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Post by pennmom on Jun 17, 2021 10:25:08 GMT
Global Garbage Man Day – June 17, 2021
The Global Garbage Man Day on June 17 honors the garbage man and woman of the world. From collecting our garbage to seeing it through the entire disposal process, the garbage collectors provide their services to the world relentlessly each day. Even a day’s delay in taking away the garbage can result in inconveniences and the risk of diseases spreading. Thus, garbage collectors and the associated sanitation workers do society a great service by keeping it healthy and clean, day in and day out. The day also sheds light on the job’s dangers as garbage collecting and disposing of is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world due to things like inhaling odors, chemicals, and broken glass. All of these can lead to serious repercussions.
HISTORY OF GLOBAL GARBAGE MAN DAY Global Garbage Man Day was started in 2011 by John Arwood. Arwood is an American businessman and the CEO of JDA company, which specializes in garbage disposal and demolition. During his childhood, Arwood was an avid recycler who collected bottles and general waste with his father to lessen the burden of waste on the environment. In 1997, Arwood recognized the potential the internet has for the business world, and thus, he launched his company’s website. Slowly and steadily, his business grew all over the country. But, Arwood soon realized that his garbage disposal staff was underappreciated by the community at large. Therefore, he started the Global Garbage Man Day in 2011, and from then onwards, people have been showering the garbage disposal community with appreciation and recognition. The Global Garbage Man celebrates all garbage collectors regardless of gender as the ‘man’ is an abbreviation of ‘human’.
Arwood went on to extend the Global Garbage Man Day to a Waste & Recycling Workers Week to envelope all of the garbage workers community. Since the beginning, the day and the week have collected several awards and proclamations from state mayors and important political figures in America. Apart from showing appreciation, the day also aims to spread awareness about the dangers of the job. Garbage collectors and disposers fall sick due to the unhealthy odors and chemicals they are exposed to. There’s also always the risk of cutting themselves on broken glassware or other sharp items or becoming prey to diseases due to the unsanitary nature of their jobs. Many garbage collectors, both men and women, end up in the hospital due to their injuries sustained at their jobs that resulted in injuries, in the best case scenarios, or serious disabilities or death, in the worst-case scenarios.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 17, 2021 10:27:24 GMT
National Apple Strudel Day – June 17, 2021
National Apple Strudel Day on June 17 has given us an excuse to indulge ourselves with the sweet treat. Apple strudel is a Viennese dessert made from thinly rolled out dough sheets, apples, sugar, and an assortment of spices. The world-famous dish is enjoyed as both a breakfast item as well as a dessert at night. It is also paired with coffee and tea for evening snack time. It can be accompanied by a generous dollop of whipping cream or a dusting of icing sugar/cinnamon. While ‘Apfelstrudel,’ as it is called in Austrian, is a sweet dish, it can also be savory when the apple is replaced with spinach, cabbage, or other vegetables and herbs. The word ‘strudel’ comes from German, and it means whirlpool or an eddy.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL APPLE STRUDEL DAY While the origins of the first National Apple Strudel Day remain unclear, the origins of the dish itself are also somewhat unclear. Many believe that apple strudel is a German dish, but many others consider it Austrian—some going as far as saying that apple strudel is the national dish of the country. The first written record of dessert exists at ‘Wienbibliothek im Rathaus,’ which is the Vienna Town Hall Library, from 1697. It was during the Austro-Hungarian reign of the eighteenth century in Austria that the dessert really took off with the masses. Yet, the famous apple strudel, according to many scholars, may have originated in Greece or Turkey.
Through historical records, it is believed that apple strudel’s popularity in Europe was the direct result of growing globalization. Trade routes and international travels trace the earliest records of strudel to an Assyrian manuscript from the eighth century B.C. In these papers, the dish is described as a full meal made of puff pastry layers with honey and nuts. The Mesopotamian kingdoms and the extensive usage of the Silk Road ensured the arrival of the sweet strudel to Greece and Turkey. For Greece, the inspiration led to the creation of ‘güllaç,’ which is a cornstarch pastry with the goodness of pomegranate, rose water, milk, and nuts. On the other hand, the Turkish came up with ‘baklava,’ which is a multilayered pastry sweet of a variety of nuts like pistachio and peanuts that have been roasted and cooked in a sugary syrup. Both the dishes today are enjoyed in Ramadan, which is the fasting month for Muslims. Coming back to our equally beloved apple strudel, the dough for the treat is made by repeatedly flogging the dough against a tabletop. As layers start forming, each of the layers is filled with spiced apple slices and nuts. In the traditional recipe, the prepared strudel is shaped into a swirl into the baking container. It is baked until the dough is completely cooked and takes on a golden shade.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 17, 2021 10:29:37 GMT
National Career Nurse Assistants Day – June 17, 2021
Every year, National Career Nurse Assistants Day starts off National Nursing Assistants Week, which is celebrated in the second full week of June. We’re taking this opportunity to thank these entry-level professionals who act as coordinators between patients and doctors and who dedicate their lives to serving others.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CAREER NURSE ASSISTANTS DAY Assistants to nurses have been around for a very long time, since World War I actually! The war took its toll on the hundreds of nurses deployed alongside the soldiers, overwhelming them beyond exhaustion. Seeing this situation, the American Red Cross took it upon themselves to create a Volunteer Nurses’ Aide Service. This program trained young women as nurses’ aides to provide basic assistance to overworked nurses; they were not certified and were volunteers. They numbered almost 8,000 women, who conducted basic triage and helped in acute shortage areas like reserve, field, base, and civilian hospitals. However, this profession did not exist after the war, and it only caught on again during World War II. At that time, the Red Cross reinstated this program, and these nursing assistants continued volunteering (and some were even employed) after the war was over.
These women were as yet not certified professionals. They only completed on-the-job training. Many nursing assistants found their way to nursing homes. In the 1980s, concerns were raised about the quality of care being provided at these nursing homes by untrained staff. This issue was put to rest by the passing of a special Act that required all such nursing assistants to be certified. This marked the change in the profession. Various accreditation centers arose, providing training to aspirants.
Now, people looking to become nursing assistants can receive certification online, offline, or a combination of both from various schools and organizations like the American Red Cross. Nowadays, nursing assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities, performing everyday living tasks for the elderly, chronically ill, or those who cannot care for themselves. National Career Nurse Assistants Day is sponsored by the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants. They promote this day and National Nursing Assistants Training Week by requesting communities to show their support and appreciation towards these nursing assistants.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 17, 2021 10:31:38 GMT
National Dump the Pump Day – June 17, 2021
The National Dump the Pump Day on June 17 encourages commuters to forego their cars by using public transportation. The day aims to allow people to save time and money on gas. Moreover, the day also spreads awareness about the depleting fossil fuel resources. Factors like population growth, urbanization, globalization, and the increased demand/supply issue have led humans to use fossil fuels without thinking about future repercussions. This domino effect has further led to the increase in environmental pollution as well as air-borne diseases. National Dump the Pump Day motivates people to think about the future by using public transport for not just one day, but the days to come.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL DUMP THE PUMP DAY The National Dump the Pump Day was honored for the first time in 2006 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The day is celebrated each year on the third Thursday of June, and this year, the day falls on June 17. APTA was created in 1882 in Massachusetts, Boston as the American Street Railway Association as its initial focus was on the railway system of the country. However, in 2000, the association merged with the Institute of Rapid Transit, becoming APTA instantly. The nonprofit organization is the only North American organization that represents all public transportation systems. APTA currently consists of more than 1500 public and private transportation sectors.
You can commemorate the day by riding public transport, just like APTA’s slogan for the day goes, “Dump the Pump. Ride Transit.” One study shows that spending one dollar on public transport returns four dollars to the country’s economy. If your household owns more than one car, you can choose to ride together to save upto ten thousand dollars in gas money every year. As the years have progressed, car technology has improved immensely, and today, we have hybrid and electric cars that have either reduced gas usage or completely taken gas out of the picture. Such inventions are great news not only for the economy but also for the environment. Billions have already been spent on the fossil fuel industry, from the discovery of fossil fuel resources to building fossil fuel extraction plants and sustaining them. In all this scenario, the environment takes a hit for the worse because of pollution. Many species are on the verge of extinction. Furthermore, humans have had to pay the price because of the increase in diseases due to pollution. For instance, millions worldwide die due to a disease they wouldn’t have suffered from had pollution levels been lower.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 17, 2021 10:33:14 GMT
National Eat Your Vegetables Day – June 17, 2021
If veggies aren’t your favorite food already, National Eat Your Vegetables Day on June 17 is a great time to give them a try. After all, vegetables are very healthy. If you can manage a little experimentation in the kitchen, you can discover how many delicious recipes there are for them. So whether you’re digging into your favorite salad or trying kale for the first time, today is all about finishing the most colorful things on your plate.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 17, 2021 10:35:35 GMT
National Stewart’s Root Beer Day – June 17, 2021
June 17 beckons you to celebrate the National Stewart’s Root Beer Day. Picture this: It’s a hot summer day with the sun beating down without mercy, but you have nothing to worry about as you have a cold pack of Stewart’s root beer to freshen you up. The frothy root beer, which the company sells in different flavors ranging from black cherry to orange and cream, is an old American favorite due to the nostalgia and the great taste attached to it. Stewart’s Fountain Classic also has a chain of restaurants in America.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL STEWART’S ROOT BEER DAY The National Stewart’s Root Beer Day pays homage to Stewart’s Fountain Classics. The company was started in 1924 as a small business by the American teacher and entrepreneur, Frank Stewart. Stewart wanted an extra source of income for his household, and this prompted him to start selling root beers from a drive-thru. The company started by selling only the original flavor of root beer, but as the business expanded and became popular, more flavors were added to the cart. Today, you can enjoy a birch root beer, or cream and soda, or if you are in the mood for something fruity, you can treat yourself to a grape or a black cherry root beer. At the core of it, Stewart’s Fountain Classics are the material for old-fashioned American nostalgia.
Root beer’s origins lie with the indigenous tribes of America. Indigenous people created the beverage using the root bark obtained from sassafras trees. The tribes used root beer for medicinal purposes and general drinking. It was after the arrival of Europeans on American soil that root beer started being sold as a commercial drink. The fermented creamy drink was sold as a dry mix by the American pharmacist, Charles Elmer Hires. The dry mix would have to be mixed with sugar, yeast, and water before being left to ferment and froth for a fixed period. Hires’ friend Russell Conwell, suggested that Hires create a liquid formulation for the beverage as that would lead to a better marketing strategy. Conwell proved to be right because root beer sales increased drastically after Hires introduced the new liquid formula in the market. With the influence of many cultures and cuisines, root beer has garnered a host of versions. You can make your own root beer too with the basic ingredients and a combination of your favorite spices, sweets, and herbs.
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Post by Valkara on Jun 17, 2021 23:53:28 GMT
I misread that notification as "Global Garbage Day."
At least I have some to celebrate with! (rofl)
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:13:37 GMT
International Panic Day – June 18, 2021
International Panic Day, celebrated on June 18, is a day when people are required to panic. Basically, the day is a mock holiday aimed at spreading awareness for mental health issues. No matter how calm you are as an individual, International Panic Day is the day to let out your fears and panic about your worries. Why? International Panic Day rather asks, why not?
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL PANIC DAY In prehistoric times, men used panic as a technique to hunt animals. Herds of animals would react in panic to unexpected loud sounds or visual effects, which would direct them towards cliffs and cause them to jump to their deaths after finding themselves cornered.
International Panic Day began as a kind of mock holiday with the intention of having a day when people could shake off their various reasons to panic. It is a day to sit back, calm down, and let the panic and stress flow through you.
While it may sound funny, panic is a serious topic. Panic disorder is a mental health issue that affects 2% of the population in some countries. Apparently, women are more likely to suffer from panic than men. The condition is treatable, more so when the person is aware of various healthcare tactics and lives a healthy lifestyle.
International Panic Day is seen in many countries as a day to raise and spread awareness about the issue of mental illness. Today, more than ever, people are undergoing a lot of mental stress and the day is aimed to encourage people to slow down, relax, and reach out for help without any hesitation. There is nothing to be shy of and only by talking about our problems can we get rid of them. Panic management has important practical usages in the emergency services and the armed forces of the world.
International Panic Day is the perfect excuse to panic about everything there is to panic about and, in the process, reevaluate our priorities. Eliminate all the things that cause you stress and anxiety.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:15:38 GMT
International Picnic Day – June 18, 2021
International Picnic Day is on June 18, and we’re using our time to celebrate easily — with a picnic! Picnics have been a staple of most cultures for years and, believe it or not, their popularity can be traced directly to the French Revolution. Our definitions of a picnic might be different, but it’s a great way to bring people together for an enjoyable day.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL PICNIC DAY For many across the world, picnics are a relaxing change of pace from their daily lives. However, the picnic as we know it today didn’t exist until the French Revolution, as public parks finally became available en masse.
Although the French are credited with the creation of modern picnics, globalization and individual cultures are responsible for their grand popularity. In 2018, 55% of young Americans said having a picnic was their favorite warm-weather activity.
And as the concept of picnics has spread, a myriad of different traditions have arisen in a plethora of different places. There are very few, if any, cultures around the world that do not engage in picnicking in their own way.
Picnics are a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy what your city has to offer you. And after a hike or walk, you’ll be antsy for a nice break and a yummy meal.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:18:17 GMT
International Sushi Day – June 18, 2021
International Sushi Day on June 18 is the perfect excuse to tuck into the Japanese specialty. Sushi has become a global phenomenon over the past 30 years or so after struggling to find a foothold in the west in the beginning. Raw fish didn’t initially sound appetizing to all cultures but we eventually realized that we were wrong and now we can’t get enough of it. It’s time to sharpen up your chopstick technique and treat yourself for International Sushi Day.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY To find the origins of sushi we must look at a dish called narezushi. Narezushi is salted fish stored in fermented rice for months at a time. Southeast Asia and Japan both had their own version of the dish, the rice was discarded and the fish was eaten. This was the first iteration of sushi and was seen by the Japanese as an important source of protein.
In the Edo Period, between 1600 and 1800 in Japan, sushi as we know it was established. Fish and vegetables were wrapped in rice and mixed with vinegar. Much like with Narezushi, each region had its own variations to it, but this is close to the version most people in today’s world are familiar with. In the early 1800s, the style of nigirizushi began to emerge. This consisted of a mound of rice with a slice of fish draped over it.
The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 disrupted the Japanese economy and it displaced many people from Edo Japan. Japanese people were forced to restart their lives in new places and this consequently took sushi all over the world.
In the U.S, sushi was emerging from communities in Little Tokyo by the mid-twentieth century. It became popular among Hollywood celebrities which led to it gaining the public’s attention. What was once foreign to Americans became Americanized with the California roll that used crab and avocado instead of raw fish. In 2009, International Sushi Day was proclaimed for June 18. The idea came from Facebook and it took on a life of its own.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:20:19 GMT
National Cherry Tart Day – June 18, 2021
Are you ready to celebrate National Cherry Tart Day on June 18 by devouring some of the best cherry tarts in your town? Yes, now is the time to paint the town red — we mean cherry red. Dedicate a few minutes of the day to pay a tribute to the lip-smacking cherry tart dessert. Originating from a tart that, once upon a time, had a meat filling, cherry tarts are the favorite of all those who prefer fruit tarts over plain custard tarts. So grab your dessert forks and get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHERRY TART DAY The origins of National Cherry Tart day are linked to the annual National Cherry Festival held in Michigan every year — the state that grows 75% of the U.S. cherry crop. The day was formulated and celebrated because cherries are delicious fruits that have a very short growth period. Hence, it’s not a surprise the fruit has become a seasonal hit in several regions of the country.
Cherries did not exist in the U.S. until they were brought to the land of hope by early French settlers in the 1600s who grew cherry trees in their gardens. Things evolved in 1852 when a missionary named Peter Dougherty planted cherry trees in Old Mission Peninsula. At that point in time, the trees bearing fruit was a far-fetched idea. But to everyone’s surprise, the cherry crop flourished. Seeing this, the neighbors in the area began planting cherry trees, too. This furthermore, led to the beginning of modern-day cherry production and, in 1893, the first cherry orchards were planted in Michigan.
Soon the cherry business blossomed and the industry reached great heights in the 1900s. Today, over 650 million pounds of cherries are produced in the United States, most of which are used to make scrumptious desserts.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:22:16 GMT
National Flip Flop Day – June 18, 2021
They come in various colors, are made of different materials, and are so much fun to wear; celebrate National Flip Flop Day — held on the third Friday of June, by showing off your favorite pair of flip flops. Wear them to the beach, on a grocery run, or even to semi-formal dining in a jiffy! After all, what is easier to wear than flip-flops?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FLIP FLOP DAY Sandals resembling the erstwhile flip flops have been around for many years. While the earliest recorded sandals come from Egypt, all cultures during Ancient times had their own variant of this footwear. The sandals worn by the Ancient Greeks and Romans had the strap between the second and third toe, Mesopotamians’ sandals showed the strap resting between the first and second toe, and the Indian ‘chappals’ used a knob in place of the strap. These olden versions were made from a variety of materials – papyrus leaves, palm leaves, leather, wood, rice straw.
The design of the modern-day sandal is inspired by the Japanese ‘zori.’ The Encyclopedia of History of Japanese Manners and Customs states Japanese children used these flip flop-type shoes when first learning to walk. Returning Americans brought the zori back from Japan at the end of the Second World War, as novelty items for loved ones.
The world owes the popularity of the current sandal to the Japanese too. During World War II, Japan took over much of Southeast Asia’s natural resources, including rubber. After their defeat during the war, they looked to this resource (and its ability to create cheap yet successful clip flops) to boost their flagging economy.
Over time, natural materials gave way to artificial materials, and the design changed to a modern look. These new, colorful, snazzy flip-flops began being used exclusively in informal settings. The increasing popularity brought this humble sandal to the mainstream, and it then began to be used in semi-formal events too. A special country responsible for changing flip-flops culture was Brazil; this inexpensive footwear was immensely popular there, and even supermodels and actors wore them on the red carpet!
To celebrate their tenth anniversary, American restaurant chain, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, created the unofficial holiday they dubbed ‘National Flip Flop Day.’ Everyone who comes into their participating stores wearing flip flops gets a free Jetty Punch Smoothie. The proceeds of these sales go to the Camp Sunshine program. Based in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine offers respite and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:23:57 GMT
National Go Fishing Day – June 18, 2021
Observed annually on June 18, National Go Fishing Day is a great day to take time from your daily routine to find a stream, a lake or pond, bait your hook, cast your line and catch a fish or two (or ten). Fishing is a recreational pastime of many, and if you’re lucky, you can bring home a fresh catch.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:26:04 GMT
National Splurge Day – June 18, 2021
A little careful splurging never harmed anyone and is good for the soul too; this is why we celebrate National Splurge Day in style each year on June 18. Held to encourage us to, you guessed it, crack open our wallets and splurge. This fun day is a respite from our 24*7 moderation, frugality, and budgeting. What are you waiting for? Come, spend a little money with us!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SPLURGE DAY Trade and commerce probably existed as far back as man’s existence goes, say historians. People began with the barter system, exchanging cattle and livestock. This changed to money years later, as currency developed around the world.
America’s history with shopping and spending has also seen drastic changes. Pioneers began the trend of shopping locally and would visit the general stores around them. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, mom-and-pop stores were aplenty throughout the U.S. These were followed by the great department stores a decade later. As America’s business and economic sectors changed dramatically in the twentieth century, agriculture was replaced with manufacturing and industry. This change saw employment opportunities increase, which put money in the hands of people. Naturally, more money meant people were able to spend more. Newly wealthy customers launched department stores into the stratosphere; these places sold more than ‘items,’ they sold a way of life. The second half of the nineteenth century also brought a new type of shopping experience — the malls. While the concept of people visiting multiple vendors in a common-place had been around a long time — Ancient Greeks developed one-place-for-all-goods type marketplaces called ‘agoras,’ the initial mall as we came to know them developed in this age. The rise of the malls was spurred by the rise in the automobile industry too; the more cars people could buy, the easier they could travel to these malls. The turning point in shopping history came with the rise of e-commerce. As access to the internet grew, so too did the people making purchases online. The e-commerce trend was soon followed by sales on social media; multiple brands can now sell their products directly on channels like Facebook and Instagram.
More than 20 years ago, Chicago native Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith decided she was fed up with traditional holidays. Calling herself ‘America’s Premier Eventologist,’ because she founded more than 1,900 different holidays — she came up with the idea for a lavish, one-of-a-kind holiday called the National Splurge Day, that we have been celebrating ever since.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:28:12 GMT
National Take Back the Lunch Break Day – June 18, 2021
If you’re someone who skips their lunch break or eats at their desk, this one’s for you; come celebrate National Take Back the Lunch Break Day with us. Held on the third Friday in June each year, this event encourages workers all over America to step up to the plate — lunch plate that is, and take a regular and longer lunch break. Why is there a day like this? It’s because multiple research studies showed a trend of lesser and more infrequent lunch breaks across employees in America, resulting in lower employee morale and well-being. This day was set up as a reminder of the importance of the benefits of lunch breaks.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE LUNCH BREAK DAY Earlier, electricity was the major factor in deciding which meal was the most important. Dinner, which was eaten late in the morning after several hours of work, was the main meal during the Middle Ages. During the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries, this meal was gradually pushed back to the evening, creating a gap between breakfast and dinner. A small meal, called supper, was squeezed into this gap. Often a snack, this meal was also often presented as supper parties or luncheon parties and was usually reserved for the ladies. They would have lunch with one another when their husbands were out; this meal was light and usually consisted of left-overs from the previous night’s dinner. When the Prince of Wales stopped to eat a dainty luncheon with lady friends, he was laughed at! In the early eighteenth century, afternoon tea supplemented the luncheon. As industrialization increased, so too did the working hours. This disrupted the eating habits of rural work life. Originally, workers would carry their lunch from home, but as factories moved farther away, this too changed. Mass-produced food, stalls, and fast meals began to be set up near factories.
The lunchtime itself slowly began to see revolutionary changes; workers with long and fixed hours were given an hour off to eat lunch.
Soon, technological inventions like the punch card ensured every second of a worker was accounted for. This gradually reduced the ‘fast lunch’ trend.
The ‘quick lunch’ culture, however, is said to have originated in New York. With major manufacturing setups across this city, there were plenty of workers looking to eat meals, and they wanted them cheap and fast. Fast foods cropped up; there were drugstore lunch counters and Automats cropped up, followed by soda fountains, sliced wrapped bread, and spreadable peanut butter. A New York Times reporter reported even timed diners at a single quick-eating establishment in Times Square over a month. He found that the New York reputation of ‘gobbling food almost whole’ was true; one man finished in 48 seconds!
Eventually, people got tired of fast meals and began to get packed lunches. They would check out of work together, and shared lunches began to gain popularity.
Tork — a brand from global hygiene and health company Essity, commissioned a study four years ago. They found that while almost all workers consider a lunch break very important, more than half cannot find time to take a longer lunch break. Their research indicates employees who take a non-working lunch break score higher on a wide range of engagement metrics, including job satisfaction and productivity. This is why Tork created National Take Back the Lunch Break Day for workers across North America, to improve employee satisfaction and productivity by encouraging a lunch break.
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Post by pennmom on Jun 18, 2021 13:30:22 GMT
Wear BLUE Day – June 18, 2021
On June 18, celebrate Wear BLUE Day by sporting a blue outfit and discussing the health issues that plague men across the world. Awareness regarding health issues occurring in the male population is critical since, on average, men live at least five years less than women. This is because men avoid health checkups, and are mostly unaware of the ailments that may take their lives a few years down the line. However, on Wear BLUE Day, we aim to decrease the number of diseases in men by promoting regular checkups and highlighting the health issues men may be facing.
HISTORY OF WEAR BLUE DAY Wear BLUE Day is an essential day celebrated every year on the third Friday of Men’s Health Month. The month and the special day were created by the Men’s Health Network — a non-profit organization that is focused on educating people regarding the numerous health issues men suffer. The motive of the organization is to change the male perception regarding health checkups and screening by launching several educational campaigns during June. The Men’s Health Network was founded in 1992 by a few men who were adamant about making a difference by improving the quality of life of the male population. The founders include male activists, therapists, and writers who wanted to enrich men’s health and wellness.
While the entire month of June emphasizes creating awareness, Wear BLUE Day particularly spreads the required message using a single color. Since the day is so easy to commemorate, several corporations, workplaces, schools, and business owners grab the opportunity to highlight men’s health issues by wearing something blue. The color represents the ailments that largely affect men including testicular cancer, stroke, lung cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, and several other illnesses that decrease the lifespan of the male population. During this day, the hashtag #ShowUsYourBlue trends on social media platforms, bringing to light the efforts thousands of Americans are making to bring a positive change in society. Want to take part in the Wear BLUE Day this year? All you have to do is pick out your favorite blue outfit!
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Post by Valkara on Jun 19, 2021 0:17:57 GMT
National Flip Flop Day – June 18, 2021
They come in various colors, are made of different materials, and are so much fun to wear; celebrate National Flip Flop Day — held on the third Friday of June, by showing off your favorite pair of flip flops. Wear them to the beach, on a grocery run, or even to semi-formal dining in a jiffy! After all, what is easier to wear than flip-flops?
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FLIP FLOP DAY Sandals resembling the erstwhile flip flops have been around for many years. While the earliest recorded sandals come from Egypt, all cultures during Ancient times had their own variant of this footwear. The sandals worn by the Ancient Greeks and Romans had the strap between the second and third toe, Mesopotamians’ sandals showed the strap resting between the first and second toe, and the Indian ‘chappals’ used a knob in place of the strap. These olden versions were made from a variety of materials – papyrus leaves, palm leaves, leather, wood, rice straw.
The design of the modern-day sandal is inspired by the Japanese ‘zori.’ The Encyclopedia of History of Japanese Manners and Customs states Japanese children used these flip flop-type shoes when first learning to walk. Returning Americans brought the zori back from Japan at the end of the Second World War, as novelty items for loved ones.
The world owes the popularity of the current sandal to the Japanese too. During World War II, Japan took over much of Southeast Asia’s natural resources, including rubber. After their defeat during the war, they looked to this resource (and its ability to create cheap yet successful clip flops) to boost their flagging economy.
Over time, natural materials gave way to artificial materials, and the design changed to a modern look. These new, colorful, snazzy flip-flops began being used exclusively in informal settings. The increasing popularity brought this humble sandal to the mainstream, and it then began to be used in semi-formal events too. A special country responsible for changing flip-flops culture was Brazil; this inexpensive footwear was immensely popular there, and even supermodels and actors wore them on the red carpet!
To celebrate their tenth anniversary, American restaurant chain, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, created the unofficial holiday they dubbed ‘National Flip Flop Day.’ Everyone who comes into their participating stores wearing flip flops gets a free Jetty Punch Smoothie. The proceeds of these sales go to the Camp Sunshine program. Based in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine offers respite and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Back in the '60s and '70s, we called them thongs. At least in this region. Back then, nobody even dreamed there would be a type of underwear called by that word.
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pennmom
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[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
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Post by pennmom on Jun 19, 2021 18:39:13 GMT
International Box Day – June 19, 2021
International Box Day on June 19 is the perfect opportunity for you and your cat to enjoy some time together. If you don’t have a cat, you may not get what all the fuss is about. But read on anyway to unwrap the mysteries of International Box Day! Cats and cardboard boxes are a match made in heaven and on International Box Day we celebrate the fun and joy of this incredible pairing.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL BOX DAY It’s a widely known fact that cats love boxes and most cat owners just don’t know why. You splash out on a fancy bed for them but they insist on staying in the box. What gives?
Cats get comfort and security from enclosed spaces, which makes boxes the perfect place for them to curl up in. Boxes are a great hiding place from predators and they also help reduce stress by offering a safe-zone where your cat can observe and not be seen.
A recent study conducted by the University of Utrecht discovered that cats with boxes adapted to their environment quicker, highlighting the key role boxes can play in dealing with the anxiety that often comes with change. From a cat’s perspective, boxes have it all – the perfect temperature, the personal space, and the required level of comfort.
This isn’t restricted to your little house cat. Big cats such as lions, tigers, and cougars share lots have shown a fondness for a box too. When living in wildlife reserves and given cardboard boxes, they had just as much fun as your pet kitty would. Yep, the tigers and lions were observed jumping in and out of boxes, sitting in them, and generally having a great time. For cats everywhere, a plain old box can keep them entertained for a long time.
International Box Day is our chance to celebrate this curiously odd coupling and for you to give your cat a box to enjoy.
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pennmom
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[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
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Post by pennmom on Jun 19, 2021 18:42:11 GMT
National Garfield the Cat Day – June 19, 2021
He’s witty, he’s sassy, he’s blunt, he’s saucy…he’s, well, Garfield. On June 19, National Garfield the Cat Day celebrates the world’s most opinionated feline. With insights ranging from global politics to his infatuation with lasagna, Jim Davis’s lovable tabby cat has endeared himself to audiences of all ages around the world. So, come enjoy a few candid one-liners and some heartfelt laughs on this warm summer day, and leave admitting that, deep down, we all want to know what our pets really think about us.
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pennmom
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[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
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Post by pennmom on Jun 19, 2021 18:44:31 GMT
National Martini Day – June 19, 2021
Do you prefer it dry, dirty, shaken, or not stirred? That’s the question we’re all asking on National Martini Day, a special occasion to enjoy your favorite version of the classic martini cocktail. The martini was originally called “The Martinez,” named after the California Gold Rush for the town of Martinez, where it was invented. Early martinis were made with wine, gin, and an olive. But since have expanded to many exciting flavors! So this June 19 take a moment to relax while sipping on a new type of martini after your long day and start feeling like the international spy of mystery that you are.
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