September 2, 2017

Today we celebrate:


Calendar Adjustment Day – In 1751, the British government passed the British Calendar Act of 1751. This meant that Britain and the American Colonies had to make the “Gregorian Correction” in 1752. The correction entailed the loss of 11 days. Life went as normal through Wednesday, September 2, 1752 but the very next day became Thursday, September 14, 1752. This act also changed New Year's Day from March 25th to January 1st which meant that instead of the year changing over in March, it happened on January 1, 1752 and every year after that. This caused the year 1751 to have only 282 days because 1751 began on March 25th and ended on December 31st and the year 1752 had 355 days because of the 11 day loss I mentioned earlier. Can you imagine what an uproar a change like that would cause these days? I imagine that there were a lot of people asking each other, “What day is it again?” It’s probably a good thing that this happened before the Revolutionary War. If it happened during or after, our founding fathers were so obstinate that they probably would have refused to comply and we would probably still have a calendar that is different from the rest of the world.

Pierce Your Ears Day - I didn’t know there was a day for this! If I had, I would have had my daughters wait until this day came around years ago when we had their ears pierced. Some places that do this kind of thing might have discounts that you can take advantage of today. Ear piercing is a kind of peculiar thing to do, if you think about it. Why put a hole in your body? There will probably come a day when people won’t do that anymore but right now wearing earrings is fashionable and a way to make yourself look and feel more beautiful. It’s not for everyone, so if you don’t like it, don’t do it.

Old Timers’ Day - This is a great day to honor the ones among us who have lived the longest. They have the honor of being called “Old Timers” and should be venerated and respected for their years and years of wisdom and experience. Do not use insulting words to describe them like decrepit and antiquated, unless you are the old timer, in which case you may feel free to use any words you want.

Bowling Shirt Day - Bowling shirts date back to the 1950’s and should never be tucked in. I’m not sure why this particular day is important in the bowling shirt year, but it is so dig yours out of the closet, call the rest of your past or present bowling team, and get together for a game today.

Spalding Baseball Day - This is a day to appreciate baseballs. We wouldn’t be able to enjoy a baseball game without them. On this day in 1850, Albert Spalding was born. He was a major league baseball player for the Boston Red Stockings and the Chicago White Stockings. Stockings? Really? I’m glad they changed that name. Mr. Spalding started a sporting good store with his brother in 1876. Perhaps you’ve heard of them, Spalding Sporting Goods. If you play any kind of sport that uses a ball, you probably have. They standardized baseballs and were the makers of the First Major League Baseball in 1876 and the First Major League Baseball Glove in 1877.

National Blueberry Popsicle Day - Popsicles were invented in 1905 by an absent minded child, Frank Epperson. Frank left his fruit juice outside on a freezing winter’s day with a stirring stick in it. The next morning it was frozen solid and delicious. This is a day to enjoy the blueberry variety. If you make your own, with fresh blueberries, it is heavenly.

Victory over Japan Day – On this day in 1945, Japan's surrender became official with the signing of the surrender document. There was a formal ceremony in Tokyo Bay, Japan aboard the USS Missouri.

National Beheading Day – Okay, who came up with this one? If you can find out, please let me know. All I could find out is that this is a day to celebrate all the beheadings that have occurred throughout history whether they happened to regular people or royalty. Kind of gruesome, if you ask me.

Bison-Ten-Yell Day – This is a day to celebrate the bicentennial of the invention of the Bison-Ten-Yell. Yes, I know. That information didn't make me any less confused either. Well, maybe it will help if I tell you that it has something to do with a set of 10 battle yells that were used as signals during battle. And this was incorporated into football in order to help the players remember the plays.

World Beard Day – Always on the first Saturday in September, this is a day to celebrate facial hair. Do you have a beard? If you don't have one, and you are male, don't shave today. Maybe by the end of the day you'll have the start of one.

Franchise Appreciation Day – Celebrated either on the Saturday before Labor Day or two days before the first Monday in September, (not always the same thing) this is a day to support local franchises. Franchises make up quite a number of small businesses in your area and some of them might have some celebratory activities today.

International Bacon Day - Celebrated on the Saturday before Labor Day in the USA, this is a day to eat bacon all day long. You can include bacon in all kinds of recipes from bacon pancakes for breakfast (or bacon and eggs for the traditionalists among us), to bacon on your salad for lunch, to bacon wrapped scallops for dinner. There are innumerable recipes that you can find to incorporate this delicious but oh, so bad for you deliciousness.

National Hummingbird Day - Celebrated on the first Saturday in September, this is a day to celebrate those amazing little birds who are so tiny, fast and agile. Put out a hummingbird feeder, learn how to feed them, and sit back and enjoy the view.

International Vulture Awareness Day - Vultures are not one of our favorite birds. Just being frank here. No one particularly likes vultures. They are ugly and they eat dead things. But they are still vital to the circle of life and like so many other species, their numbers are dwindling. Today is a day to learn more about vultures and why we need to work to preserve the species. This is celebrated on the first Saturday of September.

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