Today is...
Microwave Oven Day!

In 1942, a man named Dr. Percy Spencer was testing the magnetron and discovered that the candy bar in his pocket had melted. He conducted a series of tests and concluded that microwave energy caused food to cook much faster than the heat from a conventional oven. The first microwave oven (which was called the “Radarange”) made its debut in the late 1940s. It stood over six feet tall and weighed over 700 pounds!
Today, over 90% of American households own a microwave oven. In fact, there is an entire food industry based on this one appliance. Just think of everything you can cook in the microwave—frozen meals, leftovers, popcorn, “mug brownies,” and much more.
To celebrate Microwave Oven Day, pick up your favorite microwaveable meal for dinner tonight! Bon appétit!

____________________________________________

Today is also National Gazpacho Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

History for December 6th 1790 -  The U.S. Congress moves from New York City to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1865 - The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, banning slavery. 1956 - Nelson Mandela and 156 others arrested for political activities in S Africa 1967 - Number one hit on UK music charts - The Beatles - Hello Goodbye   2009 - Archaeologists discover evidence of mass cannibalism in Europe during the Neolithic period at a 7,000 year old burial site in Germany. ______________________________________________________ "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." --  Aristotle

Today is...
Repeal Day!

Today is the anniversary of the day that the United States repealed the 18th Amendment, restoring the right to purchase and consume alcohol.
The 18th Amendment, which was ratified on January 16, 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor throughout the United States. Prohibition led to widespread disrespect for the law. New York City alone had about 30,000 speakeasies by 1927! Eventually, many influential and respected citizens including John D. Rockefeller Jr. came forward and organized a counter movement. The 21st Amendment ending Prohibition was ratified on December 5, 1933.
Repeal Day is a celebration of the balance of power in the United States and of the individual freedom that allows each American citizen to choose whether or not to drink alcohol. Learn more about the history of this holiday.

____________________________________________

Today is also International Volunteer Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

History for December 5th 0771 -  Charlemagne becomes the sole King of the Franks after the death of his brother Carloman. 1893 - First appearance of an electric car. 1951 - Dragnet TV show premieres on NBC 1955 - E.D. Nixon and Rosa Parks lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott.   1955 - AFL-CIO: American Federation of Labor merges w/ Congress of Industrial Organizations. ______________________________________________________ "A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others." --  Ayn Rand

Today is...
National Cookie Day!

Did you know that the English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "koekje," which means little cake? Dutch bakers used to test oven temperatures on small amounts of batter so that they would not waste the entire cake mix if the temperature wasn't right. It was not long before they discovered that these tiny pieces of cooked batter were actually quite tasty!
Cookies come in all different flavors, shapes, and sizes. To celebrate National Cookie Day, bake a few batches of your favorite variety and invite your friends over for a cookie swap!

____________________________________________

Today is also National Dice Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

History for December 4th 1619 -  America's first Thanksgiving Day (Va) 1906 - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity founded. 1945 - Senate approves US participation in UN 1959 - Space monkey returns to Earth safely.   1978 - Dianne Feinstein is named San Francisco first female mayor ______________________________________________________ "The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." --  Mother Teresa

Today is...
Giving Tuesday!

This day is an opportunity to step back from the chaos of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and embrace the best part of the holidays—the season of giving. Find a way to give back to your community or support the causes that mean the most to you!
The tradition of charitable giving during the holidays began thousands of years ago. Today, it continues to be an important part of many cultures and religions around the world. During the Hindu festival of Diwali, for example, “dana” (charitable giving) and “seva” (selfless service) are two key components of the holiday.
To celebrate Giving Tuesday, donate to your favorite nonprofit, drop off some canned goods at your local food pantry, or organize a neighborhood coat drive. For more ideas about how to get involved in the national day of giving, visit www.givingtuesday.org.

____________________________________________

Today is also National Roof Over Your Head Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

History for December 3rd 1609 -  Galileo makes first close-up observation of the moon through a telescope 1833 - Oberlin College, Ohio started classes: first coed institution of higher learning in US 1931 - Alka Seltzer goes on sale 1964 - Police arrests 800 sit-in students at University of California at Berkeley   1989 - President George H.W. Bush and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev meet in Malta and indicate the Cold War is at an end. ______________________________________________________ "Expect problems and eat them for breakfast." --  Alfred A. Montapert

Today is...
National Fritters Day!

Fritters are delicious fried cakes filled with fruit or meat. They can be served as a snack, side dish, dessert, or even the main course!
There's actually not much difference between pancake and fritter batter. They are both made with the same ingredients. It is only once fruit or meat is dipped into the raw batter and then fried that it actually becomes a fritter.
The first historical record of the fritter dates back to 1665. Samuel Pepys, an Englishman who served as a Member of Parliament during the English Restoration period, noted in his diary that he would be enjoying some fritters before Lent!
To celebrate National Fritter Day, try making your own tasty fritters to enjoy!

____________________________________________

Today is also National Mutt Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

History for December 2nd 1804 -  Napoleon becomes first French emperor. 1901 - Gillette patents first disposable razor 1908 - Emperor Pu Yi ascends the Chinese throne at only two years of age. 1932 - The Adventures of Charlie Chan debuts on the NBC Blue radio network.   1982 - First permanent artificial heart (Jarvik 7) successfully implanted in Barney Clark ______________________________________________________ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." --  George Eliot

Today is...
Hanukkah!

Tonight at sundown marks the beginning of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights!
Hanukkah starts on a different day each year according to the Western calendar, but it always begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. The word “Hanukkah” means dedication or induction, and the holiday signifies the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees revolted against Alexander, Antiochus IV and his persecution of the Jews. 
According to the Talmud, at the time of the rededication there was only enough oil left to burn the eternal flame in the temple for one day. It lasted for eight days—just the amount of time needed to make a fresh supply of oil. Hence, it is tradition at Hanukkah to light a candle on the menorah for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles at nightfall, playing dreidel, sending a free Hanukkah eCard, or eating some delicious potato latkes! Happy Hanukkah!

____________________________________________

Today is also National Bavarian Cream Pie Day

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

This week is National Game & Puzzle Week

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

History for November 27th 1901 -  US Army War College established. 1910 - Penn Station opens in NY 1924 - 1st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade held 1957 - Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appeals for nuclear disarmament in New Delhi.   2001 - Hydrogen atmosphere is discovered on extrasolar planet Osiris by Hubble Telescope. ______________________________________________________ "With will one can do anything." --  Samuel Smiles

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!

____________________________________________

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

This week is National Game & Puzzle Week

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

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