April 21, 2017

Today we celebrate:


National Day Of Silence – Sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, celebrated on the third Friday in April, and begun in 1996 by the students at the University of Virginia, this is a day to take a vow of silence of some kind to take a stand and make a statement against bullying, specifically against bullying the LGBTQ community. Bullying anyone for any reason is just wrong. You don't have to agree with the choices other people make, or the lifestyles they live. You can even flat out disagree with them, but no one has the right to bully, or persecute, anyone for those choices or lifestyles. On this day, if you are a student you are encouraged to inform your teachers ahead of time about your vow of silence but you must know that during classroom instruction time, if a teacher requires you to vocally participate in any way, you must do so. Some teachers, if they know ahead of time, might support your stand, but not all will and so you need to be prepared to suspend your vow of silence during classroom time.

Thank You For Libraries Day - Libraries fill a great need in their communities. You may not think of it often but there are lots of people in your community that do not have internet access, or money to buy books, or access to tax forms. Some people need the library to have access to a few hours of heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer. Some people need help finding information, learning how to use computers, learning how to speak English, or learning how to read. Check out your local library today, there is probably more going on there than you know about.

Big Word Day - OK, this is an odd day. The objective today is to use the biggest, most gargantuan words you can, just so that you can impress those around you.

Tuna Rights Day - Yes, Tuna has rights too, and don’t forget it. Tuna has the right to swim in the ocean without being snagged by some fisherman’s net and tossed into a fry pan. Try eating something else today.

Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day – This day is not only about appreciating bulldogs, who are beautiful in their own way. It is also about celebrating the beautiful differences between people of all sizes, shapes, colors and coordination.

Keep Off The Grass Day - Created by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway and celebrated the day before Earth Day, this is the day to keep off the grass. You can feel free to celebrate this day in any way you deem fit. Even if that means NOT keeping off the grass.

San Jacinto Day - The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on this day in 1836. It was here, at the last battle of the Texas Revolution, that Texas won independence from Mexico. Texas takes this day very seriously and made it an official holiday with a festival and reenactments every year.

National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day – I have yet to find out where to buy these chocolate and cashew little pieces of heaven. Does anyone have any ideas?

Kindergarten Day – Today we celebrate the birthday of Friedrich Froebe who was born in 1782 and started the first kindergarten in 1837. It was a very popular concept but the government chose to stop it in 1851. A year later Friedrich died and so wasn't able to see that his idea was resurrected in Germany in 1860 and in 1873 the first public kindergarten was opened in St. Louis Missouri. They blossomed from there so that now there is usually at least one kindergarten option for your children no matter where you are.

John Muir Day - Born on this day in Scotland in 1838, John Muir was a wilderness explorer and writer. He was also the first President of the Sierra Club. He came to the U.S. in 1849 and lived in California. He traveled extensively and made it his mission to encourage people to protect nature and beauty. He helped to establish Yosemite National Park in 1890.

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