Oh Pooh

August 21, 2016 at 12:01 am | Posted in Today's Reasons To Celebrate | Leave a comment

Good morning children’s literature lovers. Today is Sunday, August 21st. The holidays today are:

Christopher Robin’s Birthday

The character of Christopher Robin is based upon author A. A. Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne; born on this date in 1920. On his first birthday, Christopher received a stuffed bear as a gift. That started a growing collection of other stuffed animals. Mr. Milne used this growing menagerie of stuffed animals as inspiration for the rest of the characters in his “Winnie the Pooh” stories.
I won’t delve into how being “the Christopher Robin” affected his life, except to say that he eventually came full circle. This link will explain that better than I ever could. He died on 20 April 1996, but thanks to his father, he is immortalized forever in the annals of children’s literature.
To celebrate this holiday, read some of the classic “Winnie the Pooh” stories, read one of the stories that Christopher Robin Milne wrote himself, or (if you can find a copy) watch Disney’s full-length animated movie “Winnie the Pooh”. Oh, also, eat lots of honey…Pooh’s favorite food.

Poet’s Day

Poetry is a form of writing that uses the aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of a language, combined with simile and metaphor, to bring out meanings deeper than the mere definition of the words. The history of poetry is lengthy, traceable in written form as far back as the Sumerians, and was used as a memetic method of passing down stories and mythologies throughout cultures for countless ages before that.
The question, What is Poetry, has vexed philosophers for millennia, with Aristotle writing a book aptly named Poetics, trying to define it. However, he was only able to discuss a small portion of what poetry is, and how it is used in rhetoric, song, drama, and comedy.
Poet’s day is dedicated to the long history of poetry in the world, and most especially to those who compose it. Every poet has his or her own unique style, as poetry is inevitably born from their feelings and personal experiences. Whether for an English class, or to compose the lyrics for the next great Rock & Roll anthem, or to express feelings for that special someone, just about everyone has, at some point in their lives, attempted to write poetry. Most of us, thankfully, move on to other more important things. But a few never lose their love for, or their desire to write, poetry. It is for these people that Poet’s Day is intended. If you want to celebrate this holiday, read a few works from some of the great poets like Shakespeare, Tennyson, or Thomas — Or, find your old notebooks and revisit some of your own verse.

National Senior Citizen’s Day

I know that National Senior Citizen’s Day doesn’t pertain to any of my readers, but it does honor that growing segment of our population; senior citizens. According to the traditional definition, a senior citizen is anyone older than 60 years of age, but this seems relatively young in today’s society. Senior citizens are also the most politically engaged segment of the population. Almost 80% of all senior citizens vote in a presidential election, while the overall voter turnout is usually around just 50% or less.
On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued the following proclamation:

“Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honor of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land.
With improved health care and more years of productivity, older citizens are reinforcing their historical roles as leaders and as links with our patrimony and sense of purpose as individuals and as a Nation. Many older people are embarking on second careers, giving younger Americans a fine example of responsibility, resourcefulness, competence, and determination. And more than 4.5 million senior citizens are serving as volunteers in various programs and projects that benefit every sector of society. Wherever the need exists, older people are making their presence felt — for their own good and that of others.
For all, they have achieved throughout life and for all, they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older — places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.
The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 138, has designated August 21, 1988, as “National Senior Citizens Day” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim August 21, 1988, as National Senior Citizens Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

To celebrate this holiday, spend some time with, and show some appreciation for, senior citizens.  Do volunteer work in support of the elderly. Oh yeah, if you qualify, take advantage of your senior citizen discount…you’ve earned it.

National Spumoni Day

Spumoni originated in Naples, Italy, and was introduced to America in the 1870’s by Italian immigrants. Traditionally, spumoni would include chocolate, cherry and pistachio gelato with bits of cherries and pistachios mixed in, but it could also consist of multiple layers (usually three) of different flavors of gelato, with little bits of other fruits and nuts mixed in. Once in America, Italian ice cream shop owners eliminated the fruit and nuts to keep costs down, and the flavors eventually became chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry; what most of us today call Neapolitan ice cream. If you have never experienced true spumoni, I urge you to do so today. That bastardized American version pales in comparison.

Eat a Peach Day 

Peaches are a favorite fruit among Americans, and they are in season. Eat a Peach Day encourages you to enjoy a fresh, sweet, juicy peach as a snack today. I shouldn’t need to elaborate any further.

National Brazilian Blowout Day

On this date in:

  • 1831 – Nat Turner, a former slave, led a violent insurrection in Virginia. He was later executed.
  • 1841 – A patent for Venetian blinds was issued to John Hampton.
  • 1888 – The adding machine was patented by William Burroughs.
  • 1912 – Arthur R. Eldred became the first American boy to become an Eagle Scout. It is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
  • 1923 – In Kalamazoo, Michigan, an ordinance was passed forbidding dancers from gazing into the eyes of their partner.
  • 1945 – President Truman ended the Lend-Lease program that had shipped about $50 billion in aid to America’s Allies during World War II.
  • 1959 – Hawaii became the 50th state. President Eisenhower also issued the order for the 50-star flag.
  • 1971 – Laura Baugh, at the age of 16, won the United States Women’s Amateur Golf tournament. She was the youngest winner in the history of the tournament.
  • 1984 – Victoria Roche, a reserve outfielder, became the first girl to ever compete in a Little League World Series game.
  • 1996 – The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was signed by President Clinton. The act made it easier to get and keep health insurance.
  • 1997 – Hudson Foods Inc. closed a plant in Nebraska after it had recalled 25 million pounds of ground beef that were potentially contaminated with E. coli virus. It was the largest food recall in United States history.
  • 1997 – Afghanistan suspended its embassy operations in the United States.
  • 2002 – In Pakistan, President General Pervez Musharraf unilaterally amended the Pakistani constitution. He extended his term in office and granted himself powers that included the right to dissolve parliament.
  • 2003 – In Ghana, businessman Gyude Bryant was selected to oversee the two-year power-sharing accord between Liberia’s rebels and the government. The accord was planned to guide the country out of 14 years of civil war.

Celebrity Birthdays:

National Radio Day

August 20, 2016 at 12:01 am | Posted in Today's Reasons To Celebrate | Leave a comment

Good morning radio fans.  Today is Saturday, August 20th. Today’s holidays are:

National Radio Day

It is difficult to determine who exactly invented the technology that we term “radio” today. Research for this medium began in the late 1800’s. Credit for the invention of the radio was given to Guglielmo Marconi, but some scientists say that his invention was taken from research and drawings published by Nikola Tesla a decade earlier. Thomas Edison and a few others all had radio prototypes and received patents as well using different types of wireless communication.
It is safe to say that without the invention of the telephone and the telegraph, radios  would not exist today. All of the experiments into wireless communication rose from these two inventions.
No matter who is given credit for the invention, we can all agree that it is one of the best inventions ever.
The “golden age of radio” began in the late 1920’s, and ended in 1962 with the last broadcast of “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” which was the last syndicated network radio drama. By this time, television had become the standard for home entertainment. The format of radio programming may have morphed from drama, music, and comedy shows into news, talk, sports, and music programs,  but radio is still popular today. Every car manufactured still includes a radio as standard equipment. It is hard to imagine getting onto your car without listening to the radio.
National Radio Day doesn’t salute the invention of the radio, but rather salutes the radio as a medium of entertainment. As near as it can be determined, this holiday is only a couple of decades old. It seems to have been created by a group of radio personalities in the 1990’s as a way to recognize the contribution of radio to today’s society.
To celebrate this holiday, turn off the “boob tube”, step away from your computer, and listen to your favorite radio station.

International Homeless Animals Day

If you read this BLOG regularly, you know that I am a long-time advocate of spaying and neutering pets. International Homeless Animals Day highlights the fact that every year local pet shelters in America are overwhelmed because of the numbers of animals left homeless. When animals aren’t spayed or neutered it leads to overpopulation. When there are too many animals in shelters, their only recourse  is to euthanize the ones that aren’t adopted.
International Homeless Animals Day was created to help find new ideas that will help solve the problem of pet overpopulation. The government and private institutions need to combine their efforts to find a solution. Check with your local animal shelter to see if they are having an event and attend if you can. Whether or not they are having an event, a small donation will always be appreciated.

National Honey Bee Day

National Honey Bee Day was created in 2009 by a small group of beekeepers in the United States who petitioned for and obtained a formal proclamation by the USDA honoring honey bees and beekeeping. The purpose is to build community awareness of the bee industry, through education and promotion. In 2010, a non-profit, Pennsylvania Apiculture Inc. was organized to better facilitate and promote the observance. It is always celebrated on the third Saturday in August.
According to its organizers, the National Honey Bee Day program started with a simple concept:

Bring together beekeepers, bee associations, as well as other interested groups to connect with the communities to advance beekeeping. By working together and harnessing the efforts that so many already accomplish, and by using a united effort one day a year, the rewards and message is magnified many times over. We encourage bee associations, individuals, and other groups to get involved. The program is free and open to all.

Unlike other bee-related holidays this year, National Honey Bee Day seem geared more toward apiarists. No mention was made in any of my sources about the plight of honey bees worldwide and their rapidly diminishing numbers.

World Mosquito Day 

World Mosquito Day, observed annually on 20 August, is a commemoration of British doctor Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine holds Mosquito Day celebrations every year, including events such as parties and exhibitions, a tradition dating back to as early as the 1930’s.

National Lemonade Day

The old adage “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is certainly appropriate for this holiday, but, on National Lemonade Day, even if life didn’t give you lemons, go buy some and make lemonade anyway.
Lemons are said to have been first found in North India, China and Burma, and was introduced in Persia, Arab countries, Iraq and Egypt in around 700 AD. Lemon was the main ingredient of various dishes and therefore, the beverage would have been introduced in a country where lemons were found. However, the first written evidence of its existence is found in Egyptian writings and so we have a reason to believe that it originated in Egypt. It is said that the peasants there, drank a wine made from lemon, date and honey. Some also believe that the ‘lemonade’ that we drink these days was first introduced in France during the 16th century. In Cairo, lemon drinks were not only favorites among the locals but were also exported during the 13th century.
No one knows when lemons were first introduced to America, but they most likely originated in the south because of the climate. A simple concoction of lemon juice, water, sugar and ice, lemonade has been a favorite summertime refresher in America for well over a century. It is easy to make at home, so celebrate this holiday by making a pitcher, or two, to cool off this afternoon.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Day

National Bacon Lover’s Day

On this date in:

  • 1741 – Danish navigator Vitus Jonas Bering discovered Alaska.
  • 1866 – It was formally declared by President Andrew Johnson that the American Civil War was over. The fighting had stopped months earlier.
  • 1923 – The first American dirigible, the “Shenandoah,” was launched in Lakehurst, NJ. The ship began its maiden voyage from the same location on September 4.
  • 1945 – Tommy Brown (Brooklyn Dodgers) became the youngest player to hit a home run in a major league ball game. Brown was 17 years, 8 months and 14 days old.
  • 1953 – It was announced by the Soviet Union that they had detonated a hydrogen bomb.
  • 1964 – A $1 billion anti-poverty measure was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
  • 1967 – The New York Times reported about a noise reduction system for album and tape recording developed by technicians R. and D.W. Dolby. Elektra Record’s subsidiary, Checkmate Records became the first label to use the new Dolby process in its recordings.
  • 1977 – Voyager 2 was launched by the United States. The spacecraft was carrying a 12 inch copper phonograph record containing greetings in dozens of languages, samples of music and sounds of nature.
  • 1985 – The original Xerox 914 copier was presented to the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History. Chester Carlson was the man who invented the machine.
  • 1998 – Canada’s Supreme Court announced that Quebec could not secede without the federal government’s consent.
  • 1998 – United States military forces attacked a terrorist camp in Afghanistan and a chemical plant in Sudan. Both targets were chosen for cruise missile strikes due to their connection with Osama bin Laden.
  • 1998 – The United Nations Security Council extended trade sanctions against Iraq for blocking arms inspections.

Celebrity Birthdays:

Picture Perfect

August 19, 2016 at 12:01 am | Posted in Today's Reasons To Celebrate | Leave a comment

Good morning Ansel Adams wannabes. Today is Friday, August 19th. Today’s holidays are:

World Photography Day

With the huge advances in technology in the last two decades which have made photography virtually “idiot proof”, many people these days think they are professional photographers…just check out any social media website. World Photography Day does not honor these clowns, but instead, World Photography Day pays homage to the invention of the Daguerreotype process, a photographic processes developed by Joseph Nicèphore Nièpce and Louis Daguerre in France in 1837.
On this date in 1839, the French government purchased the rights to, and released free of charge to the rest of the world, the Daguerreotype process which is why World Photography Day is celebrated today. The Daguerreotype process is the first practical photographic process and is the forerunner to all the photographic processes since. The first permanent photographic image was taken in 1826, by Nicèphore Nièpce. It is known as ‘View from the Window at Le Gras‘ and used a process called Heliography, but it wasn’t practical. Nièpce teamed up with Daguerre, and a little over a decade later, the Daguerreotype process was the result.
The World Photo Day project started in 2009 and it was celebrated for the first time on August 19th, 2010. Today, millions of people around the world celebrate this holiday with thousands of photographers getting involved through independent community events, competitions, and promotions. To celebrate World Photography Day simply take a few pictures. Update your family portrait, venture forth into the wilderness and take a few nature shots, or capture the essence of your city, town, village, or hamlet, etc with a few candid snapshots.

National Aviation Day  

National Aviation Day celebrates the birthday of pioneer aviator Orville Wright on this date in 1871, and promote an interest in aviation in general. Orville was the first person to successfully fly an airplane. The holiday was established in 1939 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who issued a presidential proclamation which designated the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday to be National Aviation Day. The proclamation was codified and it allows the sitting US President to proclaim August 19 as National Aviation Day each year if desired. [Their proclamation may direct all federal buildings and installations to fly the US flag on that day, and may encourage citizens to observe the day with activities that promote interest in aviation]. To a lesser degree, National Aviation Day sometimes honors other specific early aviation and space pioneers, or aviation and space pioneers in general. The first successful heavier than air flight occurred on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Note: Mr. Wright, who was born in 1871, was still alive when the proclamation was first issued, and would live another nine years until his death in 1948.

World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day is set aside to recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. This holiday was designated by the General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. That tragic event claimed 22 lives. World Humanitarian Day also recognizes the dozens of aid workers, who have died in the years since. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.

Potato Day

Potatoes have been popular parts of diets around the world for centuries.  More than 45 billion pounds of potatoes are harvested in the United States each year.  Americans love them baked, mashed, boiled, fried; the list is endless. Potatoes are not only tasty, they’re good for you too. They contain high levels of important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, and iron.
To celebrate this holiday, enjoy some potatoes prepared in your favorite way.

“Black Cow” Root Beer Float Day

We have already celebrated a number of Root Beer Float days so far this year, including at least one other Black Cow Day. This particular “Black Cow” Root Beer Float Day celebrates the date that the Root Beer Float was ostensibly created.
As the story goes,  the first root beer float was served on August 19th, 1893, by Frank J. Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Brewing, in Cripple Creek, Colorado. He called his creation the “Black Cow Mountain,” and it soon became a hit with the kiddos, who began referring to the tasty treat as simply, the “Black Cow.”
These days, root beer floats mean different things to different people, depending on the region you are from, or family tradition. For some, it’s not a root beer float unless you use plain vanilla ice cream dolloped into your root beer. Others put a little spin on things: plopping some chocolate ice cream into their root beer and calling it a “chocolate cow” or a “brown cow.” Still others insist it’s only a “brown cow” or a “black cow” if you use regular cola and ice cream. Then there are folks in places such as northeastern Wisconsin, who only call it a “black cow” if the root beer and ice cream are all mixed together, instead of leaving the ice cream floating on top. In some parts of the country, there is even a treat known as a “purple cow” – a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a mug of purple grape soda.
So, I guess you are the arbiter of what comprises a Black Cow. Just be sure to treat yourself to a Black Cow today…no matter what ingredients and/or manner of preparation you deem appropriate.

National Hot and Spicy Food Day

National Hot and Spicy Food Day, oddly enough, celebrates hot and spicy foods. From Buffalo Wings to 3-Alarm Chili to General Tso’s Chicken, Americans love their hot and spicy foods. Many restaurants find “cutesy” ways of labeling the spiciness of their menu items, like “suicide hot”, but there is actually a semi-scientific means of measuring the spiciness of food called the Scoville Scale which measures the amount of capsaicin, an ingredient in chili peppers, that creates that burning sensation on the tongue.
If you want to spice up your life, celebrate this holiday with you favorite spicy dish.

Snuffleupagus’ Birthday

On this date in:

  • 1812 – “Old Ironsides” (the USS Constitution) won a battle against the British frigate Guerriere east of Nova Scotia.
  • 1848 – The discovery of gold in California was reported by the New York Herald.
  • 1856 – The process of processing condensed milk was patented by Gail Borden.
  • 1909 – The first car race to be run on brick occurred at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
  • 1917 – Team managers, John McGraw and Christy Matthewson were arrested for breaking New York City’s blue laws. Their crime — Their teams were playing baseball on Sunday.
  • 1934 – Adolf Hitler was approved for sole executive power in Germany as Fuehrer.
  • 1940 – The newly formed Civil Aeronautics Administration awarded honorary license #1 to Orville Wright.
  • 1960 – Francis Gary Powers, an American U-2 pilot, was convicted of espionage in Moscow.
  • 1960 – Two dogs were launched in a satellite into Earth’s orbit by the Soviet Union.
  • 1962 – Homero Blancas shot a 55 at the Premier Invitational Golf Tournament held in Longview, TX. It was the lowest score in U.S. competitive golf history.
  • 1974 – During an anti-American protest in Nicosia, Cyprus, United States Ambassador Roger P. Davies was fatally wounded by a bullet while in the American embassy.
  • 1991 – Soviet hard-liners announced that President Mikhail Gorbachev had been removed from power. Gorbachev returned to power two days later.
  • 1999 – In Belgrade, thousands of Serbs attended a rally to demand the resignation of Yugoslavia’s President Slobodan Milosevic.

Celebrity Birthdays:

Mail-Order Catalog Day

August 18, 2016 at 12:01 am | Posted in Today's Reasons To Celebrate | Leave a comment

Good morning convenient shopping fans. Today is Thursday, August 18th. The holidays today are:

Mail-Order Catalog Day 

Mail-Order Catalog Day marks the date in 1872 when Montgomery Ward published the first mail-order catalog. It was only a single sheet of paper. By 1904, their catalog had grown to hundreds of pages, and weighed over 4 pounds. Soon after Montgomery Ward published their first catalog, other retailers such as sears Roebuck followed suit and the mail-order industry was firmly established. For much of the early and mid 20th century, mail-order was the only practical way for people in rural communities to make major purchases such as appliances and machinery. Often the nearest retail establishment was a hundred or more miles away, so mail-order provided a more convenient way to shop. In the late 1970’s, stores like KMart, and Walmart had began opening stores in these rural areas, and the demand for mail-order waned. In 1985, Montgomery Ward closed their catalog sales operation.
Since the popularity and accessibility of the internet has increased in the last decade, those bulky, bothersome, now seemingly outdated catalogs have been replaced by online shopping. Online shopping is easier, quicker, and more convenient. Now, he only question that remains is: “What are those people who live in rural communities going to use when they run out of toilet paper?”

Birth Control Pills Day

Birth Control Pills Day marks the anniversary of the date in 1960 when the G.D. Searle company sold the first oral contraceptives under the brand name Envoid. Endocrinologist Gregory Pincus (1903-1967) researched female hormones and co-founded the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology in Worcester, Massachusetts. Although scientists in the 1920’s had already discovered progesterone’s ovulation-preventing properties, they did not have a way to make it available for use.  In the 1950’s Pincus and his colleagues focused their efforts on developing a hormone combination that would fool the woman’s body into thinking it was already pregnant, thus keeping any new ova (eggs) from being released. Because contraception was illegal in Massachusetts at the time, the pill was tested as an infertility treatment. In 1960 the Federal Drug Administration approved the first contraceptive pill.

National Fajita Day

National Fajita Day is a brand new holiday celebrated for the first time this year. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina created National Fajita Day and submitted it for approval by the National Day Calendar, and it was approved last month for celebration on this date. No reason was given regarding why this date was chosen. [On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is the world’s largest Mexican casual dining brand with more than 150 restaurants in 34 states, Puerto Rico, Asia and the Middle East].
Fajitas were originally made from throwaway cuts of beef by Mexican vaqueros in Southwest Texas. They developed into a regional staple in the early 1930’s. Steak was cooked over an open fire or grill and served it with flour or corn tortillas. Fresh Pico de gallo, guacamole and southwestern spices elevated the fajita, introducing it to new audiences as it later became a destination food in the culinary world. As their popularity grew, fajitas added colorful flair to Tex-Mex menus with sizzling platters full of bright peppers, onions, tender steak, shrimp, chicken or pork with freshly made tortillas. By the 1980’s, most Mexican restaurants in the United States served fajitas. In the modern culinary kitchen, lime, cilantro and a plethora of vegetables find their way into a fajita along with the perfect seasonings. Grilling with mesquite adds a smoky flavor and bacon adds crunch. Of course, who could forget the cheese? With their festive presentations in fine Mexican restaurants today, the fajita has come a long way from its humble skirt steak trimmings origin.

National Soft Ice Cream Day 

Soft Ice cream, aka “soft serve” ice cream, is a form of frozen custard that has been around for about a century. Although its exact origins are unknown, we do know that the first references to soft ice cream appeared in the early 1900’s. At that time, only a few types existed. Now, most ice cream shops serve a variety of fun flavors.
Dairy Queen is credited with being the originators of the first commercially successful soft-serve ice cream franchise when they served a “soft frozen dairy product” in 1938.

Helium Discovery Day

National Bad Poetry Day

Serendipity Day

On this date in:

  • 1587 – Virginia Dare became the first child to be born on American soil of English parents. The colony that is now Roanoke Island, NC, mysteriously vanished.
  • 1846 – Gen. Stephen W. Kearney and his U.S. forces captured Santa Fe, NM.
  • 1894 – The Bureau of Immigration was established by Congress.
  • 1914 – The “Proclamation of Neutrality” was issued by President Woodrow Wilson. It was aimed at keeping the United States out of World War I.
  • 1916 – Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace was made into a national shrine.
  • 1920 – The 19th Amendment to the Consrtitution was ratified. It granted women the right to vote.
  • 1938 – The Thousand Islands Bridge was dedicated by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The bridge connects the U.S. and Canada.
  • 1940 – Canada and the United States established a joint defense plan against the possible enemy attacks during World War II.
  • 1963 – James Meredith became the first black man to graduate from the University of Mississippi.
  • 1966 – The first pictures of earth taken from moon orbit were sent back to the U.S.
  • 1982 – The longest baseball game was played at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL. It went 21 innings before the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cubs 2-1.
  • 1991 – An unsuccessful coup was attempted in against President Mikhail S. Gorbachev. The Soviet hard-liners were responsible. Gorbachev and his family were effectively imprisoned for three days while vacationing in Crimea.
  • 1997 – Beth Ann Hogan became the first coed in the Virginia Military Institute’s 158-year history.
  • 1997 – Patrick Swayze received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Celebrity Birthdays:

The Meaning of “Is”, Is…

August 17, 2016 at 12:01 am | Posted in Today's Reasons To Celebrate | Leave a comment

Good morning wordsmiths. Today is Wednesday, August 17th. Today’s holidays are:

The Meaning of “Is” Day

The Meaning of “Is” Day, of course, refers to the infamous words uttered by former President Bill Clinton as he dabbled in semantics during his testimony before the Grand Jury hearings to clarify his relationship with Monica Lewinsky on this date in 1998. He said, “It depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is.”
The word ‘is’ is the seventh most commonly used word in the English language.
The word ‘is’ is hard to define. Most dictionaries agree that the word ‘is’ is the third person singular form of the word “be”; which is equally hard to define without going into a bunch of existential falderol. You could spend the rest of your day trying to decipher the definitive definition of the word ‘is’ and not be successful. Or you could simply accept the fact the definition of the word is,  just ‘is’, and move on with your life.

National Thriftshop Day

The term ‘thrift shop’ has a couple of meanings in today’s society. The first meaning refers to stores that sell merchandise which is deeply discounted. It’s not always the highest quality, but the price is right. You know these stores better today as discount department stores and dollar stores.
The other meaning refers to a resale shop that sells used goods, typically receiving its inventory from donations. Popular examples of thrift stores include those offered through non-profit organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army.
Whichever definition you choose, go “thrifting” today and pick up some bargains.

National “I Love My Feet” Day

National “I Love My Feet” Day is observed annually on August 17 and urges people to appreciate how valuable our feet are, to practice good foot care and pamper our feet.
Most people don’t think much about their feet…that is until they stub their toe on the coffee table, step on a Lego that their kid left on the living room floor, or get a blister from ill-fitting shoes. Feet are our primary mode of transportation. They help us stand, run, walk, play sports, jog, skip, dance, etc. They take us to school or work and help us navigate through our homes. Our feet withstand all the things we do in our everyday lives and accomplish things our hands cannot.
Proper foot care is important for preventing long-term problems. Years of wear and tear can be hard on them, as can disease, bad circulation, improperly trimmed toenails and poorly fitting shoes. Practicing good foot care is easy. Elevating your feet when you sit is a relaxing way to help reduce swelling. Stretching, walking or having a gentle foot massage aids circulation. A warm foot bath is also helpful. Make sure your feet are dry before putting on shoes. Wearing shoes when outside provides your feet better protection.
About 75% of the adult population has a foot problem and improper shoe choices account for the majority of those problems. Wearing properly fitted shoes with good arch support, getting foot massages and regular pedicures can reduce foot problems. If you have persistent foot pain, consulting your physician or a podiatrist can help – but the best way to avoid foot problems is to take care of your feet.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

In some cultures, black cats are associated with bad luck and, sadly, are more likely to be put to sleep or wait a long time to be adopted from shelters. Black Cat Appreciation Day was launched to show people that a black cat could be the perfect choice for them, and help raise awareness about black cats in general.
If you’ve been looking for a rescue cat yourself, why not consider a black cat? Not only are the superstitions about them bringing bad luck completely untrue, but you might find a black cat to be a fantastic feline companion for you.
If you own a black cat you can celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day by taking photos with your pet. If you don’t, you might want to consider adopting a black cat into your family. And, of course,  a small donation to an animal shelter is always a good way to celebrate any pet-related holiday.

National Vanilla Custard Day

Vanilla custard is a sweet pudding-like dish made with vanilla, eggs, sugar, and milk. It can be enjoyed on its own or as a topping for other desserts.
Vanilla custard has been around since the Middle Ages and was traditionally used as a pie filling. (A very simple custard tart was a popular dessert during that time period.) Today, custard is an important component in many dessert recipes including éclairs, trifle, and Boston cream pie.
The word custard is derived from “crustade,” a tart with a crust. After the 16th century, fruit creams became popular and it was about this time that custards began to be made in individual dishes or bowls rather than as fillings for a crust. Yet, as things move full circle, today custard is used to fill tarts, Danish pastry, flans, cream puffs and éclairs; it is mixed into trifles and otherwise part of other sweet and savory delights. Custards are prepared in two ways: stirred or cooked on top of the stove, or baked in the oven.
To celebrate this holiday, make a custard for dessert tonight.

National Medical Dosimetrist Day  — (If you don’t know what a Medical Dosimetrist is, you will after you have read the information contained in this link).

On this date in:

  • 1790 – The capital city of the U.S. moved to Philadelphia from New York City.
  • 1807 – Robert Fulton’s “North River Steam Boat” (known as the “Clermont”) began heading up New York’s Hudson River on its successful round-trip to Albany.
  • 1859 – A hot air balloon was used to carry mail for the first time. John Wise left Lafayette, IN, for New York City with 100 letters. With typical Post Office efficiency, he had to land after only 27 miles.
  • 1894 – John Wadsworth of Louisville set a major league record when he gave up 28 base hits in a single game.
  • 1896 – George Carmack discovered gold on Rabbit Creek in Alaska. This was the beginning of the Klondike gold rush.
  • 1903 – Joseph Pulitzer donated a million dollars to Columbia University. This started the Pulitzer Prizes in his name.
  • 1915 – Charles F. Kettering patented the electric, automobile self-starter.
  • 1961 – The Communist East German government completed the construction of the Berlin Wall.
  • 1977 – Florists Transworld Delivery (FTD) reported that in one day the number of orders for flowers to be delivered to Graceland after Elvis Presley’s death had surpassed the number for any other event in the company’s history.
  • 1978 – Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo, and Larry Newman became the first to land after a successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight. The voyage began in Presque Isle, ME and ended in Miserey, France.
  • 1982 – The Senate approved an immigration bill that granted permanent resident status to illegal aliens who had arrived in the United States before 1977.
  • 1992 – Woody Allen admitted to being romantically involved with Soon-Yi Previn. The girl was the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, Allen’s longtime companion.
  • 1996 – Ross Perot was announced to be the Reform Party’s presidential candidate. He was the party’s first-ever candidate.
  • 1998 – President Clinton admitted to having an improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.
  • 2002 – In Santa Rosa, CA, the Charles M. Schulz Museum opened to the public.

Celebrity Birthdays:

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