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Post by pennmom on Mar 1, 2022 12:19:40 GMT
St. David's Day – March 1, 2022~U.K.
There’s nothing more Welsh than St. David’s Day, the feast and celebration that falls on March 1 and commemorates the patron saint of Wales, Saint David — the greatest figure in the 6th century, Welsh Age of Saints, founder of scores of religious communities, and the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland. St. David, a famous teacher and the founder of what is today St. David’s Cathedral, was famed for his pious austerity, his commitment to eschew sensual pleasures in favor of spiritual enlightenment, and his ability to perform miracles. Because of his life and works, St David’s Day is widely popular amongst the Welsh. Today, the holiday is as much a celebration of Wales as it is of her patron saint. Children participate in recitation and singing, parades line the streets, the flag of Saint David is raised, and some girls wear traditional Welsh clothing.
HISTORY OF ST. DAVID'S DAY
St David’s Day has been celebrated since the year 1120 and is a huge celebration for the Welsh. Who is St David? St David was the greatest figure in the 6th century Welsh Age of Saints, founder of scores of religious communities, and the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland.
Most of what we know about St David was written by the 11th-century scholar Rhygyfarch. He tells us that St David was born in Pembrokeshire around the year 500, the grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, king of Ceredigion. He became a renowned preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany, and England – including, possibly, the abbey at Glastonbury. In 550 A.D., fellow monks elected him primate of the region of Brefi, after he gave a compelling speech at the Synod of Brefi. In 569 A.D., David presided over the Synod of Caerleon.
He’s said to have made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he became an archbishop and established a strict religious community in what is now St Davids in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. He was famed for his pious austerity, as he is believed to have lived on only leeks and water. His monks only prayed, ate, and wrote in the evenings, and plowed fields themselves without the help of animals. He eschewed personal possessions — the monks could not even say ‘my’ when referring to something as simple as a book.
Many people claimed that St David was able to perform miracles. One of the more famous miracles associated with him is that once while preaching at Llandewi Brefi, he caused the ground to rise beneath his feet so that everyone could hear his sermon. During the incident, a white dove is said to have landed on his shoulder, as he is so often depicted now. Other miracles are believed to be St David resurrecting a dead child and restoring sight to a blind man.
St David died on 1 March – St David’s Day – in 589. He was buried at St. David’s Cathedral. After the Vikings raided his tomb in the 10th and 11th centuries, it was given a new shrine in 1275. The bones of the person who was supposedly St. David were discovered in the Holy Trinity Chapel of Saint David’s Cathedral and carbon-dated back to the 12th century. He was canonized by Pope Callixtus in the 12th century, and St David’s Day has been celebrated ever since. His shrine at St. David’s became a notable place of pilgrimage, especially during the Middle Ages.
There have been over 50 churches dedicated to him in pre-Reformation days. He was also canonized by the Eastern Orthodox church. St. David’s Day has long been a celebration of the saint of Wales and, in 2000, the National Assembly for Wales voted cross-party to recognize St. David’s Day as a public holiday. Traditional festivities include wearing daffodils and leeks, recognized symbols of Wales and Saint David respectively, eating traditional Welsh food including cawl and Welsh rarebit, and women wearing traditional Welsh dress. An increasing number of cities and towns across Wales including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth also put on parades throughout the day.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 1, 2022 12:21:44 GMT
World Civil Defense Day – March 1, 2022~World
On World Civil Defense Day on March 1 every year, the world’s attention is on civil protection and preparedness. People need to learn how to prevent, prepare for, and manage emergency situations such as accidents and disasters. The day celebrates the honor and prestige of those in civil protection. It calls on more people to learn about safety measures and protection skills they would need in the case of any form of emergencies, natural or man-made. A famous Civil Defense Day quote is, “We can only hope for the best as long as we are satisfyingly prepared for the worst.” Civil Defense Day is all about raising awareness of the need to plan ahead.
HISTORY OF WORLD CIVIL DEFENSE DAY
World Civil Defense Day was initiated by the International Civil Defense Organization. They conduct its activities every year. The day was created to pay tribute to the efforts of national services responsible for the fight against disasters. It also creates awareness of the need for self-protection and preventative measures in the event of accidents or disasters. The International Civil Defense Organization, or I.C.D.O., has its origins in the Association of Geneva Zones, which was founded by Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul in 1931. After seeing the effects of war on the population, Saint-Paul wanted to create safety zones where civilians could seek refuge in times of war. Civil defense, or civil protection, is all about protecting citizens from natural disasters by teaching them to protect themselves through knowledge of prevention, preparation, response, evacuation, and recovery skills.
As time went by, the name and objectives of the association were changed to create the International Civil Defense Organization we have today. The I.C.D.O. is an intergovernmental organization that ensures the safeguarding of lives, property, and the environment from natural or man-made disasters. In 1972, the member-states of the I.C.D.O. approved the current constitution of the organization, which entered into force on March 1 of the same year.
Every year, the I.C.D.O. selects a theme to guide the activities of World Civil Defense Day. In 2019, it was “Children’s safety, our responsibility”. In 2022, the theme is ‘Uniting the world’s leading industry specialists for the safety & security of future generations.’
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 20:49:01 GMT
National Old Stuff Day – March 2, 2022~U.S.
National Old Stuff Day, on March 2, is the day when people across the country clean out their closets and garages, rediscover old treasures, and declutter their lives. Just in time for spring cleaning, National Old Stuff Day is a great opportunity to devote a day to tend to your closet, garage, attic, and other cluttered spaces that don’t get a lot of attention. But you don’t have to stop at things — maybe you want to change an old habit or try a new activity. Get creative with new ways to organize, appreciate, or get rid of ‘old stuff’ in your life!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL OLD STUFF DAY
Second-hand shopping was popular in Elizabethan England, where desirable upper-class clothing could be purchased at one of hundreds of London’s resale shops. Fashion changed quickly, and those with means purchased tailor-made garments or hired servants to make clothes for them. Most Britons, however, couldn’t afford the luxury of new clothing. Because clothing was meant to last, purchasing an outfit was a big investment. Second-hand shops served the majority of Londoners, who could buy up the clothes cast off by the upper classes. Clothing was sometimes sold multiple times, with garments getting cheaper as they became more patched and ratty. Nevertheless, having ready-made clothing available for a few pennies was a vast improvement over having to sew everything yourself.
Beginning in the early 20th century, Christian nonprofits and charity organizations essentially invented a new business sector by linking charity to capitalism and commerce. Seeing the need for second-hand clothing and household items among the urban poor, progressive reformers used this as an opportunity to link used goods to charity and use sales to raise money for various causes.
Thrift stores quickly wised up to consumer tastes, using department-store-like displays to reduce the stigma around used goods and encourage middle-class shoppers to patronize the stores. Slowly, thrift stores became a fixture of American culture. As Americans gained increased access to mass-produced, disposable goods, thrift stores offered a way to assuage consumers’ guilt by justifying their purchases as charitable and frugal. Thanks to the environmental movement, increased awareness of mass consumption, and the elevated popularity of thrift store shopping in pop culture, thrifting has become a fashionable hobby. The stigma around used goods has largely dissolved as ‘vintage’ replaced ‘secondhand’ and shoppers increasingly seek to reduce their consumption of new goods. Today, there are over 25,000 second-hand stores in the United States.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 20:51:36 GMT
World Teen Mental Wellness Day – March 2, 2022~World
World Teen Mental Wellness Day is observed across the globe on March 2 every year. It is a day that aims to raise awareness about the mental health issues that teenagers deal with. This Day is about making efforts to educate everyone and destigmatize something that is becoming increasingly common. There are informational and helpful materials on this topic available across various platforms.
HISTORY OF WORLD TEEN MENTAL WELLNESS DAY
As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community.” Although the exact origin of mental health is difficult to determine, indications of it have been around for centuries. In early years, mental health issues were often presumed supernatural and even punished in religious societies.
Over time, scientists studied the topic in depth and began to better understand the psyche. Since the beginning of time, we have made strides in the field of psychology and understanding mental health. However, there is still much to do in terms of learning, educating people widely, and putting an end to the stigma associated with it. Even for those without any mental health struggles, mental wellness is an important aspect of health. It refers to overall emotional well-being, the ability to live a full life, and the flexibility to deal with life’s changes.
Mental health struggles are unfortunately common in teens, making up 16% of disease and injuries in people aged 10 to 19. Mental health issues start from around 14 years of age and often go undiagnosed and untreated. Suicide and depression are some of the leading causes of death among teens, and can even lead to other struggles such as substance abuse in later years.
World Teen Mental Wellness Day begins and carries on very important conversations about mental health. People often fail to understand what teenagers go through, and the stigma associated with mental illness can make teens reluctant to ask for help. This day encourages open conversation and awareness to help teens around the world.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 20:54:23 GMT
Texas Independence Day – March 2, 2022~U.S.
Texas Independence Day on March 2 commemorates the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on the same date in 1836. Inhabitants of Texas proclaimed independence from Mexico and established the Republic of Texas with the signing of this declaration by over 59 delegates.
Children’s events, re-enactments, live band music, and cook-offs are all part of the festivities. Storytelling sessions about how Texas gained independence from Mexico and became a republic are among the other activities.
HISTORY OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY
A congress of Texians and Tejanos convened at Washington-on-the-Brazos during the Texas Revolution and declared Texas’ independence from Mexico, and they became known as Texans. The delegates elected David Burnet as interim president and confirmed Sam Houston as commander-in-chief of all Texas armies.
In addition, the Texans adopted a constitution that guaranteed the unrestricted practice of slavery, which had previously been banned by Mexican law. In the meantime, in San Antonio, the Alamo was still under siege by Mexican General Antonio de  Anna, and the fort’s defenders awaited the last Mexican attack.
Anna ordered his troops to invade the Alamo on March 6. The first and second Mexican charges were defeated by Travis’ artillery, but the Texans were overpowered in less than an hour, and the Alamo was seized. All of the Texan and American defenders were murdered in fierce hand-to-hand combat when Anna instructed that no prisoners should be taken. The Alamo’s only survivors were a small group of civilians, chiefly women and children. During the siege and storming of the Alamo, hundreds of Anna’s soldiers died.
Six weeks later, at San Jacinto, a huge Texan army led by Houston surprised Anna’s forces. The Texans overpowered the Mexicans and took Anna. The dictator was forced to acknowledge Texas’ independence and withdraw his troops south of the Rio Grande. Nine years after the Texas Declaration of Independence was written, the Republic of Texas was annexed to the United States by the collective agreement of the United States Congress.
On December 29, 1845, the United States Congress officially recognized Texas as a member of the Union. Sam Houston Day and Texas Flag Day are also celebrated on March 2, albeit they are not legal holidays.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 20:57:15 GMT
Stop Bad Service Day – March 2, 2022~U.S.
Rudeness, inattentiveness, and even lying — these are only some of the reasons Stop Bad Service Day, observed on the first Wednesday in March, is crucial. The Day is all about drawing attention to unpleasant customer service experiences from businesses and other organizations. We encourage everyone to try to nip this trend in the bud.
HISTORY OF STOP BAD SERVICE DAY
Bad service can be the difference between a repeat, loyal customer and one who bashes the business online and offline. And according to NICE CXone’s customer survey, more than half of the 700 people surveyed were not happy with the service or the resolution they received.
But how did customer service even start? And when did it become so important to a business that awful customer service can cost a company billions (according to a 2018 report, this amount came up to $75 billion per year in losses)?
The story began with a little invention known as the telephone. Although most items were created at home, the idea of someone to complain to was starting to take hold. As catalogs increased, people began to order more items via post. By 1894, another invention called the telephone switchboard came around. Still, customer service was reserved for an elite few, those who could afford the — at that time — expensive service.
Then came the Industrial Revolution, and with it, the new middle class. They had buying power and access to mass-produced goods. By the 1920s, department stores created sections specifically to cater to customers’ demands. Customers could visit these departments and talk to employees for help with returns or other quick fixes. New machines meant new questions — and repairs — and more customer service was needed.
From 1929 until the end of World War II, the economy tanked and took people’s buying power with it. Customer service regained its power only when computational technology came around. The 1950s and 1960s were a period of innovation and efficiency. Switchboard tech gained more finesse, and service calls could now even be taken offsite; customer service was no longer confined to one physical location.
The latter part of the 20th century saw many technological inventions. Technology now allowed customers to store recorded messages on a disk and even play previously registered messages. Gradually, analog shifted to digital. Call centers in international labor markets became the norm, and voice technology improved to unrecognizable heights.
Then, another major change shook up the way everyone handled service. The internet changed every aspect of communication. Instant chats, personalized behavioral information, and now, social media. Each innovation influenced how companies, organizations, and others interacted with clients and customers. People began to see and expect a better quality of service. Customer service was now a full-blown necessity. Today’s customer demands good quality of service and, despite all the technology at our disposal, a human touch.
We haven’t found anything about the origins of this day yet, but when we do, you will know.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:04:27 GMT
![]() National Read Across America Day – March 2, 2022~U.S.
March 2 is National Read Across America Day, a day to celebrate our favorite activity. The day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. The day occurs each year on the birthday of beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss, so a perfect way to celebrate is to don a Seussian hat and read one his famous tales, like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. On National Read Across America Day, students, teachers, parents, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading — join us!
WHEN IS NATIONAL READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY 2022?
National Read Across America Day is on March 2. It’s a day to celebrate the privilege of being able to read, so head to the library, or curl up on the couch and just be a bookworm!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”- Dr. Seuss
Every year, the month of March is National Reading Month. The start of this is initiated with ‘Read Across America Day’ on March 2, which is also the birthday of one of the most beloved children’s book authors of all time — Dr. Seuss. Reading stories and antics about his wonderful characters is a rite of passage, and the perfect way to get children interested in reading books.
Read Across America Day is more so a reading program, which calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience. From the time when the building blocks of our character are laid, to adulthood when we seek to escape from the humdrum of daily life in the pages of a book, reading plays an integral role in shaping us into who we are. With the advent of smartphones and tablets, it is more essential than ever to motivate children to read.
The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998. Their primary purpose is to work for the betterment of public education. Reading has been promoted across the nation with events organized in libraries, schools, book clubs, and communities. Teachers and group organizers can also take a pledge and post their idea on the NEA’s website. This way, more attention and attendance is drawn to the event.
But it is not only teachers and librarians who are doing their part in creating another generation of readers, but celebrities as well. Ever since the day has been official, actors, sports stars, and other popular figures have used their platforms to spread the message of the joys of reading, and some have also participated in children reading circles to put a spotlight on this cause.
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday – March 2, 2022~Other
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday is celebrated on March 2 and it celebrates both the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel and the National Education Association to endorse the importance of reading. A lesser-known fact about Dr. Seuss is that he created the word nerd. The first documented use of the word was in the 1950 book he wrote titled “If I Ran the Zoo” about a boy named Gerald McGrew who visits a zoo and ponders what it would be like if he ran it. So In a way, Dr. Seuss is partly responsible for nerd culture.
WHEN IS DR. SEUSS’S BIRTHDAY 2022?
The delightful characters and wonderful world of Dr. Seuss are celebrated on his birthday on March 2.
HISTORY OF DR. SEUSS’S BIRTHDAY
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts and his grandparents were German immigrants. He grew up around a wealthy extended  during World War I which helped shape his patriotism. As a scout, he sold War bonds and as the story goes, he sold so many that he was to be honored by President Theodor Roosevelt. When the award ceremony took place, however, Roosevelt only had nine medals leaving young Seuss without a medal. Teddy asked, “What’s this boy doing here?” and ever since Suess suffered from stage fright.
Seuss graduated from high school in 1921 and attended Dartmouth College where he joined a humor magazine called the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern. He would eventually become editor-in-chief of the publication, but when he was caught drinking he was forced to resign. This was the time of Prohibition and there was a zero-tolerance policy.
Seuss drew over 400 political cartoons during World War II for the New York daily newspaper called “PM.” Many of them were politically charged against the dictators Hitler and Mussolini and Japanese Americans were depicted as latent traitors. In them, he also showed his support of President Roosevelt and critiqued Congress and he wrote films for the U.S. Air Force.
By the 1950s, he wrote children’s books after the war in La Jolla, California under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Some of these were “The Cat in the Hat,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” and he continued to write until his death on September 24, 1991. His legacy lives on as his beloved children’s books continue to sell well and inspire young people to read. In 1997, the National Education Association chose his birthday to celebrate reading and the first Read Across America Day was held the next year in 1998. |
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:07:08 GMT
![]() Adwa Victory Day – March 2, 2022~Ethiopia
Adwa Victory Day is a national holiday in Ethiopia, which is observed on March 2 every year. This day celebrates Ethiopia’s victory over Italy in the year 1896. After many years of conflict and war with Italy, Ethiopia was able to defeat Italian forces and secure victory in the northern town of Adwa. People pay tribute to their ancestors who helped present-day Ethiopians secure their independence from European rule by coming out into the streets, having parades, and telling old tales. This day is an important milestone as it stands for the celebration of Ethiopian sovereignty.
HISTORY OF ADWA VICTORY DAY
Adwa Victory Day is a symbol of African resistance against colonial powers. It all started when Ethiopia, a country made up of semi-independent kingdoms, was under the rule of the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II in the 19th century. Although most of Africa had already been placed under colonial rule, Ethiopia was able to remain a sovereign nation with a strong monarch and a competent army.
In 1889, the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II signed the Treaty of Wuchale with Italy for additional financial and military support. However, plans changed when it was discovered that there were significant differences between the Italian version of the treaty and the Ethiopian one. The Italians had understood that the treaty would mean Ethiopia coming under the control of Italy.
This misinterpretation led to the First Italo-Ethiopian War in the year 1895. The Italians had some initial success in the war but in the Battle of Adwa, the Ethiopian troops were able to completely defeat their opponents. The Battle proved to be a decisive defeat for the Italians and forced them to retreat to their native lands. The battle of Adwa was especially significant because it was the first victory of an African country over a European colonial power. This resistance was seen as the inspiration for the Pan-African Movement that would henceforth spread through the entire African continent in the 20th century and rid the continent of its colonial oppressors.
Another treaty was then signed in October 1896, in which Italy recognized Ethiopia as an independent state. This was the Treaty of Addis Ababa. |
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:09:24 GMT
American Citizenship Day – March 2, 2022~Puerto Rico
American Citizenship Day is observed on March 2 every year in Puerto Rico. It is a public holiday to commemorate the day that Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917. On this day, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act and granted statutory U.S. citizenship to the residents of Puerto Rico.
HISTORY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP DAY
Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean region located 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. In the late 15th century, Christopher Columbus first arrived on the island. Soon after, in the 16th century, the Spanish rapidly colonized it. Puerto Ricans remained under Spanish rule until the Spanish-American War in 1898. Until then, all residents of Puerto Rico were Spanish nationals.
During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico, and Spain eventually ceded the island to America under the Treaty of Paris. After the war, the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico and three other territories. In the early years, Puerto Rico was ruled by the U.S. military along with officials appointed by the president of the U.S. The judicial system was reformed to align with that of the United States.
Citizenship remained a unique matter. Initially, Spanish nationals born in Spain could choose to remain Spanish by making a formal declaration. Foreigners remained foreign nationals. People born in Puerto Rico were U.S. nationals, but as per scholar John L. A. de Passalacqua, they had no “citizenship whatsoever recognized under international law or even United States municipal law.” Following this, new Codes and Acts kept coming into effect with minor changes. In 1917, the U.S. Congress passed the Jones–Shafroth Act granting Puerto Ricans born on or after 25 April 1898 U.S. citizenship. The act established statutory U.S. citizenship upon U.S. nationals of Puerto Rico and those who might have been absent from the territory at the time of U.S. acquisition, but who had now returned. The act was faced with criticism and doubt but remains in effect to this day. On March 2, the date of the signing, American Citizenship Day is observed in Puerto Rico every year. Offices are closed and the holiday is publicly observed.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:12:14 GMT
Ash Wednesday – March 2, 2022~World
Ash Wednesday, the Wednesday six weeks before Easter Sunday – March 2, 2022, – is a Christian holy day of fasting, sacrifice, and prayer. Followers of Jesus, of several sects and denominations, often forgo a regular meal schedule, instead eating only one normal-sized meal and two very small ones over the course of a given 24-hour period, especially on Good Friday. The most devout Christians are known to eat even less than that, limiting themselves to bread and water to signify their recognition of Christ’s 40-day, 40-night fast as recounted in the Gospels. Abstinence from alcohol is also stressed on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten period.
WHEN IS ASH WEDNESDAY 2022?
Ash Wednesday occurs six and a half weeks before Easter, on February 17 this year. Observed by Christians as a holy day of fasting and praying, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent.
HISTORY OF ASH WEDNESDAY
We know that the idea that believers must repent for their lacks or misdeeds goes back over two thousand years. But the custom of ashes on the head is a little more recent, being attributed to Pope Gregory I the Great (circa 540-604 A.D.) who accompanied the ceremonious symbolism with a verse that loosely translates to, “Remember that you come from dust and that to dust you will return.” In the 20th century it became more common for a priest to intone, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
In modern times, some clergy have seen Ash Wednesday as a chance to do some guerilla evangelism, going out into their cities and offering ashes to passers-by on sidewalks, even to drivers stopped at traffic lights.
The main thrust overall is that when the faithful set aside certain bodily comforts, they may settle into an attitude of penitence, recognizing their past sins and the sacrifice that Jesus made to cleanse them of those sins. The physical expression of the day, administered by priests and pastors, is palm ashes on the head, either sprinkled onto the scalp or smudged in crucifix form onto the forehead.
We think this is good information even for atheists, agnostics, and worshippers from other faiths, because Christians who bear the forehead cross leave it on throughout Ash Wednesday, including to work and school. So when you see it, understand where it comes from and its meaning, in case you would have made an uninformed remark. And plus, just think, you’ve learned something new about a friend or co-worker!
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:14:44 GMT
![]() National Banana Cream Pie Day – March 2, 2022~U.S.
We celebrate National Banana Cream Pie Day on March 2 every year. This is a day to commemorate one of the tastiest dishes in the U.S. Although there are many kinds of pie in the U.S., banana cream pie is unique because of the variety of flavors and textures that it brings to the palate. All pie lovers come together on National Banana Cream Pie Day to make and eat their favorite banana cream pie recipe. If you’re looking for a delicious dessert to share with friends and , look no further. A banana cream pie will satiate every sweet tooth.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BANANA CREAM PIE DAY
Historians have traced back the origins of pie to the Neolithic Period, around 6000 B.C. It has been discovered that during this period, ancient Egyptians made a version of pies called ‘galettes,’ which were rustic free-form pies, made from oats, wheat, rye, and barley. The crust was filled with honey and the galettes were then baked over hot coals.
In 1620, European pilgrims came to America with their favorite pie recipes. These recipes were adapted to accommodate the resources already available to them in America. Initially, their pies were baked using berries and fruits that the Native Americans showed them. The European women used round pans for their baking in order to stretch the ingredients as they were scarce.
In the 1700s, American women cemented the tradition of serving pies with every meal and thus the pie became an important part of American cuisine and culture. Pies were seen at every public gathering and fair in America. As more settlers moved to other parts of the continent, various kinds of regional pies were created. Pie ingredients are constantly being experimented with to this day to meet the demands of a hungry, pie-loving population.
Banana Cream Pies became famous in the 20th century. In the 1950s, these pies became the favorite dessert of many American soldiers. These pies were essentially thin pastries, full of thick and creamy banana custard. The pie’s popularity has spread worldwide. The British version of this is the Banoffee pie, which is made using bananas and toffee. |
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:17:36 GMT
National Egg McMuffin Day – March 2, 2022~U.S.
Mmm…do you smell that? That’s the smell of breakfast sizzling on March 2, Egg McMuffin Day. Eating a filling breakfast of an egg with melted cheese and a slice of ham nesting in the middle of a warm, buttered muffin is great way to combat a case of the Mondays (or Tuesdays, Wednesdays, really any day ending in Y). Do we even have to say more?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL EGG MCMUFFIN DAY
Apparently, the Egg McMuffin didn’t just always exist. In fact, when it was invented in 1972, the sandwich was a game changer for breakfast everywhere. According to the then president of McDonald’s, Ray Kroc’s, 1977 autobiography Grinding it Out: The making of McDonald’s, it all began when Herb Peterson and his assistant Donald Greadel asked Kroc to check something out, without giving any details about what it was. While in the process of trying to create their own version of a fast-food eggs Benedict, they accidentally created what is credited as the first ever breakfast sandwich. That’s right folks, everything you love about the classic breakfast sandwich wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for the McDonald’s company and a random, but tasty, bout of experimentation!
The sandwich that Peterson and Greadel presented to Kroc consisted of an egg that had been strategically cooked and formed in Teflon circle with the yolk purposefully broken, laid on top of a slice of cheese melted perfectly and topped with a slice of grilled ham, served opened face on a toasted and buttered English muffin. Patty Turner, the wife of a McDonald’s executive, came up with the name that we all know the sandwich by today: the Egg McMuffin.
The invention of the Egg McMuffin began an entirely new era for fast-food, moving McDonald’s from being solely a burger joint to also a one-stop shop for your on-the-go, hot morning breakfast. The very first Egg McMuffin was sold at the Belleville, New Jersey location within the same year. And though it took nearly three years for the sandwich to be completely integrated within the McDonald’s system, it was already receiving praise through TIME as being an example of how the fast-food chain “pays close attention to suggestions from behind the counter.”
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Post by pennmom on Mar 2, 2022 21:19:23 GMT
International Rescue Cat Day – March 2, 2022~International
International Rescue Cat Day is observed on March 2 every year. There are a lot of homeless cats on the streets just waiting for a day like this where people will come to take them off the streets and adopt them as a member of their families. To adopt a cat, you just need to visit a pet adoption agency and after the agency does their due diligence and everything checks out, they then go ahead with the adoption. Most domesticated cats are valued by humans for companionship, especially by people who work from home and people who live in apartments.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RESCUE CAT DAY
Cats are domestic species with quick reflexes, a strong body, and sharp teeth. The first time a cat was domesticated was in Greece in 1200 B.C. after which it was introduced to Southern Europe. By the 5th century, they were familiar animals seen around settlements in Etruria.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.) was founded by Henry Bergh in 1867 and it was the first humane association with the initiative that all animals are entitled to respectful and kind treatment and must be protected under the law. The A.S.P.C.A. plays an important role in the adoption and rescue of animals. Animal rescues in general play an important role in the community by reuniting lost pets with their owners, giving shelter to homeless pets, and providing a new home for pets. They help to improve the general health and well-being of animals in the community.
Over 6,000,000 domestic animals enter U.S. animal shelters worldwide each year, of which over three million are cats. Each year approximately 530,000 cats are euthanized in the shelter, this figure has decreased in comparison to 2011 when it was about 1,500,000 cats being euthanized. This decline is due to an increase in the number of cats being adopted and an increase in the number of stray cats being reunited with their pets. Approximately 2,100,000 cats are adopted each year.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:02:18 GMT
World Hearing Day – March 3, 2022~World
World Hearing Day on March 3 every year is observed to raise public awareness about how to avoid deafness and hearing impairment, as well as to support ear and hearing care around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) chooses the theme each year.
WHO seeks to demonstrate the need for early detection and treatment for hearing loss on World Hearing Day. Many people have undiagnosed hearing problems, and are unaware that they are missing out on important sounds and phrases. The first step in dealing with the problem is to assess one’s hearing.
HISTORY OF WORLD HEARING DAY
World Hearing Day is an annual campaign organized by the World Health Organization’s Office for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness. There are events taking place throughout the world, including one on March 3, at the World Health Organization. The campaign’s goals are to disseminate information and encourage people to take steps to avoid hearing loss and enhance hearing care. The holiday was celebrated for the first time in 2007.
Before 2016, it was called International Ear Care Day. WHO chooses a subject each year and prepares instructional materials and makes them publicly available in a variety of languages. It also plans and reports on events all across the world.
Deaf persons who can communicate using Hand Signals are proud of their heritage. In 1816, deaf educator Laurent Clerc and American educator Thomas H. Gallaudet helped establish the country’s first permanent institution for deaf students.
The late 1850s saw a debate held in the west regarding whether to establish a separate deaf state. The concept was inspired by an event in which the American Congress handed the American Asylum a small section of Alabama. The deaf state was to be a place where deaf persons could move to and flourish if they so desired, but the plan failed, and the argument died with it.
The very first World Report on Hearing was released in 2021 to commemorate World Hearing Day. WHO hopes to reach out to national governments, global N.G.O.s, and development organizations, along with players in the hearing care sector, to raise awareness and organize action through the global release of the report. The World Report on Hearing and World Hearing Day presents a global call to action to alleviate hearing loss and ear illnesses.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:10:39 GMT
Peach Blossom Day – March 3, 2022~China
Every year on March 3, a special festival, dubbed “the Peach Blossom Festival” is celebrated in Hunan China. This must not be confused with another festival of the same name, Japan’s Hinamatsuri or Doll Festival. Peach Blossom Day falls in March as peach trees — in both Japan and China — blossom during this time. Both festivals also run along similar lines. They both celebrate peach blossoms (less so in Hinamatsuri; they feature the Hina dolls prominently), and both festivals are days that celebrate what they believe the peach blossom represents: women. Since we love any day that celebrates the women of the world, we absolutely adore Peach Blossom Day!
HISTORY OF PEACH BLOSSOM DAY
The peach blossoms come from the peach tree, which is native to China. Historians and archaeologists think this plant has been around for more than 2,500 years. They’ve found literature and text that mentions peaches and even little fossilized peach stones as evidence of this fact. There is also evidence to show that the Chinese particularly revered the flowers of the peach tree, as peach blossoms were a part of most major celebrations. The Chinese believed (and still do) that peach blossoms can ward off evil spirits and increase vitality in a person. Soldiers walked before Emperors, carrying peach blossoms, and people all over the country would hang peach blossoms on their front door to kick off the New Year.
Persia had a big role to play in the spread of this plant to other regions.
In fact, the Latin name, ‘Prunus persica,’, which translates to ‘Present from Persia,’ refers to when Persians introduced this fruit to the Romans. When Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 334 B.C., he took the seeds of this plant to Europe, and soon, explorers were taking the peach all over the world.
By the 16th century, the peach came to the U.S. via Spanish explorers. From there, it traveled to England, becoming a rare and prized delicacy.
Colonists began domesticating the peach tree in America, and by the 1800s, peaches were being commercially grown in the U.S. The first peaches grown for sale were by farmers in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, and Virginia. Today, the peach blossom has found a place in popular culture, appearing in art, paintings, and even folk tales.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:11:19 GMT
National If Pets Had Thumbs Day – March 3, 2022~U.S.
While pets bring unconditional love and joy to our lives, not having opposable thumbs can present some limitations. On March 3, National If Pets Had Thumbs Day, we are given the opportunity to imagine what life would be like if our fuzzy little friends had that extra digit. Would they use it for good or evil? Grab your pet and read on together!
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:15:46 GMT
National I Want You to be Happy Day – March 3, 2022~U.S.
It’s National I Want You to be Happy Day, on March 3, giving each of us the opportunity to brighten someone’s day through simple acts of kindness and selflessness. Don’t you love being around people who spread cheer everywhere they go? Today, YOU could be that person! It’s so easy to do and, well, we want you to be happy, too. Read on for simple ideas that will help you help others to have a happy day!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY
We haven’t found the person to thank for starting National I Want You to be Happy Day but he or she sure has made a ton of people happy!
Perhaps you’ve heard the Chinese Proverb: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”
Numerous studies have shown one key factor to finding and maintaining our own happiness is to do something to make others happy. In fact, one study revealed physiological effects when subjects donated to a charity. It’s known as the “helper’s high” with the brain releasing feelings of happiness and reward, prompting people to do even more kind acts.
Monk and bestselling author, Om Swami, wrote “The Book of Kindness: How to Make Others Happy and Be Happy Yourself” in 2019. He details many stories of acts of kindness and helps you to understand, practice, and master kindness.
Genuine efforts to make others happy result in our own feelings of empowerment; feelings that we can take on the world.
So, take advantage of today and this opportunity to show others you want them to be happy by understanding what makes them personally happy and thoughtfully following through. It usually doesn’t take much effort; simple acts of kindness go a long way to making others happy. And you will find your own reward in return!
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:17:48 GMT
National Mulled Wine Day – March 3, 2022~U.K.~U.S.
National Mulled Wine Day is held on March 3 each year and is celebrated across the U.S. and the U.K. While the drink itself is famously associated with winter and Christmas, our day is held in March. While we search for the reason and person(s) behind this holiday, we invite you to warm yourselves with our interesting read.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY
While records officially put spiced (a.k.a. mulled) wine in our world in the second century, there is a distinct possibility the drink has been around for a lot longer. Historians say mulled wine might have been present in Ancient Greece. It is assumed that they would put spices into their wine to prevent waste (adding spices makes wine last longer) and make the drinks as palatable as possible. One theory is that they called this spiced wine ‘hippocras,’ after the father of medicine, Hippocrates.
It is also believed that the ancient Romans took inspiration from this Greek tradition and wound up spicing their wines, too. Heated and spiced wine — on the official record — first appeared during the time of the ancient Romans. They called their mulled wine ‘Conditum Paradoxum,’ and it became immensely popular with the Romans (a version of this recipe is still sold today!). The possibility is high that they took their wine — and their wine culture — to each place they invaded and conquered.
The Middle Ages was when mulled wine shined. Popularity peaked during this time, as people loved the taste, and they believed — rightly so — that the spices made them healthier and less prone to illness. Before this time, various terms like ‘spiced wine’ and sometimes even ‘mulled wine’ were used, but this became official in 1618 when this word entered the dictionary. Merriam-Webster wrote ‘mull’ as a verb and defined it as “to heat, sweeten, and flavor (as wine or cider) with spices.”
The current perception of mulled wine as a spicy, festive, winter-time drink comes from Victorian England when most people would partake of this during Christmas. Recipe books as far back as 1390 detail mixing spices like ground cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and so on, with red wine.
Decades later, countries around the world have their own recipes and versions of mulled wine. Variations include everything from red and white wines to vermouth to port.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:20:00 GMT
National Hospitalist Day – March 3, 2022~U.S.
National Hospitalist Day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of March to recognize the contributions of thousands of hospitalists nationwide. The holiday seeks to encourage us to celebrate the individuals that make up the hospital medicine community. The people that practice hospital medicine are known as hospitalists. They have been and continue to be a critical part of the nation’s health care service delivery. Hospitalists are known for their compassion and care towards patients and they should be celebrated for their continued excellence in their field.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HOSPITALIST DAY
Every year during the first week in March, National Hospitalist Day recognizes the contributions of more than 60,000 hospitalists nationwide through the Society of Hospital Medicine — the official founders of National Hospitalist Day. Hospitalists, physicians, and other caregivers who practice hospital medicines form part of the members of the Society of Hospital Medicine, which was founded in 1997.
The Society of Hospital Medicine uses education, research, and advocacy as methods of encouraging excellent healthcare for hospitalized patients. They promote quality care by keeping hospitals up-to-date with education and industry-specific information. These are published in their monthly news magazine, “The Hospitalist,” and peer-reviewed journal, “The Journal of Hospital Medicine.”
The National Hospitalist Day’s goal is to recognize the contributions of specialist care doctors who make up the members of the Society of Hospital Medicine in this fastest-growing specialty of modern medicine. The difference between a primary health care doctor and a hospitalist is trivial and negligible. Hospitalists are doctors who provide care for patients at a hospital and typically have the same education and training as primary care doctors but specialize in providing in-hospital care.
In recent times, hospitalists consist of nurse practitioners, physicians, and assistants, as well as practice administrators. Specialists dealing with , pediatric, and internal medicines and any individual who is dedicated to improving health care delivery may also be called hospitalists. The national holiday aims to appreciate and recognize the increasing figure of dedicated hospitalists in the country.
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Post by pennmom on Mar 3, 2022 17:21:45 GMT
Japan Dolls Festival – March 3, 2022~Japan
The Japan Dolls Festival (Hinamatsuri), which takes place on March 3, is also known as Doll’s Day or Girl’s Day. On Hinamatsuri, Japanese families pray for the health, happiness, and prosperity of their young daughters. It is one of Japan’s five seasonal festivities or sekku. Day one of the first month, day three of the third month, day five of the fifth month, and so on, are all sekku celebrations. Hinamatsuri, the third sekku festival, is held every year on March 3.
HISTORY OF JAPAN DOLLS FESTIVAL
Many Japanese holidays and traditions may be dated back thousands of years, and Hinamatsuri is no exception. It was originally called the Peach Festival since it took place while the peach trees were in full bloom. Dolls have always been a big aspect of Hinamatsuri, and they’re still a big deal even now.
This started in the Heian Period (794 to 1185) when people held a similar event to pray for good fortune. People would put straw/paper dolls on rafts and push them down the river, believing that the dolls would drive off evil spirits or calamities. People began displaying these dolls in their homes during the Edo Period (1603 to 1868).
During the 1600s in Japan, when Princess Okiko, daughter of the Emperor Go-Mizuno, decided to play with a doll display created specifically for her, the custom evolved into presenting the dolls on platforms draped with a crimson-colored fabric.
Empress Meisho promoted Hinamatsuri when she ascended to the throne in 1687. Craftsmen all around Japan have been making Hina dolls for the event since then, and the tradition remains today.
Hinamatsuri was abandoned in favor of new holidays that concentrated on the emperor’s imagined connection with the people during the Meiji period when Japan started to modernize and the emperor was reinstated to power, but it was eventually reintroduced.
It symbolized Japanese goals and values by emphasizing marriage and families, and because the dolls were thought to symbolize the emperor and empress. It also instilled respect and appreciation for the throne. The Japanese diaspora carried the holiday to other countries, but it is still limited to immigrant Japanese groups and their descendants.
Families arrange events at their homes in the period preceding March 3 to show off their displays. Traditional Japanese festivals, on the other hand, are generally large public gatherings with marches, dances, fireworks, street traders, artwork, and other forms of entertainment. Even though Hinamatsuri is generally observed in one’s home with intimate friends and , there are still traditional events held throughout the country.
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Anna, and the fort’s defenders awaited the last Mexican attack.
during World War I which helped shape his patriotism. As a scout, he sold War bonds and as the story goes, he sold so many that he was to be honored by President Theodor Roosevelt. When the award ceremony took place, however, Roosevelt only had nine medals leaving young Seuss without a medal. Teddy asked, “What’s this boy doing here?” and ever since Suess suffered from stage fright.