Today is...
World Population Day!

There are billions of people who live on this planet, but the growth of the Earth’s population has caused many social and environmental problems. Poverty and hunger are two of the key issues.
The UN established World Population Day to raise public awareness about the challenges we face. The goal is to get people around the world to help those who are negatively affected by population growth. It’s hard for one person to bring about a solution that will influence the entire world, but if every individual tries to make a difference in his or her local community, worldwide change is attainable.
Today, volunteer your time at a soup kitchen, donate to your local food pantry, or talk to your friends about the problems at hand. To find out more about World Population Day, visit the official website. You can make a difference!

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Today is also National Blueberry Muffin Day & All American Pet Photo Day

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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History for July 11 1798 - The U.S. Marine Corps was formally re-established by "An Act for Establishing a Marine Corps" passed by the U.S. Congress. The act also created the U.S. Marine Band. The Marines were first commissioned by the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. 1914 - Babe Ruth debuted in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox. 1918 - Enrico Caruso recorded "Over There" written by George M. Cohan. 1985 - Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros became the first major league pitcher to earn 4,000 strikeouts in a career. 2000 - Lars Ulrich (Metallica) was the first witness to testify at a U.S. Senate hearing over copyright law issues concerning free sharing of music files on Web sites such as Napster and MP3.com. ______________________________________________________ "At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique human being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time." --Friedrich Nietzsche

Today is...
National 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!

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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. ______________________________________________________ "A person becomes happy to the same extent to which he or she gives happiness to other people." --Jermey Bentham

Today is... National Sugar Cookie Day!

Today is...
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!

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July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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

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." ______________________________________________________ "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is...

Today is...
Video Game Day!

Today, take some time to appreciate the technological achievements of the video game industry. Think about how far we’ve come since the days of the original Nintendo and Game Boy. Today’s games have advanced special effects and diversified themes that appeal to almost everyone.
Video games aren’t just for kids anymore. In fact, they have become very popular as group activities at parties. People crowd around televisions in homes and dorm rooms to battle their friends in adventure, sports, and music-themed competitions.
To celebrate Video Game Day, invite your friends over for some gaming!

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Today is Chocolate with Almonds Day & Ramadan

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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

History for July 8 1795 - Martin Academy in Washington, TN, changed its name to Washington College. It was the first college to be named after U.S. President George Washington. 1865 - C.E. Barnes patented the machine gun. 1889 - The Wall Street Journal was first published. 1947 - Demolition work began in New York City for the new permanent headquarters of the United Nations. 1953 - Notre Dame announced that the next five years of its football games would be shown in theatres over closed circuit TV. ______________________________________________________ "Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing, and the overtaking and possessing of a wish, discovers the folly of the chase." --William Congreve

Today is... National Chocolate Wafer Day!

Today is...
National Chocolate Wafer Day!

These crispy, sweet snacks are an American favorite. With their waffle surface pattern and thin layers, they can often be found accompanied with ice cream or cooked into other baked goods.
Variations of chocolate wafers can also be found around the world.  Did you know that in Egypt, there are special kinds of wafers called freska that are only sold on the beach in the summertime?
Elsewhere in the world, chocolate wafers are enjoyed as a key ingredient in Oreos, in ice cream sandwiches and countless other recipes.  National Chocolate Wafer Day is truly a global affair!
No matter where or how you are eating your wafers, these delicious treats are truly worth celebrating!

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Today is also Eat Beans Day

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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

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. ______________________________________________________ "A person becomes happy to the same extent to which he or she gives happiness to other people." --Jermey Bentham

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!

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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. ______________________________________________________ "It is the feeling that nothing is worthwhile that makes men ill and unhappy." --Dr. Harold W. Dodds

Today is... Canada Day!

Today is...
Canada Day!

O Canada! Today is Canada Day—the birthday of America’s "Neighbor to the North." On this day in 1867, the Constitution Act united Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada Province (modern-day Quebec and Ontario) into a single country. The Constitution Act of 1867 also granted Canada quite a bit of independence from England. Today, Canadians at home and abroad will celebrate with patriotic barbecues, parades, concerts, and fireworks.
Did you know that some of the greatest inventions of our time have come from Canada? Canadians are responsible for light bulbs, telephones, zippers, egg cartons, snowmobiles, instant mashed potatoes, peanut butter, walkie-talkies, IMAX, Trivial Pursuit, basketball, and ice hockey!
Even if you aren’t Canadian, today is your opportunity to celebrate the great nation of Canada. Host a barbecue for friends and family, watch a movie that stars your favorite Canadian actor, or listen to your favorite Canadian band. Happy Canada Day!

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Today is also International Joke Day & National Ginger Snap Day

July is National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month

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

History for July 1 1847 - The U.S. Post Office issued its first adhesive stamps. 1863 - During the U.S. Civil War, the first day's fighting at Gettysburg began. 1867 - Canada became an independent dominion. 1916 - The massive Allied offensive known as the Battle of the Somme began in France. The battle was the first to use tanks. 1943 - The U.S. Government began automatically withholding federal income tax from paychecks. 1946 - The U.S. exploded a 20-kiloton atomic bomb near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. 1968 - The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty was signed by 60 countries. It limited the spreading of nuclear material for military purposes. On May 11, 1995 the treaty was extended indefinitely. 1997 - The sovereignty over Hong Kong was transferred from Great Britain to China. Britain had controlled Hong Kong as a colony for 156 years. ______________________________________________________ "We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." --Charles Kingsley