Today is...
Tax Day

It’s Tax Day! Today is the day that tax returns are due to the United States federal government. Although this might not be the jolliest of occasions, checking this particular item off your to-do list is definitely worth celebrating. Send a free Tax Day eCard to congratulate your friends on surviving the paperwork!
Every year since 1955, people have paid their taxes on April 15, except when this date falls on a weekend or holiday. (In that case, Tax Day is the following business day.) Federal income tax was first established by the Revenue Act of 1861. Its purpose was to fund the Civil War. Over the years there have been several Supreme Court cases that have challenged the constitutionality of income taxes.
To celebrate Tax Day, send in your tax return and then have a little victory party. You won’t have to worry about taxes again for a whole year!

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Today is also Boston Marathon & National Glazed Spiral Ham Day

 
April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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History for April 15 1817 - The first American school for the deaf was opened in Hartford, CT. 1850 - The city of San Francisco was incorporated. 1892 - The General Electric Company was organized. 1947 - Jackie Robinson played his first major league baseball game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Previously he had only appeared in exhibition games. 1952 - The first B-52 prototype was flight-tested. 1955 - Ray Kroc started the McDonald's restaurant chain. ______________________________________________________ "The essence of the whole situation is to have in one’s heart the romance of pilgrimage, to expect experience, both sweet and bitter, to desire the goal more than the prize; and to find the jewels of patience, hopefulness, and wisdom by the way, where one least expects to find them." --Arthur Christopher Benson

Today is...
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

Although it only requires three ingredients (bread, cheese, and butter), grilled cheese is one of the most popular comfort foods in the world. Send a free eCard for National Grilled Cheese Day to spread the word about this holiday!
The Ancient Romans were the first civilization to make a cooked bread and cheese sandwich, but many cultures have invented their own take on this ancient dish. In France, people enjoy Croque Monsieur (a grilled ham and cheese sandwich) while in Switzerland it is customary to melt the cheese and toast the bread separately before combining them. The classic American grilled cheese sandwich emerged in the 1920s when inexpensive cheese and affordable sliced bread became available. It is now a staple in cafés, diners, and school cafeterias across the country.
To celebrate National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich cooked your favorite way and served with a side of tomato soup!

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Today is also National Licorice Day

 
April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 12 1833 - Charles Gaylor patented the fireproof safe. 1934 - F. Scott Fitzgerald novel "Tender Is the Night" was first published. 1954 - Bill Haley and the Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock." The song was released a year later in the movie "Blackboard Jungle." 1981 - The space shuttle Columbia blasted off from Cape Canaveral, FL, on its first test flight. 1985 - Federal inspectors declared that four animals of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus were not unicorns. They were goats with horns that had been surgically implanted. 1988 - Sonny Bono was elected Mayor of Palm Springs, CA. ______________________________________________________ "We only live for ourselves when we live for others." --Leo Tolstoy

Today is...
National Pet Day

This holiday is all about appreciating and celebrating the wonderful pets in your life. Did you know that there are approximately 86.4 million pet cats and 78.2 million pet dogs living in the United States today? Gerbils, birds, turtles, and fish are also very common. If you consider your pet a member of the family, you are by no means alone. Six out of ten pet owners feel the same way!
Celebrity pet lifestyle expert and animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige founded National Pet Day to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption. The motto of the holiday is “Don’t shop! Adopt!” and it is sponsored by the Animal Miracle Foundation, whose mission is to help animals in shelters find forever homes.
To celebrate National Pet Day, take your dog on a long walk or give your cat a little extra catnip to show your love and appreciation. Not a pet owner? Consider making a donation or volunteering at your local pet shelter. Happy National Pet Day!

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Today is also National Cheese Fondue Day

 
April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 11 1783 - After receiving a copy of the provisional treaty on March 13, the U.S. Congress proclaimed a formal end to hostilities with Great Britain. 1814 - Napoleon was forced to abdicate his throne. The allied European nations had marched into Paris on March 30, 1814. He was banished to the island of Elba. 1980 - The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued regulations specifically prohibiting sexual harassment of workers by supervisors. 1981 - Edward "Eddie" Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli were married. ______________________________________________________ "Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to spend the rest of your life." --Mark Twain

Today is...
National Cinnamon Croissant Day

It’s National Cinnamon Croissant Day! People have been making delicious croissant pastries since the 13th century, but cinnamon has been around for much longer. The first record of the spice appears in a Chinese manuscript dating back to 2800 BC!
In Ancient Rome, people valued cinnamon more than silver and gold, and spices remained a highly prized luxury good through the Middle Ages. In fact, you could determine a person’s social rank by the number of spices they could afford. People used cinnamon to preserve meat, flavor their beverages, and cure certain ailments. Today, cinnamon is still one of the most popular spices and is a key ingredient in many baked goods.
To celebrate National Cinnamon Croissant Day, bake a batch of scrumptious cinnamon croissants to share with friends and coworkers!

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Today is also National Farm Animals Day & National Bookmobile Day

 
April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 10 1790 - The U.S. patent system was established. 1825 - The first hotel opened in Hawaii. 1866 - The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was incorporated. 1925 - F. Scott Fitzgerald published "The Great Gatsby" for the first time. 1957 - Ricky Nelson sang for first time on TV's "Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." He performed the song "I'm Walking." 1958 - Bobby Darin recorded "Splish Splash." ______________________________________________________ "Though there are exceptions, bigger is not always better, and louder is not always more true. There is much good to be found in ordinary days, even when they appear to be ho-hum and routine. So for inner health, seek deliverance from addictions to the spectacular. Cherish the ordinary. Woe to us who are so deafened by the whirlwind that we cannot hear the whisper." --Neil B. Weisman

Today is...
National Cherish an Antique Day

Do you have any family heirlooms hidden away in your closets? Today is the day to polish them up and put them on display! Humans have been collecting antiques since the beginning of our history. We have always been fascinated by the stories behind these curiosities and the rare glimpse they give us into the lives of our predecessors. In 1979, the first episode of Antiques Roadshow aired in the United Kingdom. Local residents presented their family heirlooms and collectibles for appraisal, and learned their true value. The show was an instant success and is still in production today. On the American version of the show, the most valuable find to date was a set of carved rhinoceros horn cups, which were appraised at $1-$1.5 million!
To celebrate National Cherish an Antique Day, learn the story behind your favorite antique and share the tale with family and friends. Happy antiquing!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 9 1682 - Robert La Salle claimed the lower Mississippi River and all lands that touch it for France. 1865 - General Robert E. Lee and his 26,765 troops surrendered to Union General Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This event was effectively the end of the U.S. Civil War. 1770 - Captain James Cook discovered Botany Bay on the Australian continent. 1872 - S.R. Percy received a patent for dried milk. 1959 - NASA announced the selection of America's first seven astronauts. ______________________________________________________ "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 Empanada Day

An empanada is a delicious Spanish and Portuguese type of stuffed bread, also known as "delicioco." Empanadas can be served hot or cold as the main course or as a side dish.
Empanadas are made by folding dough around a premade stuffing of chicken, cod, or pork loin. Other ingredients include tomatoes, garlic, and onion sauce.
Though this delectable dish originated in Europe, immigrants brought the recipe to various countries around the world where it was adopted and slightly altered to fit the tastes of that particular country. In Argentina, for example, empanadas are sometimes made with a fruit filling and served as dessert. In Jamaica, empanadas are referred to as "Jamaican patties" and are made with crispy pastry dough.
Empanadas were first served in the U.S. at Taco Bell, however they are now found on menus at Latin American restaurants around the world. To celebrate National Empanada Day, try making your own empanadas for dinner!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 8 1513 - Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain. 1789 - The U.S. House of Representatives held its first meeting. 1946 - The League of Nations assembled in Geneva for the last time. 1974 - Hank Aaron hits 715th home run breaking Babe Ruth's record. 1986 - Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, CA. ______________________________________________________ "There is more to life than increasing its speed." --Mahatma Gandhi

Today is...
National Caramel Day

Americans began making sugary syrups in the 1600s, but the delicious chewy caramel we know and love today was a more recent innovation. Caramel candy emerged during the 18th century and quickly became one of the most popular sweets on the market. In fact, Milton Hershey’s first business was the Lancaster Caramel Company!
Caramel is made with butter, brown and white sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla. It is usually enjoyed as an ice cream topping, a candy filling, or on its own. You can also find caramel flavored puddings, popcorn, desserts, and coffee.
To celebrate National Caramel Day, enjoy some of your favorite caramel candies or make a batch of homemade caramel!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

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

History for April 5 1614 - American Indian Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Virginia. 1792 - U.S. President George Washington cast the first presidential veto. The measure was for apportioning representatives among the states. 1843 - Queen Victoria proclaimed Hong Kong to be a British crown colony. 1955 - Winston Churchill resigned as British prime minister. 1985 - An estimated 5,000 radio stations around the world simultaneously played the song "We Are the World." 1998 - The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan opened becoming the largest suspension bridge in the world. It links Shikoku and Honshu. The bridge cost about $3.8 billion. ______________________________________________________ "To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment." --George Edward Woodberry