Seward's Day – Always on the last
Monday in March, this day commemorates the purchase of Alaska from
Russia by Secretary of State William Henry Seward on March 30, 1867
for $7.2 million. Most people at the time thought it was a
ridiculous thing to do and called it “Seward's Folly”. Mr.
Seward suffered a great deal of criticism until they discovered gold
in Alaska in 1897. Sadly, Mr. Seward died before that happened.
International Waffle Day – Not to be
confused with National Waffle Day on August 24th, this day
originated in Sweden and is supposed to commemorate the day the
Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she was pregnant. I'm not really sure what that has to do with waffles since I'm pretty sure they didn't have such a thing two thousand some years ago.
National Medal Of Honor Day – This is
a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. This day was chosen
for the celebration because it was on this day in 1863 that the first Medals of
Honor were awarded to 6 brave men.
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/history/day.html
Tolkien Reading Day – Created by the
Tolkien Society for the purpose of encouraging people to read
Tolkien's works. This day was chosen because it was on this day in
the Lord of the Rings that Sauron fell in defeat.
Old New Year's Day – In the early
Medieval period, this day was celebrated as the beginning of the New
Year because of Archangel Gabriel's message to Mary. I think this
was before the whole waffle craze started.
Passover – Celebrates the deliverance
of the Jewish people from slavery. It is celebrated with a very special meal called the Seder.
International Day Of Remembrance Of The
Victims Of Slavery And The Transatlantic Slave Trade – This day
honors the lives of all those who suffered and/or died as a result of
slavery and those who endured the horrors of being transported across
an ocean in slave ships.
Greek Independence Day: A National Day
Of Celebration Of Greek And American Democracy – Created in 2011
by President Obama, this is a day to celebrate democracy in general
and Greek Independence in particular.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/24/presidential-proclamation-greek-independence-day-national-day-celebratio
National Lobster Newburg Day – In
1876, Sea Captain Ben Wenburg, showed Chef Charles Ranhofer and
Charles Delmonico of Delmonico's restaurant a new dish that they
altered a little then named after the Captain, “Lobster a la
Wenburg”. Alas for the Captain, Mr. Delmonico and Captain Wenburg
had an argument and Wenburg was kicked out of the restaurant and
never allowed to return. Delmonico then renamed the lobster dish to
Lobster Newburg.
Pecan Day – Native Americans used
pecan trees as a major source of food in the fall. They are also
said to be the first to have cultivated this particular tree.
To celebrate today, read as many of
Tolkien's books as you can while eating waffles with a pecan topping.
Then go out and see if you can find any Medal of Honor recipients so
you can congratulate them before going to the library to find some
books on the effects of slavery on the people who were forced into
such a fate. Then you can celebrate democracy by having a vote in your
house about whether or not you should have a New Year's party.
Everyone loves a party so I know how that vote will turn out so you
should get some lobster so you can serve Lobster Newburg for your
non-Jewish guests along with the Seder meal for your Jewish guests,
after dinner you can call up some Alaskans so you can all wish them a
Happy Seward's Day!.
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