Today is...
National Butterscotch Brownie Day

Butterscotch brownies, also known as “blondies,” are delicious baked goodies that date back to the 19th century. Recipes for these soft, chewy bars most likely evolved from Medieval gingerbread cake recipes. In fact, butterscotch brownies were around for almost a hundred years before chocolate brownies became popular!
To make butterscotch brownies, you need flour, baking powder, salt, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and butterscotch. Popular add-in ingredients include walnuts, pecans, butterscotch pieces, chocolate chips, Nutella, banana, or cranberries. You can also choose to add a topping like chocolate Irish cream frosting or drizzled caramel. Yum!
To celebrate National Butterscotch Brownie Day, make a batch of homemade blondies to share with friends and family!

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This week is Be Kind to Animals Week & National Pet Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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History for May 9 1502 - Christopher Columbus left Spain for his final trip to the Western Hemisphere. 1926 - Americans Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett became the first men to fly an airplane over the North Pole. 1940 - Vivien Leigh debuted in America on stage in "Romeo and Juliet" with Lawrence Olivier. 1944 - Jimmie Davis became the Governor of Louisiana. He wrote "You Are My Sunshine." 1961 - Jim Gentile of the Baltimore Orioles set a major-league baseball record by hitting grand slam home runs in two consecutive innings (against the Minnesota Twins). ______________________________________________________ "Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think." --La Bruyere

Today is...
Have a Coke Day

Coca-Cola is the largest nonalcoholic beverage company in the world, and the classic Coke beverage we all know and love is sold in more than 200 countries. In fact, more than 1.8 billion glasses of Coke are served every day! Coca-Cola was named after the coca leaves that originally provided its flavor. The original Coca-Cola recipe contained 9mg of cocaine per glass. In 1903 Coca-Cola began using a non-narcotic coca leaf extract to provide that distinctive flavor.
John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in the late 1800s and it was originally intended as a patent medicine. The beverage was still largely unknown when he died in 1888. After buying the secret recipe for $2,300, Asa Candler founded the Coca-Cola Company and turned it into a household name.
To celebrate Drink a Coke Day, enjoy a tall glass of your favorite variety of Coca-Cola or plan a cocktail party with your friends to enjoy your favorite Coca-Cola based drinks. Enjoy!

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This week is Be Kind to Animals Week & National Pet Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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History for May 8 1541 - Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River. He called it Rio de Espiritu Santo. 1794 - The United States Post Office was established. 1886 - Pharmacist Dr. John Styth Pemberton invented what would later be called "Coca-Cola." 1970 - The Beatles album "Let it Be" was released. 1977 - Olivia Newton-John made her New York City debut with a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. ______________________________________________________ "Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." --Reggie Leach

Today is...
National Teacher Day

It’s National Teacher Day! Have you ever had a teacher who inspired you, challenged you, or even changed the course of your life? Today is the day to show your appreciation for all the remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to teaching. Send a free Teacher Day eCard to express your thanks and appreciation!
In 1944, an Arkansas teacher named Mattye Whyte Woodridge began a campaign to establish a national day that would honor teachers. Woodridge wrote letters to politicians, education leaders, and eventually the first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1953, Mrs. Roosevelt convinced Congress to proclaim the first National Teacher Day.
Today, the National Education Association sponsors an entire Teacher Appreciation Week, which is full of events and activities. Learn more about the campaign on the official website.
To celebrate National Teacher Day, participate in one of the projects and take a moment to honor the remarkable individuals who have taught you or your children over the years!

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Today is also National Roast Leg of Lamb Day

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week & National Pet Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 7 1789 - The first U.S. Presidential Inaugural Ball was held in New York City. 1847 - The AMA (American Medical Association) was organized in Philadelphia, PA. 1940 - Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister. 1945 - Baseball owner Branch Rickey announced the organization of the United States Negro Baseball League. There were 6 teams. 1955 - "Rock Around The Clock" was released by Bill Haley & His Comets. 1968 - Reginald Dwight decided to change his name to Elton John. 1994 - The Edvard Munch painting "The Scream" was recovered after being stolen 3 months earlier from an Oslo Museum. ______________________________________________________ "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." --Winston Churchill

Today is...
National Nurses Day

 Today is the first day of Nurses Week, which begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12 (Florence Nightingale’s birthday). Today we celebrate the contributions and commitments that nurses make each and every day.
In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland, an employee at the United States Department of Health, sent a letter to President Eisenhower proposing a National Nurses Day. Although Eisenhower did not make an official proclamation, people began celebrating Nurses Day the following year. Twenty years later, President Nixon made it an official holiday.
Today’s celebrations usually include banquets, award dinners, educational seminars, and community events. Participate in the activities taking place in your town, and remember to thank all the nurses in your life for their amazing work and dedication! Happy National Nurses Day!

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Today is also National Crepes Suzette Day



This week is Be Kind to Animals Week & National Pet Week

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

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

History for May 6 1835 - James Gordon Bennett published the "New York Herald" for the first time. 1840 - The first adhesive postage stamps went on sale in Great Britain. 1915 - Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run while playing for the Boston Red Sox. 1946 - The New York Yankees became the first major league baseball team to travel by plane. ______________________________________________________ "A man is only as good as what he loves." --Saul Bellow

Today is...
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!

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This week is Be Kind to Animals Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

images 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. ______________________________________________________ "What people really need and demand from life is not wealth, comfort, or esteem but games worth playing. He who cannot find a game worth playing is apt to fall prey to accidie -- paralysis of the will, a failure of appetite, a condition of generalized boredom, total disenchantment -- 'God, of God, how weary, stale, flat and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world!'” --Robert S. De Ropp

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!

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This week is Be Kind to Animals Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

images 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. ______________________________________________________ "There is only one success -- to be able to spend your life in your own way." --Christopher Morley

Today is...
May Day

People have been celebrating the first of May for hundreds of years, but for two very different reasons. Our modern observances have both “green roots” and “red roots.” For some people, May Day is a celebration of spring—a tradition that comes from the Pagan festival of Beltane. (These are the “green” traditions.) For others, May Day is a celebration of workers’ rights, marked by rallies, parades, and marches. In 1958, President Eisenhower declared that the second type of May Day celebrations were communist (hence, the name “red roots”), and created a new holiday called Law Day to take its place.
One of the most popular May Day traditions is the maypole dance, which was created by the ancient druids of the British Isles. During the Beltane festival, people performed a circle dance around a pole. The dance evolved over the years to include the ribbons and standard weaving patterns we still use today.
Celebrate the rich history of May Day by attending a May Day festival, listening to traditional maypole music, or bringing a bouquet of May Day flowers to a loved one!

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Today is also Global Love Day

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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History for May 1 1486 - Christopher Columbus convinced Queen Isabella to fund an expedition to the West Indies. 1707 - England, Wales and Scotland were united to form Great Britain. 1883 - William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) had his first Wild West Show. 1931 - The Empire State Building in New York was dedicated and opened. It is 102 stories tall and was the tallest building in the world at the time. 1974 - The Carpenters performed at U.S. President Nixon's request at a White House dinner for West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. 1979 - Elton John became the first pop music star to perform in Israel. ______________________________________________________ Act as if the future of the Universe depends on what you do, while laughing at yourself for thinking that your actions make any difference. --Buddhist Teaching