July 28, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Auntie's Day – Yes, I know we just had Aunt and Uncle Day a couple of days ago, but this is a day just for Aunts. This is the fifth year for this celebration. I couldn't find a reliable source for the origin of this day but most of us have at least one Aunt that we love dearly, or maybe you are one. So give her a call today and tell her how much you love her.

National Milk Chocolate Day – People have been making and eating some form of chocolate since around 1000 B.C. So it's no wonder so many of us love it. It's a part of our history. Milk chocolate is one of the sweeter varieties since it's just chock full of sugar, milk, cocoa butter and cocoa liquor.

Anne Hutchinson Memorial Day – Celebrated every July on a Sunday near Anne's baptism day, July 20, 1591. This is a day to honor this incredible woman who had somewhere around 15 children, was a religious leader and spiritual leader for women in Boston. She helped lay the groundwork for the free speech and religious tolerance that we, as American's, hold so dear. It didn't go over so well with the Puritans she lived with at the time. Some consider her to be the first American feminist.

Buffalo Soldiers Day – Started in 1992 by the United States Congress, this is a day to commemorate the first regular Army regiment of African-American soldiers formed on this day in 1866. Now in case you are confused by this because I'm sure you know that African-American regiments fought in the Civil War several years prior to this, the difference is that they were not permanent regiments. This day is typically celebrated with reenactments, and museum programs, prayer services and other assorted memorials.

Parents' Day – This is a day to celebrate your parents or celebrate being a parent. We wouldn't be here without our parents so show them how much you appreciate their love and support over the years. And, just to be clear, it doesn't matter if your parents are biological or if you got them in some other manner. Biology doesn't make a parent, love does.

World Hepatitis Day – Celebrated for the last 6 years, this is a day to understand this disease and spread awareness of it around the world as well as how to avoid becoming infected and what to do if you already have it. Hepatitis B and C are considered “silent” viruses because they do not present obvious symptoms, but if you do not get the proper treatment, they can lead to life threatening complications with your liver. Both of these viruses are spread through blood to blood contact although Hepatitis B can also be spread through other body fluids. http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/AboutViralHepatitis/What_is_Viral_Hepatitis.aspx

To celebrate today, call up your Aunts and tell them about Anne Hutchinson's accomplishments, then go visit your parents and take them to a Buffalo Soldiers reenactment. While you are watching or better yet, participating, share some milk chocolate with them. On the way home, stop by a doctor's office to ask about getting tested for Hepatitis.