To celebrate World UFO Day, invite friends and family over to watch a science fiction movie! Choose a classic film like Star Wars, Signs, E.T., Contact, or Independence Day. If science fiction movies aren't your thing, dream up some intergalactic crafts or baking projects to make today, like a UFO-shaped cake. Happy World UFO Day!

 

Today is also I Forgot Day

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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History for July 2  1850 - B.J. Lane patented the gas mask. 1937 - American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart disappeared in the Central Pacific during an attempt to fly around the world at the equator. 1956 - Elvis Presley recorded "Hound Dog" and "Don’t Be Cruel." 1976 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the death penalty was not inherently cruel or unusual. 1976 - North Vietnam and South Vietnam were reunited. 1984 - Epic Records set a record as two million copies of the Jacksons’ "Victory" were shipped to stores. It was the first time that such a large initial shipment had been made. _________________________________________________________ "The greatest support we can have is mindfulness, which means being totally present in each moment. If the mind remains centered, it cannot make up stories about the injustice of the world or one's friends, or about one's desires or sorrows. Being mindful means being fully absorbed in the moment, leaving no room for anything else. We are filled with the momentary happening, whatever it is--standing or sitting or lying down, feeling pleasure or pain--and we maintain a nonjudgmental awareness, a 'just knowing.'" --Ayya Khema