Today is...
National Devil's Food Cake Day!

What is chocolatey, light, decadent, and moist? Devil's food cake of course! Today is a celebration of this delicious dessert, which is considered the counterpart to the classic white angel food cake. Devil's food cake has a unique light and moist texture, which sets it apart from other chocolate cakes. The recipe calls for quite a bit of baking soda, and boiling water instead of milk. Both of these ingredients contribute to the fluffiness of this confection. 
Devil's food cake first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s. It is quite similar to red velvet cake and the names are often interchangeable in some parts of the country. To celebrate National Devil's Food Cake Day, make some divine devil's food cake to have for dessert tonight!

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Today is also Victoria Day & National Boy's Club and Girl's Club Day

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


 

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		History for May 19th          1884 - The Ringling Brothers circus premieres.           1896 - The Benz is the first automobile to arrive in the Netherlands.            1962 - Marilyn Monroe's birthday song to U.S. President John F. Kennedy.          1964 - US diplomats find at least 40 secret microphones in the Moscow embassy.           1992 - The 27th Amendment, which prohibits Congress from raising its salary, is ratified. ______________________________________________________ "Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience." - Victoria Holt

Today is...
National Bike to Work Day!

In 1956, the Cycle Trade Association of America announced the first ever Bike Month. The purpose of this occasion was to promote bicycle sales. Today, National Bike Month, Bike Week, and Bike to Work Day have a much broader focus. These events encourage safe bicycling practices and promote cycling as a legitimate commuting alternative.
Join thousands of other Americans and participate in Bike to Work Day today. Whether you are environmentally conscious or just love the exercise, biking to work is a great way to avoid the commuter traffic and stay in shape! Happy cycling!

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Today is also National Sea-Monkey Day & Biographer's Day

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

This week is American Craft Beer Week

 

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		History for May 16th          1866 - The U S Congress eliminates the half-dime coin and authorizes the minting of a 5-cent coin, the nickel.           1927 - Supreme Court ruled that bootleggers must pay income tax.            1939 - Food stamps are issued for the first time; a successful aid to excess surpluses and unemployment.          1946 - Musical "Annie Get Your Gun" opened at New York's Imperial Theatre.           1965 - Campbell Soup Company introduces Spaghetti-O's. ______________________________________________________ "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright." - Benjamin Franklin

Today is...
National Chocolate Chip Day!

Chocolate chips are an essential ingredient in dozens of delicious baked goods—chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip pancakes, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip brownies, chocolate chip bagels, and many more. You can even find chili recipes that call for these sweet morsels!
In the 1930s, Ruth Graves Wakefield created the original chocolate chip cookie at her Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Ruth intended to bake chocolate cookies for her guests, but she ran out of baker’s chocolate. She substituted with chopped up semi-sweet chocolate morsels and discovered that the pieces did not melt into the dough as she expected. Her cookies were an instant hit. Today, 25% of all the cookies baked in the United States are chocolate chip!
To celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day, pick up a bag of chocolate chips at the supermarket and bake something yummy to share with friends and coworkers!

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

This week is American Craft Beer Week

 

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		History for May 15th          1869 - National Woman Suffrage Association is formed, for women's right to vote.           1905 - Las Vegas, Nevada is founded.            1918 - The US Post Office Department begins world's first regular airmail service.          1930 - Ellen Church, a registered nurse, becomes world's first airline stewardess.           1940 - Nylon hose stockings on sale at Gimbels Department Stores throughout US. ______________________________________________________ "If you can still read this, you still have a chance!" - Ronny M. Cole

Today is...
National Dance Like a Chicken Day!

Although we may not like to admit it, we all have rocked the Chicken Dance at least once or twice in our lives. This silly dance is a perennial favorite at birthday parties, bat mitzvahs, weddings, and other family gatherings.
A Swiss accordion player named Werner Thomas wrote the melody for the Chicken Dance song in the late 1950s. In 1963, he began performing it at his restaurant. The people who bravely stood up and danced along to the tune often used sporadic movements that reminded Thomas of ducks and chickens. By the time the Chicken Dance arrived in America in the 1970s, it had acquired set choreography with repetitive beak, wing, and tail motions.
Today, the Chicken Dance has earned a permanent place in the pantheon of cheesy party dances. Other favorites include the Hokey Pokey, the Electric Slide, and the Macarena. To celebrate National Dance Like a Chicken Day, turn on this familiar tune and dance like a chicken!

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Today is also National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

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

This week is American Craft Beer Week

 

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		History for May 14th          1643 - Louis XIV, at four years old, ascends to throne as King of France after death of his father.           1787 - Delegates convene for a Constitutional Convention, to write a new Constitution of the United States.            1796 - The first smallpox inoculation was administered by Edward Jenner.          1904 - The first Olympics in the US are held in St. Louis.           1995 - Skylab, the American space station and laboratory, is first launched into space. ______________________________________________________ "Can anything be sadder than work unfinished? Yes! Work never begun." - Christina Rossetti

Today is...
National Apple Pie Day!

Apple pie is the quintessential American dessert! However, apple pie wasn't even invented in the U.S. Rather it was invented in Europe sometime during the 14th century. The first apple pie recipe was printed by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1381 in England. The ingredients in the recipe included apples, spices, figs, raisins, pears, saffron, and cofyn (a casing of pastry).
Dutch apple pie recipes date back to the late 15th century. These recipes were similar to the English recipes except they included a scoop of ice cream placed on top of the pie before it was served. This tradition—apple pie à la mode—was eventually brought to America where most people continue to enjoy their apple pie topped with ice cream.
To celebrate National Apple Pie Day, bake a delicious apple pie or pick one up at your local bakery to share with your family. Just don't forget the ice cream!

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Today is also National Fruit Cocktail Day

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

This week is American Craft Beer Week

 

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		History for May 13th          1880 - Thomas Edison's first test of the electric railway in Menlo Park.           1913 - The first 4-engine was aircraft built & flown in Russia by Igor Sikorsky.            1917 - 3 children witness apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal.          1960 - Free Speech Movement. Berkeley students protest House Un-American Activities.           1995 - Alison Hargreaves becomes first woman to climb Everest without oxygen. ______________________________________________________ "Failure can be bought on easy terms; success must be paid for in advance." - Cullen Hightower

Today is...
Limerick Day!

Limerick day celebrates the birthday of Edward Lear (1812-1888), an English writer who made the Limerick popular. In 1846, Lear wrote his Book of Nonsense, which made these poems especially admired. The Limerick is named after the third largest city in Ireland.
Did you know that a Limerick is a five-line poem where the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, while the third and forth lines rhyme? These short, comical, and musical poems incorporate nonsensical, obscene, and humorous themes. Here is one of Lear’s famous Limericks:
There was a Young Lady whose chin,
Resembled the point of a pin;
So she had it made sharp,
And purchased a harp,
And played several tunes with her chin
To celebrate Limerick Day, read a few funny Limericks, or try writing some of your own. They are guaranteed to make you laugh!

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Today is also National Nutty Fudge Day

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

This week is American Craft Beer Week

 

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		History for May 12th          1777 - The first ice cream advertisement appeared in the Philip Lenzi-New York Gazette.           1928 - Mussolini ends woman's rights in Italy.            1935 - Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith get together for the first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous.          1949 -The Soviet Union lifts its Blockade of Berlin.           1989 - "Entertainment Tonight" performs their 2,000th TV performance. ______________________________________________________ "Self-worth comes from one thing - thinking that you are worthy." - Wayne Dyer

Today is...
National Public Gardens Day!

Today celebrates the nation’s public gardens and brings awareness to the important role they play in society. Botanical gardens, arboreta, and other types of organized outdoor spaces help to encourage environmental management, plant and water conservation, and education in communities. Public gardens offer fun activities for their communities, while also providing resources, education, and research.
Rain Bird Corporation and the American Public Gardens Association started National Public Gardens Day to raise awareness on the conservation and education efforts of the nation’s public gardens. The first National Public Gardens Day was in 2009, and was a huge success. Many of the nation’s public gardens celebrate today by hosting special events and activities for the community. This allows families and visitors to explore their local public gardens while learning about the gardens dedication to education, research, and improving the environment.
Celebrate today by visiting your local public garden with friends and family. Happy National Public Gardens Day!

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Today is also National Butterscotch Brownie Day & Military Spouse Appreciation Day

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

This week is National Pet Week

 

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		History for May 9th          1754- Pennsylvania Gazette publishes Ben Franklin's "Join or Die" cartoon.           1887 - Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, famous in America, opens for first time in London.            1940 - Actress Vivien Leigh made her American theatre debut in "Romeo and Juliet".          1962 - For the first time, a laser beam was successfully bounced off Moon.         1969 - Secret bombing in Cambodia is reported as breaking news. ______________________________________________________ "Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." - Robert Louis Stevenson