February 23, 2018

Today we celebrate:

World Understanding And Peace Day - On this day in 1905, the Rotary held its’ first meeting. So they have designated this special day on their anniversary. They ask all Rotary clubs to plan special activities that promote “understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace.”

Curling Is Cool Day – Believed to be one of the world's oldest team games, it became part of the Olympic Games in 1924. And if you didn't know that it was a cool sport, now you do. It is clearly cool enough to have it's own day. And, really, those pants they wear are the best of any other sport.

Diesel Engine Day – On this day in 1892, Rudolph Diesel, a German born in Paris in 1858, received patents in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and filed a patent in the United States, for a “Method of and Apparatus for Converting Heat into Work”. In other words, the first diesel engine.

Iwo Jima Day – I know, I know, we just had Iwo Jima Day back on February 19th. I'm not repeating, but apparently, this is also Iwo Jima Day because on this day in 1945, the photograph “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” was taken. This photo has become, what some consider to be, the most reproduced photograph of all time. So there is disagreement on which day should be considered Iwo Jima Day.

National Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day – I can't find out who created this or when or even why, but who cares. If you have a dog, or you know someone who has a dog, give the dog a biscuit. They will certainly appreciate it.

National Banana Bread Day – This is a quick bread that doesn't use yeast so you don't have to wait for it to rise. Just mix it all together and bake for an hour and you have one of my kids' favorite treats. Some sort of banana breadish type food was made way back around 70 A.D., according to food historians. But the first recipe was published in 1933 by Pillsbury.

Play Tennis Day – I know, it's February, not exactly a great time for playing tennis, but if it's not actively snowing, clear off the court and get out your rackets for some great exercise. Once you get moving you won't be so cold.

International Stand Up To Bullying Day - This is a day that is celebrated on the last Friday of February and the third Friday of November in at least 25 countries around the world. To participate you must sign and wear a pink “pledge shirt”. It is a day to take a stand against bullying and show support for victims in a non-confrontational way. It was begun by Travis Price and David Shephard, two students who stood up in defense of a fellow student who was being bullied because he wore a pink shirt to school. I guess those bullies didn’t realize that red and pink used to be considered male colors because they represented fire and war. Blue used to be a female color because it represented nurturing and water.

International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day - Celebrated on the last Friday of February or the last day in February depending on who you ask, this is a day to be aware of the danger of straining your body by doing the same movements over and over again either through work or in your personal life. If you type constantly, you can have problems with your wrists and fingers. If you are a deli meat slicer, you can have problems with your shoulder and elbow. Be aware of the movements you make and try to make sure that you adjust the way you move so that it causes less strain on your body, such as using an ergonomic keyboard, or using more of your body to move something instead of just your arms or back.

Women in Blue Jeans Day – This day celebrates the women of rural America who wear jeans and work boots to work every day. There is a conference taking place today in South Dakota for women in blue jeans to come together to relax, learn and meet new people. It's too late to register for this year, but they do it every year so keep it in mind for next year.