Law Day - The theme for this year’s celebration is “American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters.” Every vote really does matter although I can certainly see why many people feel that their vote just doesn’t do anything. The problem is that there are a lot of people who feel that way so they don’t bother to even try to make a difference. I wonder what would happen if all those people got out there to express their wishes with their votes. It might be something pretty amazing. See this website of the American Bar Association for more information: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/initiatives_awards/law_day_2014.html
May Day – An ancient spring festival celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere. It originated in pre-Christian times as the festival of the Roman goddess of flowers, Flora. An old tradition, that is mostly ignored now, is leaving baskets of candy or flowers by your neighbor’s front door.
Beltane Day – The Celtic name for May Day.
Silver Star Service Banner Day – Created by the Silver Star Families Of America, this day was first accepted by all 50 states and then by the U.S. Congress. President Obama signed the resolution on April 29, 2011. The Silver Star Service Banner is a symbol that reminds Americans of those who have sacrificed for us. It is reserved for our brave men and women who have been wounded or contracted a sickness or a serious injury while in a war zone. It may be flown by anyone as a symbol of remembrance and honor.
Loyalty Day – Begun in 1921, this is a day to reaffirm our loyalty to the United States of America and to recognize our heritage of freedom. Many places in the country have parades to celebrate this day.
Mother Goose Day – Founded in 1987 by Gloria T. Delamar when her book about Mother Goose was published. I was raised on Mother Goose rhymes and I read them to my children as well, but there are many young children now who have never heard of Mother Goose so I’m guessing that she is fading away into obscurity.
Save the Rhino Day – This is a day for us to be aware of the danger Rhinoceros's face. Their numbers are dwindling and we need to support those who are fighting for the survival of the species. There is an event in London called the Rhino Mayday that celebrates the Rhino by talking with interested students about all kinds of Rhino related issues. There will be several speakers with a wide variety of topics. http://www.savetherhino.org/events
Lei Day – Hawaii is known for their tradition of lei making. If you’ve been to Hawaii, you have experienced their generosity in handing these beautiful flower necklaces to guests of their fair island. But you don’t have to go to Hawaii to celebrate this day, you can have your own celebration right in the comfort of your own living room. Many Hawaiian inspired activities are planned for today such as, brace for the shock.....the making of leis.
Keep Kids Alive! Drive 25 Day – This is a day to pay attention to how you drive on neighborhood streets where kids are likely to be playing. I know in my neighborhood it is very common to see people speeding off to work or back home again and I have witnessed a couple of near misses with cars and people. Please be careful everyone and drive slowly in neighborhoods. http://www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org/
National Chocolate Parfait Day – Parfait means different things in different countries. In France, a parfait is frozen custard mixed with whipped cream. Here in America, it is layers of pudding alternated with whipped cream and/or anything else that you think would taste delicious and sweet.
Batman Day – On this day in 1939, Batman first appeared in comic books. Specifically, he appeared in Detective Comics #27 where he was referred to as the “Bat-Man”. He was so popular at that time that the next year he got to star in a comic book named after him.
Executive Coaching Day – This is a day to applaud the executives that don't have a job, they have a profession. And they take it seriously enough that they are willing to go the extra mile and help others in their profession by coaching them. Everyone benefits when this happen; the organization, the coaches and the workers being coached.
New Homeowner's Day – On this day we celebrate everyone who has bought a new home in the last year. If you know a new homeowner personally, today is a good day to drop in and get a tour of their new place. If they are a new neighbor, take the time to stop in and introduce yourself and welcome them to the neighborhood.
National Day Of Prayer – Always the first Thursday in May, this day was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1952 and the proclamation signed by the President every year since then asking Americans to “turn to God today in prayer and meditation.” There is apparently some historical evidence that says it was really begun by President George Washington, but I haven’t seen it. It should be noted that the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been trying to get this day to be declared unconstitutional but so far they have been unsuccessful. There will be an Observance of this day that will be broadcast from Washington D.C. which you can access from this website: http://nationaldayofprayer.org/
National Day Of Reason – The direct opposite of National Day Of Prayer, this day was begun by atheists and secular groups who are opposed to prayer and do not believe it should be an official day. They oppose what they call “the intrusion of religious ideology into all spheres of our government.” http://nationaldayofreason.org/2012/why-national-day-of-reason/
School Principals’ Day - This is a day to honor principals of schools all over the country. They have a very difficult job ensuring the safety of the students and staff and making sure the students are educated and have all of the services that they require in order to get that education.
Martin Z. Mollusk Day – Martin Z. Mollusk is a hermit crab who lives on Moorlyn Terrace Beach in Ocean City, NJ. Martin must be distantly related to Punxsutawney Phil because he can also predict the arrival of a new season. If he sees his shadow today, summer is going to come a week early in Ocean City. No shadow? Summer will begin on time. Be at 9th Street Beach at 11am to catch the festivities. http://www.oceancityvacation.com/news-events/calendar-events.html
To celebrate today, make some leis with your children and give them to everyone you see who is flying a silver banner. Then head to the nearest school and give one to the Principal along with a discussion about reason vs. religion. Then head to Ocean City, NJ to see Martin Z. Mollusk and find out when it will be summer. On the way home, be careful to go 25 miles per hour in neighborhoods and make sure you stop in to visit with anyone who has bought a new home this year. Take a Batman comic book to everyone you coach at work and wish them a happy May Day or Beltane Day, whichever you prefer and make sure you tell them to make sure they exercise their right to vote. Finally, have some chocolate parfait while you reaffirm your loyalty to your country by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before you read Mother Goose rhymes to your kids and tell them all about the rhinoceroses who still roam the earth.
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