June 14, 2015

Today we celebrate:


National Bourbon Day - This is a day to enjoy this particular alcoholic beverage.  I’m not a fan of bourbon...although I make Bourbon Ball cookies at Christmas that are pretty good.  But if you enjoy it, feel free to safely indulge today.

Children's Sunday – This day is added to the list of celebrations that are always on the 2nd Sunday in June. There was a movement going to get enough signatures in order to petition the President to officially proclaim this day as Children's Day.  I’m not sure what the status is on that now.  This day has been unofficially celebrated since the mid 1800's and many cities have proclaimed this day along with many churches and denominations.

Multicultural American Child Day – Also celebrated on the second Sunday in June, this is a day to appreciate the talents and uniqueness of all children of every culture. We can share our culture with the whole country and the nation and our children will be stronger for it.

Pop Goes The Weasel Day - Another day that I couldn’t find a source for.  But it seems to be a day for nostalgia.  Think back to your childhood and all the nursery rhymes you learned way back then….or...not so far back.  OK, I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to imply that you are old. Anyway, I’m sure you remember Pop Goes The Weasel.  Sing it to your children…..or someone else’s children, today.

Race Unity Day – Yet another celebration on the 2nd Sunday in June, this day was begun in 1957 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. The purpose is to promote racial harmony and understanding, which I personally find to be an admirable goal. The Baha'is believe that racial prejudice is the most challenging moral issue that we face in this country so they wish to focus attention on that today.

Abused Women and Children's Awareness Day – Celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in June, this is a day to prayerfully end violent behavior in American homes, schools, workplaces and communities. You can help to stop the violence in America that endangers the lives of our women and children. As far as I know there isn’t an Abused Men Awareness Day but that is also a reality in our lives.  Women and children are not the only ones who suffer from abuse.  Men are less likely to report it, but can suffer physical, mental and emotional abuse from their wives/girlfriends as well.

Flag Day – On this day every year we celebrate the United States Flag. Let your flag fly with pride today and be proud to be an American. There will be many flag raising ceremonies all over the country today as well as numerous parades and musical salutes on or near this day.

Pause For The Pledge Day – This day is celebrated simultaneously with Flag Day and is usually a part of Flag Day ceremonies. Pausing for the Pledge of Allegiance is a way for all citizens to share a patriotic feeling.

National Strawberry Shortcake Day – When strawberries are in season, this is one of my favorite desserts. Nothing beats the sweet, juicy, deliciousness of fresh strawberries. It's been so dry here this year, however, I don't know what the strawberry crop is going to look like.

Army's Birthday – On this day in 1775, the United States Army was born. It was a bit of an undisciplined, rag tag bunch of farmers with no real chain of command but they got it together enough to defeat the British and their skills have only improved in the 240 years since that beginning. Today we honor the bravery, strength, and professionalism of our soldiers who still put their lives on the line to protect us every day.

World Blood Donor Day – In many areas of the world, safe blood is very hard to come by. This is a day to make people aware of that problem and the need for as many regular blood donors as possible. The other purpose of this day is to thank donors for being willing to share their life saving blood with those who are in need. In the normal course of our lives we sometimes forget about how important it is that hospitals have enough blood to enable them to save lives every day. But it doesn't take much to remind us and we will line up at a blood bank for the opportunity to contribute to that effort. And when a real tragedy happens, people will come in droves and endure great hardship in order to donate because this is something that almost everyone can do to help at a time when everyone wants to help more than anything else.

To celebrate today, start out your day reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Then, head to Church for Children’s Sunday where you can sing Pop Goes the Weasel to the multicultural and multiracial kids there.  Then, while you have some time on your hands because you are sitting and donating blood, sip some bourbon and call up your Army friends to wish them a Happy Birthday.  When you get home, make strawberry shortcake to share with an abused women’s shelter near you.

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