pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229 
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 18, 2022 14:31:37 GMT
Global Recycling Day – March 18, 2022~International
Global Recycling Day, celebrated on March 18 every year, is a recycling initiative that encourages us to look at our trash in a new light. There are several ways to recycle that allow some materials to be reused multiple times. Recycling is great for us and the environment because it lessens the energy we use, enhances the quality of water and air we breathe, and combats climate change.
It also reduces using new raw materials to create new products — saving money and natural resources. Newspapers, plastic water bottles, soda cans, cereal boxes, and milk cartons are some of the common everyday recyclable items. If we put effort into recycling items that we usually throw away, we can impact the earth and our lives in a more profound way.
HISTORY OF GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY
Since becoming an U.N.-recognized day in 2018, millions and millions of people and businesses have joined hands to boost awareness about recycling through the Global Recycling Day initiatives. It’s almost impossible to miss the hundreds, if not thousands, of reports on the media about global warming, the negative results of our bad habits on the planet, and pockets.
Annual reports estimate that the earth might not live to see the next decade if we don’t curb our litter. Natural resources are threatened as pollution closes in on climate change as well. The last decade has seen the most extreme temperatures in history, which causes not only natural devastation but an economical one as well.
It is no secret that we need to make significant changes to save our planet and lives. This is precisely why Global Recycling Day was created in 2018. The holiday emphasizes the importance of recycling and conservation by educating the world about the status of our essential resources. The Global Recycling Foundation sets out the clear goals of Global Recycling Day.
The foundation communicates directly with world leaders to combat the issue as a global team. Approximately 700 million tons in CO2 emissions were saved by recycling this year. This is set to increase to one billion tons by the year 2030. Many other people, organizations, and governments are directly endorsing the global green agenda, which facilitates higher recyclable numbers.
We have the power to make lasting changes to combat this, and with recycling being recognized in the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The Global Recycling Foundation is pleased to announce the theme of Global Recycling Day as #RecyclingHeroes. The theme and hashtag movement will help environmentally conscious people, places, groups to become more recognized, helping them have a more substantial influence on greener future initiatives.
|
|
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 19, 2022 16:46:08 GMT
National Quilting Day – March 19, 2022~U.S.
A quilt is a type of bed cover, traditionally composed of three layers of fiber, a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding, and a woven back, combined using the technique of quilting. A quilt is distinguishable from other types of blankets because it is pieced together with several pieces of cloth.
National Quilting Day recognizes quiltmakers and their quilt-making abilities. The word ‘quilt’ comes from the Latin word ‘culcita,’ which means stuffed sack, it became adapted to the English language from the French word ‘cuilte.’
Quilting practices can be found in almost every area of the world and it is celebrated on the third Saturday in March every year. The National Quilting Association started National Quilting Day in 1991 and since then it has grown into a global celebration for all quilt lovers and makers.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL QUILTING DAY
Quilting refers to the technique of joining at least two fabric layers by stitches or ties. The quilting practice dates back as far as 3400 B.C. It was mainly a practical technique that provided physical protection and insulation. However, decorative elements were often also present and many quilts are now primarily art pieces.
In the United States, quiltmaking was common in the late 17th century and early years of the 18th century. In these times, only the wealthy had the time to practice quilting so it was done by only a few persons. Commercial blankets or woven coverlets were a more economical bed covering for most people unlike the colonial quilt bed covering which displayed the fine needlework of the maker, such as the Baltimore album quilts. Presently, quilting is now a popular hobby, with an estimated base of twenty-one million quilters.
The oldest example of a quilted piece is kept at the Saint Petersburg department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Archaeology section. It is a linen carpet that was found in a Mongolian cave, between 100 B.C. and 200 A.D.
The origin of the quilting day can be traced to the Quilters Day Out, which was organized by the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society in 1989 to celebrate the ancient tradition and its practice in the state of Kentucky. Two years later, this event became so popular that the National Quilting Association decided to declare an official holiday for quilting. From this day, the name changed from Quilters Day Out to National Quilting Day. Over the years, this event has attracted people to celebrate from all over the world and participate in helping to build and maintain the global heritage of quilting.
The first remnants of quilting were dated to 3400 B.C., showing that this art form had existed far into pre-history. They were traded extensively until sometime in the 12th century when these types of trade goods were returned from the Middle East by the Crusaders. Since then, it had become an integral part of the Colonial textile arts and one of the things they were well known for.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 19, 2022 16:48:08 GMT
National Poultry Day – March 19, 2022~U.S.
We suspected fowl play when we first discovered March 19 is annual National Poultry Day when we celebrate our national love affair with poultry. We scrambled to figure out how to celebrate poultry without bias because we are biased; chickens rule the roost when it comes to poultry. We are just going to have to wing this one.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL POULTRY DAY
Chicken is the most widely consumed meat in America, with each of us estimated to eat a clucking 101 pounds per year. Chicken has become our favorite protein because it is affordable (should we say “cheep-er”?) readily available, easy to cook, and versatile. But chickens were not always prized for how well they pair with an endless variety of seasonings, flavors, and cooking methods.
The word poultry is derived from the Latin word “pullus” which means “small animal.” Today we use the word poultry to describe domesticated birds kept for meat, eggs, and possibly feathers. But the first fowls intentionally raised by humans are believed to have been kept for their entertainment value, not for their spicy wings. Archeological evidence points to Southeast Asia and China as the first cultures to breed chickens for the sport of cockfighting as early as 10,000 years ago. Artistic depictions of roosters engaged in combat are found throughout the ruins of many ancient cultures.
Until recently the earliest evidence of large-scale chicken-eating was in first century B.C. Europe. But researchers have unearthed what may be evidence of chickens being domesticated for food at least 100 years earlier in an ancient Israeli city. We may never know when or how someone first tasted chicken roasted over a fire, but obviously that first barbequed chicken was not the last.
Outside the fighting rings and amphitheaters of ancient Rome, Greece, China, and Asia, chickens have held status as divinity in human societies for millennia. Chickens have been worshipped in many parts of the world because of their fighting prowess and are still considered to hold magical powers of divination in remote cultures.
Although some people around the world still engage in cockfighting legally and illegally, the world’s oldest continual sport has been illegal in all fifty of the United States since 2008. That makes us feel good because we think cockfighting is inhumane, plus our fine feathered friend the chicken is now a superstar in the scientific arena. The chicken was the first domesticated animal and first bird to have its genome completely mapped by geneticists in 2004. It turns out that the chicken is the first descendant of dinosaurs. Who knew? We wonder if a cockfight between two prehistoric roostasaurusrex would have been considered fowl play or pure poultry in motion. We are just glad modern chickens are pullus – small animals.
On National Poultry Day we celebrate chickens and other poultry not just for their culinary value, but for their other lesser-known contribution to mankind as pets. Chickens make wonderful pets, whether common laying hens or exotic heritage breeds that are as colorful as tropical fish and cost as much as $399 for a single day-old chick. Chickens make good mousers, some say better than cats, and will keep your vegetable garden fertilized and insect-free.
We realize that by winging it, we managed to duck the fact that poultry is more than just chickens. We will give it another crack and fry harder next year to include other fowl in our tribute on National Poultry Day.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 19, 2022 16:49:57 GMT
National Let's Laugh Day – March 19, 2022~U.S.
Calling all gigglers, cacklers, chortlers, and belly laughers, this is the day you’ve been waiting for. National Let’s Laugh Day is a 24-hour joke-fest on March 19 where we celebrate the uniting force of laughter. Brought to you this year by Laffy Taffy — the candy that has been bringing you and your  little bites of joy with jokes on every wrapper since 1971 — Let’s Laugh Day is a chance to have a chuckle with the ones you love (rubber chicken not required).
WHEN IS NATIONAL LET'S LAUGH DAY 2022?
Tickle your funny bone every year on National Let’s Laugh Day on March 19.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL LET'S LAUGH DAY
Every year, on National Let’s Laugh Day, we are reminded to keep things light and pep things up with a little humor. If you have been in the doldrums for a while now, or haven’t been feeling too good, then you need to laugh the worries away and take it easy. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine, and it is just what the doctor prescribed for March 19!
Jokes have long been the best way to provide comic relief. The world’s oldest joke can be traced back to 1900 B.C. Laughter can also be contagious. This is why laugh tracks were added to television shows to cue when the audience is supposed to laugh and to indicate when a comedic scene happens. The first American television show to use a laugh track was in 1950, in “The Hank McCune Show.”
Where frowns cause wrinkles, laughing creates adorable crinkles that are good for the muscles. ‘Laughter yoga’ is now quite a popular activity, in which muscles of the face, abdomen, and lungs are engaged using laughter as the core exercise. Laughter also releases endorphins and lowers the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 19, 2022 16:51:25 GMT
National Chocolate Caramel Day – March 19, 2022~World
National Chocolate Caramel Day falls on March 19 and is a fun way to enjoy mouthwatering sugary treats. From cookies to brownies, ice creams, and milkshakes, the irresistible combination of chocolate and caramel never fails to impress those with a sweet tooth. While chocolate has been around since ancient times, the invention of caramel had to wait until the European settlers emigrated to the New World. The combination of the two flavors by a clever confectioner gave us delicious chocolate caramel candy.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CARAMEL DAY
Chocolate has a long history and was used widely across pre-Columbian America since the ancient Central Americans established a thriving culture and grew different crops. Through contact with the European explorers, chocolate found its way to Europe and eventually to the rest of the world. The early European settlers began making candies in their homes in the latter decades of the 17th century. The earlier forms of these candies were made simply with water and sugar derived from beetroot juice. Later, fat and milk were added to produce the rich and creamy texture of caramel. Thus, the invention of chocolate caramel seems to have been an event just waiting for the two civilizations on different sides of the Atlantic to come together.
It was only a matter of time before some genius mind would come up with the idea of combining the two. That lucky person was Milton Hershey. Today, the name ‘Hershey’s’ is synonymous with quality chocolate products, but few know the brain behind this company who singlehandedly made chocolate caramel famous throughout the United States.
During the 1800s, when all major candy manufacturers in America were making traditional hard candies, Milton Hershey’s Lancaster Caramel Company was one of the few companies that focused on making chocolate-covered caramels instead of hard candies. But it was in 1893 when these chocolate-covered caramels really became popular. Hershey was so greatly influenced by the machines used by the Germans for making chocolate bars that he adapted the same technology and started mass producing caramel-covered chocolates.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 19, 2022 16:52:54 GMT
Certified Nurses Day – March 19, 2022~U.S.
Certified Nurses Day, celebrated annually on March 19, shines a well-deserved spotlight on nurses who have chosen to enhance their professional knowledge through certification. There are over 3.8 million nurses in America today. Not only is it one of the largest professions, but it is also one of the most significant and far-reaching in its impact on society. Did you know there are over 200 nursing specialties and subspecialties? The complexity of the medical field is ever-growing and nurses strive for professional excellence and superior patient care in their desire to become certified in one or more of these areas. Today, let’s thank and recognize the work these men and women have done to obtain their professional certifications.
HISTORY OF CERTIFIED NURSES DAY
Certified Nurses Day, created in 2008 by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in partnership with the American Nurses Association (ANN), acknowledges the milestone of certification for the dedication it represents in professionalism and critical understanding of specialty areas.
March 19 was chosen because it was the birthdate of Dr. Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN — a pioneer in the area of nursing certification. Dr. Styles began pushing for stricter standards of credentialing to validate expertise in the 1970s. Later, she was instrumental in the foundation of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Certified nurses are considered clinical experts who have demonstrated a level of knowledge validated by the credentialing boards. They have committed themselves to life-long learning as they are expected to engage in continuous educational opportunities, maintaining a level of up-to-date knowledge in their area(s) of expertise.
As patients, we can rest assured in knowing they have met these levels of competence. Studies show nurses with certifications provide a higher level of patient satisfaction and patient-centered care with lower incidents of medical error. When surveyed, over 90% of nurses agreed their certifications were important indicators of their level of competence and enhanced their professional credibility. They also overwhelmingly agreed that obtaining specialty certifications was personally gratifying and built their professional confidence.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 19, 2022 16:54:59 GMT
Feast of Saint Joseph – March 19, 2022~International
The Feast of Saint Joseph is observed on March 19. This is an annual celebration in honor of Saint Joseph. St. Joseph was the legal guardian of Jesus Christ and was venerated by the Catholic Church as a patron saint of workers.
The Lutherans celebrate this day in admiration of his work and put up altars outside their homes with food items. These items can be eaten by anyone who needs a meal. The day is also known as the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. This holiday is traditionally celebrated by Christians worldwide in different ways. However, some people from other faiths have adopted the celebration as well.
HISTORY OF FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH
According to Christian beliefs, Saint Joseph was a first-century man of Nazareth who married the Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus Christ. He is honored by the church as the lifelong partner of Mary but remains chaste and virgin until his death which took place in the presence of Jesus and Mary.
The context of Saint Joseph as the legal father of Jesus is present in Luke and Matthews, which trace him as a descendant of David. The Catholic Church under Pope Pius IX declared Joseph to be the patron and protector of the Catholic Church.
Every country that has a strong catholic presence celebrates this day during Lent. They observe a strict fast and abstinence on this day while caring for the poor and needy by providing them with food.
These iconic traditions originate from Italy, Malta, Spain, and Poland. Unlike other holidays whose traditions have changed over the years, Saint Joseph’s days remain the same. This is because the holiday has traveled to countries with a strong catholic presence.
The traditional way of celebrating the feast has been to wear red clothing, give food to the needy, and observe fast on this day. In some parts of the world, people have a rather symbolic interpretation of this day.
Since Joseph was a father to Jesus, his life is considered an example of what a father figure should look and be. Hence some cultures celebrate Father’s Day by honoring Saint Joseph and fathers together. The day is also celebrated by rehearsing a mixture of English, Italian and Spanish scriptures.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:06:00 GMT
National Ravioli Day – March 20, 2022~U.S.
Triple cheese. Wild mushroom. Butternut squash. Ravioli can handle just about anything. It’s also one of America’s favorite foods. That’s why we’re proud to have Three Bridges along for our annual National Ravioli Day celebration on March 20. As you’ll see, this particular pasta goes back to the 14th century. No surprise there. Ravioli can work for any meal of the day — including dessert! The best part? You can have ready-made ravioli ready in about 10 minutes. Read on for a fun look at where ravioli came from — and a tasty preview of how you can enjoy all the varieties.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:08:34 GMT
World Storytelling Day – March 20, 2022~International
World Storytelling Day, which occurs annually on March 20, is a day that celebrates the art of storytelling. Whether the story has words, pictures, signs, or expressions, all forms of storytelling are appreciated on this day.
The day acknowledges the art form of storytelling and encourages diversity among different cultures and races. So get your Peter Pan on and join us to celebrate one of the oldest forms of communication.
HISTORY OF WORLD STORYTELLING DAY
Storytelling is considered a communication method like no other. It can travel through space and time and still have relevance to the present day. Storytelling can be presented in any language and form and still be relatable and understandable. It also can influence thoughts/emotions and stimulate creativity.
The history of storytelling dates back to the stone age. Over the year’s cave paintings, drawings and messages have become a source of information. It serves as remnants of ancient knowledge that educates us about the past. The stories that were found on cave walls were reiterated every time man set eyes on them. Each time the story was told, the art form of storytelling started to grow.
As the populations expanded and people started moving across borders, they carried their experiences in stories passed on from generation to generation. Stories even multiplied as the years went on, as every generation had their own set of experiences to add to it.
Besides true stories that contained experiences and information, people also created fictional stories. This is the world of make-belief and imagination. Each genre of storytelling has a specific place in life, and it’s clear that the art form has existed for more than a few decades.
Coming towards the exclusivity of the day, the proper dedication of this day to storytelling was done by the Swedish in 1991 when they started celebrating ‘Alla Berratares Dag’ The people who started this day passed away, but the reigns were taken over by the dedicated followers and the trend caught pace by becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
Every year people from around the globe celebrate World Storytelling Day by bringing their favorite compelling tale to life. Most people visit storytelling seminars, libraries, and more to take part in the fun and festivities of a day arranged with words brings.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:10:10 GMT
World Oral Health Day – March 20, 2022~International
World Oral Health Day is a global observance holiday celebrated annually on March 20. The day was created to spread awareness about good oral hygiene. The holiday is sponsored and marketed by F.D.I. World Dental Federation, the day has presented itself as a flagship forum to discuss and talk about dental care and oral hygiene. On this day, dentists and oral Hygienists use various platforms to educate people on achieving good oral hygiene and expanding on different treatments.
HISTORY OF WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY
Ancient Egyptian and Chinese texts have revealed that cultures have maintained the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene for decades now. From using primitive tools like porcupine quills, fish bones, or feathers to slightly advanced use of tree barks, In one form or the other, oral health has been essential in all cultures.
In China, by the 1400s, the people started making bristles plucked from cold climate pigs, fixed them to some bone or wood, and used them as toothbrushes. During the same time in Europe, salt was mixed in a solution of brandy and water, and it was used to rinse clean the mouth, and then some sponge was used to rub the teeth to remove anything stuck between the teeth.
So, in one way or the other, as advancements were made in oral health, there were also cases of a majority of people who did not care about oral hygiene. Diseases began to emerge for which there was no cure. Traditional herbs were used to manage the ailments, but it was not until 1880 that nurses started providing prophylaxis treatment to prevent disease.
Dentists emerged shortly after with specific dental techniques that were used to treat dental and oral conditions. Federation Dentaire International (F.D.I.) has been the most vocal force behind spreading oral health awareness. In their hundred-plus years of existence, the group has promoted and emphasized the importance of oral health and hygiene.
Their campaign to spread awareness on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene bore fruit in 2013 when the first global-scale day was announced to celebrate World Oral Health Day.
Since 2013, every year’s Oral Health Day has followed a specific theme.
The first theme was Healthy Teeth for Healthy Life, and similarly, 2014 had its unique theme. These themes have centered around a specific message for the year. They are building awareness in people gradually but consistently so that they start giving importance to oral hygiene.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:11:17 GMT
National Proposal Day – March 20, 2022~U.S.
If you’re looking for a sign, this is it. Get ready to get engaged this March 20, because it’s National Proposal Day! Whether you’re planning a giant flashmob (we really hope you are) or a romantic declaration of love over dinner, March 20 is the day we celebrate proposals in all their forms. Why March 20, you ask? Well, it’s the first day of spring! So get outside, enjoy the wonderful weather, and show your loved one how much you care.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:13:37 GMT
Kiss Your Fiancé Day – March 20, 2022~U.S.
National Kiss Your Fiancé Day is an annual event held every March 20, and we are excited at this one of the numerous opportunities to enjoy love and romance with our better half. Kisses are one way of expressing your love for your fiancé with whom you plan to spend the rest of your life, and research has found that it increases intimacy in relationships.
HISTORY OF KISS YOUR FIANCE DAY
A kiss has different meanings and serves different occasions. Since antiquity, a soft well-placed kiss on the cheek or hand signifies a form of greeting between two people, a kiss on the forehead speaks of reassurance and trust, and chief among them is one shared by people who are absolutely in love with each other. Sharing a kiss with your better half increases the bond of love and romance between you, deepens intimacy, and is therapeutic.
The origin of National Kiss Your Fiancé Day is sketchy at best, but the history of kissing can be traced back 3,500 years to ancient India. A set of historians believed that kissing began from mouth-to-mouth feeding mothers did for their children back in the days when mothers chewed harder food materials and fed them directly to their children, but the second school of thought backed by historical Indian writings found that kissing evolved as a result of the Indian way of greeting which involved rubbing noses together. In some of such cases, their noses slipped and their mouths met, making them discover the pleasurable existence of kissing.
The conquering armies of Alexander the Great subsequently spread the kissing culture from India to other societies.
National Kiss Your Fiancé Day evolved as a day to remind those engaged and planning to get married to take time and indulge themselves in the romantic pleasure of kissing. Planning life ahead and marriage can be hectic sometimes and one can forget to be intimate on a deeper level, so this day comes in handy to remind us of the power of intimacy in a relationship through kissing.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:15:26 GMT
International Day of Happiness – March 20, 2022~World
If you’re happy and you know it, celebrate it on International Day of Happiness on March 20! Other than being in a neutral state, happy is how we should mostly be. Unfortunately, emotions like anger and sadness are increasingly becoming a default way to be for a lot of us, so here’s a day to cheer up and appreciate the good things and silver linings in life.
WHEN IS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS 2022?
International Day of Happiness is a global event arranged by the United Nations annually on March 20. It serves to remind us that being happy is a human right and worth celebrating — and if you’re not already happy on this day, the celebrations may change that!
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS
A holiday called International Day of Happiness may sound a bit infantile to the uninitiated. Perhaps you’re imagining children singing ‘If you’re happy and you know it…’ or people gleefully dancing under a smiling sun and rainbows. While you’re not entirely wrong — who doesn’t like a good sing-song session — the truth is there’s much more to this delightful day than just smiles and good vibes.
We celebrate International Day of Happiness thanks to the work done by the United Nations and its partner nonprofit group Action for Happiness, which is composed of people from 160 countries. The ultimate goal of the movement is to spread awareness that progress is not only about increasing bottom lines and encouraging economic growth, but well-being and human happiness as well. In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that made it a “fundamental human goal” to give happiness as much priority as economic opportunity. Two years later, in 2013, all 193 member states of the UN celebrated the world’s first International Day of Happiness, and it has continued to grow since.
So as you listen to Pharrell Williams’s ‘Happy’ on repeat, also take a minute this March 20th to consider what truly makes you happy, and how you can pursue it.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:17:40 GMT
Great British Spring Clean Day – March 20, 2022~U.K.
Going back as far as the 1970s, environmental awareness has been a thing, and in Great Britain, the main proponent of the citizenry helping to get rid of trash from that time on has been the charity, “Keep Britain Tidy.” In recent years, their main campaign has been the Great British Spring Clean, a span of two weeks and three weekends where local groups organize and mobilize volunteers to pick up litter in their respective areas.
HISTORY OF GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN DAY
The first National Spring Clean Day in the UK took place in 1989, with the charity Keep Britain Tidy enlisting the aid of the children’s entertainment characters, the Wombles. According to our research, two million people participated in the rubbish-cleanup event that year. Since then, on a yearly basis, parks, sidewalks, and public spaces have benefitted from the initiative. Britons have remarked how much they hated to see their favorite local spots littered with trash, and how much they appreciate these clean-up days.
Around 1.9 billion tonnes of litter end up in the ocean every year, which clearly shows that people tend to throw things randomly anywhere, more often than they throw waste in garbage bins. Litter is not just an ugly or aesthetic problem. It has serious environmental consequences that can persist for decades.
Styrofoam containers take up to a million years to decompose and break down. A disposable diaper can take more than 500 years, cigarettes more than 10 and even orange or banana skins stick around for more than a month.
The temptation to ‘litter’ is usually motivated by disrespect to the law and its enforcement, as well as ignorance and arrogance in our attitude, thinking that somebody will clean our mess. Significant amount of money is spent to collect and clean up the litter that many people have thoughtlessly tossed out on the streets and other public spaces. The litter collection is a time-consuming and costly exercise with walking marshals collecting the litter from far off places to keep the country tidy.
Litter is a problem that can be controlled. On Great British Spring Clean Day, results are measured in bags of litter cleaned up, which translates literally into tons of trash that otherwise would have remained on the ground in communities, fouling up the landscape. So even if you’re on the western edge of the Atlantic, make it a point these couple of weeks to lend a hand and remove dropped waste from the grounds of your neighborhood.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:19:30 GMT
French Language Day – March 20, 2022~World
French Language Day is on March 20 and we’re more than excited to celebrate with some French culture, language, and history as we ask…parlez vous Francais? Even if you don’t speak the language there’s a lot of aspects of French culture to learn about. This occasion is meant to respect multilingualism and cultural diversity. When most people think of French they think of France, but it’s actually Africa that has the most French speakers. There are an estimated 120 million Africans from 29 countries that speak the language alongside their indigenous languages.
HISTORY OF FRENCH LANGUAGE DAY
The French language comes from Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire. France was known as Gaul during that time and they were conquered by the Romans in the first and second century BC. At that time, they spoke Gaulish which is a Celtic language, but that was replaced by Latin from the Romans. In the fifth century, Germanic tribes invaded Gaul and they were Romanized as well. As a result of these outside influences, modern French owes its origins to Celtic, Germanic, but most of all to Latin.
Old French was spoken by the ninth century to the thirteenth and it was different from Latin. The Oaths of Strasbourg is the oldest known document that uses Old French and it had varying dialects including Francien, a dialect that was used near Paris. In the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, Middle French was used with expressions from Latin, Greek, and Italy. A group of French poets known as the Pléiade, inspired the French to strengthen their language and literature.
The seventeenth-century marked the modern period of French and in 1635, Cardinal Richelieu founded the French Academy. The purpose of this was to maintain the sanctity of the language and its literature. The language evolved over time with artistic movements like romanticism and realism, but in large, it has stayed true to this period.
In 2010, the UN’s Department of Public Information made French Language Day official to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. The day is also used to promote the equal use of all six official languages throughout the UN which are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. March 20 is also recognized as the International Day of La Francophonie that celebrates the anniversary of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) that began March 20, 1970.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:20:51 GMT
Spring Equinox – March 20, 2022~World
The Spring Equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is one of the four solar festivals of the year. The equinox — which translates roughly in Latin to “equal night” — is when the sun sits vertically above the equator, making day and night equal across the planet. The Spring Equinox officially marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and there are celebrations around the world to usher in longer days and springtime. In some cultures, this day also marks the beginning of the new year, which in Iranian culture is called Nowruz. The Spring Equinox is a brilliant time for new beginnings, no matter how you celebrate on March 20.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:26:48 GMT
Poison Prevention Week – March 20-26, 2022~U.S.
National Poison Prevention Week is observed during the third week of March every year and exists to highlight the risk of being poisoned by household products. Take a peek under your kitchen sink or in your laundry room and there’ll be tons of stuff that could be dangerous. Household cleaning agents, prescription medications, pesticides, and other items can pose serious hazards to the health and well-being of our families and even our pets. National Poison Prevention Week is here to raise awareness of these dangers and to make sure we are all mindful of what lurks in our own homes.
HISTORY OF POISON PREVENTION WEEK
Poison Prevention Week was established by Congress in 1961 with the aim of creating awareness and lowering the number of unintentional poisonings. The first National Poison Prevention Week was observed in March 1962 under the presidency of John F. Kennedy.
Over 2 million potential poisonings are reported in the U.S every year, with over 90% of these occurring in the home and the majority of them being young children. Every day over 300 children require treatment in an emergency department, with an average of two deaths per day being recorded. Most of these incidents revolve around highly toxic household items such as cleaning products and medicine.
In 1962 the National Poison Prevention Week Council was established to oversee National Poison Prevention Week. They focus their energies on partnering with other agencies such as the National Safety Council and the American Cleaning Institute to try and be more effective in their awareness campaigns.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 20, 2022 18:29:14 GMT
National Animal Poison Prevention Week – March 20-26, 2022~U.S.
Take a minute to ‘paws’ and honor National Animal Poison Prevention Week, held during the third full week in March each year. This year, it takes place from March 20 to 26. This week educates pet owners on what can poison their pets, how to spot the signs of poisoning, and how to help pets if they exhibit such signs.
The week ties into National Poison Prevention Week, which details the many dangers of the spring season and how to protect humans from accidental poisoning. National Animal Poison Prevention Week runs as a part of the Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month, a larger cause to spread awareness about pet poisoning.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ANIMAL POISON PREVENTION WEEK
Humans started domesticating animals long ago, probably since the cavemen walked around. Their purpose in our lives gradually underwent a shift, however. Cats no longer were simple ‘rat traps,’ and dogs went from hunting partners to humans’ best friends.
As the bond grew, so too did the knowledge that animals need as much, if not more, care as humans did. Animal care might have been rudimentary by today’s standards, but it still existed. Even the Ancient Romans would spay, castrate, and even operate on their pets as a form of care. Their invasion of various lands spread this knowledge of pet care, but the world still had a long way to go.
Then, in 1863, an American diplomat on assignment to Russia, Henry Bergh, prevented a carriage driver from beating his fallen horse. Upon returning to his hometown, New York, after his resignation, Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.). It became the first and only humane society in the Western Hemisphere.
Owners could not get information about pet care over the internet, so A.S.P.C.A. and other organizations’ pamphlets and articles came to the rescue.
By the 1990s, concern over animals had taken an upswing. People placed more value on the lives of animals. The next few decades saw organizations, even the Food and Drug Administration, taking more care to ensure every aspect of pet care — pet stores, pet food, and even pet toys — were safe.
The A.S.P.C.A., among other organizations, influenced legislation and legal proceedings, bringing to light animal suffering and highlighting our responsibilities in this regard. All these years later, we now view animal care very differently. National Animal Poison Prevention Week reflects our changing view of pet care and is a special event to protect our pet buddies from accidental harm.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 19,229
|
Post by pennmom on Mar 21, 2022 16:48:59 GMT
National Healthy Fats Day – March 21, 2022~United States
National Healthy Fats Day is celebrated on March 21 every year. Fats are often feared and misunderstood. The “Say No To Fats” narrative makes people steer clear of fats and drive right into an overindulgence of other foods such as sugar and carbs. The truth is that the body needs a little bit of everything in moderation — even fats.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HEALTHY FATS DAY
Fats have been around in some form for centuries. Fat is a nonvolatile plant or animal-based substance that is insoluble in water and feels oily or greasy when touched. Fats have been used by humans from prehistoric times for food as well as other functions such as equipment lubrication, and have always been a significant substance for mankind. Somewhere along the way, however, fats have come to be associated with excessive weight gain and health problems and society adopted a “fats are bad” approach. While fats consumed in excess are not the best for you, they are quite essential to be consumed in moderation.
Fats, along with carbohydrates and proteins, are one of the three major macronutrient groups in the human diet and are the primary components of typical foods such as milk, butter, and cooking oils. They are a rich and concentrated source of nutritional energy, and they play vital structural and metabolic roles in most living organisms, including energy storage, waterproofing, and thermal insulation. The human body can generate the fat it needs from other food elements, however, a few essential fatty acids must be included in the diet for complete nutritional fulfillment.
National Healthy Fats Day was created to raise awareness about the importance of fat in our diets and to provide a platform for dialogue of the facts and myths around it. National Healthy Fats Day is a great opportunity to learn more and spread awareness about healthy fats!
|
|
little bites of joy with jokes on every wrapper since 1971 — Let’s Laugh Day is a chance to have a chuckle with the ones you love (rubber chicken not required).