May 5, 2014

Today we celebrate:

National Hoagie Day – Hoagies are called different things in different parts of the country. But Domenic Vitiello, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who researched the matter, said that they originated in Philadelphia on Hog Island during World War I. The Professor credits Italians on this island for throwing different meats between slices of bread and discovering that it tastes great.

National Chocolate Custard Day – I have found numerous references to this particular food online.  Some people said it should be celebrated today, others said it should have been on May 3rd.  I chose to add it to both days because it’s chocolate custard!  Yum!  

International Day Of The Midwife – The theme for this day is “The world needs midwives now more than ever!” Midwives have, I think, been around longer than doctors and have been an important resource for women giving birth to their babies.  The International Confederation of Midwives created this day in order to promote the need for midwives in your community.  http://www.internationalmidwives.org/events/idotm/

Cinco de Mayo – This day commemorates the victory of the Mexican Army over France in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco – Mexican War. While it is not a big holiday in Mexico, in the United States, it has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.

Cartoonists Day – On this day in 1895, the first color cartoon was published. Now I can't imagine a Sunday newspaper without them, not to mention all those comic books that my kids loved so much when they were younger.

Melanoma Monday – Celebrated on the first Monday in May, this day highlights the deadliest form of skin cancer there is.  One American dies from melanoma every hour. However, if it is detected before it spreads, the five year survival rate is 98%. So we need to wear orange today to help spread awareness and work to teach people how to detect this devastating cancer as early as possible.

Totally Chipotle Day – Chipotle is a flavor that is Mexican - Indian in origin, but it is rapidly becoming very popular in the United States as well. It is celebrated today to compliment Cinco de Mayo and honor its’ Mexican roots.

To celebrate today, protect your skin with sunscreen and read the comics in the paper before you take a chocolate custard to a midwife near you as a thank you gift.  Then honor your  Mexican heritage (or the Mexican heritage of someone you know) by putting chipotle on your hoagie.

May 4, 2014

Today we celebrate:

National Candied Orange Peel Day – Honestly, I don't really consider orange peels to be food. I know that technically you can eat them, and I've used the zest from oranges in recipes, but to candy an orange peel and just eat it? I don't know. I guess I'll have to try it before I'm convinced. http://joonbug.com/national/firstcourse/Today-is-National-Candied-Orange-Peel-Day/yBRTu5401PT

Intergalactic Star Wars Day – This is a day dedicated to honoring Star Wars films and the Star Wars culture. It is celebrated today because of a pun that was first told in 1979 when Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister of Britain. Her party placed an ad in the newspaper that said, “May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations.”  Celebrations should include dressing as your favorite Star Wars character, hosting Star Wars movie marathons or playing Star Wars games.

International Babylost Mother's Day, or International Bereaved Mother's Day – Celebrated on the first Sunday of May, this day was created by Carly Marie because the traditional Mother’s Day (which was created by Anna Jarvis to honor her mother, Ann, who had to live through the death of 7 of her children) has become very commercialized and mothers of children who have died have been forgotten or ignored. This is a movement to bring back the true meaning of Mother's Day. http://internationalbabylostmothersday.blogspot.com/

International Firefighters Day – When a wildfire in Australia killed 5 firefighters in 1998, JJ Edmondson was inspired to send a proposal around the world to create this day. It is dedicated to firefighters all over the world who risk their lives every day to save ours, and to honor the heroic firefighters who have lost their lives.  It is celebrated today because it is St. Florian’s Day.  

St. Florian Day - This is a feast day honoring St. Florian, the patron saint of  Linz, Austria; firefighters; soapmakers, and chimney sweeps.  According to legend, Florian once saved an entire village from being destroyed by fire by using a single bucket of water.  I’m not sure if that actually happened, but I do know that Florian was a commander in the Roman army and organized the first group of firefighters, a group of army soldiers whose only responsibility was to fight fires. This would be why St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters.

International Respect For Chickens Day – Begun in 2005, this is a day that celebrates chickens and protests their sad lives on chicken farms.  The creators ask that you perform an action (list of possible ideas on their website) today in order to spread awareness of the problems chickens face. http://www.upc-online.org/respect/

Motorcycle Mass & Blessing Of The Bikes Day – Celebrated on the first Sunday in May, this is a day for motorcyclists everywhere to gather at a special mass to have their bikes blessed.

National Infertility Survival Day – While some people seem to get pregnant if you just sneeze on them, others have a great deal of trouble achieving what becomes the unattainable dream. Having a child can be the most stressful, frustrating and heartbreaking goal of a couple's life.

Lemonade Day - This is a day to teach children about being an entrepreneur.  Begun by Michael & Lisa Holthouse in 2005 as an after school program.  It has grown to cities all over the country, teaching life and business skills to more than 200,000 children last year. http://lemonadeday.org/learn-more

World Laughter Day – Created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, also the creator of an exercise routine called Laughter Yoga, this day is about spreading the message of the best medicine not created by doctors. Celebrated in more than 70 countries worldwide, the mission of this day is to spread world peace, joy and good health by laughing together.  If you do this at 12noon local time, you can join the wave of laughter going around the world. This day is celebrated on the first Sunday in May every year. http://www.laughternetwork.co.uk/world-laughter-2013.html

Yom HaZikaron – This is a day of remembrance for Israeli fallen soldiers since 1860 and victims of terrorism and is also known as Israel's official Memorial Day.  It begins at sundown today.

To celebrate today, dress as a character from Star Wars and head to the nearest fire house to volunteer as a firefighter while you laugh like a loon at noon.  When they send you away, console yourself with some lemonade and candied orange peels and go to a farm to check on the lifestyles of the chickens.  Next, take your motorcycle to church for a blessing. While you’re there, offer a prayer for infertile couples to find a way to have a child, fallen Israeli soldiers, and mothers who have lost their children.

May 3, 2014

Today we celebrate:

Join Hands Day – Celebrated on the first Saturday in May, this is a day that is about bringing together young people and adults to build trust and respect. This day was begun and is promoted by the American Fraternal Alliance. http://fraternalalliance.org/join-hands-day/what-is-join-hands-day/

National Homebrew Day – I'm not sure if this is supposed to be celebrated today or tomorrow. I have found convincing evidence for both days. But what I am sure of is that it is a day for brewing your own beverages. Primarily beer, I am sure.

Lumpy Rug Day – Nobody likes a lumpy rug, they are just no good to lay on while you watch TV or take a nap. So this is a day to celebrate good, non-lumpy rugs. If you have a lumpy one, it would be a good day to look for another one. I’m not sure who created this day, but I suspect it was someone associated with the making or selling of rugs.

World Press Freedom – Declared by the United Nations General Assembly, this is a day to stress the importance of freedom of the press and to remind governments around the world of their responsibility to respect the freedom of expression outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

National Raspberry Popover Day – I didn't have much luck the last time I tried making popovers. Maybe because they weren't raspberry. I'll have to try again.

National Chocolate Custard Day – I have found numerous references to this particular food.  Some people say to celebrate today, others say to celebrate on May 5th.  I say, let’s do both!  

Garden Meditation Day – Today is a day to focus all your attention on your garden today. Clear your mind and relax your body by doing mindless things like weeding, tilling and cleaning your garden even if it's just for a few minutes.

National Two Different Colored Shoes Day – This is a day to celebrate diversity in the human race. Take a risk and wear shoes of different colors today. Just make sure they have the same size heel or you will end up in traction by the end of the day from your lopsided back.

Paranormal Day – This is a day for paranormal believers to get together and share experiences. There are related seminars and radio broadcasts happening all over the country.  This one in Michigan for example: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC4ZZ0T_spring-fever-reliever-2-paranormal

Hug Your Cat Day – Exactly as the name says, this is a day for cat owners everywhere to hug their beloved cats. Unless you have one of those temperamental cats who will scratch you as soon as look at you. There are many differences of opinion as to when this day is celebrated. Some of the options other than today are May 12, May 30 and June 4th so if you are so inclined, celebrate on all of those days.

National Special-abled Pets Day – Begun in 2006 as National Disabled Pet Day, this is a day to focus on the care of pets with special needs. Some animals are born disabled, others are injured and become disabled. Caring for them can be challenging but they deserve just as much love and attention as any other pet because they still love you just as much as any other pet. http://www.petmeds.org/petmeds-spotlight/national-specially-abled-pets-day/

Free Comic Book Day – This is a great day for comic book lovers. On the first Saturday in May, participating comic books stores give away a free comic book to anyone who comes into their store. Check with your local comic book store to see if they participate. http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992

National Scrapbooking Day – Begun in 1995 by Creative Memories and celebrated on the first Saturday in May, this is a day to work on all that scrapbooking that you've let pile up for the last few months or longer.

Bladder Cancer Awareness Day – This day is meant to spread awareness of the symptoms of bladder cancer and promote research to find a cure. There are Bladder Cancer walks scheduled for today in at least 32 states.

Childhood Stroke Awareness Day – Celebrated on the first Saturday in May, this is a day to highlight the dangers and warning signs of infant and child strokes. You don't generally think of people that age being in danger of having a stroke but it does happen and when it does, it is devastating.

Public Radio Day – On this day in 1971, National Public Radio aired the first broadcast of “All Things Considered”, a daily news show. That show is still on the radio today and although it has changed quite a bit in that time, it is still quite popular.

To celebrate today, join hands with your kids and meditate in your garden on the paranormal experiences you have had.  Then, hug your disabled cat while you read the newspaper articles in your free press newspaper and listen to National Public Radio.  Put on two different colored shoes so you don’t feel the lumps in your rug while you make some homebrew beer to have with your raspberry popovers and chocolate custard.  Lastly, have your children read comics to you so you can watch them for signs of stroke while you make a scrapbook page with a bladder cancer theme.

May 2, 2014

Today we celebrate:

Roberts Rule Of Order Day – Roberts Rules of Order is a book of procedural rules for any organization that wishes to adopt them. It was written by Brig. Gen. Henry Martyn Robert (born on this day in 1837) and originally published in 1876. Its’ eleventh edition was published in 2011. Brig. Gen. Robert wrote the book after experiencing great frustration when he discovered that there was no uniformity in rules and procedures within an organization.  He was involved in several organizations and in each one he found that members of the same organization, located in different areas of the country, had conflicting views regarding what the proper rules and procedures were and this conflict resulted in problems with the running of the organization. When organizations adopt Roberts Rules of Order, everyone is on the same page and work can be accomplished.

International Tuba Day – Celebrated on the first Friday in May, this day is about recognizing the challenges that tubists endure in order to play their instrument. These are big and bulky instruments and are frequently disrespected among fellow band players. The day was created by Joel Day in 1979 when he was one of two tuba players in his high school band. I’d be happy if my daughter’s high school band had even one tuba player.  Mr. Day continued celebrating this day into college where he was known for popular Tuba Day activities and the celebrations have spread from there. http://www.tubaday.com/homepage.php

No Pants Day – Celebrated on the first Friday in May, this is a fun day that involves not wearing any pants. The really fun part is that you have to pretend that there is nothing unusual about going out in your underwear (Probably not a good day to wear a thong, but that’s just my opinion.) and watching other people's reaction. This is about not taking yourself seriously and reveling in the absurdity of the situation.

International Space Day – Also celebrated on the first Friday in May, this is a day that is all about space and anything that you can learn about or from space. Museums that have Air and Space exhibits may have special events going on this weekend.  This celebration was created by the Lockheed Martin Corp in 1997 in order to get young people all over the world excited about science and math.

To celebrate today, read Roberts Rules of Order so you are ready for your next organizational meeting.  Then play the tuba without your pants on at the nearest subway station before you go to the Air and Space Museum with your children.