Today is...
National Battery Day!

Batteries are in virtually every household item – remote controls, smoke alarms, phones, toys, and beyond. Benjamin Franklin coined the term “battery” – but the version we know today was created by Allesandro Volta, an Italian physicist. Today commemorates his birth, and marks the importance of the modern day battery.
Can you imagine a world without batteries? Celebrate today by appreciating all the items that they allow you to use. Use today as a reminder to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Gather up any dead batteries, and bring them to be recycled. Many big-name retailers offer recycling kiosks inside their stores. Or better yet, switch to rechargeable ones! 

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Today is also Drink Wine Day

February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is National Engineers Week & National Pancake Week

 

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History for February 18th 1930 - Pluto, the ninth planet of our solar system, is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh. Pluto has been reclassified, losing its 'planetary' status. 1943 - Joseph Goebbels delivers his "Sportpalast" speech, also known as the "Total War" speech, which mentioned the dangers facing Germany. 1954 -  The first Church of Scientology is established in Los Angeles, California, by its founder L. Ron Hubbard. 1970 -  "Chicago Seven" students found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots (verdict later overturned).   1970 -   US President Nixon launches "Nixon-doctrine", also known as the "Guam doctrine", which advocated partnership with allies. ______________________________________________________ "Insist on yourself. Never imitate." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is...
President's Day!

Did you know that this federal holiday is actually called Washington’s Birthday? Through the 1960s, Americans celebrated both Washington’s Birthday and Lincoln’s Birthday in the month of February. Then, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved the observance of Washington’s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February. The original plan was to combine it with Lincoln’s Birthday and rename it President’s Day, but that part of the bill never passed.
No matter what you call it, today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the American Presidents and pay tribute to the contributions they have made to this country. The official roles of the President of the United States include: Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Chief Administrator, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, and Head of the Party.
To celebrate today’s federal holiday, take a moment to learn something new about one of our presidents. Happy President's Day!

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Today is also My Way Day & Random Acts of Kindness Day

February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is National Engineers Week & National Pancake Week

 

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History for February 17th 1801 - Thomas Jefferson became the 3rd US President. 1878 - First telephone exchange in San Francisco opens with 18 phones. 1904 -  Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" had its world premiere at La Scala in Milan, Italy. 1913 -  First minimum wage law in US takes effect (Oregon).   1933 -  Newsweek magazine begins publication. ______________________________________________________ "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." -- Robert Collier

Today is...
Valentine's Day!

Surprise your loved ones with thoughtful Valentine's Day gift cards, homemade chocolate treats, or a beautiful flower arrangement!
For centuries, people have celebrated February as the month of romance. In Ancient Rome, for example, a bachelor would pick the name of a young woman out of a hat during the festival of Lupercalia. He would be paired with his chosen woman for the year and often ended up marrying her.
The tradition of sending romantic greetings on the feast day of St. Valentine emerged during the Middle Ages. St. Valentine was a Roman priest who secretly performed marriages for young lovers forbidden to wed. February 14 was also a celebration of the day “the birds began to pair.” Today, Valentine’s Day is a popular occasion for romantic dinners, gift exchanges, and weekend getaways. Personalize a beautiful free Valentine's Day eCard to spread the love!
On the flip side, this holiday has a growing number of naysayers who believe that Valentine's Day is too commercialized and too cheesy. Want in on the fun? Send an Anti-Valentine's Day eCard to celebrate!

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February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is International Flirting Week

 

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History for February 14th 1778 - The Star and Stripes (U.S. flag) makes its first appearance at a foreign port, flying aboard the ship Ranger, as it arrives in France. 1895 - Oscar Wilde's final play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," opens in London. 1899 -  Voting machine is approved by Congress for federal elections. 1920 -  The League of Women Voters is founded in Chicago, Illinois.   1946 -  The Bank of England is nationalized ______________________________________________________ "Impatience never commanded success." -- Edwin H. Chapin

Today is...
National Tortellini Day!

Tortellini is a signature dish from the Italian region of Bologna. Ravioli, tortelloni, and tortellacci are all part of the same family of stuffed pastas. The most common fillings for tortellini are ham, white meat, and Parmesan cheese. In the city of Bologna, there is an organization called the Learned Order of the Tortellini. The members are dedicated to the preservation of traditional tortellini. They wear red and gold hats shaped like tortellini and gold tortellini necklaces at their functions.
Enjoy a big plateful of tortellini topped with cream, pesto, or tomato sauce today! Happy National Tortellini Day!

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Today is also National Crab Ragoon Day

February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is Fashion Week & International Flirting Week

 

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History for February 13th 1689- British Parliament adopts Bill of Rights. 1795 - The first state university in US opens, University of North Carolina. 1895 -  Moving picture projector patented by Louis Lumiere, from France. 1959 -  Barbie doll goes on sale.   1967 -  Leonardo da Vinci's Madrid Codices are discovered by Americans in Spain's National Library. ______________________________________________________ "Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us." -- Sir Thomas Brown

Today is...
National Plum Pudding Day!

Plum pudding is a mouthwatering treat that, surprisingly enough, contains no plums! In the 17th century when it was first created, plums referred to raisins or other dried fruits. Plum pudding (aka Christmas pudding) is a steamed or boiled pudding usually served during the holiday season.
Plum pudding is composed of nutmeg, raisins, nuts, apples, cinnamon, dates, and many other ingredients. In England, it is tradition to have every person in a household simultaneously hold onto the wooden spoon together to help stir the batter. As they stir they also have to make a wish!
Did you know that during the Puritan reign in England, plum pudding was outlawed because it was considered "sinfully rich?" To celebrate this sinful dessert on National Plum Pudding Day, dig out Grandma's old recipe for plum pudding and make some to share with friends and family!

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Today is also Lincoln's Birthday

February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is Fashion Week & International Flirting Week

 

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History for February 12th 1870 - Women in the Utah Territory granted right to vote. 1879 - At New York City's Madison Square Garden the first artificial ice rink in North America opens. 1914 - Construction begins on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. 1970 -  Three-month-old baby receives Canada's first successful liver transplant at Montreal's Notre-Dame Hospital.   1999 -  The U.S. Senate acquits President Bill Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice in his impeachment trial. ______________________________________________________ "The essential thing is not knowledge, but character." -- Joseph Le Conte

Today is...
Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day!

This day serves as a reminder that we don’t need to stress over all the little mistakes in our past. Leave your worries behind, and greet the new day with optimism and a positive outlook!
The saying “don’t cry over spilled milk” is an age-old proverb that has been around for hundreds of years. The first historical reference to the phrase appears in a document written by British historian James Howell in 1659. The saying most likely comes from European folklore. According to the old tales, fairies were particularly fond of milk and would drink up any spills left behind.
To celebrate Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, let bygones be bygones. Don’t worry about the little things that are in the past, and instead focus on the wonderful things that are headed your way!

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Today is also Peppermint Patty Day & Make a Friend Day

February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is Fashion Week & International Flirting Week

 

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History for February 11th 1752 - Pennsylvania Hospital, 1st hospital in the United States, opens. 1964 - Beatles first live appearance in US; Washington DC Coliseum 1979 - Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seized power in Iran, nine days after the religious leader returns from exile 1990 -  South African resistance leader, Nelson Mandela, was released from prison after more than 27 years.   2006 -  U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shoots Harry Whittington in the face while the two are hunting together. ______________________________________________________ "He who hesitates is lost."  -- Proverb

Today is...
National Cream Cheese Brownie Day!

Who can resist the heavenly taste of a rich fudge brownie marbled with cream cheese? Its divine combination of sweet and tangy flavors will have you craving more in no time!
The brownie is America's favorite bar cookie. Although desserts called “brownies” have been around since the 1800s, the cake-like confection we know and love today can be traced back to 1906. Culinary historians credit The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book with the first published recipe for the modern brownie, but this early recipe was far less chocolaty than what we’re accustomed to nowadays. It only called for two squares of baking chocolate!
Today there are hundreds of different brownie recipes. Many incorporate interesting add-ins like peanut butter, walnuts, caramel, peppermint, banana, or (of course) cream cheese. Celebrate National Cream Cheese Brownie Day by enjoying the sweet, rich, and creamy flavors of a cream cheese brownie!

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Today is also Umbrella Day

February is Black History Month & National Weddings Month & Potato Lover's Month

This week is Fashion Week & International Flirting Week

 

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History for February 10th 1807 - United States Coast Survey authorized by Congress 1863 - First US fire extinguisher patent granted to Alanson Crane, Virginia 1952 - The Soviet Union exchanges captured American U-2 pilot for captured Soviet spy 1964 -  Bob Dylan's famous album "The Times They Are A-Changin"' released.   1996 -  IBM Supercomputer Deep Blue defeats Russian chess grandmaster in first game of best-of-four playoff (1996) ______________________________________________________ "Doubt whom you will, but never yourself." -- Christian Nestell Bovee