August 15, 2016

Today we celebrate:

India Independence Day - On this day in 1947, India attained independence from the British Empire. Amazingly, they accomplished this mostly through nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience let by the Indian National Congress. It was much more complicated than that, of course, and coincided with the partitioning of Indian into the Dominions of India and Pakistan which was very violent with great loss of life. The day is celebrated with parades, flag ceremonies, patriotic songs and movies and family activities.

Stay Home with your Kids Day - Created by Jennifer Stewart in 1997 this is a day to take one day and stay home with your kids. You can work from home or just take the whole day off if you want to. I was a stay at home mom for many years and found it very rewarding, but I think we all realize that not everyone can afford to or wants to do that. You have to make the decisions that are right for you and for your family, whatever they are. But if you have chosen to stay home with the kids, this is a day to encourage you and support your decision.

Assumption Day – This is a feast day for the Catholic Church. It celebrates the day that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

National Lemon Meringue Pie Day – My FAVORITE pie! I eat a diet that is gluten, dairy and egg free right now, all three of which appear in this particular dish, but I tell you what...I don't care. When it comes to lemon meringue pie, I will cheat on my diet every time and happily accept the consequences.

Chauvin Day – Nicholas Chauvin was a French soldier who was loyal to Napoleon even when it became obvious that any kind of loyalty in that regard was misplaced. He was ridiculed because of that blind loyalty and his dedication to anything French. Chauvinism now refers to intense and unreasonable attachment to any cause. It is celebrated today because it is Napoleon's birthday. Chauvin's birthday is not known. There are some historians who believe that he did not exist but was made up and given credit for the deeds of other Bonapartists (people loyal to Napoleon Bonaparte).

Julia Child's Birthday – Born on this day in 1912, Julia Child was a chef who revolutionized American cooking. She brought the art of cooking gourmet meals to the average American housewife in the form of cookbooks and television cooking shows.

Victory Over Japan Day – V-J Day, on this day in 1945 (Japanese time) Japan surrendered, ending World War II. It's sort of odd that the same event happened on two different days. Thinking too hard about the time differences makes my head hurt so I don't go there often. If I did I could get lost in the idea that the United States received Japan's surrender the day before Japan issued it, except...not really.

National Failures Day - This is a day to think about and recognize the failures in your life and learn from them. Once you have figured out the lessons that you can learn, stop dwelling on the past, and move on with your life with a renewed positivity and determination to avoid repeating past mistakes. Don’t be afraid of failure because sometimes we learn more about life from them then we do from our successes.  

National Relaxation Day – This is a day to do whatever you like to do for relaxation. Do you like to lounge on the beach? Sit in a cozy chair and read a book? Get a massage? Whatever it is that relaxes you, that is what you should do today.

Cupcake Day – This is a delicious day that was created by the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in Australia to celebrate cupcakes and animals. It can be celebrated on the third Monday in August by making, eating, smelling or even just looking at cupcakes and by helping an animal in need in some manner.

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