NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY

January 3rd spotlights National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day and a favorite during many holidays. Furthermore, the National Confectioners Association has been known to recognize this day as an annual event.  

Chocolate-covered cherry lovers know how impossible it is to eat just one of these candies. Candy makers combine these two favorite flavors into one delicious treat and it turns into something irresistible. They also often make the candy with a sweet liquid center and in some cases a liqueur filling.

Chocolate covered cherries are also chocolate cordials. They can be either store-bought or homemade. There are many recipes that mimic the flavor of this well-loved candy. Either way, they are known to many as a mid-winter pick-me-up.

During the 1700s in England, cherries were enclosed in chocolate with a little kirsch (cordial) liqueur. After finding their way to the United States, Americans began delighting in the little bit of alcoholic cordial surrounding the fruit dipped in chocolate. Although originally made with the liqueur, cordials, or chocolate-covered cherries are more commonly made with a sugar syrup flavored with cherries. The pitted cherries have been cooked in sugar syrup and jarred.

HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateCoveredCherryDay

We can celebrate this sweet food holiday in several ways.

• Stop by your favorite chocolate shop and indulge in several ounces of this dipped treat. Make sure to get enough to share, too.
• Make some at home. We’ve even found a few recipes for you to try.
• Share your favorite recipe on social media. Use #ChocolateCoveredCherryDay.
• Cholocate covered-cherries aren’t the only way to go. Other recipes create desserts that include the flavors of this delicious candy.
• Deliver some chocolate and cherry flavored sweets to friends and neighbors.

Enjoy your day by sharing some chocolate covered cherries with your friends and family. 

Taste of Home’s Chocolate Covered Cherries
Food.com’s Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake
Food.com’s Chocolate Covered Cherry Fudge
Taste of Home’s Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

Use #ChocolateCoveredCherryDay to post on social media.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY DAY

While the National Confectioners Association recognizes this day honoring this tasty chocolate treat, National Day Calendar continues to seek the origins of the celebration. 

NATIONAL DRINKING STRAW DAY

On January 3rd National Drinking Straw Day commemorates the date in 1888 that Marvin C. Stone received the patent for the paper drinking straw. Since then, a variety of drinking straws are used.

It is believed the Sumerians used the very first drinking straws for drinking beer. Archeologists speculate they used the straws to avoid the solid byproducts of fermentation that would have sunk to the bottom.  The oldest drinking straw known to be in existence was found in a Sumerian tomb dated 3,000 B.C.E. This found straw was a gold tube inlaid with a precious blue stone.

The Argentines used a similar metallic device called a bombilla. Used for hundreds of years, the bombilla acted as both a straw and a sieve.

Today, manufacturers make a variety of reusable straws. From stainless steel and glass to bamboo and silicone, they not only save money and the environment, but they are also fun to use.  They come in a variety of creative shapes and colors. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #DrinkingStrawDay

Enjoy your favorite beverage using a drinking straw. You can use a variety of straws, too! While the most common kind might be plastic, more and more they come in paper, bamboo, stainless steel, and glass. Many makers of plastic straws make reusable, collapsable straws, too. These also make great gifts to help you celebrate the day. 

Use #DrinkingStrawDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL DRINKING STRAW DAY HISTORY

The United States Patent Office granted Mavin G. Stone, his Patent # US375962 A on January 3, 1888. National Day Calendar continues to research the origin of this tubular celebration.

NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY

If it’s the first Saturday of the month, it’s National Play Outside Day. So, no matter what month it is, everyone put down your electronic devices and get outside!

All year long, we are given numerous opportunities to get outside and play. But sometimes, life, responsibilities and distractions keep us from spending time in the fresh air as we should. National Play Outside Day is a reminder to stretch our legs and expend some energy in the great outdoors.

Benefits of Outdoor Play

Why is playing outside so good for us? Besides getting us off the sofa or away from the desk, it also gives us an opportunity to explore our neighborhoods. While it’s impossible to list all the benefits of outdoor play, we do have a few to share.

• Playing outdoors is a freeing activity. It frees us from routines, enclosed spaces and frames of mind.
• The outdoors fills us with energy. Whether it’s the fresh air, sunshine or physical activity, we perk up and become motivated to accomplish things.
• It clears the cobwebs from our brains. We sometimes get stuck on a topic, project or issue and are unable to resolve it. A change of scene often brings clarity we didn’t have before.
• Outdoor play provides terrific physical activity for our bodies. Our hearts pump fresh oxygen to our limbs and brains.
• We experience new sights and sounds. Children get to experience the world around them.
• As a social activity, playing outside encourages positive interactions.
• When you play outside every month, it becomes habit-forming – and this one good habit to have!
• It stimulates the imagination. Outdoor play almost has no boundaries. Your yard can be a kingdom or the playground can be a mountain to scale.

We’ve only scratched the surface of the benefits of outdoor play. There are so many more! So, be sure to get outside with the family on the first Saturday of every month – or even more often than that!

HOW TO OBSERVE #PlayOutsideDay

We know the seasons change, so what we were able to do outside last month will be different this month. However, that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating the day. This is your monthly reminder that it’s time to get outside and play. We have suggestions for every season that we’re sure you’ll enjoy!

• Explore hiking trails near you.
• Visit the local swimming pool or even take swimming lessons.
• Check out every park in your neighborhood and climb, slide or swing on every playground set.
• Start a game of catch, kickball, tag or Frisbee or make up a game.
• Go to the beach.
• Run through the sprinkler.
• Go camping.
• Go fishing.
• Fly a kite.
• Jump in a pile of leaves.
• Build a fort – of leaves or snow or whatever is handy.
• Walk around the block.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Build a snowperson.
• Go sledding.
• Identify the constellations at night and look for meteors.
• Visit your favorite state or national park.

What’s your favorite way to play outside? Introduce some of the games you used to play to your children. Whatever you do, be sure to get outside and play! Use #PlayOutsideDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY HISTORY

In 2011, Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda D. Abeyta founded National Play Outside Day as a reminder to explore and play in the world outside. The day encourages healthful habits that will last a lifetime.

NATIONAL MISSOURI DAY

On January 4th, National Missouri Day recognizes the 24th state to join the union.

Also known as the gateway to the West, Missouri is bordered by two great rivers. The Mississippi River is on its eastern border, while a portion of the Missouri River is on the western border. As a result, Missouri is ideally located as a hub of transportation and trade. Interestingly, the state of Missouri has the nickname Show Me State. Historically, Missouri’s U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver receives credit for coining the nickname. However,Missourians today refer to the phrase as a description of their character.

Statehood came to the state as part of the Missouri Compromise, allowing Maine to enter the union as a free state and Missouri to enter with no restrictions on slavery. During the Civil War, Missouri was divided between the North and South. Because of this, half the state was serving the Confederacy and the other half was serving the Union.

The state boasts many cultural attractions from riverboat cruises to music festivals to tours of the largest brewing company in the nation.  With a rich history and interesting people, Missouri became a stopping point for many migrating west.  Some people stayed, while others moved on. Unfortunately, some returned east.  A few names you might recognize are Daniel Boone, Laura Ingles Wilder, Kit Carson, William Clark, Walt Disney, Scott Joplin, and Joseph Pulitzer. For a short time, all of these famous people made Missouri their home.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMissouriDay

Whether you’re passing through or planning to stay awhile, join National Day Calendar as we recognize National Missouri Day, the state’s history, and pioneering spirit. Uncover hidden treasures and explore all Missouri’s hills and valleys! Use #NationalMissouriDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL SPAGHETTI DAY

National Spaghetti Day on January 4th offers an opportunity to pick your sauce and add it to that long, thin cylindrical pasta of Italian and Sicilian origin.  Usually made from semolina flour, this pasta has been a worldwide favorite for ages and loved by millions.

There are a variety of different pasta dishes based on spaghetti, and the sauce determines most of them. Some examples include spaghetti ala Carbonara, garlic and oil, tomato sauce, meat sauce, bolognese, Alfredo sauce, clam sauce or other sauces. We traditionally serve spaghetti dishes topped with grated hard cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, Parmesan and Grana Padano.

The word spaghetti is plural for the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning “thin  string” or “twine.”

American restaurants offered Spaghetti around the end of the 19th century as Spaghetti Italienne (which is believed to have consisted of noodles cooked past al dente and a mild tomato sauce flavored with easily found spices and vegetables such as cloves, bay leaves, and garlic). Decades later, cooks added oregano and basil to many recipes.Spaghetti Origins

There is a significant debate on the origin of spaghetti. However, we do know that pasta has been consumed for many, many years.  There are records in the Jerusalem Talmud of itrium, a kind of boiled dough, commonly available in Palestine from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD.  A 9th-century Arab dictionary describes itriyyaas as string-like shapes made of semolina and dried before cooking. In an 1154 writing for the Norman King of Sicily, itriyya is mentioned being manufactured and exported from Norman Sicily.  Dried pasta became popular in the 14th and 15th centuries due to its easy storage. People were able to store the dried pasta in ships when exploring the New World.  A century later, pasta was present around the globe during the voyages of discovery. (Wikipedia)

On Top of Spaghetti

In March of 2009, the world record for the largest bowl of spaghetti was set and then reset in March of 2010 when a Garden Grove California Buca di Beppo restaurant successfully filled a swimming pool with more than 13,780 pounds of pasta.

Sung to the tune of “On Top of Old Smoky,” the fun children’s song, “On Top of Spaghetti,” was written and originally sung by folk singer Tom Glazer with the Do-Re-Mi Children’s Chorus in 1963.

“On top of spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball,
When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,
And on to the floor,
And then my poor meatball,
Rolled out of the door.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSpaghettiDay

Make your favorite spaghetti dish and be sure to make enough to share. You can always invite friends to join you at your favorite Italian restaurant and split a plate. If you do, be sure to tag the restaurant and use #NationalSpaghettiDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL SPAGHETTI DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this pasta-loving holiday. 

NATIONAL TRIVIA DAY

What National Day on January 4th celebrates those who accumulate and hoard tidbits of useless trivia? National Trivia Day, of course!

Each year, the holiday recognizes the collectors of unconnected, irrelevant data, facts, history, and quotes in the recesses of their brains. They are the ones who usually proffer these sometimes astounding bits of history when friends and family least expect it. 

The word trivia is plural for the word trivium.

In ancient times, the term “trivia” was appropriated to mean something very new.

Nostalgic college students in the 1960s, along with others, began to informally trade questions and answers about the popular culture of their youth.  After writing trivia columns, Columbia University students Ed Goodgold and Dan Carlinsky created the earliest inter-collegiate quiz bowls that tested culturally (and emotionally) significant, yet virtually useless information, which they dubbed trivia contests.  Trivia (Dell, 1966) was the first book treating trivia in the revolutionary new sense, authored by Ed Goodgold and Dan Carlinsky.  This book achieved a ranking on the New York Times bestseller list.

• Over time, the word “trivia” has come to refer to obscure and arcane bits of dry knowledge as well as nostalgic remembrances of pop culture.
• In North America, the game Trivial Pursuit peaked in 1984, when consumers bought over 20 million games.
• Steven Point, Wisconsin, holds the largest current trivia contest at the University of  Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s college radio station WWSP 89.9 FM.  During the April 2013 event, the university hosted the 44th annual contest. Typically, 400 teams participate, ranging from 1 to 150 players.  The competition, which is open to anyone, spans 54 hours over a weekend with eight questions each hour.
• The first season of the popular television trivia show Jeopardy! premiered on March 30, 1964. 

HOW TO OBSERVED #NationalTriviaDay

Are you into trivia? Challenge someone to a trivia contest. Attend a trivia night or host one at home. Show off your trivia savvy. While you’re at it find out how much you know about the National Days. See if you can answer these questions. Some of them, we aren’t even sure of the answers.

• How many days are listed on National Day Calendar?
• Is there a food holiday on every day of the year?
• How many chocolate holidays are there?
• We love our pets. Do you know how many pet holidays there are?
• What’s the oldest National Day on the calendar?
• How many technology days are on the calendar?
• Beef of your trivia knowledge with 7 Stories Behind Our Favorite Board Games. 

Be sure to take the Trivia Challenge right here!

Check out the National Day Calendar® Trivia page and see if you can answer all the questions correctly. Use #NationalTriviaDay to share on social media.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for ways to use trivia in the classroom and resources.

NATIONAL TRIVIA DAY HISTORY

Robert L Birch of Puns Corps. founded National Trivia Day. The first celebration took place as early as 1980, a year before the popular board game, Trivial Pursuit, debuted.

NATIONAL BIRD DAY

Nature lovers, bird lovers, and bird watchers across the country annually recognize National Bird Day on January 5th. It’s also one of several designated holidays celebrating birds. 

Born Free USA emphasizes the importance of National Bird Day and lists it as a day to shine a spotlight on issues critical to the protection and survival of birds, both captive and wild.

According to Born Free USA, nearly 12 percent of the world’s almost 10,000 bird species are in danger of extinction.

Join over half a million avian admirers celebrate National Bird Day through a bevy of activities.

• bird-watching
• studying birds
• educating others
• other bird-related activities
• A particularly important National Bird Day activity is bird adoption.  According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper article, many bird enthusiasts celebrate by adopting birds on this day and educating future bird owners about the special issues involved with taking care of birds, including the “proper care, cleanup, noise and biting, feeding, diet and their need for daily interaction.”

There are approximately 10,000 species of birds.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBirdDay

There are several ways to celebrate this day.

• Pick up a bird identification book. It will help you to learn about species in your area and identify those frequenting your bird feeders.
• Enhance the attraction of your backyard. Add feeders, shelter and more. Learn what birds in your area like to eat and watch them flock to your sanctuary.
• Donate to a bird sanctuary or aviary dedicated to improving the survival of endangered birds.
• While you’re learning about all the amazing species, visit an aviary. A botanical garden, zoo, or conservation area may offer close up viewing of some of the more exotic species you’ve never seen before.

Whichever way you choose, be sure to invite someone to join you so you can share the experience. Also, as always, use #NationalBirdDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BIRD DAY HISTORY

In 2002, Born Free USA in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition launched the first annual National Bird Day to promote avian awareness. 

NATIONAL KETO DAY

National Keto Day hits January 5th with an approach to transforming our health. Recent research suggests the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic or ‘keto’ diet offers a number of benefits.

Benefits

Two of the most significant perks seen with the keto diet are weight loss and healthy blood sugar support. In fact, studies have shown improved glycemic control for those with type 2 diabetes while adhering to a ketogenic diet.

Other health benefits of a keto diet may include healthy cholesterol and blood pressure support. It may also be beneficial for those with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Keto Plan

How does the diet work? By eliminating carbohydrates, your body will use up its store of glycogen first. Then it will move into ketosis and begin burning fat.

Primarily, a keto diet consists of healthy fats, like eggs, avocado, olive oil, and sustainably-raised meat. Nuts, seeds, dairy, and low-carbohydrate vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, and green peppers are also easy to incorporate. Coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and ghee add fat and flavor to a keto diet. Occasionally, small servings of berries are added to the menu.

Eliminate these foods if you are considering a keto diet:

• sweets, sugar, sodas, baked goods
• grains, whole grains, and starches
• fruits, starchy vegetables
• hydrogenated oils, vegetable oil
• diet foods, including low sugar, sugar-free, low-fat foods

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalKetoDay

If you’re considering the keto approach to a healthier lifestyle, or are already engaged in it, whip up your best keto meal or snack, and post a pic of it to Instagram using the hashtag #NationalKetoDay. For every post, The Vitamin Shoppe will donate $5 to Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization that provides food on weekends to elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.

You can also stop into your local The Vitamin Shoppe the weekend of the 5th to sample various keto products for free. Make sure to follow @vitaminshoppe on Instagram for more details!

NATIONAL KETO DAY HISTORY

The Vitamin Shoppe founded National Keto Day on January 5, 2019, to educate and bring awareness to the ketogenic diet and further highlight the many health benefits a keto lifestyle offers.

In 2019, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Keto Day to be observed annually on January 5th.

NATIONAL SCREENWRITERS DAY

On January 5, when the credits roll on your favorite show or movie, admire the writers on National Screenwriters Day!

#NationalScreenwritersDay

You’ve probably heard of Steven Spielberg, the great director, who is known for Saving Private Ryan, Raiders of The Lost Arc, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

But do you know that Spielberg didn’t write any of those movies? They were all written by the screenwriter (Robert Rodat, Lawerence Kasdan, and Melissa Mathison respectively).

Inside the industry, these screenwriters are well known for their ability. They crack the story, create great roles for actors, and write memorable dialogue. But there are also writers in living rooms all around the world, tapping away at their keyboards, writing what could be the next breakout movie.

Listen to what Ryan Reynolds said when he received the award for Best Actor.

“I’d like to take this chance to thank the screenwriters, not just the ones on Deadpool, but everywhere. It is a hugely undervalued asset in Hollywood. They are the architects. They make us look good.”
- Ryan Reynolds accepting the 2016 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor

So why haven’t we heard of these creative souls?

You will. Starting right now with National Screenwriters Day!

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SCREENWRITERS DAY

• Research the latest interviews with top screenwriters to learn about their mysterious vocation.
• Look up the origins of your favorite movie. Who is the screenwriter?
• Using #NationalScreenwritersDay on social media and share your favorite screenwriter.
• Encourage a screenwriter you know.
• Work on your screenplay.
• Take a course on screenwriting to boost your career.

NATIONAL SCREENWRITERS DAY HISTORY

ScreenwritingU.com, the leading education source for screenwriters worldwide, founded National Screenwriters Day. Its purpose is to recognize the talents behind the scripts coming out of the television and film world.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared the day in July of 2016.

NATIONAL THANK GOD IT’S MONDAY DAY

National Thank God It’s Monday Day encourages us to celebrate the first Monday of the new year with vigor and energy.   

#ThankGodItsMondayDay

Not only does the observance focus on the first Monday in January, but on every Monday throughout the year. Mondays are often full of new beginnings. New jobs often start on Mondays. Couples usually marry on weekends and a Monday represents the first work week of their new lives together. Many federal holidays take place on Mondays and therefore special occasions frequently take place on Mondays throughout the year. 

Besides the scheduled events, many random events occur on a Monday. When Monday repeats between 52 and 53 times out of the year, important things will happen. It's 1/7th of our life. Blaming Monday for our woes (traffic) doesn't improve our personal track record in life (being late). Stop shaming Monday and look at what Monday has to offer.

• Freshly brewed coffee to keep us perky
• Opportunity for a bright future
• 52 chances to see a beautiful sunrise
• A new week share your talents with the world
• 52 opportunities to teach someone a new skill that will better their lives
• Each Monday offers the potential of meeting new people

HOW TO OBSERVE THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY

Enjoy the first Monday of the year. How will you use your Mondays? Let us know by using #ThankGodItsMondayDay to post on social media.

If you need more reasons to celebrate a Monday (any Monday) check out these 16 Events That Happened On A Monday.

NATIONAL THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to research this day in praise of Monday. But we're taking advantage of Mondays to find out more. 

Monday FAQ

Q. How did Mondays get such a bad reputation?
A. Most people's workweek begins on a Monday. Going back to work after a relaxing weekend can be a struggle. That is, unless you love your job, then Monday is Marvelous!

Q. How did Monday get its name?
A. Monday derives its name from an Anglo-Saxon word "mondandaeg" meaning "moon day."

Q. How many Mondays are in a year?
A. There are usually 52 Mondays in a year. However, if a non-leap year starts on a Monday, there will be 53 Mondays in that year. Leap-years that begin on either a Sunday or a Monday, there will be 53 Mondays.

Q. I don't like Mondays. Is this day for me?
A. Yes. This day is very much for you. It's a way to improve your outlook, not just about Mondays, but every day of the year.

NATIONAL WHIPPED CREAM DAY

On January 5th, add a little extra something special to desserts to celebrate National Whipped Cream Day.  Add whipped cream! Not only does it add creaminess and a bit of pizzaz, but it also makes the difference between the ho-hum or a celebration kind of beverage or dessert. 

This holiday falls on the birthday of Reddi-Wip founder Aaron “Bunny” Lapin (January 5, 1914 – July 10, 1999). Lapin invented Reddi-Wip in 1948, and the holiday celebrates whipped cream’s contributions to the dessert world. 

While most often sweetened and flavored with vanilla, whipped cream dresses up desserts with other flavors, too. With a hint of coffee or chocolate or the zing of orange or mint, whipped cream adds a delightfulness to pies, cakes, and beverages.  We call it by other names, too, such as Chantilly cream or creme Chantilly, milk snow or snow cream.

Recipes from the 16th century included whipped cream sweetened and aromatized. In these recipes, naturally separated cream is whipped, typically with willow or rush branches, then the resulting foam on the surface would from time to time be skimmed off and drained, which was a process taking an hour or more.

The English name whipped cream found its beginning in 1673. The name snow cream continued to be used throughout the 17th century.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WhippedCreamDay

Try one of the following recipes:

Whipped Cream
Sturdy Whipped Cream Frosting
Caramelito Cookies with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Candied Nuts
Milk Chocolate Mousse with Coconut Whipped Cream

Use #WhippedCreamDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL WHIPPED CREAM DAY HISTORY

While the day is celebrated on Reddi-Wip founder, Aaron “Buddy” Lapin’s birthday, National Day Calendar continues seeking information on the founders of the day. The country has observed the day since at least 1984 according to an article published in The Philadelphia Inquirer on December 30 of that year written by Susan Dundon.

Interestingly, a horse named King Of Peru won the National Whipped Cream Day claiming stakes race on January 5, 2001. Every horse in a claiming stakes race is up for sale.

NATIONAL BEAN DAY

Green, red, kidney, lima, or soy are just a few of the different kinds of beans recognized on National Bean Day on January 6th.

This day celebrates the bean in all sizes, shapes, and colors. We’ve been cultivating beans (legumes) since the early seventh millennium BC. And today, just as throughout the Old and New World history, beans provide a significant source of protein.  Not only are beans an exceptionally healthy meal and snack choice, but they supply an excellent source of fiber. They are low in fat and are high in complex carbohydrates, folate, and iron, too.

In one cup of cooked beans, supplies between 9 and 13 grams of fiber.  Soluble fiber can help in lowering blood cholesterol.

• There are approximately 40,000 bean varieties in the world.
• Only a fraction of these varieties is mass-produced for regular consumption.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBeanDay

This holiday offers so many recipes to try thanks to all the varieties of beans available. Try beans you’ve never tasted before. Introduce a new variety of bean to your cooking regimen. When you do, be sure to share the recipe. Since beans are so beneficial, you’ll want to keep friends and family informed of your bean discoveries. We even provide a few recipes for you to try. 

Garbanzo Bean Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free)
Bean Cabbage Soup
Hearty Bean Stew

Use #NationalBeanDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BEAN DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this food holiday while sampling the extensive variety of beans available. 

NATIONAL CUDDLE UP DAY

Each year on January 6th, National Cuddle Up Day encourages us to snuggle up with someone for the health benefits and more!

January is typically some of the coldest days of the year, so what better way to stay warm and reap the health benefits of cuddling on National Cuddle Up Day? Whether it’s a three dog night (a night so cold it takes three dogs to cuddle up with to stay warm) or only slightly chilly, there are multiple benefits to cuddling with human or canine or other pet.

Cuddling releases oxytocin. This hormone alone has tremendous health benefits. Besides giving us warm and fuzzy feelings, oxytocin reduces pain. So when the cold has made those muscles and joints ache, cuddling can help reduce those aches and pains.

Oxytocin also helps reduce heart disease, lowers blood pressure, stress, and anxiety. If it weren’t free, insurance carriers would probably cover cuddling since it’s such a huge health benefit!

Communication is more than just e-mails, texts, or conversation. Physical touch can communicate trust, commitment, safety, and reassurance. This goes for human to human contact as well as human to pet contact. Cuddling expresses all these things, which are vital to a healthy relationship.

Cuddling also boosts sexual desire. Dopamine is released, stimulating the brain to seek pleasure. But dopamine also can improve memory and focus as well.

Don’t have someone to cuddle up with? Make an appointment for a massage. Studies show massage provides similar benefits.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCuddleUpDay

Schedule a cuddle up session with someone you love. Invite your pet up on the sofa for a snuggle session. Schedule a massage.

Before you take part in a round of snuggling, take stock of your mood. What are your aches and pains? Rate them on a scale of 1-10. Do you feel a bit like an ogre? You know, slightly moody or overly cloudy.

After you soak up the benefits of your cuddle up, re-evaluate your pain, your mood. Was there an improvement? Did you get a dose of oxytocin, a natural mood boost, and pain relief? If so, remember to use #NationalCuddleUpDay to share on social media. 

NATIONAL CUDDLE UP DAY HISTORY

We continue researching the origins of this snuggly holiday. 

NATIONAL SHORTBREAD DAY

National Shortbread Day on January 6th recognizes a classic Scottish treat enjoyed around the world. 

Shortbread is a traditional Scottish dessert typically made with:

• 1 part white sugar
• 2 parts butter
• 3 parts flour

Modern recipes deviate from the 3 ingredient rule by splitting the sugar portion into equal parts of granulated sugar and powdered sugar and adding salt. Plain white (wheat) flour is commonly used. However, some bakers use ground rice or cornflour to alter the texture.

Shortbread earns its name because of its crumbly texture. Its high-fat content provided by the butter results in a short-bread crumb. “Shortening” refers to any fat that may be added to produce a “short” (crumbly) texture.

Prepared often during the 12th century, Mary, Queen of Scots receives credit for the innovation of the shortbread during the 16th century.  As it was expensive to make, the sweet cookie was reserved as a luxury for special occasions.

In Shetland (northeast of mainland Britain), they traditionally break a decorated shortbread cake over the head of a new bride upon the entrance of her new home.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalShortbreadDay

Shortbread cookies and bars call for sharing. Invite a friend over for tea and enjoy these delicately flavored treats while catching up. Share them with co-workers or invite nieces and nephews to help you bake up a new recipe. We supply you with four different recipes to try. If you need something a little more challenging, the internet provides many flavorful options. Be sure to share your celebration, too! We always love hearing from you when you #CelebrateEveryDay! Use #NationalShortbreadDay to post on social media.

Scottish Shortbread IV
Shortbread (With Rice Flour)
Shortbread Cookies II
Scotch Shortbread bars

NATIONAL SHORTBREAD DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to research this indulgent cookie holiday. While we do, we’re going to dunk a few freshly baked Scottish shortbreads into our coffee. We suggest you do, too!

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY

National Technology Day on January 6th recognizes the way technology changes the world and looks to the future of technology. From the wheel to smartphones, each year the day honors technological achievements made that impact our daily lives.

Imagine the world without technology. In our daily lives, we can’t take a step without coming into contact with a form of it. The world is abuzz with technology.

Outside of the healthcare sector, tech jobs are one of the strongest and fastest-growing divisions. And let’s face it, technology is at the center of most jobs these days.  From agriculture and healthcare to education and entertainment, food service and security, we use technology to keep us organized, connected, healthy, and safe.

One area of the tech world that continues to advance and affect our lives is apps (short for applications). With the advent of smartphones, apps are way more than just games or photo editing. If you haven’t made any resolutions yet, resolve to check out these trending apps:

• AXEL – Files move or stream from one device straight to another. No stops along the way and no uploading. Removes the middlemen.
• Circle of 6 – When talking about personal safety, this is a tool you might consider having.  It’s designed to quickly and discreetly get help in dangerous situations.  By simply tapping twice, pre-written messages are sent to designated recipients, GPS location included.
• Zombies, Run! – Exercise as a game. And zombies. It’s a zombie exercise game.  If nothing else motivates you, maybe this will.

HOW TO OBSERVE #TechnologyDay

Explore the ways technology impacts your life. Every day, it continues to change the way we live and drive us further into the world of the future. Use #TechnologyDay on social media. Talk to someone about your technology ideas or try to find a way to bring your idea forward.

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY HISTORY

AXEL, a technology-based company headquartered out of Las Vegas, founded National Technology Day. The Registrar at National Day Calendar declared National Technology Day in 2016.

Media Contacts

AXEL:  Dmitry Kogosov | 702.948.9770

NATIONAL BOBBLEHEAD DAY

Each year on January 7th, National Bobblehead Day recognizes a day of celebration for all spring-connected head bobbing figurines.

For over 100 years, bobbleheads have been entertaining and fascinating fans and collectors. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, too. Bobbleheads commemorate iconic teams, movies, and cartoon characters. Individually, they represent some of our most exciting athletes or thrilling television and movie characters. 

Early bobbleheads, known as bobbers or nodders, developed from Germany. They took root in the United States pop culture in the 1950s and 60s. Bobbleheads resurged in the late 1990s when professional sports teams began using them as promotional items. Today, as both toys and collectibles, bobbleheads continue to amuse and captivate us. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBobbleheadDay

Share your favorite bobblehead or collect a new one! Give the gift of a bobblehead to someone you know. Learn something new about bobblehead history. Use #NationalBobbleheadDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BOBBLEHEAD DAY HISTORY

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum submitted National Bobblehead Day in December 2014. On November 18, 2014, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum was announced.  The museum opened in 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and houses the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads. The building houses a tribute to the best of bobbleheads with a hall of fame and many exhibits related to the history and making of bobbleheads. 

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the day to be observed on January 7th annually in accordance with the policies set forth to designate a National Day.

NATIONAL TEMPURA DAY

On January 7th, National Tempura Day encourages us to celebrate with a dish made with a tempura batter. This Japanese fare is made up of either seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and deep-fried. 

Where did tempura originate? No one really knows. What we do know is back in 1549, Portuguese sailors arrived in Japan and introduced a way of battering and frying food that is now infused into the culture.

Today, chefs all over the world include tempura dishes on their menus. They use a wide variety of different batters and ingredients, including nontraditional broccoli, zucchini, and asparagus. Chefs also dip dry fruits in a tempura batter, too. Some American restaurants serve chicken and cheeses, particularly mozzarella, in a tempura-style.

For sushi lovers, a more recent variation of tempura sushi provides a new way of enjoying the delicacy. Shushi chefs tempura fry entire pieces of delicate sushi and serve it on a beautiful platter. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTempuraDay

What is your favorite way to enjoy tempura? Mix up your best tempura recipes. When you do, let your friends and family be your taste testers! We even have a recipe for you to try. Be sure to let us know your favorite combinations, too!

Japanese Tempura

Have some tempura and use #NationalTempuraDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL TEMPURA DAY HISTORY

While we haven’t discovered the origins of the day, we still occasionally heat up some oil and mix up some batter and dip into the research.

NATIONAL ARGYLE DAY

National Argyle Day on January 8th celebrates the pattern derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in western Scotland. The Scottish Highlanders have worn the design in kilts and plaids and patterned socks (known as a tartan hose) since the 17th century. Each year it is recognized and honored on this day.  

Occasionally you may find argyle spelled argyll.

The word ” argyle ” is most commonly referred to as the overall pattern made of diamonds or lozenges, which sometimes indicates a single diamond in the design. You will find layers of overlapping motifs found in most argyle layouts. The overlapping patterns add a sense of three-dimensionality, movement, and texture. Typically the pattern includes an overlay of intercrossing diagonal lines on solid diamonds.

The Duke of Windsor, a luxury knitwear manufacturer and importer, helped increase argyle’s popularity. Like many other manufacturers, the Duke used the argyle design pattern for golf clothing. Designers embraced the use of argyle on both jerseys and long socks as part of the day’s plus-fours trouser fashion.

Argyle knitwear became fashionable in the USA after the first world war.

U.S. Open and PGA champion Payne Stewart (1957-1999) was known and loved by his fans for his bright and flashy outfits of tams, knickerbockers, and argyle socks.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalArgyleDay

Argyle never really left the fashion world. Whether the pattern compliments a wardrobe or adds charm to a home, argyle provides classic style. Share your favorite argyle pattern. While you explore your wardrobe, invite your co-workers to celebrate as a team. Go argyle for the day in the office or at home. Drape it over your chair or wear it in your hair. Argyle goes on the feet, around the neck, or even on your fingernails. 

Host a contest to see who’s the most argyle among you. From head to toe, we’re sure someone loves their argyle more than anyone else. 

Wear your favorite argyle sweater, socks, ties, and hats. Go shopping for an argyle fashion accessory to update your wardrobe. We want to see how you dress up for the day, too. Be sure to share, using #NationalArgyleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL ARGYLE DAY HISTORY

Keely McAleer founded this dimensional textile celebration in 2008.

NATIONAL BUBBLE BATH DAY

On a cold winter’s day, relaxing in a nice warm/hot bubble bath sounds like the perfect way to commemorate National Bubble Bath Day. Is it no wonder we celebrate it annually on January 8th?

The bubbles on top of the water (also known as foam bath or foaming bath) insulate the bathwater, keeping it warmer for a more extended period. 

• Children find bubble baths fun and enjoy playing with the bubbles, which entice them to take their baths.
• Some bubble bath, bath foam, or foaming bath serves a dual purpose and can also be used to wash skin or hair.
• Bath foam preparations may be in the form of a liquid, gel, or as solids in the form of powders, grains, or tablets.

According to the AC Nielsen Data, Mr. Bubble is the #1 brand of bath products in the United States, and in 2011 it celebrated its 50th birthday. Mr. Bubble is a brand of bath products made by The Village Company.

The brand’s slogan is “Makes Getting Clean Almost as Much Fun as Getting Dirty!”

In 1961, Mr. Harold Schafer and the Gold Seal Company of North Dakota, USA, founded Mr. Bubble. The Gold Seal company manufactured and distributed Mr. Bubble until 1986 when the company was sold. Over time, Mr. Bubble bubble bath products have been reformulated. They are tear-free, dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and pediatrician tested. Mr. Bubble TV show appearances include:

• Family Guy
• The Simpsons
• 1983 Eddie Murphy Delirious
• 1987 Gold Through the Fire
• 1996 Ed (starring Matt LeBlanc)
• Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 3)

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBubbleBathDay

Prepare yourself a relaxing bubble bath. Bubble baths offer health benefits, too. 

• Relieve congestion – During the dry winter months, we are more susceptible to colds and chest infections. Let the steam from a bubble bath help loosen congestion and sooth a cough. 
• Ease sore muscles – Are muscles aching from new year’s workouts? Ease the ache with a warm bubble bath. Add some Epsom salts, too. 
• Sleep better – Add some lavender oil to your bubble bath at night and relax your body and mind before bed. Relaxed muscles combined with the lavender will nudge your body toward a better sleep routine.
• Reduce tension – Let the worries of the day wash away. 

Share why you enjoy a bubble bath. 

Use #BubbleBathDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BUBBLE BATH DAY HISTORY

The country has been celebrating the day since at least 1999. However, we’ve been unable to find the creator of the day. Maybe they’re still taking a bubble bath.

NATIONAL CAREER COACH DAY | January 8

Each year on January 8 we celebrate National Career Coach Day and recognize the important work of career coaches across the United States.

#NationalCareerCoachDay

Today, we bring awareness to the impact career coaches have on their clients' career paths and future potential. Not only are career coaches helping shape the future of the workplace, they are also helping people find fulfilling careers they deserve. On National Career Coach Day, we bring comradery to the profession, give coaches a day to come together, and create a space to celebrate all of the  accomplishments made during the process.

What is a career coach? Career coaches are expert professionals who are up-to-date on current employment and hiring practices. These individuals wear specialized hats in helping people plan careers, create dynamic resumes, teach interview and wage negotiation skills, and guide you through the process of landing an amazing career. Most importantly, a career coach will work hard to help you accomplish your career goals.

Why would I need a career coach? People choose to work with a career coach for a variety of reasons. Your current job situation may not bring you enjoyment or you might feel you are on the wrong career path. A career coach will help you understand your potential by learning about your past experiences and guide you towards a happier life.

Choosing a Career Coach

• Decide what type of career coach you want to hire. Like any profession, some career coaches specialize in specific areas. Make sure your decision is the best fit for you.
• Narrow down the services you will need before hiring a career coach. This avoids paying for unnecessary services.
• Interview career coaches to determine if they are a good fit for you. Personality plays an important roll when working together. Choose someone that you "click" with and will provide you the best value.
• Check references your career coach provides. Verify training, certification, and clients.

Benefits of a Career Coach

Career coaches are in high demand in today's business world. In fact, the career coaching profession is growing at rapid rate and is quickly reaching a $20 million dollar industry. Previously thought of as a service available for the wealthy, career coaching is now affordable to everyone.

The career coach industry has expanded into the business sector, too. Companies are employing career coaches full time for a variety of services, such as:

• Reviewing applications for specific job skills for potential employees.
• Preparing correspondence and inquiries for employers.
• Working with current employees to increase productivity.
• Improving and updating personal goals company-wide.
• Encouraging and inspiring employees to keep moral high.

SUPPORT CAREER COACHES

• Host a career coach summit.
• Provide free resources or tools to perspective clients.
• Make referrals to a career coach who has helped you.
• Become a career coach.
• Send a thank you card to your career coach thanking them for helping you find your dream job.
• Support your career coach by sharing their services with friends and family.
• Recognize and share your experiences with a career coach and use #NationalCareerCoachDay on social media.

FOUNDER

Career Benders and National Day Calendar are excited to announce the newly established National Career Coach Day. Beginning in 2023, this new National Day will be celebrated on January 8, and each year after. Join us as we recognize the important work career coaches provide to people across the country.

Dream Big

Founder of Career Benders, Angie M. Callen, is a Carnegie Mellon University graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 2008, after working over six years as an engineer, she set out to pursue a career move into a more creative, communicative environment. After an unexpected career change journey, which included more  than four years as a nonprofit executive, Angie set out to create a business of her own. 

Angie has always been told she had a gift for seeing others’ strengths, and after making career choices that led to professional gratitude and fulfillment, she set out on a mission to do the same for others. She also has a gift for helping people leverage their strengths to build confidence, overcome career trauma, achieve a level-up, and navigate the chaotic world of job searching. Through her work at Career Benders, Angie is helping people find new careers, improve management skills, move into leadership, and even start businesses.

Achieving your dreams and creating a career path that supports your personal and professional goals is possible. The sky is the limit, and we're #inspiringconfidentprofessionals one client at a time.

NATIONAL ENGLISH TOFFEE DAY

On January 8th, National English Toffee Day celebrates a favored confection that’s been enjoyed across the country for generations. 

In the United States, English toffee is a popular variant of the original toffee. A butter confection topped with almonds, it’s made by caramelizing white sugar with butter and can be both hardened or chewy.  The Heath bar is a type of candy bar made with an English toffee core.

However, the British make toffee with only brown sugar, not white. And while they typically do not add nuts, they will add a layer off chocolate. Don’t hesitate to try dark, milk or white chocolate with English toffee. All varieties add a different texture and flavor.

Both the American and British versions are enjoyed all year long, though.

HOW TO OBSERVE #EnglishToffeeDay

Gather up your ingredients. Making toffee can be both challenging and rewarding. It’s also a beautiful candy with delicious textures. Share it with the office or family members. We’ve even provided several recipes for you to try. 

Visit your favorite bakery or candy shop to pick up an order of English toffee freshly made. Yes, some places still make it fresh. 

Saltine Toffee Cookies
Classic English Toffee
Frozen English Toffee Cake
Toffee Bars

Use #EnglishToffeeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL ENGLISH TOFFEE DAY HISTORY

The National Confectioners Association recognizes this sweet observance. However, National Day Calendar continues to pursue the founders of the day.

NATIONAL JOYGERM DAY

On January 8th, National JoyGerm Day annually reminds people across the country that by being positive and treating people with kindness, they can influence those around them and pass that positive attitude on to others. When we share good moods, we impact the lives of people around us and those people become infected with that same positive joy and spread it to others. 

Laugh, smile, be kind, inspire and spread the one type of germ that is good for everyone to catch!

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalJoygermDay

National JoyGerm day is one of those days you’ve been waiting for. January 8th offers the opportunity to infuse joy in everything you do.

• The night before, plan to wake up with a positive attitude. Program your favorite jazzy, snazzy wake-up music to start your day right and remind you what day it is.
• Set out to carry your joy with you and spread it around like a glitter bomb that won’t go away. Smile, say “Hello!” to everyone you see and speak to.
• Energetically be the person who gets the job done. Whether it’s making copies, errands, taking out the garbage, making phone calls, be that person and do it with a smile.
• Get more great ideas by reading 7 Ways to be an Angel in Someone’s Life.

Throughout the day, see how often you can spread the JoyGerm! 

Use #NationalJoygermDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL JOYGERM DAY HISTORY

Founded in 1981 by a rather joyful and exuberant woman, Joan White, National JoyGerm Day spread infectiously across the nation through TV interviews, radio shows, newsletters, magazines, postcards, hug coupons and well, the pure joy of its founder.

Joan White tells National Day Calendar, JoyGerms LTD’s members are in all 50 states, and there are more than 180,000 card-carrying members around the world. Yes, JoyGerms get free membership cards. But seriously, she spreads her JoyGerms to others through this day and many other ways as well. Even in a simple e-mail, she evokes a smile and glee that is contagious and for which there is hopefully no known cure.  

NATIONAL WINTER SKIN RELIEF DAY

As winter kicks into high gear, National Winter Skin Relief Day on January 8 reminds us of all the ways we can keep our skin from withering under the harshest of elements.

The dropping temperatures outside and rising thermostats inside sap the amount of moisture in the air. Our skin is first to notice.

Joshua Zeichner MD, Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research at The Mount Sinai Hospital, makes a few recommendations to help us keep our skin hydrated through the winter. When the chill sets in, avoid the temptation to take those long, hot showers. The heat strips skin of its natural oils (called ceramides) and causes inflammation. Causing the skin cells to swell, when they dry they become loose like poorly grouted tiles and crack.

Instead, take shorter, lukewarm showers and use gentle cleansers. Harsh soaps with surfactants and claims of pH balance can be harsh on the skin. And don’t scrub! Be tender and let the water and lather do the work.

If you have dry, cracked skin, look for a cream or ointment with light petrolatum, hyaluronic acid and ceramides – the natural fats that make up the grout between the skin cell tiles.  ~ Joshua Zeichner MD

After bathing, pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Rubbing causes more irritation and inflammation. With the door closed to keep the humidity in, add a moisturizer.

When dressing, wear layers. The closest layer should be made of natural fibers. Soft fabrics like flannel and cotton cause little to no irritation compared to synthetic materials. Layers also are more effective against cold weather.

Winter skin relief comes many forms. Our skin needs hydration at night, too. Adding humidity to the air with a cool mist humidifier will not only hydrate your skin but will also provide a more restful sleep.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WinterSkinReliefDay

Use #WinterSkinReliefDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL WINTER SKIN RELIEF DAY HISTORY

The makers of CeraVe Skincare founded National Winter Skin Relief Day to bring awareness to all the extra attention winter skin needs.  

About Valeant Consumer Healthcare:

Valeant Consumer Healthcare is a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC. Valeant Consumer Healthcare, one of the fastest growing consumer products companies in the U.S.*, offers a wide range of products that improve people’s lives in the eye care, skincare, and vitamin categories, including flagship brands such as Biotrue® solution, CeraVe® skincare, and PreserVision® eye vitamins. In addition to the vast product portfolio, Valeant Consumer Healthcare has a consistent new product pipeline that is developed via collaborative partnerships with healthcare professionals.
*based on retail sales

NATIONAL APRICOT DAY

Apricot lovers from all over the United States observe National Apricot Day every year on January 9th.

Related to the peach, the apricot’s velvety flesh is quite similar. However, the texture of the golden-orange fruit is firmer, and the flavor more tart than its cousin’s. Since we easily preserve the apricot, we enjoy this versatile fruit all year long – fresh, canned, and dried.

Apricots are found the world over but originated in northeastern China near the Russian border in ancient times. Later, the fruit was introduced to Europe and Armenia. The apricot found its way to North America when English colonists settled in Virginia. Apricots traveled further west when Spanish explorers and missionaries brought them on expeditions. This migration caused apricots to be grown commercially today.

The apricot tree can grow to 45 feet if left unpruned. It produces white, pink, or red blossoms and is a winter-hardy tree. However, early frosts can damage the fruit.

Fresh apricots pack in the nutrients. A 1 cup serving of apricot halves contains 60% of the daily allowance of Vitamin A, and 26% of the daily allowance for Vitamin C. Other vitamins in this low-calorie snack include Vitamin B-6, Magnesium, Iron and Calcium and is also an excellent source of fiber.

With its unique flavor, the apricot is a versatile ingredient lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Perfect for snacking, apricots are best fresh off the tree but are also found in markets the year-round.  Dried, they are delicious in healthy granola or a salad.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalApricotDay

The best way to celebrate is by eating an apricot. Whether you enjoy preserves or bake up your favorite recipes, be sure to invite someone to enjoy it with you. We’ve even supplied delicious recipes for you to try.

Consider planting an apricot tree in the spring or exploring and learning about apricot growers in your area. Buying local, when possible, supports the growers in your area.

Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites

Apricot Tart with Pistachios

Have some apricots and use #NationalApricotDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL APRICOT DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to explore the source of this fresh and naturally delicious holiday which has been observed since at least 2003.

NATIONAL BALLOON ASCENSION DAY

National Balloon Ascension Day on January 9th commemorates the first balloon flight in the United States in 1793.

The French aeronaut, Jean Pierre Blanchard, took flight over the Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia above a large crowd. He ascended in a hydrogen gas balloon, a popular balloon at the time. George Washington witnessed the launch of the balloon, too. That day he lit the fires of fascination with ballooning in Americans.

When is National Water Balloon Day?

However, more than hot air balloons also flew in the skies over time. Several varieties of balloons took shape over the next 100 years. Airships inflated by hydrogen and shaped like cigars took the skies. They were also called blimps. Their engines gave these balloons directional flight and speed.

By the 20th century, large airships with cabins carried passengers. The gas-filled giants eventually disappeared from the skies. Tragedies like the Hindenburg on May 6, 1937, where over a third of the 97 passengers perished when the airship caught fire helped to usher in a new era.

Today, hot air ballooning is enjoyed from the ground and the air. It’s also a scientific tool for weather and other research.

HOW TO OBSERVE #BalloonAscensionDay

Plan a trip to a hot air balloon festival. In the United States, there are around 30 balloon festivals to choose from. Go to one or go to them all. You can find a comprehensive list at TownAndTourist. If you’ve been ballooning, be sure to share your photos and experiences. It’s sure a sight to see. From the preparation to the breathtaking launches, balloonists certainly provide an eyeful. And of course, memories for a lifetime. It’s a great way to #CelebrateEveryDay and be a part of the Celebration Nation. Be sure to share using #BalloonAscensionDay on social media.

NATIONAL BALLOON ASCENSION DAY HISTORY

National Balloon Ascension Day has been observed since at least 2011 in commemoration of the first manned balloon launch in the United States on January 9, 1793. If anyone would like to sponsor a National Day Calendar balloon, contact us at 1-701-204-6674.

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

Across the country on January 9th each year, citizens take the lead to show support on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. 

Law Enforcement Officers of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities.  They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated.

From local, state, and federal, their duties command dedication. The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them. Often law enforcement are the only paid emergency resource a community has. More often they work in coordination with other local, state, and federal organizations to make communities safer.

On National Law Enforcement Day, we have an opportunity to thank them for their service and offer a token of respect.

HOW TO OBSERVE #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

There are several ways to show your support. Send a note of thanks to your local, county or state police agency. Wear blue, turn your social media channels blue or shine a blue porch light to show your support. Find more ideas at Concerns of Police Survivors and share your support using #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay to share on social media.  

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

Several organizations came together to create National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2015 to thank officers across the country for all the daily sacrifices they make for their communities. Some of the organizations supporting the observance include:

• Concerns of Police Survivors
• FBI National Academy Associates
• Fraternal Order of Police
• International Association of Chief of Police
• Officer Down Memorial Page
• Law Enforcement United
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
• International Conference of Police Chaplains
• National Troopers Coalition

Since then the inaugural celebration, nationwide many more organizations have joined forces to support National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) to spread encouragement and respect to these dedicated men and women.

NATIONAL STATIC ELECTRICITY DAY

It may be a little shocking, but National Static Electricity Day is on January 9th. The observance explores static electricity and even how we may cause it. 

Static electricity is different from the electrical current carried by wires through a building or transmitted by the electric companies. Static electricity is produced when the positive and negative charges of an atom are out of balance.

The atoms of some materials hold their electrons tightly. These materials, such as plastic, cloth, or glass, are insulators. While electrons of these substances do not move very freely, the electrons of other materials, such as metal, move more freely and are called conductors.

By rubbing two insulators together, we transfer electrons, causing positive and negative charges. Opposites do attract. Atoms with a positive charge become attracted to atoms with a negative charge. We can see the evidence if we rub a balloon head.  When we pull the balloon away, the hair clings to the balloon.

Remove the balloon, and the hair may stand on end. In this circumstance, the hair has the same charge (either positive or negative). Items with the same charge repel each other.

At some point, these charges need to be put back in balance, and the static electricity is discharged. The release or the resulting shock occurs when an insulator comes in contact with a conductor, such as a piece of metal.

How to Avoid the Shock of Static Electricity

• The drier air of winter months is a better insulator than the more humid air of summer.  To help prevent static electricity, use a humidifier to put moisture back into the air in your home during the winter months.
• Our skin is drier in the winter months, too. Putting on moisturizer before getting dressed is recommended.
• Synthetic fabrics are better insulators than natural fibers. Wearing materials made from natural fibers such as cotton will help reduce the amount of static electricity that’s stirred up.
• While walking around the house, at work, or shopping, holding a key or a metal pen in your hand will help discharge the build-up of static electricity painlessly.
• Switching to leather-soled shoes versus rubber-soled shoes will help reduce the amount of static that is built up.

HOW TO OBSERVE #StaticElectricityDay

Learn how static electricity affects us. Explore the ways you come into contact with static electricity and how you create it, too. Run an experiment and share your results.

Use #StaticElectricityDay to post on social media.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for useful information you can use in your classroom.

NATIONAL STATIC ELECTRICITY DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar staff is shocked that we’ve not discovered the origins of this day! But we’ll keep searching.

NATIONAL BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE DAY

Chocolate lovers, it is time once again to celebrate as January 10th annually recognizes National Bittersweet Chocolate Day. (National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day is celebrated on November 7th.)

Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao, which has been cultivated for at least three millennia, is grown in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. The earliest known documentation of the use of cacao seeds is around 1100 BC. The cacao tree seed has an intensely bitter taste and must be fermented to develop the flavor.

Once the seeds have been fermented, the beans are then dried, cleaned and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. The cacao nibs are then ground into a cocoa mass which is pure chocolate in rough form.  Usually, the cocoa mass is liquefied then molded with or without other ingredients. This is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Bittersweet chocolate is chocolate liquor to which sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla have been added. It does have less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate. However, the two of them may be interchangeable when baking.

Studies have revealed that there are certain health benefits from eating bittersweet chocolate in moderation, such as lowering blood pressure and helping to protect the heart.

HOW TO OBSERVE #BittersweetChocolateDay

Bittersweet chocolate offers many ways to celebrate. We can go in so many directions with bittersweet chocolate. Add a little to your baking or sprinkle a little in your morning coffee. Do you like pudding or chocolate chip cookies? This is the chocolate for you. The choice is up to you which delicious chocolate creation you make. However, once you decide, be sure to share your creations, too.

We even have a couple of recipes for you to try. 

Karen Baker’s Bittersweet Chocolate Waffles with Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Bittersweet Chocolate and Stout Beer Ice Cream

Use #BittersweetChocolateDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this delectable day while baking up some terrific treats. 

NATIONAL CUT YOUR ENERGY COSTS DAY

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day encourages consumers to explore their options and keep up with scheduled maintenance. Each year, on January 10th, the observance provides information designed to help homeowners and businesses to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency. Did you know that tuning up your heating system can save you up to three to ten percent?

It is often in the little things that you do that can save you big money on your energy bill, such as:

• Weatherproof your home
• Replace old windows with new energy-efficient windows
• Replace old furnace with new energy-efficient furnace
• Properly maintain furnace
• Use solar heat if possible
• Turn down thermostats
• Turning off lights when leaving a room
• Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Run dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded
• Lower water heater temperature
• Take shorter showers
• Unplug unused appliances
• Carpool whenever possible

The above list is just a few of the many ways to conserve energy. Use these tips, along with others you may already have in practice, many available online and you will be able to create energy and financial savings the entire year. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #CutYourEnergyCostsDay

Taking part in National Cut Your Energy Costs Day starts with a plan. Make a list of the things you can change right away. Then make a plan to make improvements to your home to help lower your energy costs. With each improvement, you’ll be one step closer to an energy-efficient home all year long. Where will you start making changes?

As you start, share your favorite energy-saving tips and practices. Keep track of your changes as you go and involve the whole family, too. Show them how the improvements reduced expenses and improved efficiency. By involving your family, they will take that knowledge with them into the future.

Use #CutYourEnergyCostsDay on social media. 

NATIONAL CUT YOUR ENERGY COSTS DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this efficient holiday.

NATIONAL HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION DAY

One of the best ways to enhance a space is by adding house plants. The busy holidays cause many of us to neglect some of our regular routines, including houseplant care. National Houseplant Appreciation Day on January 10th serves as a reminder to give your houseplants a little extra attention to keep them thriving.

Those with green thumbs know that having houseplants come with several benefits, some of them are even backed by science.

Houseplant Benefits

• Boost productivity – Some studies have shown that indoor plants may improve productivity and performance in the workplace and in school.
• Reduce anxiety – Caring for plants provides therapeutic benefits. Similar to outdoor gardening, indoor gardening may help to ease the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and dementia.
• Reduce air pollutants – In 1989, NASA published a study that showed plants may improve the air quality for indoor spaces. Since we all know from elementary science that plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, this study makes sense. The more plants you have the more effective they are at improving air quality. Specific plant species are more effective than others, too. For example, Boston ferns, spider plants, ficus, rubber trees, and bamboo palms clean the air more effectively than other plants.
• Improved humidity – Especially in dryer climates and in the winter months, when plants release moisture into the air they improve the humidity in a room. Humidity enhances a home’s comfort level, and we also breathe easier when the humidity in our homes is balanced. Also, plants are prettier than humidifiers.

Houseplants offer much to be appreciated, as you can see. Beyond these benefits, houseplants bring the outdoors inside where it can be enjoyed all year long. They fill our homes with color.

You don’t have to have a green thumb to care for houseplants, either. Start with forgiving plants such as pathos, philodendron, sansevieria, or spider plant. These plants will bounce back if you forget to water them and won’t whine if you accidentally overwater them.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HouseplantAppreciationDay

During National Houseplant Appreciation Day, give your plants some love. Check their soil, make sure their roots are happy, and maybe talk to them. We also suggest:

• Adding to your plant collection.
• Pruning overgrown plants and offering the cuttings for trade.
• Joining a plant group. These groups help plant lovers to troubleshoot plant problems. They also offer plant swaps for cuttings and full-sized plants.
• Buying a plant for the first time. Be sure to select plants that are not harmful to pets and children.
• Taking a class. You can learn how to care for plants, access resources, and improve your understanding of horticulture.
• Sharing photos of your plant collection.

Be sure to join the conversation by using #HouseplantAppreciationDay on social media.

NATIONAL HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

The Gardening Network founded National Houseplant Appreciation Day in 2012 to help keep houseplants thriving through the winter months. The day also honors all the benefits of growing houseplants.

NATIONAL OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER DAY

National Oysters Rockefeller Day on January 10th recognizes a dish so rich there was only one man’s name this dish could bear at the time. At least, that’s the story according to the chef who so masterfully created famous recipes in the French Quarter.

In 1889 in the renowned kitchen of Antoine’s, Jules Alciatore developed a recipe for baked oysters on the half shell with sauce and bread crumbs that would earn the name Oysters Rockefeller.  A dish so rich Alciatore himself admitted, “…I know of no other name rich enough for their richness.”

While other restaurants serve similar dishes, only historic Antoine’s (founded by Antoine Alciatore, Jules Alciatore’s father in 1840) serves the original Oysters Rockefeller. Food Network’s Alton Brown even told us on Good Eats that Alciatore took the recipe to his grave. Others have tried to determine the finer ingredients without success. Only Antoine’s and the Alciatore family have the authentic recipe.

Having served over 3.5 million orders of Oysters Rockefeller, and counting, Antoine’s recipe has withstood the test of time and garnered the praises of culinary critics.  Since 1889, the restaurant has numbered each order. Even today’s customers receive their privileged number identifying their place in the history of Oysters Rockefeller.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalOystersRockefellerDay

Have you tasted the flavor of authentic Oysters Rockefeller? Tell us what you think. If you are near Antoine’s, stop in to savor a taste of history and share using #NationalOystersRockefellerDay on social media.

NATIONAL OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER DAY HISTORY

In 2017, Antoine’s founded National Oyster Rockefeller Day to celebrate the dish’s history and longevity.

The Register at National Day Calendar approved the day in 2016 and proclaim the first observance to be celebrated in 2017.

NATIONAL VISION BOARD DAY

National Vision Board Day on the second Saturday in January encourages us to set our goals in a visual way. Get out the sticky notes, markers, and inspiration and start plotting your goals for the new year!

Vision board parties began in 2010 between a group of friends as a way for people to get together in a fun environment to set goals, cast a vision and dream out loud in a tangible way. They then mount on their completed vision boards on their walls where they would see them every day. Seeing their hopes and dreams helps set in motion these visions and ideas to become a reality.

Many actors, musicians, fashion and entertainment-based people have been participating in this since its inception. Vision boards help people remember their goals and concepts on a daily basis.

HOW TO OBSERVE #VisionBoardDay

Host a vision party for your friends, family or co-workers. Set goals for the coming year and put them where you can see them. They will help motivate you to attain your goals. Do you have a vision board from last year? How well did it work? Share the results and get ready for an outstanding vision board for this year, too!

Post photos using #VisionBoardDay on social media.

NATIONAL VISION BOARD DAY HISTORY

Kellan Lutz and Ryan Daly submitted National Vision Board Day in June of 2015.

In July of 2015, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the day to be observed on the second Saturday in January, annually.

SAVE THE EAGLES DAY

Each year on January 10th, Save the Eagles Day reminds us of the majestic raptors that soar above the Earth – whether they are well populated or endangered. Due to the work of scientists and the public, the bald eagle was removed from this list in June 2007. Poaching, pesticides, and other dangers continue to threaten eagle populations.

While the day started as a way to save a specific pair of bald eagles and to raise awareness about the species, the observance has grown to encompass all species of eagles. Approximately 60 species of eagles populate the world. Most of the species are found in Eurasia and Africa. North, Central, and South America and Australia only account for about 14 species. However, no eagles are found in Hawaii. The most common species in North America are the bald and golden eagles. 

Eagles are powerful birds of prey. An eagle’s sharp sense of sight paired with powerful muscles, piercing talons, and beak, make them primed for the hunt. They are also monogamous, mating for life. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #SaveTheEaglesDay

Learn more about eagles. Watch documentaries or read about them. Visit an aviary or a bird sanctuary. We have provided a couple of books to review, too. Participate in preservation and conservation in your area, too.

• The Eagle Watchers: Observing and Conserving Raptors Around the World  by Todd E. Katzner
• Eagles by Melissa Gish

Use #SaveTheEaglesDay to post on social media.

SAVE THE EAGLES DAY HISTORY

In 2015, Save the Eagles Day originated in the Village of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. The day is the result of an effort to save a pair of nesting bald eagles near the community. Late in 2014, Skymark Development Corp of Paramus brought a study forth arguing that a landfill near where the eagles nested posed health risks. The nesting pair, fondly named Alice and Al, had nested along Overpeck Creek since at least 2011. When the developer proposed a solution that included removing the tree the eagles nested in, the community and the Bergen County Audubon Society organized Save the Eagles Day on January 10, 2015. 

Eventually, an agreement was formed to preserve an area of the land as an eagle park. Alice and Al continued to live out their days in Ridgefield Park and fly over the residents there. Read more about the environmental success of the area and about Alice and Al.

NATIONAL ARKANSAS DAY

On January 11th, National Arkansas Day recognizes the Natural State and the 25th state to join the union.

Populated by Osage, Caddo, Quapaw tribes when French and Spanish explorers arrived in the area, Arkansas teems with streams, lakes, and rivers.  Its eastern border is the Mississippi River. Little Rock may be its capital, but Arkansas is also known for big rocks and lots of rocks and minerals. It’s the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, has the only diamond mine in the U.S., and the Magnet Cove region contains 102 varieties of minerals.

Arkansas earns the name “Natural State” with over half the state is forested and more than 1 million acres in Ozark National Forest.  But that’s not all that contributes to the apt nickname.

Hot Springs National Park became America’s first national preserve in what later became the National Park System. When Arkansas was still a territory, officials recognized the unique qualities of the hot springs and requested the area be set aside and protected. President Andrew Jackson signed legislation on April 20, 1832, designating four sections of land which included the hot springs and adjacent mountains “…reserved for the future disposal of the United States (which) shall not be entered, located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatsoever.”

What’s in a Name

When Arkansas first became a state in 1836, how to pronounce the name of the 25th state was up for debate. Was it Arkan-saw or Ar-kansas? The issue was settled in 1881 when the State General Assembly passed Concurrent Resolution No.4. It stated the state’s name would be pronounced Arkan-saw and spelled Arkansas.

Many who have called Arkansas home have left marks on our hearts and minds. From the legendary Johnny Cash and talented composers, Scott Joplin, and Roberta Martin, to authors Ernest Hemmingway and Maya Angelou and many more found a home at some time in Arkansas.

Nestled along the Mississippi River, Arkansas swells with delta, Civil War era, the blues and jazz, and Western migration history.  The worst maritime disaster in United States history occurred on the Mississippi River just north of Marion, Arkansas. Greater than the Titanic disaster, the Sultana steamboat exploded on April 27, 1865, just weeks after the end of the Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln. Over 1,800 souls perished.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalArkansasDay

Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Arkansas’ natural beauty and fascinating history. Uncover hidden treasures and soak up all of Arkansas’ impressive views! Use #NationalArkansasDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11th brings attention to a crime that leaves a lasting toll on human life, families, and communities around the world. 

Beginning in 2010, by Presidential Proclamation, each January has been designated National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  Following the start of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with the help of non-government organizations, National Human Trafficking Day began and is observed annually on January 11th.

Human trafficking is considered a modern form of slavery. This illegal act involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or sex. Traffickers use violence, manipulation, or false promises to lure their victims into trafficking situations. Trafficking victims usually experience physical and/or psychological abuse. They might also endure sexual abuse, food and sleep deprivation, threats to family members, and isolation from the outside world. Family members of the victim may also get threatened.

The goal of the day is to bring greater awareness to the crime of sex trafficking. Each year, organizations around the globe provide support to communities, training to volunteers and educational events to increase awareness.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay

One way to get involved is through the 31:8 Project. The organization works to equip and challenge society to proactively address issues regarding human trafficking. Human Trafficking takes away the voice of its victims and Project 31:8 aims to speak for them – Proverbs 31:8 – speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Their work is on track to reach over 25,000 people in 2019 through presentations, training, webinars, and community projects. Visit their website at www.318project.org to learn more.

• Write or call your legislators and let them know your support policy that combats human trafficking.
• Support events that improve awareness in your community, schools, and neighborhoods.
• If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, contact the National Human Tracking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. You can also contact local law enforcement by calling 911.
• Empower young people to make the decision to leave an unsafe or suspicious environment.

Use #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay to post on social media.

Also, check out National Inner Beauty Day to discover more ways to be a part of the solution to ending human trafficking.

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY HISTORY

The United States Senate designated January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in 2007.

NATIONAL MILK DAY

National Milk Day on January 11th commemorates the day many think the first milk deliveries in glass bottles began in the United States. Alexander Campbell of the New York Dairy Company professed to the New York State Senate that his company was the first to make these deliveries in 1878. 

The United States and Australia export more milk and milk products than any other country. Those products include cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, cream, powdered milk, and much more. Throughout the world, more than 6 billion people consume milk and the products we make from it. One of the reasons is because milk provides nutrients such as calcium, potassium, vitamin B12, and vitamin A. 

Production History

During the Middle Ages, people called milk the virtuous white liquor because alcoholic beverages were more reliable than water. In 1863, French chemist and biologist Louis Pasteur made it possible for milk and other food and drinks to be stored for more extended periods. He developed a method of killing harmful bacteria that is now called pasteurization. 

In 1884, an American doctor, Hervey Thatcher of New York City, developed the first modern glass milk bottle. He called it the “Thatcher’s Common Sense Milk Jar.” He used a waxed paper disk to seal the milk in the glass bottle. Later, in 1932, plastic-coated paper milk cartons were introduced commercially as a consequence of their invention by Victor W. Farris. 

Modern industrial processes use milk to produce casein, whey protein, lactose, condensed milk, powdered milk, and many other food-additive and industrial products. 

Animals

The females of all mammal species can, by definition, produce milk. However, cow milk dominates commercial production. In 2011. FAO estimates cows produced 85% of all milk worldwide. Apart from cattle, many kinds of livestock contribute milk used by humans for dairy products. These animals include buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, donkey, horse, reindeer, and yak. Like cattle, their milk produces cream, butter, yogurt, kefir, ice cream, and cheese, too. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMilkDay

The ultimate way to celebrate is with a large glass of milk. However, a serving of anything made with milk would count, too! Does a milkshake sound good to you? We’ve gathered up some other ways to celebrate, too!

• Make your own cheese
• Add chocolate, strawberry, and malted flavorings to your milk. Then blindfold the kids and have a milk tasting!
• Invite a friend for homemade hot chocolate
• While drinking your milk, learn more about the nutrients in milk

Use #NationalMilkDay to post on social media.

Educators and families, visit the National Day Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day.

NATIONAL MILK DAY HISTORY

In 1915, The International Association of Milk Inspectors submitted a request to Congress in October of 1915 for a resolution naming an observance of National Milk Day. Their request did not suggest a date for the observance. We have no record that the incoming Congress ever presented a resolution for National Milk Day, nor did incoming President Woodrow Wilson ever declare the day.

National Day Calendar continues the search for the creator of the day.

NATIONAL STEP IN A PUDDLE AND SPLASH YOUR FRIENDS DAY

On National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day, particular criteria must be present to celebrate. On January 11th, unless the ideal conditions prevail, some areas of the country may have to create them. So, can we really? Well, yes, the name of the day says you can!  Life is short….let’s have fun! And good luck. 

If you are feeling somewhat mischievous (in a nice kind of way), join in on the celebration that all kids will love and all the young-at-heart adults will love just the same. Put on your boots, raincoats, slickers and grab some rubber duckies, too. Skip along the way. Splashing in puddles can be a terrific way to relieve stress. There’s no right or wrong way to splashing or stepping in a puddle. We’re going to get wet and probably a little dirty no matter how you do it. So splash away. 

Now, if you live in a more frozen region of the country, we encourage you to find alternative ways to celebrate. We know you’ll be creative and safe. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #StepInAPuddleAndSplashYourFriendsDay

On National Step in A Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day, invite your besties to join you for a fun-filled time reliving those days when you didn’t worry about getting your feet wet. Dance and splash in the puddles! Sing some splashing in puddle songs or check out this great video expressing the joy of splashing in puddles. 

Use #StepInAPuddleAndSplashYourFriendsDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL STEP IN A PUDDLE AND SPLASH YOUR FRIENDS DAY HISTORY

While puddle diving, National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this wet and wild day.

NATIONAL SUNDAY SUPPER DAY

National Sunday Supper Day encourages families to gather around the table, enjoy a meal and a conversation together each year on the second Sunday in January.

Sunday Supper starts off as one day a week and soon becomes a way of life.  – Sunday Supper Movement

These days families are busy with after-school activities, jobs, and homework.  Sunday supper has been a disappearing tradition around the country and the Sunday Supper Movement aims to bring families back together in the kitchen and around the dinner table one Sunday at a time.  National Sunday Supper Day is another step toward this goal.

HOW TO OBSERVE #SundaySupper

Invite friends and family over to spend the day preparing a Sunday Supper. While you’re preparing supper, discuss plans for continuing the tradition next week. Take turns and find ways to spend more time enjoying each other’s company over a meal. Create bonds that will last a lifetime. For more information visit wwww.sundaysuppermovement.com.  Use #SundaySupper on social media.

NATIONAL SUNDAY SUPPER HISTORY

Isabel Laessig is the founder of the Sunday Supper Movement and the Food and Wine Conference. A mother of four, she was inspired to start her blog, Family Foodie, when her oldest left for college and the things she would miss most about home would be the times spent in the kitchen and around the table with family.

In 2012 Laessig and eight other bloggers and their families celebrated the first virtual Sunday Supper with a progressive dinner.  According to Laessig, she and these eight bloggers are “passionate about bringing families together to cook and eat together.”

KISS A GINGER DAY

On January 12th, everyone is encouraged to find their favorite redhead and give them a peck on Kiss a Ginger Day.

Created to support a more positive spin than its counterpart, Kiss a Ginger Day brings sweet kisses to redheads who may have once been teased for their hair color.

The red hair gene is recessive and requires two copies for it to present itself. Even then, there is no guarantee it will. If both parents have the gene, there is a 1 in 4 chance they will have a redheaded child.  Most natural-born redheads (yes, some of us like the bottle) have brown eyes, followed by green or hazel. Coming in at 1% of the world’s population, the blue-eyed ginger is the rarest kind. So if you give one of these ginger’s a kiss, consider yourself lucky.If you didn’t already know it, you should obtain permission before kissing anyone who doesn’t expect it –
including a ginger (a.k.a. a redhead).

Many redheads feel like outcasts for having red hair. This celebration empowers redheads to feel confident, look amazing, and rock their beauty. Red hair is more than a color; it’s a lifestyle. Besides, redheads are rare. Less than 2 percent of the population are crowned with red hair. And those who are may very well be left-handed, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE #KissAGingerDay

It’s easy. Kiss a Ginger! And it goes without saying, if you don’t have permission to kiss your favorite ginger, don’t. And while you’re at it, spread a little kindness. Use #KissAGingerDay to share on social media.

KISS A GINGER DAY HISTORY

Derek Forgie founded Kiss a Ginger Day in 2009 as an alternative positive celebration of redheads’ uniqueness as opposed to another day that could often accelerate into bullying. Follow him on Twitter @Kiss_A_Ginger or on Facebook at KissAGingerDay.

NATIONAL CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK DAY

The second Monday of January each year recognizes National Clean Off Your Desk Day.

This day is an opportunity to begin your new year with a clean and organized workspace.  Whether your desk is in a private or shared office, cubicle, home or a make-shift desk on the counter, having your workspace uncluttered and organized will help you work more efficiently. A clean workspace improves productivity and inspires us, too. It often gives us a sense of serenity.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CleanOffYourDeskDay

While there are those who say they know where everything is, we all know a clean start helps give us a new perspective.

Tips for Getting Organized

• Remove everything from your desk. Yes, everything.
• Clean the surface. As you replace items, clean them with the appropriate cleaning supply. Usually, a damp cloth is sufficient, but other electrical items need specific care.
• Get out the shredder and the garbage can. Shred, file, scan documents, business cards, recipes, photos as needed.
• Place all documents and photos in the appropriate locations.
• Shred and toss outdated documents, non-working pens, junk mail.

Don’t forget to replace that old calendar hanging on the wall. While you’re at it, vacuum up those dust bunnies and sanitize your keyboard. Place a fresh box of tissues on your newly cleaned desktop. You’ll be ready for new clients in no time.  Use #CleanOffYourDeskDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK DAY HISTORY

While researching the origin of this tidy day, National Day Calendar staff uncovered information leading to A.C. Viero of Clio, Michigan as the founder of this annual holiday. Now that we can see the top of our desk, we can clearly see there will be more paperwork in our future! 

NATIONAL CURRIED CHICKEN DAY

Each year on January 12th, curried chicken lovers enthusiastically celebrate National Curried Chicken Day. They fill their dishes with a variety of flavorful spices and serve them to their friends and family.

When making a true curried chicken, don’t reach for the curry powder. Instead, stew the chicken in a sauce made from clarified butter (known as ghee) onions, garlic, and a medley of spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. Other ingredients include chilies and tomatoes.

“Curries came into favor as an excellent way of using up cold meat.” Lizzie Collingham Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors

Curry powder made its way into recipes by way of Britain. Their long-time presence in India left a desire for the flavors of the East on the palates of many of the English. Curry powder and recipes with it existed as early as the 1700s but curried chicken and other curried meat recipes gained popularity during the British Raj beginning in 1858.

In parts of the United States, curried chicken is a popular dish known as Country Captain Chicken, a stewed chicken dish that has been flavored with curry powder. 

Country Captain

The following clip, originating from the Hobson-Jobson Dictionary, is regarding Country Captain:

“COUNTRY-CAPTAIN. This is in Bengal the name of a peculiar dry kind of curry, often served as a breakfast dish. We can only conjecture that it was a favourite dish at the table of the skippers of ‘country ships,’ who were themselves called ‘country captains,’ as in our first quotation. In Madras the term is applied to a spatchcock dressed with onions and curry stuff, which is probably the original form. [Riddell says: “Country-captain.—Cut a fowl in pieces; shred an onion small and fry it brown in butter; sprinkle the fowl with fine salt and curry powder and fry it brown; then put it into a stewpan with a pint of soup; stew it slowly down to a half and serve it with rice” (Ind. Dom. Econ. 176).]“1792.—”But now, Sir, a Country Captain is not to be known from an ordinary man, or a Christian, by any certain mark whatever.” Madras Courier, April 26.c. 1825.—”The local name for their business was the ‘Country Trade,’ the ships were ‘Country Ships,’ and the masters of them ‘Country Captains.’ Some of my readers may recall a dish which was often placed before us when dining on board these vessels at Whampoa, viz. ‘Country Captain.’”—The Fankwae at Canton (1882), p. 33.  (Wikipedia)
–

“Country Captain was served to United States 32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt along with General George E. Patton in 1940 by Mrs. W.L. Bullard of Warm Springs, Georgia.  Their strong liking of the dish brought it’s popularity to the Southern United States.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #CurriedChickenDay

Invite guests to join you for this delicious dish. Any celebration is better when served to good company and joined with laughter. Try one of these recipes or share one of your own with us. We enjoy trying new recipes all the time. Another way to celebrate is by going to your favorite restaurant. Be sure to give them a shout out with the hashtag, too! Spread the joy. It’s the best way to #CelebrateEveryDay! 

Curried Chicken Salad
Curried Chicken Thighs

Use #CurriedChickenDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CURRIED CHICKEN DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this tasty food holiday. 

NATIONAL MARZIPAN DAY

Join millions of people across the nation on January 12th as they participate in the annual National Marzipan Day. Delve into a sweet confection on National Marzipan Day. On January 12th, the celebration kicks off with creatively formed confections that delight the eyes and mouth!

For anyone who does not know, Marzipan is a confection made primarily of sugar or honey and ground almonds, sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract. Although it is often made into sweets such as marzipan-filled chocolate and small imitations of fruits and vegetables, it is also commonly rolled into thin sheets and used as a glaze for icing cakes. Some people specialize in creating small, marzipan animal figures. In some countries, they incorporate this tradition into their New Year’s Day celebrations. 

Confectioners make marzipan by cleaning raw almonds (by sieving, air elutriation and other electronic or mechanical devices) and then immersing them in water with a temperature just below the boiling point for about five minutes. This process loosens the skin of the almonds, which is removed by passing them through rubber-covered rotating cylinders. They then cook the almonds and coarsely chopped and ground (with up to 35% sugar) into almond flour. 

After roasting and cooling the almond flour mixture, the confectioner adds sugar and possibly a binding agent such as corn syrup or sorbitol. It is then ready to be molded into any shape.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMarzipanDay

On this creative holiday, test your artistic skills by making some marzipan. Decorate a cake or make decorations for cookies. Custom make some candies for a special occasion. Invite the family to join you. You could also take a class to master the skill of making marzipan. Do you know someone who makes marzipan? Give them a shout out for their amazing creations. 

Use #NationalMarzipanDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL MARZIPAN DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar is celebrating the day by researching the origins of the holiday while enjoying some marzipan.

NATIONAL PHARMACIST DAY

National Pharmacist Day on January 12th annually recognizes and honors all pharmacists across the nation.

The role of pharmacists has shifted over the years. Where once they served as the classical “lick, stick and pour” dispensary, they now serve as an integrated member of the health care team. They’re directly involved in patient care and often play a vital role in a patient’s recovery. 

Historically, pharmacists primarily checked and distributed drugs to doctors for patient prescribed medication. In modern times, pharmacists advise patients and health care providers on the selection, dosages, interactions and the side effects of prescriptions. Additionally, their role includes being a learned intermediary between a prescriber and a patient. Monitoring the health and progress of patients, pharmacists can then ensure the safe and effective use of medication.

Pharmacists work long hours, usually standing the entire time. Along with dispensing pills and providing advice on medications, pharmacists also administer immunizations. Pharmacists who conduct research discover and test new medications, too.

• Do you wonder how Agatha Christie came to know so much about poisons for her murder mysteries? She was once a pharmacy dispenser during World War I.
• Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Ginger Ale were all invented by pharmacists
• Before running for President of the United States, Hubert Humphrey earned his pharmacy license and worked in his father’s pharmacy.
• William Procter, Jr., (May 3, 1817 – February 10, 1874) dedicated his career to the science of pharmacy. He wrote the first textbook on pharmacy for students in the United States and advocated for the founding of the American Pharmaceutical Association. His dedication earned him the name Father of Pharmacy.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPharmacistDay

Anyone who has required the services of a pharmacist, take time to thank them today. Give them a shout out. Whether they work in a facility or local pharmacy, they will appreciate the good word. If you’re considering a career, learn more about pharmacy. Use #NationalPharmacistDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PHARMACIST DAY HISTORY

While we were unable to find the exact creator of this observance, it is indicated that it is likely an association of pharmaceutical groups that are founders.

KOREAN AMERICAN DAY

Korean American Day on January 13th commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. The day also honors the Korean American’s immense contributions to every aspect of society.

In 1882, the United States and Korea signed a treaty establishing a peaceful relationship, friendship, and commerce. While this led to Korean diplomats, students, politicians, and businessmen visiting the United States, few felt compelled to stay.

It wasn’t until December of 1902 on the SS Gaelic that 102 Korean immigrants set sail for Honolulu, Hawaii. These families initiated the first wave of Korean immigration, resulting in over 7,500 immigrants over the next two years.

They served their communities and their country during World Wars I and II and the Korean War. During these times, more Koreans decided to emigrate from their homeland; some, as wives to U.S. servicemen, others were adopted as children.

Honoring a Few

Ahn Chang Ho – also known as Dosan, one of the earlier immigrants, Ho is credited with establishing the Willows Korean Aviation Corps in the United States, which later helped establish the Korean Airforce.

Sammy Lee – Olympic two-time gold medalist in diving (1948 – London) and (1952 – Helsinki).

Wendy Gramm – Served as U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair under Presidents Reagan and Bush I.

Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy – First Asian American appointed to U.S. Federal Court (Court of Appeals Ninth District) in 1974.

David Hyun – Architect charged with revitalizing Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.

Sang Hyun Lee – First tenured Asian American professor at Princeton Theological Seminary

Hines Ward, Jr.  – Professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers

HOW TO OBSERVE #KoreanAmericanDay

Learn more about Korean Americans then and now. Read books about their experiences or watch documentaries. We’ve provided two books:

• Korean American Pioneer Aviators: The Willows Airmen by Edward T. Chang and Woo Sung Han
• Korean-Americans: Past, Present, and Future by Ilpyong J. Kim
• Memoir of a Cashier: Korean Americans, Racism, and Riots by Carol Park

You can also visit Korean American Story to hear their stories or document your own. Find out more or share your experience by using #KoreanAmericanDay on social media.

KOREAN AMERICAN DAY HISTORY

In 2003, President George W. Bush proclaimed a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants. In 2005, the U.S. House and Senate passed simple resolutions in support of Korean American Day. Since then, states across the country have passed bills declaring January 13th as an annual celebration of Korean American Day. 

NATIONAL PEACH MELBA DAY

Another dessert brought to us by an internationally famous chef, National Peach Melba Day offers a refreshing celebration on January 13th each year. 

French chef Auguste Escoffier invented the elegant dessert back in 1892 or 1893, depending on the source. He created the dessert with peaches, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sauce while employed at the Savoy Hotel, London. The dessert honored Australian soprano, Nellie Melba. The chef was known for naming his creations after famous people. Three such recipes are celebrated on the calendar including National Melba Toast Day on March 23rd.

Nellie Melba was born Hellen Porter Mitchell. She took the stage name Melba in honor of her hometown of Melbourne. Her achievements as an opera singer took her on tour worldwide. Later, she earned the title of Dame Grand Cross of the British Empire in 1927.

Chef Escoffier originally called the dessert “Pecheau Cygne” or “Peach Swan” and presented it in a swan-shaped ice sculpture and topped with spun sugar.

HOW TO OBSERVE #PeachMelbaDay

Listen to Nellie Melba while you make a Peach Melba. We’ve included a recipe for you to try, too!

Chef John’s Peach Melba Recipe

Use #NationalPeachMelbaDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEACH DAY HISTORY

While National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday, we’ll also try to belt out the high notes, too. 

NATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY

According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is January 13th so around the country it’s National Rubber Ducky Day! A friend of Ernie and Big Bird, Duckie made his debut in a February 1970 episode.

The rubber ducky (also spelled duckie) has come a long way from his first concept as a chew toy for children. While the origin of the first rubber ducky is uncertain, many rubber molded toys came about when rubber manufacturing developed in the late 1800s. They produced a variety of toys from dolls and various animal shapes, including the rubber duck. 

In 1928, Landon Smart Lawrence received the earliest patent fora rubber duck toy. His clever design weighted the toy so that when it tipped it returned to an upright position. The sketch included with the patent was that of a duck.

During World Wars I and II, rubber was a valuable commodity. Rationing became mandatory and by the 1940s with the advent of plastic, the rubber ducky began being produced in vinyl and plastic.

Russian Sculptor Peter Ganine sculpted many animal figures. One, a duck, he later designed and patented into a floating toy which closely resembles the rubber ducky we have become familiar with today.

Sales of the iconic yellow rubber ducky we’ve come to know today soared in Britain in 2001. Why? A British Tabloid, The Sun, reported Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber duck in her bathroom that wore an inflatable crown.

The rubber ducky became a Toy Hall of Fame inductee in 2013. Founded in 1998, the Hall of Fame has only inducted 52 other toys.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRubberDuckyDay

Spend time with your favorite rubber ducky. Share photos of your rubber ducky collection. Discover all the different kinds of rubber duckies available. Use #NationalRubberDuckyDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY HISTORY

While our research did not uncover the creator of National Rubber Ducky Day, National Day Calendar® is pretty fond of the idea that it has to do with Sesame Street’s Rubber Duckie.    

NATIONAL SHOP FOR TRAVEL DAY

As the holiday season fades away, our minds turn to our next opportunity for a vacation. While that may seem far off, National Shop for Travel Day on the second Tuesday in January reminds us to start planning now!

Today, there are more tools and resources than ever before to help us shop for that perfect trip. How we choose to travel, our accommodations, and where we relax and have fun has become mobile and virtual. Whether we’re planning a weekend getaway or our dream vacation, we can shop, compare, plan, and book all in just a few clicks.

Advancements made by travel technology innovators and intermediaries have not only provided us with the tools to expertly guide us through the booking experience, but they get us there, too. They connect us to the people who put us in the beautiful places we want to stay. Today, more than ever before, we can find just the accommodation we’ve been seeking and even tour it before we go, view ratings and firsthand accounts from other travelers, and catch a glimpse of what our trip will be like long before it begins.

Traveling for pleasure – or for work – can be a tremendous expense in both dollars and time, and you want the reassurance that you’re making the right choices whether you’re going home to visit old friends or visiting a city for the very first time. These apps and tools provide that confidence and actually make it fun to explore the limitless possibilities for travel.

Wherever and whenever you have your heart set to go, start shopping now. Whatever the trip may be, National Shop for Travel Day is the perfect time to visit an online travel company and book it.

Make that dream vacation come true.

HOW TO OBSERVE #ShopForTravelDay

Technology has made shopping for travel easier. Not only can we comparison shop, but it also makes planning a lot easier. Celebrate the day by making a list of the places you dream of going, need to go and would like to see again.

• Compare hotels, rentals, and other lodgings available. Secluded cabins, RV rentals and camping gear are available, too.
• Check flights, trains, or even routes for taking a road trip. Don’t forget to plan stops along some of the country’s most scenic byways and historic routes.
• Ask friends and family for the best travel agents to help you make the most of your travel plans.
• Also, ask those friends about their favorite trips – business and vacations. They can help you find the best places to explore.
• Find the ideal times of the year to travel for business and pleasure. If you’re trying to avoid crowds, the offseason may be the best time of year to travel.
• Discover unique vacations that are worth writing home about.
• Look for adventures that take you away from the crowd and give you a unique view of the world.

Make a list of places you would like to go and check the dates. Start shopping on your favorite sites or contact your travel agent. Use #ShopForTravelDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL SHOP FOR TRAVEL DAY HISTORY

The Travel Technology Association founded National Shop for Travel Day in 2018 to celebrate the joy of travel and the technology innovators who have transformed the way we all shop, compare, plan, and book our vacations. It’s a perfect time! Follow Travel Tech @traveltech on Twitter.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Shop for Travel Day to be observed annually beginning in 2018.

About the Travel Technology Association

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the premier trade association for the travel technology industry. Founded in 1998, Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology. Travel Tech includes global distribution systems, online travel agencies, metasearch companies, and short-term rental platforms.

These technology innovators directly and indirectly create the infrastructure and the marketplace that travelers, suppliers, and intermediaries benefit from today. Travel Tech members transform the way we travel, providing suppliers and consumers with invaluable access to options while purchasing and managing their travel.

NATIONAL STICKER DAY

National Sticker Day on January 13th recognizes all the ways stickers brighten up a page or send a special message. The day celebrates all things stickers, from the custom printing of them to sharing stickers. Every sticker has a story.

Historians credit the European merchants in the 1880s as the first to stick labels to their products, in an effort to promote their goods and wares to passersby.

These savvy, pre-industrial entrepreneurs used a gum paste to get the labels to adhere and, well, stick: hence “stickers.” By the 1900s a sticker-specific paste had been developed and was widely used, most notably on stamps, which dried and then would re-apply when moistened.

The observance is in honor of R. Stanton Avery, who was born on that day in 1907. Avery was the original creator of the adhesive label with removable backing.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStickerDay

National Sticker Day offers so many ways to celebrate! We won’t limit it to any age group either, so be sure to invite everyone to the party. That means everyone deserves a sticker whether they are shopping online, promoting their business or learning something new. While you are planning your celebration, be sure to check out these ideas, too.

• Host a sticker collection contest. Award prizes for the largest, most colorful, and most original collections.
• Stickers bring in business, too. Create a buzz around special days using stickers.
• They inspire creativity in the classroom. Ask students to design stickers for events and campaigns.
• Get organized! Color code your favorite projects with stickers that keep you on track.

Take photos of them to post on social media using #NationalStickerDay.

NATIONAL STICKER DAY HISTORY

StickerGiant, a promotional sticker and product label company based in Longmont, Colorado, created National Sticker Day in 2015 to celebrate all the fun stickers bring to all ages. The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared it to be observed on January 13th, annually.

STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY

Stephen Foster Memorial Day on January 13th commemorates the music of the man who composed hundreds of America’s first popular songs.

Born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1826, Stephen Foster became known as America’s First Composer. His catchy tunes based on minstrel songs are still known today.

Despite Foster’s exclusive music contract with Firth, Pond, and Company, when he died at the age of 37, he was penniless. While his songs were wildly popular, the lack of copyright protection and alcoholism left him with nothing of value to show for his work.

During his short life, Foster wrote over 200 songs. His best-known compositions include “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Old Black Joe,” and “Beautiful Dreamer”  and are still very popular today.

Foster died on January 13, 1864, at the age of 37.

HOW TO OBSERVE #StephenFosterMemorialDay

Read about the life of Stephen Foster or watch a documentary. Listen to some of his music. You might be surprised to learn how familiar some of it is. How many of them do you already know? Check out our suggestions below:

• Doo-dah! by Ken Emerson
• Beautiful Dreamer: The Life of Stephen Collins Foster by Ellen Hunter Ulken
• Read about the African American influence on Stephen Foster’s music.

Use #StephenFosterMemorialDay to post on social media.

STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY

Stephen Foster Memorial Day is a United States Federal Observance Day according to Title 36 of the United States Code. It was made law in November of 1966 and was first celebrated in 1967.

NATIONAL DRESS UP YOUR PET DAY

National Dress Up Your Pet Day on January 14th provides a special day to celebrate with your pet and show of their fashion style. Pets do become part of one’s family. Whether you take a visit to the groomer or take it a step further and dress up in matching outfits, be sure your pet companion is safe and comfortable. 

Please remember to keep your pets safe and comfortable in the pet clothing and costumes that you choose.

Tips for dressing up your pet:

• If your pet just doesn’t like dressing up, let them sit this holiday out.
• Be sure it fits. Restricting movement or ability to breathe can cause injury or illness.
• Many pets like to chew. Avoid loose or dangling pieces which can cause choking hazards.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDressUpYourPetDay

The name of the day tells you how to celebrate it; dress your pets up! Keep your pet’s comfort first and foremost. A visit to the groomer for a bit of polish and trim always improves our pet companion’s appearance. Get a snazzy bandana, bow, or collar to show off the fresh do. How about a sweater for chilly, long walks? If the tutu is too, too much, your pooch will let you know. Be sure to share your favorite pet poses with us. We love to see how you #CelebrateEveryDay. Use #DressUpYourPetDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL DRESS UP YOUR PET DAY HISTORY

 National Dress Up Your Pet Day was founded in 2009 by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Behaviorist, Colleen Paige.

NATIONAL HOT PASTRAMI SANDWICH DAY

Pastrami lovers across the country look forward to their favorite sandwich on January 14th as they recognize National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day.

Popular delicatessen meat, pastrami is usually made from beef. Others make their pastrami sandwich with pork, mutton or turkey. Before refrigeration, butchers originally created pastrami as a way to preserve meat. To make pastrami, they placed the raw meat in brine. Then they partially dried it and seasoned it with various herbs and spices to be smoked and steamed.

A wave of Romanian Jewish immigration introduced pastrami (pronounced pastróme), a Romanian specialty, in the second half of the 19th century. Early English references used the spelling “pastrama” before the modified “pastrami” spelling was used. 

New York kosher butcher, Sussman Volk earns credit for producing the first pastrami sandwich in 1887. He claimed to have gotten the recipe from a Romanian friend in exchange for storing his luggage. Due to the popularity of his sandwich, Volk converted his butcher shop into a restaurant to sell pastrami sandwiches.

Classic Pastrami

• When served, the deli typically slices the pastrami and places it between two slices of rye bread. Sometimes, the classic New York deli sandwich (pastrami on rye) is served with coleslaw and Russian dressing.
• When pastrami and coleslaw combine, it’s called a Rachel sandwich. Similar to a Reuben which is made with corned beef and sauerkraut.  
• In Los Angeles, they serve the classic pastrami sandwich with hot pastrami right out of the steamer. They slice it very thin and wet from the brine then layered on double-baked Jewish-style rye bread. It is traditionally accompanied by yellow mustard and pickles.
• In Salt Lake City, in the early 1960s, Greek immigrants introduced a hamburger topped with pastrami and a special sauce. This pastrami burger remains a staple of local burger chains in Utah.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HotPastramiSandwichDay

Serve up your favorite pastrami sandwich. What toppings will you add? Try making several versions. Here are some other suggestions for celebrating:

• Add sliced green apples and sharp cheddar cheese to your sandwich.
• Invite friends to build their own sandwich.
• Give a shout out to your favorite restaurant and deli with the best pastrami sandwich.
• While you’re at it, what’s the best beverage to wash down a hot pastrami sandwich?
• Are you a master sandwich maker? Share your sandwich stacking tips.
• When it comes to the bread only the best will do. Pastrami and rye is classic. What other bread makes terrific pastrami sandwiches?
• Mix up a variety of spreads. Make them hot, spicy, sweet, sour or creamy and find out which one compliments pastrami best.
• Read the Pastrami on Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli by Ted Merwin while munching on your creation.
• Watch a food show while enjoying your delicious pastrami sandwich. 

Try this Hot Pastrami Sandwich recipe.

Use #HotPastramiSandwichDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL HOT PASTRAMI SANDWICH DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this sandwich day.  While we do, we’re going to make a Dagwood-sized pastrami on rye. 

RATIFICATION DAY

Ratification Day on January 14th annually recognizes the act the officially ended the American Revolution. The day commemorates the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland by the Confederation Congress.

Since the Declaration of Independence was signed, nearly eight years had passed. Through the treaty, Great Britain recognizes the United States as a sovereign entity. It is the most enduring premise of the treaty. The treaty also defined boundaries, specifically the Northwest Territory which included Ohio and rich prairie land of Indiana and Illinois. Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota were also included. Several of the nation’s founding fathers negotiated the peace treaty, including John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin. 

• The Confederation Congress issued a proclamation on April 11, 1783, “Declaring the cessation of arms” against Great Britain.
• Congress approved the preliminary articles of peace on April 15, 1783.
• The Confederation Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784.

HOW TO OBSERVE #RatificationDay

Learn more about the Treaty of Paris.

• Visit the Maryland State House
• Read more about the Treaty of Paris
• Visit the Library Congress

Use #RatificationDay to post on social media.

RATIFICATION DAY HISTORY

Ratification Day recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris. In Annapolis Maryland at the State House, a ceremony takes place where officials signed the treaty. The Old Senate Chamber has been renovated and preserved just as it was at the signing. Every January 14, a flag in the design that was displayed at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Paris flies over the State House; twelve stars forming a circle with one star in the center. 

GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY

Get to Know Your Customers Day reminds businesses to reach out to patrons and get to know them better. The day is observed annually on the third Thursday of each quarter (January, April, July, October). 

When businesses get to know your customers, you also get to know more about what you need to grow. Remember when Main Street businesses were locally owned and operated? The owners knew you by name and knew your shopping habits. Additionally, they typically knew what you wanted to buy. Not surprisingly, if they didn’t have it, they were willing to get it in for you.

With the advent of the Internet and big-box stores, unfortunately, much of the personal attention has gone by the wayside. Get to Know Your Customers Day is a day to turn that around. Make it a point to get to know a little more about your customers. Most importantly, make each of them feel like they are your most important customer of the day.

Tips to Knowing Your Customer:

• Ask your customers questions. Find out what services and products they need.
• Use social media. Get the word out about your specials and new product. Social media is a great tool to find out what your customers like and don’t like about your store. It’s important to respond as quickly as possible. When you do, it will be noticed. remember, fixing a negative customer experience in a positive way can show you stand by your word. In turn, it could transfer into future multiple sales.
• Follow up on a purchase. Ask your customers how their purchase or service worked for them. Not only will you find out about your product, but you will learn more about your customer and the services they need.
• Network with other businesses. Learning and sharing best practices for getting to know customers from other successful businesses will also grow your business.
  

  HOW TO OBSERVE #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay

  Grow your business by taking the time to get to know your customers. In doing so, you’ll be planting a seed that will flourish! Use #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay to post on social media. Read about these 7 Ways to Know Your Customers to learn more. 

  GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY HISTORY

  We have been unable to find the creator of National Get to Know Your Customers Day.

NATIONAL BAGEL DAY

Toast up your favorite flavor on National Bagel Day. On January 15th, don’t forget to pick your favorite schmear, too. Make it for breakfast, lunch, or snack, or all of the above!

This kosher carbohydrate brings complex flavors to the deli and sandwich bar. In the United States, we love our crunch-on-the-outside-chewy-on-the-inside bread. They’re a staple in our freezers and as a winter pick-me-up.

Bagel History

Polish-Jewish immigrants introduced the bagel to the United States. Throughout New York City and the surrounding boroughs, they grew thriving businesses. Of course, it didn’t take long for the bakers to organize. In 1907, they created the International Beigel Bakers’ Union. For decades, Bagel Bakers Local 338 held contracts with nearly all bagel bakeries in and around the city for its workers.

Until the 1960s, bakeries made bagels by hand. Then Daniel Thompson invented the bagel maker, and along came a heated debate of man versus the machine. Thereafter, the question of the better bagel dangled before customers. Was it the handcrafted beigel or the manufactured bagel?

The bagel became more common throughout North America during the last quarter of the 20th century. Credit for the bagels’ spread across the country goes in part to the efforts of bagel baker Harry Lender, his son, Murray Lender, and Florence Sender. Their pioneering efforts led to automated production and distribution of frozen bagels in the 1960s. Murray also invented pre-slicing the bagel.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBagelDay

Have your favorite bagel combinations. Invite friends to get a schmear or two with you. Try new combinations. Do you like yours toasted or not? Breakfast bagels, pizza bagels, cinnamon bagels, they all sound so delicious right now. Which one will you choose?

Brush up on the bagel’s history in the United States. It’s a vibrant and enduring one. Use #NationalBagelDay to share your favorites and give your favorite bagel shop a shoutout, too!

NATIONAL BAGEL DAY HISTORY

Once the bagel shared a day with lox, but no longer. As of 2020, the bagel branched out on its own to celebrate all kinds of bagels.

NATIONAL BOOCH DAY

On January 15, National Booch Day (also known as National Kombucha Day) kicks off a delicious way to celebrate with kombucha fans.

WHAT IS BOOCH?

Kombucha, or “booch,” is a lightly effervescent fermented beverage with a bold, invigorating taste. With flavor options from sweet to tart, KeVita Master Brew Kombucha pairs well with any meal and has billions of live probiotics in every bottle.

Who drinks booch? Well, if you like tea, you will probably like booch, too. Thanks to the probiotics, booch contains a significant amount of B vitamins. Depending on the type of tea your kombucha is made from, you enjoy the same benefits that tea offers.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBoochDay

Kombucha fans can celebrate by sharing the love with a friend. Kombucha fans can also celebrate #NationalBoochDay with special offers and promotions from KeVita. Find out more on Instagram. Hurry, it’s a January 15th, Booch Day only offer.

NATIONAL BOOCH DAY HISTORY

KeVita founded National Booch Day on January 15, 2019, to celebrate kombucha and all the love around this effervescent bubbly drink. KeVita was founded in 2009 in Ojai, California, by an organic winemaker and holistic nutritionist.

NATIONAL HAT DAY

Hang on to your hats and celebrate in style on National Hat Day. Celebrated each year on January 15th, don your favorite fedora, cap, cloche, derby, or sunhat. Dig out your ceremonial best and tell the story behind it. Wear your warmest tuque, stocking cap, beanie, and share the name you give it. There are so many hats, fashions, and names we give them. Certainly, we could wear a hat a day and never get through them all. 

We wear hats for numerous reasons. Many hats protect us from elements or harm. Others were worn for ceremonial or religious reasons. Some hats just make us look good or cover up what we think doesn’t. Through the centuries, we’ve given our hats a lot of meaning.

• In the Middle Ages, hats indicated social status.
• In the military, hats may denote one’s nationality, branch of service, rank, and/or regiment.
• A Thebes tomb painting depicts one of the first pictorials of a hat.  The painting shows a man wearing a conical straw hat.
• Structured hats for women began to be worn in the late 16th century.
• Millinery is the designing and manufacture of hats.
• The term “milliner” is derived from the city of Milan, Italy. The best quality hats were made in Milan in the 18th century.
• Millinery traditionally began as a woman’s occupation, as the milliner created hats and bonnets and chose lace, trim, and accessories to complete any outfit.
• In the mid-1920s, to replace the bonnets and wide-brimmed hats, women began to wear smaller hats that hugged their heads.

Depending on where you live, if you are outside in the middle of a cold January, you may definitely want to wear a hat on National Hat Day!

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHatDay

Wear your favorite hat on National Hat Day. Celebrate an era or an occupation. Learn the history of a particular hat or try making a paper hat. 

Be sure to wear a hat and use #NationalHatDay to post on social media.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for lessons designed around National Hat Day.

NATIONAL HAT DAY HISTORY

Since at least 1983, schools, libraries, and museums have observed National Hat Day has been observed in libraries, schools, and museums. They invited students and patrons to wear their favorite hats or hats of their occupation. People of all ages show up in pirate hats and football helmets. Patrol officers, postal workers, restaurant servicers also wear their hats to various events. 

NATIONAL STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM DAY

Each year, National Strawberry Ice Cream Day on January 15th celebrates one of the choicest flavors of ice cream. All flavors of ice cream are recognized on July 1st. 

Strawberry ice cream is made by blending either strawberries or strawberry flavoring with eggs, cream, vanilla, and sugar. Food coloring is often used to give it the pink or light red hue.

During James Madison’s second inauguration in 1813, strawberry ice cream was served. It’s also one of the three flavors found in Neapolitan ice cream along with vanilla and chocolate. Other variations of strawberry ice cream include strawberry cheesecake ice cream and strawberry ripple ice cream.

HOW TO OBSERVE #StrawberryIceCreamDay

Holidays are best celebrated with someone else, so be sure to grab a bowl or two. Invite someone to join you while you enjoy a dish of strawberry ice cream. Strawberries tend to remind us of summer, too. So imagine the things you’ll do when the days are warmer.

We’ve even provided a few recipes to make and share. 

Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake
Yummy Strawberry Shake
Strawberry Ice Cream Pie

Use #StrawberryIceCreamDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM HISTORY DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to pursue the origins of this frozen food holiday. While we do, we promise, there will be more ice cream days to celebrate in the days to come. And in between, there will be cake days. And donut days, too. Also, don’t forget the cookie days that we will most certainly sandwich our ice cream between. 

GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY

Get to Know Your Customers Day reminds businesses to reach out to patrons and get to know them better. The day is observed annually on the third Thursday of each quarter (January, April, July, October). 

When businesses get to know your customers, you also get to know more about what you need to grow. Remember when Main Street businesses were locally owned and operated? The owners knew you by name and knew your shopping habits. Additionally, they typically knew what you wanted to buy. Not surprisingly, if they didn’t have it, they were willing to get it in for you.

With the advent of the Internet and big-box stores, unfortunately, much of the personal attention has gone by the wayside. Get to Know Your Customers Day is a day to turn that around. Make it a point to get to know a little more about your customers. Most importantly, make each of them feel like they are your most important customer of the day.

Tips to Knowing Your Customer:

• Ask your customers questions. Find out what services and products they need.
• Use social media. Get the word out about your specials and new product. Social media is a great tool to find out what your customers like and don’t like about your store. It’s important to respond as quickly as possible. When you do, it will be noticed. remember, fixing a negative customer experience in a positive way can show you stand by your word. In turn, it could transfer into future multiple sales.
• Follow up on a purchase. Ask your customers how their purchase or service worked for them. Not only will you find out about your product, but you will learn more about your customer and the services they need.
• Network with other businesses. Learning and sharing best practices for getting to know customers from other successful businesses will also grow your business.

HOW TO OBSERVE #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay

Grow your business by taking the time to get to know your customers. In doing so, you’ll be planting a seed that will flourish! Use #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay to post on social media. Read about these 7 Ways to Know Your Customers to learn more. 

GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY HISTORY

We have been unable to find the creator of National Get to Know Your Customers Day.

NATIONAL FIG NEWTON DAY

National Fig Newton Day on January 16th annually recognizes a tasty pastry enjoyed across the country. 

A Nabisco’s trademarked version of the fig roll, Newtons are a pastry filled with fig paste. Fig Newtons have an unusual and characteristic shape which has been adopted by many competitors, including generic fig bars.

Up until the 19th century, many physicians believed most illnesses were related to digestion problems. As a remedy, they recommended a daily intake of biscuits and fruit. Fig rolls served as an ideal solution to their advice, which remained a locally produced and handmade product. 

In 1891, Philadelphia baker and fig-lover, Charles Roser, invented and patented the machine, which inserted fig paste into a thick pastry dough. The Cambridgeport, MA-based Kennedy Biscuit Company then purchased Roser’s recipe. They began mass production after purchasing the recipe. In 1891, the first Fig Newtons were baked at the F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery. The company named the pastries after the town of Newton, Massachusetts.

After recently becoming associated, the Kennedy Biscuit Company and the New York Biscuit company merged to form Nabisco. The new company trademarked the fig rolls as Fig Newtons.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFigNewtonDay

Enjoy a Fig Newton, fig roll, or make your own. People of all ages enjoy this tasty bar. It comes in a variety of flavors, but fig seems to be the most popular. Enjoy it with coffee, tea, or juice. 

We even found a delicious recipe for you to try and share.

Fresh Fig Newtons

Use #NationalFigNewtonDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL FIG NEWTON DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to seek the origins of this figurative food holiday. While we may not figure it out, we do sometimes get into a jam. Oh well, we’ll follow the crumbs.

NATIONAL NOTHING DAY

Each year on January 16th, people across the nation recognize National Nothing Day.

The observance was created as a day to provide Americans with one National Day when they can just sit without celebrating, observing or honoring anything.  (National Day Calendar only reports the Days, sometimes they may contradict themselves.)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of January which means that one-in-seven January 16th’s will fall on the same day as Nothing Day, effectively usurping the nature of Nothing Day.

While it may be a good day to celebrate nothing at all, we suppose putting nothing in a glass and setting it on a table might suffice for celebration. You might leave your diary page blank every January 16th. Don’t mark anything on the calendar on the 16th, either. It would be interesting to see what would happen if you sent a blank email dated January 16th. How many replies would you get saying, “There’s nothing here.”

For people whose birthday lands on January 16th, wrap an empty box. That should elicit a nothing response appropriate for the celebration.

When asked, “What are your plans, today?” your response should definitely be, “Nothing.” What else would your answer be on a day like today? Now that we think about it, “Nothing” works well as an answer when recognizing the day.

NATIONAL NOTHING DAY HISTORY

In 1972, columnist Harold Pullman Coffin proposed National Nothing Day. The day has been observed in all its nothingness since 1973. The observance is sponsored by Coffin’s National Nothing Foundation, registered in Capitola, California.

NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY

Each year, National Religious Freedom Day commemorates the day the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was signed on January 16, 1786. Each year, by Presidential Proclamation, January 16th is declared Religious Freedom Day. 

Thomas Jefferson’s landmark statute became the basis for Congressman Fisher Ames’ establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Consitution.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

The First Freedom Center in Richmond, Virginia, commemorates this day by holding an annual First Freedom Award banquet.

The statute guarantees the fundamental freedom to openly practice one’s faith without fear of being harassed, jailed, or killed. Additionally, under the statute, each person may freely change their religion without retribution. In the United States, people of different faiths have equal rights to practice their religion.

Around the world, religious restrictions continue to rise. According to Pew research, legislation, attitudes, and policies are rising globally in the last decade. Even those countries usually considered restrictive are increasing their limitations. When looking at countries with the most equality, they too show a change in policies and attitudes toward religious freedom. Religious freedom is a global concern, not only a national one. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #ReligiousFreedomDay

While recognizing the U.S. commemoration, take a broader look. Learn more about religious freedom in the United States and around the world. 

• Watch First Freedom on PBS.
• Learn about other faiths.
• Practice your own faith.
• Participate in an interfaith event such as the one mentioned on Share America.
• Read about other faiths and their experiences in the United States.

Use #ReligiousFreedomDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY HISTORY

Every year since 1993, the President of the United States proclaims January 16th National Religious Freedom Day. 

NATIONAL WITHOUT A SCALPEL DAY

Each year on National Without a Scalpel Day January 16th recognizes the opportunities to treat disease without a scalpel. On this day in 1964, pioneering physician Charles Dotter performed the first angioplasty. The ground-breaking procedure to open a blocked blood vessel took place in Portland, Oregon. Not only did the angioplasty allow the patient to avoid leg amputation surgery, but she left the hospital days later with only a Band-Aid.

No surgery, no stitches, no scars…

In doing so, Dr. Dotter created a cutting-edge medical specialty called Interventional Radiology, where doctors treat disease through a tiny pinhole instead of open surgery. These doctors use x-rays and other medical imaging to see inside the body while they treat disease. These advances changed all of medicine.

Today, minimally invasive, image-guided procedures (MIIP) can treat a broad range of diseases throughout the body, in adults and children:

• cancer
• heart disease
• stroke
• aneurysms
• life-threatening bleeding
• infertility
• fibroids
• kidney stones
• back pain
• infections
• blocked blood vessels
• many other conditions

Even though trained specialists perform MIIP throughout the world, many people do not know about MIIP or if they could benefit from these life-changing treatments. The Interventional Initiative was established to raise awareness and educate the public about MIIP.

The Interventional Initiative just completed the pilot episode of the documentary series Without a Scalpel, to be aired on a national network in 2016. Without a Scalpel features real patient stories and their doctors who treat them with life-changing MIIP.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WithoutAScalpelDay

Take some time to learn more about MIIP and share this valuable, life-saving information with someone you love. Post on social media using #WithoutAScalpelDay.

NATIONAL WITHOUT A SCALPEL DAY HISTORY

The Interventional Initiative submitted National Without a Scalpel Day in 2015. If you or someone you know could benefit from MIIP, visit www.theii.org or follow on Twitter @interventional2.

NATIONAL BOOTLEGGER’S DAY

National Bootlegger’s Day on January 17th recognizes an era when bootleggers became legendary. 

Templeton Rye Whiskey shares its January 17th birthday with bootlegger Al Capone and the son of another bootlegger, Meryl Kerkhoff.

During the 1800s, the term bootlegger came into use in the Midwest. The word described the act of concealing flasks of liquor in a boot top when going to trade with Native Americans. The term found its permanent place in the American vocabulary when Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol in 1920.

Despite now being illegal, thirsty Americans still had a demand for liquor. While some distilleries switched their production to something legal, others took to bootlegging.

Bootleggers helped fill the demand by smuggling various brews from Canada and Mexico, and later distilling their own liquor in backwoods and secluded areas. They brought their loot back to sell to speakeasies, individuals, and other establishments.

Other terms, such as rum-runner and moonshiner, became popular during this time as well.

The legend of bootlegging grew to mythological qualities. The Mafia arose out of the illegal and coordinated activities of bootlegging. Storied names like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Alphonse Kerkhoff, and Bugs Moran are surrounded by glamour, danger, and mystery.

In 1933, Congress ratified the 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition and the “noble experiment.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #BootleggersDay

Share a bottle of Templeton Rye with friends. And when you do, post photos on social media using #BootleggersDay or #TempletonRye

NATIONAL BOOTLEGGERS DAY HISTORY

Infinium Spirits founded National Bootleggers Day in 2015 to celebrate the birth of Templeton Rye. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed by the day 2015 to be observed on January 17th, annually.

ABOUT TEMPLETON RYE

When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages on January 17, 1920, many enterprising residents of a small town in Iowa chose to become outlaws. They began producing a high caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as TEMPLETON RYE, or “THE GOOD STUFF” to those in the know.  Alphonse Kerkhoff was one of those Templeton outlaws.

Over the course of its storied history, Templeton Rye became Al Capone’s whiskey of choice, quickly finding its way to the center of his bootlegging empire. Templeton Rye is based on the original Prohibition-era Kerkhoff recipe. It is aged in charred new oak barrels for a smooth finish…and a clean getaway.

January 17th is not only the birthday of Templeton Rye, but it is also the birthday of Al Capone and the original Bootlegger’s son, Meryl Kerkhoff. Please join our community of enthusiasts at the Bootlegger’s Society.

NATIONAL CLASSY DAY

On National Classy Day, we celebrate those who are graced with the ability to live their lives with class, passion, and who are driven to share it with others. On January 17th, honor those class acts and commemorate the birth of one of the most legendary comedians ever to walk the Earth.

#NationalClassyDay

Classy people draw others to them. They have a grace and knack for bringing light into a room with humor, beauty, or inspiration. For example, American comedian, Betty White, was graced with a seemingly unlimited ability to make us laugh. Her humor transcended age, gender, and race, and her vibrant energy was contagious. Knowing her or someone like her is an unforgettable experience that lives far beyond a single moment.

"Everybody needs a passion. That's what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints."
Betty White in her book If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)

Qualities of Class

We are not all graced with the same qualities as Betty White's immaculate timing or delightful humility. However, we are all given traits that make us unique. We can exercise those abilities to the benefit of everyone around us. Other iconic women who shared their finer qualities with the world include:

• Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
• Barbara Pierce Bush
• Sacagawea
• Diana Princess of Wales
• Julia Child
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Rosa Parks
• Nelly Bly
• Bessie Coleman

Those endearing traits that leave an indelible mark on our memories fall within a narrow spectrum of terms. Words like kindness, generosity, humility, knowledge, and steadfastness come to mind. Being classy magnifies these qualities and makes the person even more unforgettable. While we can't always name the specific trait that charms us, we often understand when we've been in its presence. That's why National Classy Day encourages us to recognize those talents and abilities in others.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CLASSY DAY

On National Classy Day, reflect on those who've graced the world with their best qualities and made it a better place. Who would you recognize on January 17th? There are other ways to celebrate the day, too!

• Bring joy, laughter, or a smile to someone. Share a funny story, pun or joke.
• Remind someone of their goodness by complimenting them on a talent, skill, or accomplishment.
• Encourage someone to strive for their goals.
• Look for the positive in your day.
• Give someone a little grace. We all have bad days and a little kindness goes a long way.

No matter what you do, be classy. Share stories of graceful inspiration with the world by using #NationalClassyDay on social media.

NATIONAL CLASSY DAY HISTORY

On December 31, 2021, actress, comedian, and producer Betty Marion White Ludden passed away at 99. Born on January 17, 1922, White's enduring career was so legendary that in 2018, Guinness World Records named her the female entertainer with the longest career. White was first cast in a radio broadcast in 1939 at the age of 17, and her career spanned 82 years. And for her entire career, White displayed grace and charisma that touched the world. She starred in numerous television shows and movies, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, and many more, all of which showcased her quick wit and grace.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Classy Day on January 1, 2022, in honor of Betty White and all the women who bring their grace and gifts to their communities and the larger world.

NATIONAL HOT BUTTERED RUM DAY

On January 17th, National Hot Buttered Rum Day warms us up during mid-January. 

Depending on where you are on this January day, it may be warm, chilly, cold or frigid. Enjoying a hot buttered rum drink would sure be a good way to warm up if you are in one of the latter three.

A mixed drink containing rum, butter, hot water or cider, sweetener and spices (typically cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves), hot buttered rum is especially favored during the fall and winter months and is sometimes associated with the holiday season.

In the United States, hot buttered rum’s history dates back to the colonial days.  It was in the 1650s when Jamaica began importing molasses to Colonial America. New England started opening distilleries where the colonists then began adding distilled rum to hot beverages such as toddies and nogs, creating hot buttered rum, eggnog and others.

Hot buttered rum is often made by blending a buttered rum batter with dark rum. Dark rum is a rum that has been barrel-aged for an extended length of time to retain a more intense molasses flavor.  Those that prefer a milder or a spicier taste may choose the option of using light rum or spiced rum mixed with the batter.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HotButteredRumDay

Surprise your friends by making this Hot Buttered Rum Quick Bread recipe.

Use #HotButteredRumDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL HOT BUTTERED RUM DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this hot beverage celebration. We may even have one while we search.

NATIONAL USE YOUR GIFT CARD DAY

National Use Your Gift Card Day reminds Americans to use the $1 billion in gift cards left unused each year. On the third Saturday in January, take stock of the gift cards you received over the holidays. Make the most of each one of them before they’re forgotten for good!

We all do it. Stash away gift cards thinking we will have more time later to use them. They collect dust and disappear into an abyss somewhere. We discover them as we clean and often don’t remember how much was on the card or if we used a portion of it. Those partial balances add up, too!  The first step is to collect the cards together and see what you have. You know where to look.

• Every pocket of every purse and wallet you have
• The infamous junk drawer
• Glove compartment of the car
• Bottom of the toy box (it may have been used to scrape goo off a toy)
• The other junk drawer
• A gift bag with the tissue paper still in it
• The toolbox (we know what happens when a flathead screwdriver can’t be found)

Once you have your gift cards, get organized. Where do the gift cards work? Restaurants, retail, and services all offer gift cards. Some gift cards are designed to be used just about anywhere.

Maximizing Your Gift

• Check for deals to maximize your gift cards. In most cases, gift cards work just like cash and can be used with coupons. There are exceptions, however, so it’s always good to check first.
• Is the card to a place you don’t shop? You have a few options:
  • See if the card is good at a companion location
  • Check to see if the gift card can be cashed out
  • Have a gift card swap party or sell your gift card for cash
  • Donate your gift card to a charity fundraiser like a silent auction
• Plan to overspend the amount of the gift card to avoid having small balances lying around. Even if you add a small useful item (lip balm is always handy) to go a penny over the amount, you’ll be able to hand the card over to the retailer to recycle the card.

HOW TO OBSERVE #UseYourGiftCardDay

Collect your gift cards. It’s time to use them. Don’t let them sit for a year and risk losing your gift altogether. Maximize your gift cards with deals and get the most out of your gift cards, too. Have a shopping spree or a spa day with your gift cards. Don’t let those gifts and savings pass you by! Use #UseYourGiftCardDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL USE YOUR GIFT CARD DAY HISTORY

Tilson PR founded National Use Your Gift Card Day in 2020 to make sure everyone gets the most out of their gift cards. Leave no gift card unturned and find tips, ideas, and deals by visiting useyourgiftcard.com, too.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Use Your Gift Card Day to be observed on the third Saturday in January, annually.

NATIONAL MICHIGAN DAY

On January 18, National Michigan Day recognizes the Great Lake State.

Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan has more shoreline than any of the contiguous 48 states. Of the 50 states, only Alaska has more.

First explored by the French, the area became a U.S territory in 1783.  Flush with iron and copper, Michigan would become a center of industrial activity.

Lake Michigan separates the upper and lower peninsulas of the 26th state granted statehood, making Michigan unlike any other in design.  To move from one peninsula to the other, ferries used to carry travelers back and forth.  But in 1957, the Mackinac Bridge connected the two sides making the journey more convenient and safer.  At 26,372 feet long, it is the third longest suspension bridge in the world.

Industry and Music

Industry dominated the early 20th century in Michigan. From logging, shipping, rail and automotive, the population grew with an influx of workers during war and peacetime. Influenced by skilled trades, engineering, and manufacturing, employment exploded.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, assembly workers were in high demand all across the country. The Willow Run plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan built B-24 Bombers. As the epicenter of the automobile industry, Michigan was ripe for the increased production.

One of the Willow Run factory workers became a Rosie the Riveter spokesperson wearing the iconic bandana and flexing her muscle to sell war bonds. Rose Will Monroe’s efforts, as well as thousands of other women in Michigan and across the country, changed the course a war and the image of women for generations.

Known for its Motown sound and legendary music makers, Michigan and Detroit launched some of the most memorable names in jazz and gospel music.  From Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross to the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder, the birth of Motown was the launching of an era.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMichiganDay

Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Michigan’s industrious spirit and natural beauty. Uncover hidden treasures and explore all Michigan’s history, lakes, and peninsulas! Use #NationalMichiganDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL PEKING DUCK DAY

National Peking Duck Day, on January 18th, recognizes the national dish of China. 

This dish is considered a delicacy due to its elaborate preparation and intense flavors. Since the Yuan Dynasty established by Kublai Khan, the process for preparing Peking Duck is rooted in tradition and has been perfected over thousands of years.

The crispy, flavorful skin is the signature element of Peking Duck.

The preferred bird for this dish is the White Beijing duck or in the United States, the Pekin duck. They are raised for 65 days before being brought to slaughter.

It is plucked, pumped full of air between the skin and the meat, soaked in boiling water, skewered, and hung to dry. While drying, the duck is glazed with a sugar coating and left for 24 hours. This whole process adds to the crispness of the skin.

The duck is then roasted hanging from the center of the oven to allow the fat to drip, basting the skin as it does. When presented, the Peking duck is often sliced artfully by the chef before the diners. Traditionally served in three portions, a Peking duck meal begins with the crispy skin, which diners dip into sugar. Following the skin, thin pancakes are filled with the tender duck meat, hoisin and bean sauces, and cucumbers, onions, and garlic. The final serving is a duck soup or broth.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPekingDuckDay

Whether you try making Peking duck or dine out, celebrate the day! You can also watch The Christmas Story to get a serving of Peking. How will you celebrate? Use #NationalPekingDuckDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEKING DUCK DAY HISTORY

While we’ve never had Peking Duck, we’ve also not identified the source of this food holiday. However, we think it’s a swimmingly delicious way to celebrate!

NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY

National Thesaurus Day, on January 18th, honors Peter Mark Roget, the author of Roget’s Thesaurus, who was born on this day in 1779.  

In 1840, Roget retired from a successful career in medicine and spent the rest of his life working on “Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases.” The work was the result of decades of collecting lists of words and categorizing them, much like a scientist would collect specimens. In Roget’s case, he collected words. He first published his thesaurus in 1852. And it was more than a book of synonyms – it was a complete categorization and organization of each word by meaning. 

Since then, poets and writers have used the thesaurus to help make their writing come to life. However, the thesaurus also has its detractors. Some say the thesaurus weakens language and destroys it. 

Whether you are looking for a more accurate word or trying to improve your writing, the thesaurus can be your best friend. Expanding your vocabulary increases both written and spoken communication skills, creative writing abilities, and can be helpful in advancing your career.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalThesaurusDay

Use a thesaurus to find the right word for your writing. Play a word game to expand your vocabulary. Explore the bookstore and discover a new (or old) thesaurus to page through. Challenge friends to describe each other with as many words as possible without using the thesaurus. Then see how their descriptions improve when they do. Use #NationalThesaurusDay to post on social media.

Educators and Families, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom to discover more ways to celebrate with your students!

NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY HISTORY

While the day commemorates the birth of Peter Mark Roget, our research did not identify the founder of the observance. However, we did find new words to add to our lexicon. 

NATIONAL WINNIE THE POOH DAY

National Winnie the Pooh Day on January 18th commemorates author A.A. Milne’s birthday in 1882. He brought the adorable, honey-loving bear to life in his stories, which also featured his son, Christopher Robin. 

Milne’s lovable Pooh Bear, as he was fondly called, is a fictional bear inspired by a black bear named Winnie. Winnie lived at the London Zoo during World War I. The author’s son, Christopher Robin, would visit the bear often and named his own teddy bear after her and a swan named Pooh.

This friendship inspired a collection of books starting with Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926. E.H. Shepard beautifully illustrated the books.

Their adventures took them and millions of children through the Hundred Acre Woods. Each character played a unique role in the books. Whether the wisdom of Owl or Rabbit lead the group awry or a celebration ensued, the story’s characters became beloved around the world. 

In the 1960s, Disney bought the rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh characters dropping the hyphen from Pooh’s name. The illustrations were a bit different, too.

Milne’s stories have been translated into over 50 languages and are considered classic children’s stories today.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WinnieThePoohDay

Snuggle up with your favorite Pooh fan, a pot of honey, and take turns reading about the adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Share your favorite Pooh Bear adventure or quote. Watch a Winnie the Pooh movie. Listen to songs like “Return to Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins. 

Join the National WWI Museum for a virtual lunchtime chat about the author and WWI soldier A.A. Milne in honor of National Winnie the Pooh Day. It’s free to attend when you RSVP.

Use #WinnieThePoohDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL WINNIE THE POOH DAY HISTORY

Since at least 1986, National Winnie The Pooh Day has been observed across the country. However, we’ve been unable to identify the founder of the day. We will continue researching. 

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY

Martin Luther King Jr Day, on the third Monday in January, honors the American clergyman, activist, Civil Rights Movement leader. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King has become a national icon in the history of American progressivism. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. have been renamed in his honor.

Education

A gifted and friendly student, King attended Morehouse College, where he earned a BA in sociology. Combining a passion for racial equality with a rediscovered spirituality, King then attended Crozer Theological Seminary following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps earning a Bachelors of Divinity.

Shortly after he completed his Ph.D. in theology at Boston University in 1955, a 42-year-old Rosa Parks (See Rosa Parks Day, which is observed December 1) refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The opportunity for the NAACP to bring their civil rights efforts to the forefront was before them, and they chose King to lead the successful city-wide boycott of the Montgomery transit system.

Young Civil Rights Movement

Just over a year later, King, along with over 60 other ministers and activists, founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Together they coordinated non-violent protests and gave a voice to the young civil rights movement.

Through the next twelve years, King would be influential in organizing marches, sit-ins, and political rallies for civil rights. During a 1963 March on Washington, D.C. for Jobs and Freedom, King spoke before more than 200,000 regarding the challenges African Americans face. His “I Have a Dream” speech has gone down in many history books as one of the greatest speeches ever given. Brutally honest, a call to action, and a vision of hope, King’s speech resonated throughout the nation.  

Selma

In early 1964, during a march outside Selma, 1,500 men and women met a wall of state troopers. There, King led the marchers in prayer and successfully avoided any confrontation with authorities. On July 2, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. That same year, King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his unswerving work in the Civil Rights Movement.

In early 1965, Selma, Alabama, became the center of the Civil Rights movement. A new voting rights legislation was introduced in Congress. It proposed banning literacy tests and mandating federal oversight where tests were administered. Additionally, it gave the U.S. attorney general the duty of challenging the use of poll taxes for state and local elections. Televised violence in February of that year resulted in the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson. King’s presence and President Johnson’s support of the marchers helped bring peace. Throughout the next month, marchers continued between Selma and Montgomery. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in August of that year.

Author, speaker, father, theologian, activist. King died on April 4, 1968, when James Earl Ray assassinated him in Memphis, Tennessee. King arrived in Memphis with other SCLC members in support of a sanitation workers’ strike. They were staying at the Lorraine Motel when Ray’s bullet struck King on the balcony. Riots and violence would follow, and President Johnson would call for peace, referring to King as the “apostle of nonviolence.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #MartinLutherKingJrDay

Many schools, businesses, and government offices are closed during Martin Luther King Jr Day. Schools hold programs or teach curricula engaging students in Civil Rights history and lessons throughout the week.  Learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Watch one of the documentaries or read one of the books listed below:

• King: A Filmed Record – Montgomery to Memphis.  
• Freedom Riders
• The Children’s March
• The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson
• Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference By David Garrow
• Freedom’s Daughters by Lynne Olson

Use #MartinLutherKingJrDay to post on social media.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY HISTORY

While President Ronald Reagan signed the established observance into law in 1983, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986.

NATIONAL POPCORN DAY

On January 19th, National Popcorn Day pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night.  

This time-honored snack can be sweet or savory, caramelized, buttered or plain, molded into a candied ball, or tossed with nuts and chocolate. However it is enjoyed, enjoy it on National Popcorn Day, January 19th.

The word “corn” in Old English meant “grain” or, more specifically, the most prominent grain grown in a region. When Native Americans introduce their most common grain, maize, to early Europeans, they aptly applied the word “corn.”

As early as the 16th century, the Aztecs used popcorn in headdresses worn during ceremonies honoring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by the corn that burst into what looked like a white flower.

Popcorn started becoming popular in the United States in the middle 1800s. It wasn’t until Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable. By 1900 he had horse-drawn popcorn wagons going through the streets of Chicago.

At about the same time, Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn to bring Cracker Jack to the world. Then in 1908, the national anthem of baseball was born. Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote Take Me out to the Ballgame. From that point onward, popcorn, specifically Cracker Jack, became forever married to the game.

At the Movies

Another romance connected to popcorn may have had a slow start but eventually took off. Today, who can imagine going to the movies without getting a box of buttered popcorn? While popcorn was an economical choice for snack food, the expense of installing a machine and adequately venting the building didn’t seem worth the effort. If it weren’t for Glen W. Dickson, we would be purchasing our popcorn from a vendor on the street before taking in the show. Dickson put in the effort and expense of placing machines inside his theaters. After realizing how quickly he recouped his costs, other theater owners followed suit.

The microwave oven spurred the next big advancement for popcorn. With the invention of the microwave, a whole new market opened for the snack food. Magnetrons, a technology produced by Raytheon Manufacturing Corporation for the military during World War II, were later used to develop microwave ovens. Percy Spencer was the man who made it happen. He used popcorn in his initial experiments during the microwave’s development. 

Today, Americans consume 13 billion quarts of popcorn a year, more than any other country in the world. A majority of the popcorn produced in the world is grown in the United States. Nebraska leads the corn belt in popcorn production.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPopcornDay

National Day Calendar began on National Popcorn Day in 2013. Pop your favorite popcorn and share a bowl with a friend. Please take a photo and share it on social media using #NationalPopcornDay.

Educators and families, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day with your students.

NATIONAL POPCORN DAY HISTORY

The a-maizing origins of this pop-ular day is mysteriously amiss. However, we have been celebrating the day since at least 1988.

WORLD QUARK DAY

On January 19th, World Quark Day officially celebrates quark and its many benefits. Quark is a European superfood staking its claim on supermarket shelves around the world. Quark is a delicious high-protein, low-fat alternative to soft cheese and yogurt that can be used for baking, cooking and blending.

There are no limits when using quark. If the menu calls for sweet or savory, hot or cold, quark cheese works well in place of almost any dairy. Replace cream cheese or sour cream with quark. By substituting with quark, enter the world of healthy, low-carb, low-fat culinary delights. Experience quark smoothies, cheesecakes, dips, and spreads. Quark’s versatility might surprise you.

Learn about quark’s many possibilities as a home remedy and beauty product, too. Millions of Europeans have benefited from using quark for centuries.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldQuarkDay

• World Quark Day encourages you to learn how to easily integrate quark into your day. Try it in breakfasts and smoothies to low-carb lunches, delicious dinners, and guilt-free desserts.

• Become familiar with the many ways that quark can be used. When you do you will be promoting good health. Try out any of the hundreds of recipes and remedies that support a healthy, natural lifestyle.

• Share your quark experiences. Whether you’re enjoying it while traveling or you’re eating it at home, share your personal experience with other quark fans. Learn from others how you can #quarkupyourlife. Spread the word and wisdom of healthy eating and living by using #WorldQuarkDay and #quarkupyourlife on social media.

WORLD QUARK DAY HISTORY

The Queen of Quark, a healthy eating enthusiast and author, born in beautiful Bavaria, Germany, introduced World Quark Day in 2019. 

In August of 2018, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed World Quark Day to be observed on January 19th, annually.

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!

NATIONAL BUTTERCRUNCH DAY

National Buttercrunch Day on January 20th recognizes the flavorful toffee candy that comes in several varieties.

Buttercrunch is a combination of toffee, covered with chocolate. It has a crunchy texture and a caramel flavor. Variations on the recipe include toasted almond sprinkles.

Making buttercrunch calls for a good candy thermometer and some cooking experience. Creating the toffee involves caramelizing sugar at high temperatures, which requires precision, timing, and the right tools and safety techniques for a successful outcome. Follow recipes closely. The stage the sugar is supposed to reach (usually hard-crack stage) will determine when you remove the sugar from the heat. You also have to move quickly and safely. Sugar burns at 300° + degrees leave blisters and scars. 

When you’ve mastered candy-making skills, the results are delicious and definitely worth sharing. Buttercrunch and other candy treats make terrific gifts during the holidays and throughout the year. It also stores well for a time. Keep it to serve over ice cream or add as a garnish to cakes and cookies. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalButtercrunchDay

On January 20th, make up some buttercrunch to share with your friends and family. Sprinkle some over your favorite desserts, or look for a buttercrunch flavored creamer for your morning coffee. Mmm! We bet you can taste it now! We even have a buttercrunch recipe for you to try. Who makes your favorite buttercrunch?

Buttercrunch recipe

Use #NationalButtercrunchDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BUTTERCRUNCH DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this sweet and tasty food holiday. 

NATIONAL CHEESE LOVER’S DAY

On National Cheese Lover’s Day, don’t feel bleu, throw a feta or act capricious. January 20th is a gouda day to kummin over and have some cheddar or asiago or fontina! 

There is no firm evidence of how cheese making was discovered. but legend tells us it was likely by chance that someone created the first cheese. Thousands of years ago, people transported milk and stored it in sheep’s stomachs. Left to sit a few days, the proteins would separate into curds and whey. From there, preserving the solids with salt may have seemed a logical next step. Salt was a highly valued preservative in ancient times.

The earliest record of cheese making dates back to 5,500 BCE in what is now Poland. Today there are over 1,400 varieties of cheese.Basic Cheese Making

The basic principles behind making cheese are quite simple. Let the milk sour (or scientifically, coagulating the casein protein). Then separate the curds (solids) from the whey (liquid). The curds are then salted and left to age.

Bacteria, enzymes or fungi may be added at various stages. These along with the type of milk, temperature, time, and moisture are all controlled to produced the desired taste, color, and texture. Herbs and spices may also be added.

The nutritional value of cheese varies depending on the variety. Cottage and mozzarella cheese are at the lower end of fat and calories per serving while mascarpone and cream cheese pack it on. Marscapone makes desserts like tiramisu rich and creamy. 

For the Love of Cheese

For cheese lovers who think one day is just not enough to celebrate cheese, National Day Calendar presents a calendar full of cheesy celebrations. There are 18 other cheese specific holidays on the calendar.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CheeseLoversDay

Enjoy some cheese with your lunch or as a snack. Share your favorite cheesy recipes or puns. Try a new cheese pairing. Visit your favorite cheesemonger and be sure to give a shout out, too. Use #CheeseLoversDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CHEESE LOVER’S DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this cheese-loving day. 

NATIONAL DISC JOCKEY DAY

Each year National Disc Jockey Day recognizes the DJs playing the music and spinning the records. The observance takes place annually on January 20th. 

A disc jockey, or DJ for short, is a person who plays recorded music either on the radio or at a club or event.

The first disc jockey was an experiment on the airwaves. In 1909, sixteen-year-old Ray Newby was a student under the supervision of Charles “Doc” Herrold at Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless. He played the first records over the airwaves before the word disc jockey even existed.

What started as an experiment from the Garden City Bank Building where the college was located in San Fernando, California, was soon being replicated by radio broadcasters across the country. Initially, Newby primarily broadcast his news, music, and entertainment live.

It wasn’t until 25 years later that radio commentator Walter Winchell coined the term disc jockey.

Today, contemporary DJs play music from vinyl to digital. Regardless of the medium they use, the term disc jockey still applies.

Hip-hop DJs became popular in the late 70s and 80s using multiple turntables and using the turntables themselves as an instrument to alter the music. Mobile DJs often act as the master of ceremonies at events or parties directing the evening’s activities.

HOW TO OBSERVED #NationalDiscJockeyDay

National Disc Jockey Day gives us an excellent opportunity to celebrate our favorite DJs. Give them a shout out on social media. Learn more about the history of DJs, too. We suggest:
Rock the Dancefloor by Phil Morse or Groove Music: The Art and Culture of the Hip Hop DJ by Mark Katz. You can also stream a documentary about DJs and their music. Take a look at What We Started directed by Cyrus Saidi and Bert Marcus, Scratch directed by Doug Pray or go a little further back in time and watch I Am What I Play directed by Roger King.

Share and give your favorite DJ a shoutout using #NationalDiscJockeyDay on social media.

Discover more even more DJ history by reading 5 Influential Disc Jockeys.

NATIONAL DISC JOCKEY DAY HISTORY

National Disc Jockey Day honors the death of Albert “Alan” James Freed. Freed, also known as Moondog, was an influential disc jockey in the 1950s.  He is credited with popularizing the term “rock ‘n’ roll” that was used to describe the new genre of music.

While the day honors Freed, we’ve been unable to identify the founder of the observance.

NATIONAL GRANOLA BAR DAY

Each year on January 21st, National Granola Bar Day recognizes the considerable nutrition and energy found in one wholesome granola bar. 

A basic granola bar includes whole grain (usually oats, though quinoa and barley can be used as well), fruit or nuts and honey, molasses, agave nectar, or syrup. The bar can also include butter or nut butter. Flavor and nutrition benefit from a variety of combinations.

When making granola bars, mix the ingredients, and press them into a pan. When the ingredients set, cut them into bars. For a crispy bar, the mixture is baked. Softer, more chewy versions are left raw or only partially cooked. Additionally, they can be stored in sealed containers and frozen for long-term use.

Granola bars are packed with energy and their convenience is undeniable. Easily stored in a pocket while on a hiking or biking trail, the wrapper goes out with you. While considered a health food by some, the bars are high in calories. Hikers, bicyclists, and fitness enthusiasts add granola bars to their diet as a way to give a boost of energy. Despite their high calories, they offer a more healthful alternative to a candy bar for those of us who don’t hit the trails very often.

Outside of the United States, granola bars are called by various names; flapjack, muesli bar, and a cereal bar.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGranolaBarDay

While mixing up a pan of granola bars, try some variety. Mix up the nuts, grains, and fruit. Don’t hesitate to try agave in place of honey. Try quinoa, millet, and buckwheat. They will add another level of texture and nuttiness to your granola. Dried cranberries, coconut, dates, apricots offer a variety of natural sweetness without adding sugar. Share your favorite combinations.

Following are a few recipes for you to enjoy:

Playgroup Granola Bars
Easy Granola Bars

Use #NationalGranolaBarDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL GRANOLA BAR DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this healthy nut and fruit bar celebration.

NATIONAL HUGGING DAY

National Hug Day or National Hugging Day occurs on January 21st and is officially recognized by the United States Copyright Office, but is not a public holiday.

The purpose of the day is to help everyone show more emotion in public. The only way to celebrate the day is by offering a hug to anyone and everyone you want. While National Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign share many similarities, there is not an association between the two.

Whether you hug a family member or a stranger, the mental and physical health benefits are the same. From the day we are born, hugs or touch improve our sleep. Hugging, like cuddling, releases oxytocin. On its own, this hormone provides tremendous health benefits. Not only does it gives us feel-good hormones, but it reduces pain. Receiving a hug helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure, and lowers the risk of heart disease. It also eases anxiety.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHuggingDay

Give someone a big hug. Or, if you need one, ask for a hug and reap the benefits. You can also give a mental hug. Let someone know you care by sending warm, cheerful words of encouragement to those in your circle. Boost their joy by letting them know how much they mean to you with a verbal hug until you can give them the real one. 

Use #NationalHuggingDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL HUGGING DAY HISTORY

The holiday was founded by Rev. Kevin Zaborney on March 29, 1986, in Caro, Michigan.

NATIONAL HYALURONIC ACID DAY

Everyone’s skin needs a little hydration, especially during the cold, dry winter months. On January 21st, National Hyaluronic Acid Day raises awareness of the important hydrating benefits of the skincare ingredient hyaluronic acid. The day also provides education on the proper usage of hyaluronic acid products.

Hyaluronic Acid (H.A.) is the second most searched beauty ingredient of 2021. It is also a popular ingredient recommendation by dermatologists. However, most have not realized its full potential as a hero ingredient that can be integrated into everyone’s routine.

Hyaluronic acid offers a variety of benefits including deep hydration, plumping, and reduction of fine lines and is suitable for sensitive skin.

On January 21st, celebrate Hyaluronic Acid’s immense dermatological potential as a universally loved ingredient that hydrates every skin type.

HOW TO OBSERVE #nationalHAday #NationalHyaluronicAcidDay

Protect your skin during the skin-drying winter months and all year long. Discover the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid, what it can do to protect and improve your skin and how to incorporate it into your routine. Share how, and why, you use hyaluronic acid in your skin routine!

Discover more with #nationalHAday and #nationalhyaluronicacidday on social media, and follow La Roche-Posay on Facebook to join us in celebrating!

NATIONAL HYALURONIC ACID DAY HISTORY

La Roche-Posay, the dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, founded National Hyaluronic Acid Day in 2022 to celebrate the immense dermatological potential of Hyaluronic Acid. The day brings greater awareness of this universally loved skincare ingredient.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Hyaluronic Acid Day to be observed annually on January 21st.

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!

SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY

On January 21st, Squirrel Appreciation Day recognizes a critter some consider a pest and others see as just fascinating. The creator, Christy Hargrove, is a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina and is affiliated with the Western North Carolina Nature Center.  According to Christy, “Celebration of the event itself is up to the individual or group — anything from putting out extra food for the squirrels to learning something new about the species.”

According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System of North America (ITIS), over 200 species exist in the world. Some of the oldest squirrels categorized on the list include the nocturnal arrow flying squirrel (validated in 1766) and the Black Giant (validated in 1778). Of all these species, they fall into three types.Three Types of Squirrels

Ground squirrels, such as the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, the rock squirrel, California ground squirrel, and many others blanket the prairies and deserts of North America. Often causing damage, they often earn the name of pest, and they are labeled rodents. Predators enjoy them as a tasty morsel, too. As a result, they work together to protect themselves. Their only protection is to flee!

Tree squirrels make their homes in the trees. However, they also find their nesting materials and food on the ground and above. Making their homes in cities and the countryside in nations all around the globe, these familiar backyard and park residents help themselves to your birdfeeders or snag your snack right from your hands if they have become practiced enough!

The third type of squirrel leaps farther than the others with flaps of skin between the legs. Flying squirrels glide greater distances giving the impression they can fly. When they jump from tree to tree or building to building, they spread their legs wide and float on the breeze escaping predators or perhaps other snarky tree squirrels with a nut to pick with them.

HOW TO OBSERVE #SquirrelAppreciationDay

Learn more about these fascinating creatures. Tell us your favorite squirrel story or share a picture of your squirrel visitors.

• Set up a squirrel feeder and watch them as they feed. Can you identify what kind they are?
• Go to a park and watch the squirrels as they travel from tree to tree. How many are there?
• Squirrel watching is similar to bird watching and nearly as fascinating. Study their behavior and note their differences.
• Watch a squirrel documentary to learn more.

Use #SquirrelAppreciationDay to post on social media.

SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

Christy Hargrove from Asheville, North Carolina, created Squirrel Appreciation Day on January 21, 2001.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE DAY

Celebration of Life Day on January 22nd honors the children and grandchildren who bring joy to our lives. The day is a reminder that each child and each life is to be held as a precious gift with the highest respect and dignity. 

Children grow up so quickly. They’re constantly learning new things and changing daily. Each day they delight us with their simple wisdom and observations. By spending time with children and demonstrating the care and love they deserve, we celebrate their life.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CelebrationOfLifeDay

Celebrate the children in your life. Share the day with a child, grandchild, niece or nephew. We’ve provided several suggestions.

• Read a book with a child.
• Get down on the floor and put a puzzle together.
• Build something with your child.
• Invite all the cousins to play board games.
• Bake cookies and decorate them. Even the smallest child will learn something.
• Make popcorn and watch a movie.
• Tell the story of how Grandma and Grandpa met.
• Get out the art supplies and create.
• Visit a museum.
• Show a teen how to change a tire.
• Give a driving lesson.
• Paint your fingernails together.
• Everybody give the dog a bath.
• Go swimming.
• Make balloon animals.
• Sing Karaoke

Use #CelebrationOfLifeDay to post on social media.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this celebratory holiday.

NATIONAL BLONDE BROWNIE DAY

National Blonde Brownie Day on January 22nd recognizes a treat often referred to as blondies. 

Almost everyone knows that a blonde brownie is similar to a chocolate brownie. In place of cocoa, bakers use brown sugar when making this delicious brownie, giving it a sweet-tooth-satisfying molasses flavor!

Click play and enjoy a story about National Blonde Brownie Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.Most people like to add white chocolate or chocolate chips to their blonde brownies or other things like nuts, toffee, or butterscotch. Blonde brownies are usually prepared unfrosted as the brown sugar flavor tends to be sweet enough.  These blondies are sometimes served in sundaes, often topped with caramel sauce.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBlondeBrownieDay

While enjoying a blonde brownie would count toward celebrating the day, that may be much too simple. Blonde brownies also make a delicious addition to a layered trifle dessert. Add a scoop of ice cream to a freshly baked blonde brownie and top with your favorite syrup. If you prefer the lighter side, serve a blonde brownie with a serving of fresh fruit. Pineapple, cherries, or apricots seem appropriate.  

Serve your blondies with tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. And of course, you can’t enjoy them alone. You must extend an invitation to a friend or two. They’ll happily help you finish off a few blondies while catching up on the new year. You can make them for church, school, or work occasions, too. 

Enjoy this Blonde Brownies I recipe.  Use #BlondeBrownieDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BLONDE BROWNIE DAY HISTORY

There is no found documentation of the beginning of National Blonde Brownie Day.  It is known, however, that this light-colored treat was actually invented in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Recipes for blonde brownies can be found in recipe books dating back into the 1940s and maybe even earlier.

NATIONAL FRUITCAKE TOSS DAY

On January 3rd, National Fruitcake Toss Day challenges us to chuck the fruitcake as far as you can. (Occasionally, this fun holiday is listed as occurring on the first Saturday in December.)

Many people receive fruitcakes as gifts sometime during the holiday season. Some people eat this holiday bread while others may re-gift them. There are those who sneakily throw them away and others who will do so openly. 

But on the third day of January, another type of fruitcake, ahem, person comes out of the woodwork. These are the characters who have hoarded them, stored them and hid them so they can celebrate with a competition of sorts.

HOW TO OBSERVE #FruitcakeTossDay

Host a fruitcake tossing competition. Invite family to join you outside with their respective fruitcakes (the ones made with flour, fruit and nuts) and take turns chucking them as far as they can. Make hot cocoa and prizes. Share your celebration using #FruitcakeTossDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL FRUITCAKE TOSS DAY HISTORY

The first Great Fruitcake Toss was held in Manitou Springs, Colorado on January 3, 1996. Each year the entrants compete to see who can hurl or toss their fruitcakes the farthest.

NATIONAL POLKA DOT DAY

Display your fashion sense on January 22nd and celebrate National Polka Dot Day! The day also honors one of animation’s most popular characters and fashion diva, Minnie Mouse!

Polka dots refer to fabric printed with spots. The word first appeared in the 1857 Godey’s Lady’s Book, a women’s magazine out of Philadelphia.

Today, polka dots appear on more than just fabric. They’re painted on walls and fingernails. You find them on pottery, phone cases, furniture, baked goods, and paper products. We wear them, walk on them and display them.

Polka dots are also Minnie Mouse’s signature style. Her polka dots are usually white and set on a red background. However, she also appears in shades of pink. Other notable personalities who’ve worn or used iconic polka dots include:

• In 1934, Shirley Temple seemed to be channeling Minnie Mouse in her frilly red on white polka-dotted dress in Stand Up and Cheer.
• Marilyn Monroe played “the girl” in the Seven Year Itch and wore a black on white polka dot dress.
• Julia Roberts rocked the white on brown polka dot dress in her star-launching film Pretty Woman.
• Artist Roy Lichtenstein used the Ben Day (Benjamin Henry Day Jr) process for printing and engraving in pop art often found in comic book design.
• Artist Yayoi Kusama famously uses polka dots in her paintings, sculptures, and other design.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPolkaDotDay

• Celebrate Minnie Mouse on National Polka Dot Day. Watch your favorite Minnie Mouse cartoons or wear a Minnie Mouse bow in your hair.
• Wear polka dots. Wear them head to toe or as an accent.
• Host a polka-dotted event such as a tea party, fashion show, or bake-off.
• Create polka-dotted art.
• Share photos of your favorite polka dot design.
• Use #NationalPolkaDotDay on social media.

NATIONAL POLKA DOT DAY HISTORY

In 1928, the ever-fashionable Minnie Mouse made her debut in the animated film Steamboat Willie alongside her best mate and life-long love, Mickey Mouse. The tough, independent and iconic Minnie Mouse contributed to Walt Disney’s success and grew in popularity right alongside Mickey Mouse. In 2016, Walt Disney World celebrated the first National Polka Dot Day with a Rock the Dots event.

NATIONAL SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE DAY

On January 22nd each year, National Sanctity of Human Life Day recognizes the value of every human life. The day celebrates human life from the moment of conception and is set on the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court Decision.

In 1973, the court ruled that the United States Constitution protects a pregnant woman’s right to choose to have an abortion. The ruling was a 7-2 decision in favor of Roe.

Leading up to and following the decision, pro-life and pro-choice groups advocated their positions.

In 1984, President Reagan supported restrictions on abortion. Several Supreme Court Cases in the late 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s have since challenged Roe vs Wade. Additionally, states have taken action in the event Roe v. Wade is ever overturned – either writing legislation that mimics Roe v. Wade or setting limits or restrictions on abortions.

HOW TO OBSERVE #SanctityOfHumanLifeDay

Many churches hold prayer vigils around the country. They also collect items for newborns and new moms to support them. Donate items such as formula, baby clothes, cribs, blankets and toys to support these causes. Some organizations offer resources for baby care classes, daycare, job training, and adoptions and more. Use #SanctityOfLifeDay to share on social media.

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE DAY HISTORY

President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed National Sanctity of Human Life Day in 1984 to be observed on the Sunday closest to January 22nd. The first observance took place on the 11th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. In his proclamation, Reagan spoke of 15 million unborn children due to legal abortion.

Since 1984, Presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald J. Trump have proclaimed the day during their presidencies.

NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY

National Handwriting Day on January 23rd encourages us to put pen to paper and write out our thoughts. According to the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, it is a chance for all to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Handwriting Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

While technology speeds up the writing process and makes communication more efficient worldwide, there’s something to be said for writing something out longhand. Whether it’s a journal, notes, or even a letter to someone, the act of writing with pen and paper is a supremely tactile and patient practice. If it does anything, it forces the body and the mind to slow down and resynchronize.

Look around. In merely seconds, letters and words form when we text or email. Phones transmit our voices in realtime. Once sent or said, those words cannot be recalled.

Meanwhile, writing longhand feels like taking a deep breath. Jumbled thoughts must be sorted before the ink spills onto a white page. They must count and be worthy of the lines that will fill it. It’s an exercise in faith. And it requires practice, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHandwritingDay 

Whether you’re out of practice or execute some beautiful handwriting, share a little handwritten message with us. Here are a few other ideas to try:

• Start a journal.
• Send a handwritten letter to a friend or family member.
• Write a short story or poem.
• Take a calligraphy class.
• Write out a to-do list.
• Leave a love note for someone dear to you.
• Compliment someone with a handwritten sticky note.
• Pay with a check – if you dare.
• Leave your server a tip and a handwritten word of thanks for their service.

Work on your handwriting and use #NationalHandwritingDay to post on social media.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for ways to #CelebrateEveryDay with your students.

NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY HISTORY

National Handwriting Day was established by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977. Their motive is to promote the consumption of pens, pencils, and writing paper. January 23rd was chosen as this is the birthday of John Hancock. John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

NATIONAL PIE DAY

National Pie Day on January 23rd celebrates one of the Nations’ favorite desserts. No matter how you slice it, pie in just about any form makes a crowd happy. Fruit pies, berry pies, cream pies – they are mouthwatering servings of homemade goodness. 

National Pie Day simply celebrates the pie. Everyone is invited to bake their favorite pie, but more importantly, the day reminds us to enjoy eating pies! The only other question to ask is, will it be al a mode?

Did you know, the first pies appeared around 9500 BC in the Egyptian Neolithic period or New Stone Age? So, humans have been eating pies for a very long time. And with so many to choose from, we shouldn’t have any problem finding one we like. After all, we celebrate the day twice a year (plus their cousin National Pi Day). 

Fun Tidbit – Pie throwing:
Cream filled or topped pies are favorite props for humor. Throwing a pie in a person’s face has been a staple of film comedy since Ben Turpin received one in Mr. Flip in 1909.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPieDay

Check out our Celebration Deals page for the latest National Pie Day offers. If you know of a tasty Pie Day offer that isn’t listed yet, Contact Us and let us know! We will get it listed as soon as possible. We don’t want you to miss out on a delicious slice.

The day also offers a perfect opportunity to give a shout out to your favorite bakery. They always serve up the best and flakiest crusts. And we know, sometimes that bakery is known as Grandma’s House. Use the holiday to honor her by learning to bake her best recipes. Take a lesson or two from the master! Or try a new recipe together. We even have a few for you to try in your test kitchen:

Caramel Drizzle Macchiato Pie
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople
Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Blueberry Pie

No matter how you celebrate, be sure to use #NationalPieDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PIE DAY HISTORY

The American Pie Council created National Pie Day in 1986 to commemorate Crisco’s 75th anniversary of “serving foods to families everywhere.”

BEER CAN APPRECIATION DAY

Beer Can Appreciation Day recognizes the great day in 1935 when beer was first sold in cans.

Credit for the first beverage can goes to the Krueger Brewing Company of Richmond, Virginia. Made of steel and weighing in at almost 4 ounces, these hefty canisters opened with a church-key.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Beer Can Appreciation Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.While Krueger Brewing Company sold the first beer in a can, American Can Company made canning drinkable beer possible. Krueger took the risk with American Can Company just weeks before the repeal of Prohibition. Weighing in at 4 ounces, the hefty steel cans opened with a church-key. Loyal Krueger’s drinkers favored the can over the bottle 9-1.Significant Dates in Beer Can History

• 1935 -Cone-Top –  G. Heilemann Brewing Company – La Crosse, WI – Introduces cone-top cans that fit existing bottling lines convenient for small brewers with small budgets.
• 1963 -Pull Tab – Pittsburgh Brewing Company – Revolutionizes the beer can when it introduces Iron City Beer in self-opening cans with pull tabs, also known as pop tops. With their sharp edges, the pull tabs became the feared litter at beaches, parks, backyards, and anywhere beverages were consumed.
• 1975 – Stay Tab- Falls City Brewing Company of Louisville, KY introduces the Stay Tab removing the pull tab’s environmental impact.

This day provides people with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the many different kinds of beer cans. Around the world, collectors seek rare, novel, and unique varieties. A collector may have hundreds of beer cans in many different sizes, types, and ages.

HOW TO OBSERVE #BeerCanAppreciationDay

Enjoy a beer from a can. While you do, explore the art behind the beer can. As more craft beers hit the market, designing the labels become as much an art form as the can and the beer do. Learn more about beer making and the types of craft beer. Tour local breweries. Explore their canning process. As always, invite someone to join you. It is the best way to #CelebrateEveryDay! When you do, use #BeerCanAppreciationDay to post on social media.

BEER CAN APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

While the observances commemorate the beer can’s debut in 1935, National Day Calendar continues searching for the creator of the day. 

NATIONAL COMPLIMENT DAY

National Compliment Day on January 24th offers a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done!  Give an extra compliment annually on January 24th and any time one is deserved. 

A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child, or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves the receiver’s mood, but it also says something about the giver. It tells them you noticed. Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their classic style, a compliment can go a long way.

To give a great compliment, first be sincere. People have a way of knowing when we are fake. If you don’t mean it, it’s worse than getting a thoughtless birthday gift.

Complimenting character versus a new haircut are different rewards. The first says you respect the person and the other tells them you paid attention. Sometimes the receiver needs to hear one or the other, or both.

Human beings like to be unique, original. Strive to give a compliment about what makes a person stand out above the rest. Take the time to reflect on what you admire about the person.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalComplimentDay

Make sure to compliment someone. Share the compliments you receive that make your day. Do they improve your day? Make a list of different ways to give a compliment and use #NationalComplimentDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER DAY

National Peanut Butter Day on January 24th recognizes an American staple in our pantries. Whether creamy or chunky, with chocolate or with jelly, peanut butter gets the recognition it deserves each year on this day. 

The early peanut butter made by the Aztecs and Incas around 1000 BC was more of a paste and not nearly as creamy as the peanut butter we know now.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Peanut Butter Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

Peanut butter didn’t become widely used until the 20th century. First, the peanut had to be considered more than animal feed, which was until the late 1800s. At the turn of the century, inventions that made planting, cultivating, and harvesting the legume (the peanut isn’t a nut at all) made it possible to see the peanut as a retail and wholesale food item.

Peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E, B6, niacin, calcium, potassium and iron, is packed with protein and is rich in healthy monounsaturated fat.

Bringing Peanut Butter to the Masses

We can thank four men for the inventions and processes that bring us the creamy, smooth peanut butter we enjoy today: Marcus Gilmore Edson of Canada, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis, Missouri, and chemist Joseph Rosefield.

In 1884, Edson developed a process to make peanut paste from milling roasted peanuts between two heated plates. The famous cereal maker and health food specialist of the time, Kellogg, patented a process with raw peanuts in 1895. Dr. Straub is responsible for patenting a peanut butter making machine in 1903.

Peanut butter was introduced to audiences at the 1904 Universal Exposition in St. Louis at C.H. Sumner’s concession stand.

But the man who brought us the peanut butter we know and love today was Joseph Rosefield. In 1922, through homogenization, Rosefield was able to keep peanut oil from separating from the peanut solids. He later sold the patent to a company that began making Peter Pan peanut butter. Rosefield then went into business for himself selling Skippy peanut butter through Rosefield Packing. He also supplied peanut butter for military rations during World War II.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPeanutButterDay

Make your favorite peanut butter recipes. Whether it’s a sandwich or a baked good, someone is sure to enjoy it with you. Be sure to share a photo or recipe using #NationalPeanutButterDay on social media.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this popular food holiday.

NATIONAL FLORIDA DAY

National Florida Day on January 25th recognizes the 27th state to join the United States.

The Sunshine State is home to the oldest established city in the country. With over 400 years of history, St. Augustine’s streets and colonial architecture have stories to tell. Founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, visit the city and walk in the same footsteps as 16th-century bishops, ponder the escapades of pirates and the whereabouts of lost gold and learn about the lives of European settlers.

East and West Florida became the 14th and 15th British Colonies after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. However, in 1783, after the end of the American Revolutionary War, The Treaty of Paris returned Florida to Spain.

The present-day borders of Florida were absorbed through two transactions: The Louisianna Purchase in 1803 brought East Florida with it (but not without dispute from the French) and through a U.S. intervention in an uprising in West Florida in 1812 causing West Florida to join the Mississippi Territory. Florida joined the Union on March 3, 1845. 

Sun and Space

With an average high temperature of 79.5°F, it should be no surprise that Floridian John Gorrie brought refrigeration and air conditioning to the world in 1851. Add to that, more than half the year with partly cloudy to sunny days, the invention of sunblock would be a necessity, too. Hungary born pharmacist, Benjamin Green, invented a sunscreen in 1944 which later became a tanning lotion known as Coppertone.

Cape Canaveral and the home of the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County has come a long way from its first launch in 1950. From Appollo missions to Hubble Telescopes and Mars Rovers, Cape Canaveral continues missions well into the future. Missions include commercial ventures including SpaceX launches.

Florida offers more than enough to do and see. From man-made worlds and relaxing beaches to long, colorful and intricate history, the Sunshine State’s open spaces and sunny faces require more than one visit.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFloridaDay

Join National Day Calendar as we dig into Florida’s sunny beaches and rich history. Seek buried treasures and explore all Florida’s fascinating culture! Look to the past or look to the future and use #NationalFloridaDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY

National Irish Coffee Day kicks off January 25th each year with a mug of strong coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and topped with a layer of cream. 

On a cold, wet day in 1942 weary travelers to the small Shannon Airport in southwest Ireland found their way to a restaurant and chef Joe Sheridan. To warm his guests, he served them hot coffee, spiked with whiskey and topped with whipped cream. The passengers asked if the beverage was Brazilian coffee. Sheridan responded that it was Irish coffee.
Click play and enjoy a story about National Irish Coffee Appreciation Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson.  If you enjoy the 2 minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

A travel writer, Stanton Delaplane, brought Irish coffee to the United States after having it at Shannon Airport.

Delaplane brought the idea to the Buena Vista Cafe on November 10, 1952. After much trial and error, sampling, and a trip back to Ireland for a taste of the original, Delaplane, along with Buena Vista owners Jack Koeppler and George Freeberg, were able to replicate the delicious coffee and the method for floating the cream on top of the coffee.

How to Make an Authentic Irish Coffee

Starting with a warm glass, fill 2/3rds full of freshly brewed coffee. Stir in a heaping teaspoon of sugar.  Add 1 ounce of Irish whiskey.

Adding the cream, so it floats is the tricky part. According to the Buena Vista account, and at the suggestion of San Francisco’s mayor, a dairyman, cream that is 48 hours old, is best. However, others recommend whipping cream (not whipped cream) that has been lightly whipped or foamed.

When the coffee has stopped swirling from stirring in the sugar, pour the foamy cream over the back of a spoon.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalIrishCoffeeDay

Warm up with an Irish coffee. Use #NationalIrishCoffeeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this hot beverage celebration. While we do, we hope you’ll enjoy a mug with a friend or two. 

NATIONAL OPPOSITE DAY

Day Opposite National on January 25th celebrates a fun day of switcher-roos. What better way to not celebrate? We don’t really mean that, or do we?

Good morning, or is it good night? Hello, or is it goodbye? I am cold, or am I hot?

The aim of the day is to have fun all day long saying exactly the opposite of what you really mean. This day has kids rejoicing everywhere. It is also a great day for adults to play along and break out of the winter blues. Maybe we should have dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner!

Most sources say that Opposite Day is always observed on January 25th while other sources say it is celebrated by some on January 7th. It is also believed to be celebrated by a group of people on the 25th of each month of the year.

Sponge Bob Square Pants even got into the act, with an episode containing the whimsical nature of this day.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalOppositeDay

Spend the day exploring opposites.

• Read about the North and South Poles.
• Express opposite emotions like sad and happy, excited and disappointed. 
• Experiment with opposite flavors. Taste sour and sweet, spicy and bland. What’s the opposite of bitter?
• Play with opposite sounds. Whisper then shout. Cry then laugh. 

Do the opposite of what you mean and use #NationalOppositeDay to post on social media.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for projects and ideas surrounding the National Days.

NATIONAL OPPOSITE DAY HISTORY

While National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this day, we did discover one interesting reference dating back to President Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s. In the 1928 election, Coolidge made a statement to the press announcing, “I do not choose to run.”  That statement spurred a debate and left everyone wondering if he really meant the opposite.

NATIONAL BUBBLE WRAP DAY

National Bubble Wrap Day (also known as National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day) on the last Monday in January recognizes a fascinating piece of invention. Today, bubble wrap’s primary purpose is to protect fragile items either in shipping or storage. Of course, people also take enjoyment from popping the bubbles in bubble wrap, too.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Bubble Wrap Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson.  If you enjoy the 2 minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

However, when two engineers created bubble wrap, the use as packaging didn’t pop into their minds right away. Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding first sealed two shower curtains together in 1956 in the town of Hawthorne, New Jersey. This technique created a smattering of air bubbles. The two engineers initially thought their creation would make a great wallpaper!  However, sales for the wallpaper never materialized. So,  Chavannes and Fielding moved to sell the product as greenhouse insulation.

The product was originally named Air Cap and produced by the Sealed Air Corporation which was founded in 1960. In 1961, the product evolved into the Bubble Wrap we know today when it protected IBM’s 1401 computer when it started shipping. Sealed Air Corporation trademarked Bubble Wrap and has been filling shipping needs ever since.

HOW TO OBSERVE #BubbleWrapDay

Wrap up something in bubble wrap. Find an old piece and have some fun popping the bubbles. Another way to enjoy the day is by reading Poke-A-Dot books. Inspired by Bubble Wrap, these books allow you to pop the bubbles over and over while reading a story to your child, too!

Use #BubbleWrapDay when posting on Social Media.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects and lessons designed to #CelebrateEveryDay.

NATIONAL BUBBLE WRAP DAY HISTORY

In 2001, Jim Webster of Spirit 95 WVNI radio in Bloomington, Indiana created National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

NATIONAL GREEN JUICE DAY

The holidays may be over, but the New Year celebration and commitments to our resolutions continue with National Green Juice Day on January 26th. Every year, the celebration encourages people to stick to their health and wellness resolutions by drinking a green juice.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Green Juice Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson.  If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

There are several veggie-centric ways to celebrate and inspire health and wellness habits in the New Year.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGreenJuiceDay & #GotMyGreens

1. Grab a bottle of cold-pressed green juice for a simple way to get more nutrients from green vegetables in your daily diet.
2. Start off your morning by making your own green juice at home using Evolution Fresh’s Morning Greens Smoothie recipe.
3. Share photos on social media using #NationalGreenJuiceDay and #GotMyGreens.

NATIONAL GREEN JUICE DAY HISTORY

After finding that more than 50 percent of Americans break their New Year’s resolutions by the end of January*, Evolution Fresh founded National Green Juice Day in 2016 as a way to empower people to press ahead with their wellness resolutions by drinking a green juice.

*Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Evolution Fresh among 1,001 American adults age 18+ using an email invitation and online survey in December 2015.

NATIONAL PEANUT BRITTLE DAY

National Peanut Brittle Day on January 26th recognizes a hard, flat candy confection enjoyed worldwide. The candy's buttery, nutty texture makes for a delicious treat and can be made at home.

#PeanutBrittleDay

Peanut Brittle includes caramelized sugar or corn syrup. Nuts are added to the molten sugar and then poured onto a flat surface such as granite or marble and smoothed into a thin sheet. The candy cools into a hard, brittle treat broken into smaller pieces. Some of the best brittles are hand-stretched into a thin, easily cracked candy that melts in the mouth.

The history of peanut brittle is uncertain, though one legend says it was all a mistake. The story goes that a southern woman was making taffy, and instead of using cream of tartar, she used baking soda by accident.

HOW TO OBSERVE PEANUT BRITTLE DAY

Make up a batch of peanut brittle with the following recipe to share with that person you just know loves it. Since the candy keeps well, give it as a gift. You might also teach someone to make your favorite recipe, passing on the tradition.

Use #PeanutBrittleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEANUT BRITTLE DAY HISTORY

It's been a brittle search, but so far National Day Calendar hasn't been able to break through to the origins of this sweet holiday.

Peanut Brittle FAQ

Q. Can I freeze peanut brittle?
A. Yes. Peanut brittle can last at least three months when stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe container.

Q. What makes peanut brittle brittle?
A. The sugar for peanut brittle is cooked to 300°F, called the hard crack stage. This makes the candy hard, with a snap to it. Stretching the sugar once it cools to a malleable temperature gives the brittle a delicate, brittle texture.

NATIONAL SPOUSES DAY

National Spouses Day on January 26th each year celebrates the bond between two people and sets aside time for couples to show each other gratitude. 

Dedicated to recognizing spouses everywhere, the observance reminds us to take time for our mate. From being thankful for the fulfillment and security of a long-term relationship to the boost of morale and well-being provided by spouses, there are many reasons to celebrate. This day is a time to show your spouse that you care and appreciate all of the things that he or she does for you and the home.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Spouses Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.Life gets busy, and we can often take for granted how our spouse improves our life. Pay a heartfelt thank you or compliment to the love of your life. Since the day is a non-gift giving day, spend time together and reconnect. Don’t forget to say, “I love you.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSpousesDay

If it has been a while since you have expressed appreciation to the one with whom you are married, now is your chance. Again, this day is not about giving gifts but spending time together, enjoying each other, and appreciating each other. Use #NationalSpousesDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL SPOUSES DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origin of this holiday. However, it has been observed since the mid-1980s.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY

National Chocolate Cake Day celebrates the cake more people favor. And more often than not, we celebrate our special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays and weddings with cake. Why not enjoy chocolate cake on January 27th every year?

In America, chocolate was consumed primarily as a beverage until the 1830s or 40s. Chocolate cakes, as we think of them today, mostly did not exist then.  According to the Dover Post, the chocolate cake was born in 1765 when a doctor and a chocolate maker teamed up in an old mill.  They ground up cocoa beans between huge millstones to make a thick syrup. The liquid was poured into molds shaped like cakes, which were meant to be transformed into a beverage.  A popular Philadelphia cookbook author, Eliza Leslie, published the earliest chocolate cake recipe in 1847 in The Lady’s Receipt Book.  Unlike chocolate cakes we know today, this recipe used chopped chocolate.  Other cooks of the time such as Sarah Tyson Rorer and Maria Parloa all made contributions to the development of the chocolate cake and were prolific authors of cookbooks.

The first boxed cake mix was created by a company called O. Duff and Sons in the late 1920s. Betty Crocker released their first dry cake mixes in 1947.

HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateCakeDay

When it comes to food holidays, we know how to celebrate. This one is no different. Have some cake. Share it with someone else. Visit your favorite bakery and give them some credit, too. Or, if you have some mean baking skills, show them off! We want to see them, too. That means, share your recipes, take some pictures, make a video and show off those delicious, chocolatey cakes! We love how you celebrate these days, so celebrate them with us!

Try your hand at this homemade chocolate cake from Add a Pinch.

Best Ever Chocolate Cake 

Use #ChocolateCakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar says have your cake and eat chocolate, too. We just don’t know who created a holiday celebrating this delicious treat!

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® 

NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY

National Plan for Vacation Day, on the last Tuesday in January, reminds us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year. The early bird gets to pack their bags and fly away to a little fun and relaxation!

With the frigid temperatures and growing snow piles, it’s easy to start daydreaming of sunny skies. Who else is dreaming of sandcastles and the vacation days to come? But, for many Americans, those vacation dreams turn out to be just that: a dream.

Each year, Americans leave more than 600 million vacation days unused. Our work martyr attitudes combined with a culture of silence in the workplace is keeping workers at their desks instead of using their time off.

To change this, National Plan for Vacation Day reminds us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year. When it comes to taking a vacation, it is the planners of the world who get the job done. According to Project: Time Off, planners are more likely to take all their vacation time in a given work year and take more extended vacations than non-planners. They are also happier with their jobs, relationships, and health. So don’t knock the planners who get out the door to vacation! Get planning!!

HOW TO OBSERVE #PlanForVacation

Three Easy Steps to Planning a Vacation

Planning a vacation does not have to be a monumental task. Here are three easy steps to make it happen:

1. Determine how much time off you earn. Look up the number of vacation days you earn by checking with your finance or HR team. Don’t forget to make a note of any office closures.
2. Coordinate calendars. Use Project: Time Off’s vacation planning tool to plot out your year—enter the number of days you earn, put your vacation dreams on the calendar, and use your custom link to get your family and friends involved in the planning.
3. Share your plans. Once you have your days determined, use the calendar to export your plans to Outlook, Gmail, or other electronic calendars to share with your boss, co-workers, and family.

As we close out a month of resolutions, make this the year you focus on your bucket list—not your to-do list.

Visit Project: Time Off/Plan for more vacation planning tips and ideas.  Get ready to plan your vacation and use #PlanForVacation on social media.

NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY HISTORY

National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, is a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the rest of the year at the start of the year. Launched by the U.S. Travel Association’s Project: Time Off initiative in 2017, National  Plan for Vacation Day provides an opportunity to come together at a single moment to rally around the importance of planning for a  vacation. In its inaugural year, more than 600 organizations, representing all 50 states, came together to encourage Americans to plan for vacation. Learn more at ProjectTimeOff.com/Plan and join the conversation online with #PlanForVacation.

The registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Plan for Vacation Day to be observed annually in 2018.

About Project: TimeOff
Project: Time Off has uncovered an alarming trend over the last 40 years: Americans are taking fewer and fewer vacation days. To reverse this trend, we aim to prove that vacation travel is valuable and necessary for strengthening personal relationships, inspiring creative thinking, improving professional performance, and promoting better health.

DATES:
26 January 2021
25 January 2022
31 January 2023
30 January 2024
28 January 2025
27 January 2026
26 January 2027
25 January 2028
30 January 2029
29 January 2030

DATA PRIVACY DAY

Data Privacy Day on January 28th reminds us each year to review how our data is used. It’s an excellent opportunity to take stock and evaluate our personal cybersecurity.

Our personal data is collected and used through a variety of media and for numerous reasons. Part of the problem is most of the time, the people who have access to our data, don’t need it. Additionally, it gets redistributed legally and illegally. Thanks to the internet, massive amounts of personal data can be easily distributed. While the information may be out there due to our own carelessness or privacy violations, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

• On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.
• Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.
• Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. When you spot anything questionable, contact the organization to stop payment on the purchase and cancel your card. In the same vein, check your credit report at least annually.
• Keep your software up to date. Out of date software is vulnerable to hackers.
• Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.
• Stop taking online quizzes that ask random questions about your childhood, children, tattoos, marriages, pets, and favorite foods. Each time you take one of these, people trying to access your data gather a little bit more information about you that allows them to steal your data or identity.
• Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.
• Do not save your passwords on your device.
• Change passwords when your accounts may have been compromised or when you visit the dentist.
• Use virus protection and a firewall.

HOW TO OBSERVE #DataPrivacyDay

Take steps to secure your digital devices. Make a commitment to learning ways to protect yourself and maintain those tech-savvy practices. When you do, you and your family will be more secure.

For more tips, visit staysafeonline.org for tips on keeping your data safe. Use #DataPrivacyDay to post on social media.

DATA PRIVACY DAY HISTORY

The Council in Europe first initiated Data Privacy Day in 2007. Their mission grew to a global platform. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives recognized National Data Privacy Day. The United States Senate later recognized Data Privacy Day in 2010 and 2011. Since then, various groups and organizations continue supporting the observance annually.

LIBRARY SHELFIE DAY

The fourth Wednesday in January offers a unique opportunity for book lovers on Library Shelfie Day.

Some collectors of books tend to arrange their collections so their spines can be admired pleasantly. Others have a system of organization that results in an alternative art form. However our books are organized on the shelf, they are meant to be photographed and shared on social media.

Library Shelfies offer book stores, libraries, schools, and individuals an opportunity to express their reading preferences through a single photograph. Whether they frame their favorite authors, titles, genres or cover art, readers share a bit of their library in creative ways. With or without dust jackets, signed and unsigned, dogeared and in mint condition, bibliophiles love books of all kinds.

HOW TO OBSERVE #LibraryShelfieDay

Whether you have a small library with a few select favorites or are a true bibliophile, arrange your collection on a shelf and take a picture. Express your inner artist! Build a tower of babbling books or a wall of words. Invite others to join you in your aesthetically pleasing book building adventure. Some suggestions include:

• Arrange by color
• Order books by height, thickness, width
• Arrange book titles so they send a message
• Stack books artistically
• Place books in the order in which they were read
• Rely on the good ol’ alphabetical order by author
• Display a biography only shelfie

Once you’ve taken your library shelfie, visit a local library and check out theirs. You might find they’ve developed clever ways to entice you to new books and old ones, too. Have fun displaying your collection in fun ways! Don’t forget to use #LibraryShelfieDay to share on social media.

Once you’ve shared your shelfie, explore 8 Unique Libraries In The United States for more shelf inspiration.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for classroom projects to celebrate the day.

LIBRARY SHELFIE DAY HISTORY

The New York Public Library founded Library Shelfie Day as a way to observe various national holidays by displaying shelfies representing books from each day.

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY PANCAKE DAY

On January 28th, National Blueberry Pancake Day brings the sweetness of blueberries to your pancake, flapjack, or hotcake.

#BlueberryPancakeDay

The early pancakes consisted mostly of flour and milk and were more like biscuits. Later, eggs, milk, a leavening agent (such as baking powder), and fat were added creating the fluffier, lighter pancake we know today.

Adding blueberries to the pancake batter when mixing up the ingredients may result in a bluish hue. To avoid this, add them right after dropping dollops of batter to the hot griddle.

Blueberries add a freshness to pancakes and nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, and copper.

HOW TO OBSERVE BLUEBERRY PANCAKE RECIPE

• Make blueberry pancakes with this recipe.
• Share your favorite recipes.
• Invite others to join you for a pancake breakfast.
• Use #BlueberryPancakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY PANCAKE DAY HISTORY

As we continue our search for the origins of this breakfast food holiday, another stack or two will hold you over. Add some real maple syrup and fresh blueberries, too. While you're having seconds, be sure to include a dollop of real whipped cream. None of the fake stuff. Origin stories take time. Pancakes are forever.

Blueberry Pancake FAQ

Q. Should the blueberries be added to the batter or topping the pancake?
A. You can choose to add to the batter or top or BOTH.

Q. Should the blueberries be fresh or frozen?
A. Again, your personal preference will decide. Thaw the frozen blueberries slightly before adding them to the pancake. Because frozen blueberries have a slightly sweeter flavor, you might need less syrup.

Q. Who can celebrate this day?
A. Anyone can celebrate National Pancake Day!

NATIONAL GIFT OF THE LADYBUG DAY

National Gift of the Ladybug Day on January 28th honors all children with critical illnesses. The day is also an opportunity to raise awareness of childhood illnesses and support the children and the families facing medical differences.

The book The Gift of the Ladybug by Carole Mac follows the story of a family of horses who discover their child is a ladybug and will not live very long. The ladybug reassures the horses by saying, “I am a ladybug! I don’t know how to be a horse. I only know how to be a ladybug.” Every day, hundreds of families receive a diagnosis that puts their child’s life in danger. The ladybug serves as the perfect symbol of a child faced with a critical illness. Her life may be short, but she’s perfect just the way she is. The beautiful ladybug captures our imaginations and gives us a reason to celebrate.

National Gift of the Ladybug Day is part of a movement that offers a way for parents to embrace their children exactly as they are. Join the movement and embrace being exactly as you are.

HOW TO OBSERVE #GiftOfTheLadybugDay

Give the gift of the ladybug. Embrace your loved ones exactly as they are.

Another way to celebrate is by purchasing The Gift of the Ladybug or an adorable stuffed ladybug “Polkadot” (the main character of the book) for a child who is suffering from a critical illness. A percentage of proceeds from every sale is donated to help children with critical illnesses. Support Author Carole Mac’s goal of donating $100,000 to help these kids over the next three years. The Gift of the Ladybug is available in hardback, softback, and Ebook on Amazon.com. 

Join the movement and celebrate the day using #GiftOfTheLadybugDay on social media.

Follow on Facebook @giftoftheladybug, Instagram @Carole.Mac, CaroleMac.com, and GiftoftheLadybug.com.

NATIONAL GIFT OF THE LADYBUG DAY HISTORY

Author Carole Mac founded National Gift of the Ladybug Day on January 28 (the birthday of her dearly departed son) 2022 to share the growing impact of The Gift of the Lady Bug and its ability to bring people together to honor children with critical illnesses. Mac’s inspiration for the book The Gift of the Ladybug came after receiving devastating news about her son. She found a way to heal her grief through sharing the children’s book The Gift of the Ladybug to help others. It has since become a tool for families of children with critical illnesses as a way to accept the news with peace and love.

In 2022, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Gift of the Ladybug Day to be observed annually on January 28th.

NATIONAL KAZOO DAY

National Kazoo Day on January 28th recognizes nearly 200 years of kazoo music in the United States.

Alabama Vest of Macon, Georgia, made the first Kazoo in the 1840s. The instrument requires little effort to create a sound (though some skill is necessary to make intelligible music) the kazoo adds both comedic punctuations to just about any childhood song. If you can hum, you can play the kazoo!

Click play and enjoy a story about National Kazoo Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

Vest was inspired by an African horn called a Mirliton. The horn was made from bone, gourds, and a variety of other materials. Vest partnered with Thaddeus Von Clegg to produce his design in metal. Clegg, a German clockmaker, took Vest’s idea and put it into production.

Warren H. Frost first proposed the name “kazoo” when he subitted his U.S. patent application for a musical toy instrument.
The U.S. Patent Office granted Frost’s application with patent no. 270,543 on January 9, 1883. 

Along came traveling salesman, Emil Sorg. He took great interest in the kazoo and carried the idea back to Western New York in 1912 where he partnered with Michael McIntyre. In 1915, McIntyre partnered with Harry Richardson, and they established The Original American Kazoo Company which began producing metal kazoos. They are still in production today in Eden, NY.

During World War I, another instrument made the scene. Larger and a little more cumbersome for a child to manage, makers touted the bazooka as an instrument anyone could play (and build).

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalKazooDay

Do you play the kazoo? We want to hear your music! You can also make a kazoo. Join a kazoo band or learn more about the kazoo! No matter how you celebrate, be sure to have fun doing it. Use #NationalKazooDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL KAZOO DAY HISTORY

Founded in 1983 by Chaplin Willard Rahn of the Joyful Noise Kazoo Band, National Kazoo Day celebrates the humble kazoo and all the infectious joy it brings to people of all ages.

NATIONAL CORN CHIP DAY

On January 29th, grab the queso or salsa and celebrate National Corn Chip Day. Recognized each year across the country, the day encourages corn chip lovers to whip up their favorite dips and toppings.

The corn chip or friotes are not to be confused with the tortilla chip. Both are made from cornmeal which is baked or fried in oil.

Differing steps for processing the corn separate the tortilla from the corn chip. The corn for a tortilla chip is soaked in a lime-water solution that breaks down the hulls. This process creates a crisper, milder chip. A corn chip is sturdier with a stronger corn flavor. Both were popular snacks originating in Mexico.Filler and Doolin

There are two men credited with patenting and marketing the corn chip in the United States. First, Isador J. Filler often ate a tostada (a hard corn tortilla with toppings) while traveling in San Antonio, Texas as a salesman. He struck on the idea of making them in rectangles and marketing them as a chip. In 1932 he patented his concept.

Around the same time, Elmer Doolin was also traveling in San Antonio and was enjoying friotes. According to the story, he paid $100 for the recipe. Experimenting in his home until he created the ideal chip, Doolin then started selling them from the back of his Model T Ford. When he began mass-producing them under the name of Frito Corn Chips, they were a hit.In 1945, Doolin came to an agreement with Herman Lay (of potato chip fame) to distribute Doolin’s Fritos across the country. The two companies merged in 1959 after Doolin’s death.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCornChipDay

There are so many ways to celebrate National Corn Chip Day. We offer a great list to get you started:

• Create a topping buffet with everyone’s favorite toppings. Include jalapenos, cheese, olives, queso, seasoned shredded pork, chicken or steak, onions, tomatoes, sour cream, and guac.
• Dip it! Some of you are looking for hot and spicey while others like it light and fresh. Get the cheese dipping, layers, melty, herbaceous, flavor party started.
• Pack them up! Sneak corn chips into your loved one’s lunch bags. Add cheese slices or a container of their favorite dip. Stick a corny note to it. You know. Something like this: Chip, chip, hooray! It’s National Corn Chip Day! (It even rhymes.) This one is a real winner: It’s nacho average holiday, #NationalCornChipDay. Now if this doesn’t just guac their world, we don’t know what will.

Olive your ideas, too! So be sure to chip in by using #NationalCornChipDay when posting to social media.

Keep exploring the day by discovering more chip and dip combinations to enjoy.

NATIONAL CORN CHIP DAY HISTORY  

We have been celebrating National Corn Chip Day since at least 2002. However, we’ve not been able to identify the organizer of the celebration. 

NATIONAL PUZZLE DAY

Each year on January 29th, National Puzzle Day recognizes how exercising our brains with puzzles is just one of its many benefits.

Whether it’s a crossword, jigsaw, trivia, word searches, brain teasers or Sudoku, puzzles put our minds to work. Studies have found that when we work on a jigsaw puzzle, we use both sides of the brain.  And spending time daily working on puzzles improves memory, cognitive function, and problem-solving skills.

Word searches and crossword puzzles have the obvious benefit of increasing vocabulary and language skills. Sudoku, a puzzle sequencing a set of numbers on a grid, exercises the brain as well. By testing memory and logical thinking, this puzzle stimulates the brain and can improve number skills.

Puzzles also offer social benefits. When we work on these brain teasers with someone, we improve our social interactions. Whether we join a group or play with our children, those interactions keep us socially active and teach our children social skills, too. Even working them quietly together provides an opportunity to focus the mind in a meditative way that isn’t forced.

The bottom line is, puzzles stimulate the brain, keeping it active, and practicing its skills.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPuzzleDay

Spend time putting together a jigsaw puzzle with a friend, or grab a cup of coffee and complete a Sudoku or crossword puzzle. Another way to celebrate is by challenging yourself with a new kind of puzzle. You can also try creating a puzzle that stimulates the brain in entirely new ways.

Use #NationalPuzzleDay to post on social media.

Visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for numerous puzzles that celebrate the days.

Focus your mind on these 7 Puzzling Mysteries from History.

NATIONAL PUZZLE DAY HISTORY

In 2002, Jodi Jill created National Puzzle Day as a way to share her enjoyment of puzzles. As a syndicated newspaper puzzle maker and professional quiz maker, Jodi Jill developed classroom lesson plans especially for the observance and the popularity has grown year after year.

NATIONAL SEED SWAP DAY

National Seed Swap Day on the last Saturday in January serves as a reminder to gardeners that spring is on its way. It is also an ideal time for gardeners to gather and swap seeds in preparation for starting seeds indoors.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Seed Swap Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

The seed swap is a fundamental part of human history. Seeds were one of the first commodities valued and traded. Today, modern gardeners collect and exchange seeds for many reasons ranging from cultivating rare, heirloom varieties to basic thrift. The exchange of seeds perpetuates biodiversity, too. It is an act of giving and the ultimate form of recycling.

HOW TO OBSERVE #SeedSwapDay

Do you love to garden? Gardeners become giddy when seed catalogs come pouring in. However, Seed Swap Day offers so much more. It brings with it the opportunity to talk about spring, explore varieties and the potential of their gardens with like-minded people. Seed swaps are not only an exchange of seeds, but are also an exchange of experiences, knowledge, and wisdom. It is a time to reconnect and sow the seeds of hope into your community, neighborhood, and organizations. And don’t forget the next generation, too.

• Exchange seeds with friends, attend a local seed swap or help organize one.
• Post your events online so they are easily found using #SeedSwapDay
• Experienced gardeners offer seed collection, labeling, and preservation tips. 
• Generate interest in your seed swaps. Plan urban gardens or community gardens. Not only do they improve the look of your community but they also provide nutritious food, too.
• Offer classes for starting seeds indoors and successful transplanting. 
• Be sure to include children. They love to garden!
• Attend local events and show your support by volunteering.

Share your seed swap events and use #SeedSwapDay to post on social media.

When is National Gardening Day?

NATIONAL SEED SWAP DAY HISTORY

The first annual Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange was held in Washington, DC, on January 26, 2006. Kathy Jentz, the editor/publisher of the magazine had the last Saturday of January named an official holiday and National Seed Swap Day was born. After that event’s success, seed swaps in other cities across the nation have joined in celebrating the day each year on (or around) the last Saturday in January.

Submitted by guest columnist Kathy Jentz

NATIONAL BIG WIG DAY

Putting the “fun” in fundraising while bringing awareness to a cause close to many hearts, National Big Wig Day™! on the last Friday in January gives everyone an opportunity to play an important role, the role of the Big Wig.

National Big Wig Day™! is both an expression of the potential inside of all of us and an entertaining opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. To do this, we must dust off our hidden talents and bring them forth without hesitation. Be bold and even a little bit courageous. Roll up your sleeves and grab a few friends because that always makes it more enjoyable and the journey more exciting. But whatever you do, bring your Big Wig with you. Because we all have one inside us and even Big Wigs need to have fun!

Call it what we will, CEO, director or pilot, we are the Big Wigs in our lives. National Big Wig Day™! reminds us that, regardless of title, we can make a difference and improve the lives of others through celebration.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBigWigDay

Celebrate National Big Wig Day™! by donning your biggest, wildest wig and having a party to raise funds to donate to the American Cancer Society Look Good/Feel Better division. The key is not to give big, but to get lots of people to give a dollar.  You read that right.  On National Big Wig Day™, the fun raising part is to see if 1 million people will give $1 each. By demonstrating that even a dollar can have a big impact, National Big Wig Day™ is out to show we ALL have a BIG WIG inside of us.  Visit National Big Wig Day™ for contact and donation information.  Use #NationalBigWigDay to share on social media.

Visit the National Big Wig Day™ Facebook page and follow Patricia on Twitter, too and share all the fun raising details.

NATIONAL BIG WIG DAY HISTORY

In 2016, Patty Sharkey founded National Big Wig Day™! after a bout of post-holiday blues. After going through her fabulous collection of wigs and selecting a chocolate, raspberry curly wig, and taking a selfie, she posted “Happy National Big Wig Day.”

Soon after the overwhelmingly positive post, Patty was struck with an inspiring cure for the blues, and National Big Wig Day™! was born. Friends in California, New Jersey, Texas, and Massachusetts hosted the inaugural National Big Wig Day™! parties where 75% of the proceeds raised were donated to the Look Good/Feel Better division of the American Cancer Society in 2016.

Each year, Sharkey nominates a Big Wig who inspires the inner Big Wig in us all. Anthony Davis, the Notre Dame Killer, was named the official Big Wig of 2016.  His perseverance after a severe brain injury sidetracked his football career earned him the title of Big Wig.

The 2017 Big Wig is Jo Ann Thomas, co-founder of FANtastick Horror Film Festival for providing a venue for independent filmmakers to feature their work.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared National Big Wig Day™! in October of 2016.

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY

In the United States, National Croissant Day recognizes a flaky pastry enjoyed at every meal. Croissants are buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. You laminate the dough by folding butter into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body.

Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the Kipferl which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This nonlaminated bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to an Austrian military officer, August Zang. In 1839 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCroissantDay

National Croissant Day is the perfect opportunity to give your bakery a shout out. Treat your friends and coworkers to fresh-baked, warm croissants. Of course, you can always try baking your own. Some other ways to celebrate include:

• Take a baking class to learn to make these delicious, flaky pastries yourself!
• Offer a class. That’s right! Pass on the skill to others who want to learn.
• Offer a special in your bakery, restaurant, or store. 
• Try a new recipe. Make a soup or salad that goes well with croissants.

We’ve even provided a couple of recipes to try. 

Croissants recipe
Chicken Salad

Use #NationalCroissantDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY HISTORY

The earliest we’ve found the observance being celebrated is in 2006. National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this buttery food holiday.

NATIONAL FUN AT WORK DAY

Fight the workday doldrums during National Fun At Work Day on the last Friday in January! National Day Calendar makes it so easy to do when everyone around the workplace has a birthday for one example. Just head over to Search here! and enter any date for the current week (January 28 for example) to discover National Days to celebrate at work.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Fun At Work Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

Many people spend a good portion of their lives at work, so why should they not try to enjoy it? While looking to find fun things to do at work, let your imagination be the leader. Make sure to obtain your boss’s approval for whatever fun and exciting things you choose to do. Better yet, get your boss involved in the fun!

Dave Hemseth and Leslie Yerkes, co-authors of 301 Ways to Have Fun at Work say, “Organizations that integrate fun into work have lower levels of absenteeism, greater job satisfaction, increased productivity, and less downtime.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #FunAtWorkDay

Plan ahead and get the fun going. We supply a few ideas to make the day worth celebrating.

• Host a boss look-alike contest.
• Organize a chili cook-off.
• Go office to office singing random songs.
• Create a healthy potluck with a variety of fruits and veggies.
• Set up a corn hole game in the break room or in any appropriate space.
• Celebrate the National Days with National Day Calendar

Use #FunAtWorkDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL FUN AT WORK DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this fun workday holiday. In the meantime, we will be having fun at work.

INSPIRE YOUR HEART WITH ART DAY

Always observed on January 31st, Inspire Your Heart With Art Day encourages us to ponder how art affects our hearts. Art is valued and appreciated for all sorts of reasons. 

Of the broad spectrum of art created in the world, the pieces that move us to tears or cause us to burst out into joyous laughter remain with us for a lifetime. Whether we are touched by music or see into an artist’s soul through their work, art has the power to change us, to inspire our hearts.

The day encourages us to explore the many genres of art and let it inspire us.

HOW TO OBSERVE #InspireYourHeartWithArtDay

Since art comes in so many forms, the number of ways to celebrate are countless. We provide only a snapshot of the ways to participate. We hope it inspires you to celebrate the day in a way that puts art in your heart.

• Visit an art gallery.
• Attend a live theatre performance
• Read a good book.
• Listen to music.
• Attend a ballet performance
• Start your masterpiece.
• Teach someone how to play an instrument.
• Attend an art lecture.
• Explore a new technique.
• See an inspirational film.
• Share your art with others.

 Use #InspireYourHeartWithArtDay to post on social media.

INSPIRE YOUR HEART WITH ART DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this national art celebration. 

YAD DRAWKCAB LANOITAN

.yad doog a si sihT

January 31st honors everything backward with National Backward Day. The day provides an opportunity to reverse our ways, our direction or simply our shirt.  Dessert for breakfast, perhaps? There are many ways to celebrate this fun day, so just let your imagination be your guide.

This day is very popular with school-aged kids, but there is no age limit on who can participate in all of the backward fun. So EVERYONE, let’s have some fun!! 

FUN FACT:  Leonardo da Vinci wrote backward. Not only did the artist and inventor write from right to left, but he also wrote his letters backward.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBackwardDay

After polling several National Day Calendar staff members, we opaquely have an idea on how to celebrate this day.

• Go out the back door
• Have dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.
• Instead of coming unglued when you’re upset, get glued.
• Add coffee to your milk.
• Add ice cream to your chocolate.
• Do your work in reverse order.
• Say, “Goodbye,” instead of “Hello,” when answering the phone.
• Twiddle your pinkies, not your thumbs.
• Wear your sweatshirt backward.
• Write your name backward.
• Write an entire sentence backward.
• Run the bases in baseball backward.
• Watch a movie backward.
• Read a book starting with the last page.
• Play a record backward.

Do things backward and use #NationalBackwardDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BACKWARD DAY HISTORY

We’ve looked up, down, and all around for the creator of this day. Now, we’re going to retrace our steps, backward.

NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY

Each year on January 31st, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage.

Hot chocolate is a warm beverage made with ground chocolate, heated milk or water, and sugar. In America, we often use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa interchangeably. However, the two beverages are different.

Cocoa vs Hot Chocolate 

We make hot cocoa with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. We’re able to do this thanks to a process developed by father and son chemists. For the thicker, more flavorful beverage, we make hot chocolate from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter. It is also called drinking chocolate. Hot chocolate has also been around longer than hot cocoa. In the early 1800s, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son, Coenraad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their processes made cocoa powder possible.

But before then, everyone drank hot chocolate. This thicker, creamier beverage often offered medicinal benefits for stomach ailments during the 19th century. In fact, long before the beverage’s popularity in Victorian times, it served in ceremonial culture. 

However, humans have been drinking chocolate for a long time. The Mayans likely created the first chocolate beverage 2000 years ago. The Aztecs also included a cocoa beverage as an essential part of their culture by 1400 AD. When Europeans began exploring Central and South America, explorers brought chocolate and the beverage back with them to Europe from Mexico.

Make it and Benefit

Hot chocolate can be enjoyed in a variety of combinations, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of peppermint makes the chocolate extra special. In the United States, many people enjoy an instant form of hot chocolate. It is made with hot water or milk and a packet containing mostly cocoa powder, sugar, and dry milk.

There are health benefits to drinking hot chocolate. Cocoa contains significant amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. Studies have shown the flavonoids in chocolate may have a positive effect on arterial health and memory.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHotChocolateDay

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. You can make it with dark or milk chocolate. While you’re at it, try experimenting, too. Add some cinnamon or other flavors to your chocolate. Of course, inviting a friend to join you is essential to the celebration, too. Try adding these toppings.

• Whipped cream
• Marshmallows
• Sprinkles
• Candied fruit

Take a photo and use #NationalHotChocolateDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this chocolatey beverage holiday.

NATIONAL SEED SWAP DAY

National Seed Swap Day on the last Saturday in January serves as a reminder to gardeners that spring is on its way. It is also an ideal time for gardeners to gather and swap seeds in preparation for starting seeds indoors.

Click play and enjoy a story about National Seed Swap Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson. If you enjoy the 2-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

The seed swap is a fundamental part of human history. Seeds were one of the first commodities valued and traded. Today, modern gardeners collect and exchange seeds for many reasons ranging from cultivating rare, heirloom varieties to basic thrift. The exchange of seeds perpetuates biodiversity, too. It is an act of giving and the ultimate form of recycling.

HOW TO OBSERVE #SeedSwapDay

Do you love to garden? Gardeners become giddy when seed catalogs come pouring in. However, Seed Swap Day offers so much more. It brings with it the opportunity to talk about spring, explore varieties and the potential of their gardens with like-minded people. Seed swaps are not only an exchange of seeds, but are also an exchange of experiences, knowledge, and wisdom. It is a time to reconnect and sow the seeds of hope into your community, neighborhood, and organizations. And don’t forget the next generation, too.

• Exchange seeds with friends, attend a local seed swap or help organize one.
• Post your events online so they are easily found using #SeedSwapDay
• Experienced gardeners offer seed collection, labeling, and preservation tips. 
• Generate interest in your seed swaps. Plan urban gardens or community gardens. Not only do they improve the look of your community but they also provide nutritious food, too.
• Offer classes for starting seeds indoors and successful transplanting. 
• Be sure to include children. They love to garden!
• Attend local events and show your support by volunteering.

Share your seed swap events and use #SeedSwapDay to post on social media.

When is National Gardening Day?

NATIONAL SEED SWAP DAY HISTORY

The first annual Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange was held in Washington, DC, on January 26, 2006. Kathy Jentz, the editor/publisher of the magazine had the last Saturday of January named an official holiday and National Seed Swap Day was born. After that event’s success, seed swaps in other cities across the nation have joined in celebrating the day each year on (or around) the last Saturday in January.

Submitted by guest columnist Kathy Jentz