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Post by pennmom on Aug 5, 2021 14:41:33 GMT
National Oyster Day – August 5, 2021
On August 5 each year, the U.S. honors a very special mollusk, the oyster, for National Oyster Day. Enjoyed as seafood in many parts of the world, this fine delicacy needs no introduction, but someone certainly thought it could use a celebration. Boil it, eat it fresh, put it in soup — there are many delicious ways to feast on oysters and just as many ways to enjoy this particular day.
Keep reading to learn how to celebrate National Oyster Day 2021, fun and interesting facts about oysters, the answer on whether you will be able to locate a pearl in the next oyster you eat, and so much more!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL OYSTER DAY Oysters have been around for a long long time, and scientists believe they were one of the Earth’s first living inhabitants. In fact, they have found fossils of oysters that date back to when the dinosaurs walked the earth.
Not only have these little jewels been around for ages, but they have also been a source of food for just as long. Early humans preferred tossing oysters into the fire rather than prying them open with tools or stone, data shows. Archaeologists have also found evidence that proves people from the coastal regions consumed oysters regularly — fossilized oyster shells from various periods prove this without a doubt.
Oysters were important to many civilizations. The Greeks loved them so much that they began to cultivate oysters. They were the very first civilization in the world to do so. Fishermen would scatter pieces of broken pottery in places where oysters grew to encourage baby oysters to attach themselves to the pieces. They would then transport these pieces, baby oysters in tow, to other places. These guys even found a use for oyster shells, using them to cast ballots during voting time. Greek myths also began to feature the oyster — the famous Greek goddess of Beauty and Love, Aphrodite, is said to have been born from the sea in an oyster.
After Greek civilization declined, the Romans took up the mantle, continuing to hold oysters in high regard. They became part of the rich Roman’s meals and also appeared in Roman mythology. The Romans’ love for the oyster led to overharvesting, however, causing a scarcity. They attempted harvesting and transplanting them, but nothing stuck. By the time the world entered the 8th century, this rich man’s food was now considered a common delicacy.
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the world entered a period called the Golden Age of Oysters. Even the famous satirist, essayist, poet, and author Jonathan Swift was a fan. There was a massive surge in oyster production, making it cheaper to procure. This led to the oyster being featured in dining rooms across the U.S. and Europe.
In the 19th century, New York gained the title of the world’s biggest producer of oysters. The New York Harbor apparently held half the world’s oysters before it was destroyed by overharvesting and pollution. History also documents how oysters are the reason behind New York building its restaurant trade. Oysters were such an integral part of this city’s economy that they even used the shells to pave roads and create cement, amongst other items. Apart from New York, multiple other states like Baltimore, New Orleans, and Philadelphia supplied oysters. They were in such abundance that oyster saloons — now called oyster houses — popped up everywhere. These were the precursor to today’s oyster raw bars.
With the railroad came a way to transport oysters quickly, and this opened up new markets for this delicacy. Two other major developments also spurred the oyster trade — canning and refrigeration.
Unfortunately, in a repeat of history, this rising demand led to overharvesting once again, and New York’s oyster beds went into decline. While the state did try to introduce foreign oyster species — and was moderately successful, this also brought disease, which destroyed most of the beds by the 1900s. The reduced production and increased popularity hiked prices, and the common meal became a rare delicacy once again, where it remains to this day.
While we do not know the origins of this day, we know it is celebrated mostly in the U.S. and the U.K.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 5, 2021 14:44:16 GMT
National Underwear Day – August 5, 2021
National Underwear Day is on August 5, so let us brief-ly tell you why we love underwear. It keeps us from ‘jiggling’ in public by covering our unmentionables! Plus, underwear appears in nearly every culture. Today, it comes in all colors, sizes, and fabrics. So all hail our underwear on National Underwear Day!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY National Underwear Day was originally created by the brand Freshpair in 2003, as a campaign promoting a positive body image. Although men were part of the initiative as well, the focus was more on women, and how society perceives their body image. This was during a time when being confident in one’s bare skin was somewhat a new concept, and market trends were rapidly changing. The movement went viral, and National Underwear Day has been celebrated on August 5 every year since.
The first underwear dates back to prehistoric times — with humans wearing a loincloth. During the Middle Ages, men wore linen shorts or ‘braies.’ Women wore a ‘shift’ under their dresses. In Britain, pants were long drawers covering the whole leg. (In fact, the word, ‘panties’ evolved from a shortened version of the word ‘pants.’) But women’s knickers didn’t appear until the 19th century.
While underwear is primarily for protecting clothes from getting stained, the rising demand for lingerie led to more fashionable varieties of underwear. Lady Duff-Gordon of Lucile was the first to create lingerie that freed women from tight corsets. Breakthrough brand Victoria’s Secret was founded in 1977 and made underwear and nightwear both fun and functional for daily wear.
National Underwear Day celebrates boxers, briefs, sports bras, and even some swimsuits. If it is worn underneath your clothing, it is an undergarment worth celebrating!
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Post by pennmom on Aug 5, 2021 14:47:34 GMT
Work Like a Dog Day – August 5, 2021
It may be a dog-eat-dog world out there, which can force you to work like a dog even during the dog days of summer! Work Like a Dog Day, which is celebrated on August 5, honors people who put in that extra bit of hard work. This quirky day is inspired by the reputed strong work ethic of canines, especially service dogs. Today, pause to appreciate the hard workers who inspire (or in some cases, frustrate) you. There’s no other day like this one so stick around because we’re sharing some fun ideas for the hard-working canine in you!
WHEN IS WORK LIKE A DOG DAY 2021? Take a leaf out of man’s best friend’s book and work hard on Work Like a Dog Day on August 5.
HISTORY OF WORK LIKE A DOG DAY Although the origin of the holiday National Work Like a Dog Day is unknown, we’ll gladly inform you about the source of the saying itself.
You’ve probably heard the phrases “working like a dog” or “it’s a dog’s life” when someone is referring to working on a task without taking any breaks. “Working like a dog” simply means to go the extra mile and work extremely hard. The saying comes from farm dogs who work from the crack of dawn till the sun sets, and sled dogs and sheepdogs that perform grueling tasks every day. Either way, the quote is a reference to persevering canines. Sounds relatable? Then today is your day to celebrate!
Whether it is school homework, house chores, office work, or personal projects, put your maximum effort into getting things done. Work Like a Dog Day isn’t just about personally pushing yourself to get work done, it is also about showcasing your determination and dedication for others to notice. There’s no point doing anything half-heartedly, so give it your best shot. The best part is that after you’ve “Worked like a dog,” you can also take a well-deserved long slumber because, after all, “It’s a dog’s life.”
Animals teach us so much, and working hard to attain your goals is a life lesson that you can’t go wrong with.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 5, 2021 14:52:03 GMT
Blogger Day – August 5, 2021
If you have ever created a blog before, the chances are you have probably used Blogger, especially for your first ever blog! A lot of students will be nodding their heads while reading this. Brings back good memories. Of course, there is a huge blogging community today. Some people blog to get their opinions heard others blog to make money. A lot of these people rely on Blogger to do so! Blogger Day celebrates everything that this platform is about!
WHAT IS A BLOGGER? Blogger is a blog-publishing service. It was originally developed by Pyra Labs, yet it was then purchased by Google in 2003. You have probably seen plenty of Blogger sites, as the subdomain tends to be blogspot.com. However, a lot of people also use their own custom domains that they have purchased, so not all Blogger sites will end with that subdomain. Users of the platform are allowed to have as many as 100 blogs per account, and so you’re never going to run out of blogs to create.
HISTORY OF BLOGGER So, let’s delve a bit into the history of Blogger. Blogger was launched on the 23rd of August, in 1999, by Pyra Labs. it is one of the earliest tools that was dedicated purely to publishing blogs. A lot of people credit Blogger with helping to popularize the blog format. A few years later, in 2003, Google purchased Blogger under terms that have not been disclosed. One of the most significant changes in this switch was that Google made the premium features of Blogger free of charge. Google then purchased Picasa a year later, in 2004, and made a move to integrate Picasa into Blogger. The significance of this was that it gave Blogger users the ability to post photos to their blogs.
In fact, 2004 was a pretty significant year all-round for Blogger, as a major redesign was introduced. A number of features were added, including posting by email, comments, individual archive pages for posts, and web standards-compliant templates. In 2007, Blogger was moved over to servers owned by Google. In this year, it was ranked 16 in a list of top 50 domains in terms of the number of unique visitors. Pretty impressive stuff!
THE BATTLE BETWEEN BLOGGER AND WORDPRESS While there haven’t been any juice catfights between the two companies, it has long been considered that Blogger and WordPress rule the roost in the world of blogging. Yes, things have changed in recent times, with new players entering the industry and a lot of bloggers focusing heavily on social media and integrating the likes of Facebook and Instagram. However, Blogger and WordPress have achieved enough over the years to be considered the matriarchs of this industry!
Unfortunately, we have seen Blogger decline a lot in recent times. It now powers less than one percent of the web. WordPress, on the other hand, is a highly popular platform. However, with Blogger entering the market a few years before WordPress was created, it holds a special place in a lot of people’s hearts, and so traditionalists feel very connected to the platform that is often credited with helping blogging become what it is today. That’s why we have a day to celebrate it after all!
There are a number of differences in regards to what both platforms offer. WordPress has more options, and so most people would agree it is the better choice if you’re looking for a comprehensive blogging solution. Blogger, on the other hand, has fewer features, yet it is a simple platform and so it is perfect if all you want to do is get stuck in and start writing straight away!
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Post by pennmom on Aug 5, 2021 14:55:27 GMT
India Pale Ale Day– August 5, 2021
Get ready to raise a glass and celebrate India Pale Ale Beer Day. This annual occasion aims to increase appreciation of one of the world’s most popular types of craft beer, using social media to spread the word.
LEARN ABOUT INDIA PALE ALE DAY India Pale Ale Day has been created to celebrate the drink that is India Pale Ale! If you have never tried India Pale Ale before, now is the perfect excuse for you to do so. India Pale Ale has high levels of alcohol. It is a hobby style of beer, with hops referring to the flowers of the hop flowers, which are used for flavoring and bettering beer. They also act as a stability agent. Aside from the bitterness, they impart citrus, fruit, or floral aromas and flavors.
This type of beer has undergone a bit of a renaissance in recent times. It was developed in 1840 in England, which we will explain more about in the section below. However, this style of beer had mainly died out. That was until the renaissance of American craft beer occurred in the late 20th century. Today, India Pale Ales are flagship beers for craft brewers all around the world, making them exceptionally popular. Because of this, it is only right that we have India Pale Ale Day to celebrate this type of beer!
There are a number of different types of India Pale Ales that are produced today. This includes a lot of different sub-styles. For example, you have the Double India Pale Ales, which are also called Imperial India Pale Ales. These represent a very hoppy and strong type of India Pale Ale, which usually have an alcohol content that is more than 7.5 percent by volume. The style is believed to have originated with Vinnie Cilurzo, who is the owner of California’s Russian River Brewing Company. It is believed that he created this style at the Blind Pig Brewery in California in 1994. This brewery is now defunct.
Another type of India Pale Ale that is popular today is the New England India Pale Ale. This is also sometimes called Juicy India Pale Ale or Hazy India Pale Ale. This is a style of beer that was invented when the Heady Topper was created by John Kimmich, of The Alchemist. These India Pale Ales have an emphasis on hop aroma, with low bitterness. They are characterized by floral, citrus, and juicy flavors. They also have a hazy appearance, hence why they are often called Hazy India Pale Ale, and they have a smooth mouthfeel or consistency. These characteristics are reached through a use of a number of different brewing techniques. This includes adjusting the chemistry of the water, the timing of adding the hops, and the use of a certain strain of yeast.
This merely scratches the surface when it comes to the different types of India Pale Ales that you can find on the market today. You can also get Brut India Pale Ale, which is a dry and crisp version of the drink. The enzyme amyloglucosidase is added to the drink in order to get rid of the sugars to create this drink. There is then Cascadian Dark Ale, which is also known as Black India Pale Ale, which is not pale in color, as the name suggests. It has a much darker malty flavor because of the use of roasted malts, yet it shares the same bitter hoppy flavors. You also have West Coast India Pale Ale, which is known for being dry, very clear, and having a low content of malt. Or, what about Triple India Pale Ale? This type of ale is characterized by higher alcohol content and higher hop flavors. The alcohol content for this type of India Pale Ale tends to be over 10 percent ABV.
Ale lover? We think you might like...
HISTORY OF INDIA PALE ALE DAY By the early 18th century, most of the pale ales that were available were quite different from those that we enjoy today. They were lightly hopped. By the middle of the 18th century, pale ale was usually brewed using coke-fired malt, which created less roasting and smoking of barley during the process of malting, and this resulted in a beer that was paler in color. October beer was one of these varieties of beer. It was a well-hopped, pale brew, which was extremely popular amongst the landed gentry. They brewed the beer domestically. After it was brewed, it was intended to the cellar for a period of two years. However, it was later when these ales were exported to India…
IPA beers date back to the late 18th century, when these ales were brewed for British sailors making long sea voyages to India. Most beers didn’t keep well on board ship, but London brewer George Hodgson was one of the first to develop a pale ale with a high hop content, which kept its taste better.
The special day isn’t sponsored by a particular beer brand, but brings together breweries large and small, along with an assortment of beer buffs and bloggers. Hundreds of events are organised, including India pale ale tastings and festivals, so look out for a celebration at a bar near you. Cheers!
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:15:19 GMT
Cycle to Work Day – August 6, 2021
In the United Kingdom, Cycle to Work Day, on August 6, is sort of a big deal. As summer gives way to fall each year, citizens leave their car keys on the hook and grab a helmet instead so that they can mix up their morning commutes. The childhood bliss of pedaling to victory doesn’t have to be lost to the past with this celebration on the calendar. It’s good for you, the environment, and that old bike collecting dust in the garage. Hit the roads!
HISTORY OF CYCLE TO WORK DAY The concept of carving out one day a year to hop in the saddle and pedal to the office originated in 1956 with the League of American Bicyclists. What began as a single day soon ballooned into an entire week, and then an entire National Bike Month, which now occurs in May of each year. As for the more approachable Cycle to Work Day, the United Kingdom took the idea over and really gave it a community boost in 2011. They even started an organization based around the holiday.
During World War II, the U.S., as well as many other countries, experienced a gas shortage amongst civilians due to the high demands of active military organizations. This resulted in the stuff being rationed so that people could no longer hop in the driver’s seat when they needed to get somewhere.
In the face of a gasoline shortage, many citizens took up walking or biking as a new, fuel-free method of transportation. So, in 1956 when the League of American Bicyclists established the idea, they were attempting to revive a healthier time by coaxing citizens to dust off their decade-old machines and get to pedaling.
Today, Cycling to Work has taken on an entirely different meaning. As greenhouse gases damage the equanimity of Earth’s environment, driving petroleum-fueled vehicles has much graver implications. By ditching the engine and mounting the bike, people all across the world are able to come together to minimize excess waste of natural gases while also sustaining their own physical health.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:18:52 GMT
International Beer Day – August 6, 2021
Beer is one of the oldest drinks the world has ever known. International Beer Day gives fans worldwide just one more excuse to have a round on the first Friday in August. Beer has a reputation as the drink of choice for the ordinary working man or woman. When it’s served up cold and frothy or strong and We celebrate International Beer Day on the first Friday in August every year – August 6, 2021 –, when summer’s end begins to loom large. The start of another weekend beckons us to put aside our work, set aside differences, and come together to celebrate our shared love of beer.
Beer somehow manages to do what politicians have tried to do for centuries – unite people in a common cause for good. Our insatiable thirst for beer gives us reason to pause; to stop what we’re doing, sit down and converse with one another over a pint or two. The conversation may be pleasant or not, calm or animated, but somehow beer makes it possible to agree to disagree and still walk away friends. Plenty of us have no doubt solved many of the world’s problems over a few pints of beer.
WHEN IS INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY 2021? International Beer Day is on August 6 and we’re ready to raise our glasses and drink to it!
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY Celebrating mankind’s common thirst for what is likely the world’s oldest and most beloved beverage is what International Beer Day is all about. Humans have been fascinated with beer since the first grains were accidentally discovered to have fermented, producing a bubbly aromatic product that someone dared to taste then drink, did not die but instead felt a lovely little buzz, smiled and said, “Wow.” Mankind has been obsessed ever since with perfecting beer recipes and brewing processes in pursuit of the next “Wow.”
Beer has been consumed by almost every culture throughout human history. The oldest evidence of man’s obsession with brewing beer dates back to ancient Babylonia and Mesopotamia. Archaeologists have unearthed recipes for beer that were written on clay tablets in 4300 B.C., and ceramic vessels from 3400 B.C. that are still sticky with beer residue. Everyone drank beer in ancient Egypt: pharaohs, peasants, priests, even children, as part of their everyday diet.
What may be the first song about beer, “Hymn to Ninkasi”—an ode to the Sumerian goddess of beer—dates back to 1800 B.C. and includes a recipe for a beer brewed by female priestesses.
By the Middle Ages, Christian monks were brewing beers, and introduced the use of hops. Until then, beers were brewed with local additives like dates and olive oils to add flavor. Today’s beers continue to be brewed with hops, herbs, or fruits that add flavor. Macro, micro, or craft, the art of brewing beer today remains a craft that employs age-old techniques carefully perfected over centuries and millennium.
Our collective love of beer is what Jesse Avshalomov no doubt had on his mind back in August of 2007 while he and a few friends enjoyed some conversation and brews in the beach community of Cruz, California. Back then his reasons for founding International Beer Day were:
Gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer
Celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer
Unite the world under the banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day
In retrospect, Jesse’s LinkedIn profile reads he “…invented International Beer Day as an experiment in virality gone horribly right.”
To you, Jesse. Cheers!
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:24:59 GMT
National Root Beer Float Day – August 6, 2021
Diet? Not on August 6. It’s National Root Beer Float Day, after all — a time to enjoy one of the best beverage/dessert combos on the planet. On that day, some even compete for root beer float greatness. It all started in Colorado back in 1893. Frank J. Wisner was inspired. Surrounded by Cow Mountain where his Cripple Creek Brewing Company was located, Wisner came up with a novel idea. While mountain gazing, he didn’t see snow-covered peaks. Instead, Wisner envisioned scoops of ice cream floating in root beer. Crazy, right? So, today, enjoy the tallest, fizziest root beer float you can find!
WHEN IS NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY 2021? The frothy beverage/dessert combo we all love is celebrated on National Root Beer Float Day on August 6.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY The unique fusion of ice cream with root beer is unlike anything else. This summertime delicacy has a history as rich as its texture and flavor!
Frank J. Wisner, the owner of Colorado’s Cripple Creek Brewing, is the person to thank for creating the root beer float on August 19, 1893. The idea behind this extraordinary innovation came to Wisner when he was looking at the snowy peaks of Colorado’s Cow Mountain that gave the illusion of ice cream floating on a beverage. While staring out of the window of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, Wisner thought the glow of the full moon made the snow-capped mountains resemble ice cream.
The following day, Wisner got to work combining vanilla ice cream with root beer and calling the result the ‘Black Cow Mountain.’ The soda he had used was Myers Avenue Red Root Beer. The root beer float was served to his guests the very next day and became an instant hit. Children shortened the word to ‘Black Cow,’ and today it is simply known as root beer float.
NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY BY THE NUMBERS
1876 – the year when root beer was invented
16 – the number of roots and herbs that root beer is made of.
3% – the percentage that root beer makes up in America’s soft drink market.
1960 – the year when a key ingredient of root beer, the sassafras root, was banned by the FDA.
#1 – the ranking of A&W as the leading root beer brand in America.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:28:21 GMT
Fresh Breath Day – August 6, 2021
Nobody likes having a close quarters conversation with that one person who has just had onions and garlic for lunch! Whether at a party, in the office, or generally just out somewhere in public, bad breath is a social faux pas that many people aren’t even aware that they have.
So Fresh Breath Day was created to promote the kindness that comes from having an awareness about the importance of fresh breath!
HISTORY OF FRESH BREATH DAY Most people aren’t aware of the fact that over 50% of the bacteria found in the human mouth contributes to bad breath. Brushing twice a day and using mouthwash is the obvious beginning of the way to fight this. But people with serious problems with halitosis (which is just a fancy medical term for bad breath) may struggle to get through the day without offending someone with their stinky mouth odors.
Something many people don’t know is that mints and chewing gum that contain sugar can actually (in the long term) have the opposite effect than what people are hoping for. So if opting for mints or gum to help with the problem of bad breath, be sure to choose special products that are sugar free, making it more likely they won’t actually make the breath worse than it was before.
Fresh Breath Day was created to educate and make people aware about these and other factors related to having Fresh Breath!
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:30:59 GMT
Farmworker Appreciation Day – August 6, 2021
Every year you can see them as you drive by the fields, hundreds of strong backs laboring under the hot summer sun to bring in the harvest. Their work only happens during this time of year, and it is inevitable that many of these individuals are here only for this task, and set to return to their home country afterward. Farmworker Appreciation Day was made to help raise awareness of these often forgotten bastions of the economy, and remind us to be thankful for all they’ve done.
HISTORY OF FARMWORKER APPRECIATION DAY Farmworker Appreciation Day was created to be a moment of action and appreciation for these workers and to raise awareness of the issues they face every year. Farmworkers help keep the world fed and work what is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the first world, and yet the often not protected by the same laws that protect other workers. This is due in part to their seasonal status and their tendency to be immigrant workers who return to their home country after the harvest is complete.
Some of the hazards they face in their line of work include exposure to pesticides and fertilizers that can be toxic and cause rashes or worse to those exposed to them and the perils of working under the punishing summer sun for hours on end without shade. In the course of their jobs they apply pesticides, dig in fertilized soil, and harvest those same plants they previously doused with poison. In such perilous conditions, it’s not surprising that many die and fall sick each year from the hazards of their job.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:33:38 GMT
International Sailor Moon Day – August 6, 2021
It all started with a small black cat with a lot to say, and a young girl named Usagi Tsukino who received a brooch that transforms her into the titular Sailor Moon. From that point forward a team of Sailor Guardians becomes assembled, and they’re out to save the world from all the enemies that come their way. International Sailor Moon Day celebrates this incredibly popular manga and the anime series that was birthed from it, so get out there and get your Guardian on!
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL SAILOR MOON DAY The date of International Sailor Moon Day is a subtle test to determine just how much of a fan you really are. Rather than the obvious choice of Sailor Moon’s birthday or the day the manga was first created, it’s set on the birthday of Mamoru’s birthday! It makes perfect sense considering that he’s the Prince of Earth and represents us all. Sailor Moon is so popular that it has garnered an international following, originally being published in Japan in 1991 it had over one million copies sold by 1995, and the number just kept growing over the next couple decades. Now it’s loved the world over, both in its manga and its anime format, and it has sold over 35 million copies in fifty countries, that’s some serious Sailor love right there!
Speaking of Sailor Love, Sailor Moon (the manga) has stood as a strong symbol for the LGBTQ communities thanks to its “naturalization” of lesbianism, a result of the futuristic setting and the goals of its creators to show equality in its writing. It’s been said to emphasize a particular feminist model by “combining traditional masculine action with traditional female affection and sexuality”, a truly daring advance by its writers and fans considering the year it was made.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:37:54 GMT
Wiggle Your Toes Day – August 6, 2021
Wiggle Your Toes Day is an excellent opportunity to let your tootsies see the daylight and indulge in some public wiggling adventures. With so many opportunities to let those ten little piggies get some action, Wiggle Your Toes Day means it’s time to plan something special to celebrate. Whether you chose to wiggle alone, or use the occasion as a chance to join with like-minded friends, family or colleagues in a glorious session of communal wiggling, no one can afford to let the day go by unmarked.
There are numerous ways to show your support for Wiggle Your Toes Day; sandals at the office are an obvious start, with some discreet toe flexing getting your digits limbered up for the rigours of later wiggling. Why not plan a group wiggle at a lake or beach? Simply dip those feet in the water and luxuriate in a fun-packed toe workout. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Wiggle Your Toes Day.
LEARN ABOUT WIGGLE YOUR TOES DAY Wiggle Your Toes Day simply gives you the nod to allow your little piggies to have a bit of exercise! Just think about everything that your toes go through on a daily basis. They are usually squashed up in a pair of trainers or shoes throughout the entire day. They don’t get a lot of freedom, right? They need a bit of time to breathe, and to be wiggled about!
LITTLE PIGGIES! When we mention the words little piggy, I’m sure most of you think about the nursery rhyme that is typically used to count out a toddler’s toes.
This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none, And this little piggy cried “wee wee wee” all the way home.
The nursery rhyme dates back to 1728. This is when it first was featured in a medley known as The Nurses Song. The first full version that was published was in 1760 in a book that was released in London known as The Famous Tommy Thumb’s Little Story-Book.
If you have never used this nursery rhyme with your children before, now is the perfect day for you to do so. After all, it is one of the most common nursery rhymes and something that most children remember about their childhood, and it gives you the perfect way of celebrating Wiggle Your Toes Day.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 6, 2021 14:40:28 GMT
Balloons To Heaven Day – August 6, 2021
Releasing balloons into the sky is hugely symbolic in today’s age. It represents hope, innocence, and a way for people to reach out to life. However, Balloons to Heaven Day is about mourning loved ones, specifically from the aftermath of gun violence. Because gun violence has become a prominent issue within the United States, Balloons to Heaven Day is a time for families everywhere to raise their balloons to the sky in hopes of ending gun violence.
HISTORY OF BALLOONS TO HEAVEN DAY The act of releasing balloons has been around since 1984 during the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Since then, releasing balloons into the sky has become an act of celebration, an expression of feeling for people everywhere. While releasing balloons can be used for many reasons, the recent increase in gun violence has incorporated this act as a way to deter gun violence from happening in schools and venues. This holiday is also known to be connected with National Crime Victims Rights Week, an annual commemoration in the United States that helps people learn about the effects of victimization and help others learn about what rights victims have when faced with a crime against them.
With the increase in awareness of gun violence in the United States, Balloons to Heaven Day is a holiday made to help bring awareness to the pain gun violence causes to American families all over the country. Essentially, it is a way for families to mourn the loss of their members an instead of turning their pain to anger, they turn it into blessings for the future. People also attach notes and choose the color of their balloons to represent the movement against gun violence. Essentially, balloons are used as a symbol for releasing grief and as a celebration of life, turning negative experiences into positive movements of emotion and hope.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 14:57:37 GMT
National Disc Golf Day – August 7, 2021
It is fun, it is growing more popular every day, it is National Disc Golf Day on August 7 this year! Celebrated on the first Saturday of August each year, this day honors the sport of disc golf. Like golf, but not entirely, this sport uses the same general rules and etiquette but requires a disc to play. Turns out, even the world recognizes the fun in this game; not only has its fame grown by leaps and bounds in India, but it is also the fastest-growing sport in the world!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL DISC GOLF DAY No one knows when or who invented this sport — or even who first played it. Varying accounts over the years show people have played golf with a flying disc, but they are separated by years. By all accounts, each of these stories have been isolated incidents.
Allegedly, a group of children in the early 19th century threw tin lids at circular ‘targets’ drawn in the sand on the playground at Bladworth Elementary School in Saskatchewan, Canada. People believe this to be a precursor to the current sport. While this sport — the modern version — came back to Canada in the late 19th century, people across the U.S. had coincidentally been playing this game for a while, too, since the 1960s, or so the stories say, becoming a formal sport a decade later.
One such instance was when college student George Sappenfield began working as a recreation counselor while on break from his university. He did not think this would lead to him inventing a new (for him) sport. One afternoon as he played golf, he wondered if the children in his playground would like to play too, but with Frisbees. They did. A year later, after finding out that his instructor in a recreation class, Kevin Donnelly, had also promoted Frisbee golf for children, he found a kindred spirit. As Sappenfield finished college, he went on to seek support from the American toy company Wham-O for a Frisbee golf tournament that he planned to promote. Wham-O was impressed, offered Sappenfield a job, and he went on to promote this sport everywhere. Unfortunately, this momentum slowed down as Wham-O changed its promotional plans.
While at Wham-O, Sappenfield had already introduced his colleague Ed Headrick to this sport. Headrick went on to become a major contributor to this sport, so much so that he is known as the ‘father of disc golf’ in the U.S. He founded the first official disc golf course, created (and patented) the Frisbee that would be used in this game for a long time, and founded various organizations to develop and promote this sport. More on that later.
In New York, Rochester, Jim Palmeri, his brother, and a small group of people had also been playing disc golf competitively since 1970. They were surprised to hear of the International Frisbee Association (IFA) — put together by Ed Headrick and Wham-O — and wanted to see how many people played this game in the U.S. They launched an event they called the American Flying Disc Open (AFDO) and they even put up a prize for the winner — a brand new 1974 Datsun B210.
1975 was a major turning point for disc golf. Headrick saw the promise this sport delivered, and, as an executive at Wham-O at the time, reassessed the value disc golf brought to the business. In this same year, he introduced disc golf in the World Frisbee Championships, and it was a huge success. Seeing this, Headrick resigned from his post at Wham-O and started the Disc Golf Association the next year. Soon after, he founded the initial version of the Professional Disc Golf Association, a non-profit that currently internationally governs the game. He went on to develop the official rules for this game, and also invented and patented the disc golf chain-and-basket target.
Wham-O itself continued to sponsor the World Frisbee Championship event, a move that helped introduce disc golf to people all over the U.S. and Canada, too.
While Jim Palmeri and co. were playing, the Berkeley Frisbee Group and, separately, the University of Michigan, designed golf courses on their campuses.
As recently as six years ago, this sport gained renewed interest because of features done on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays on Sportscenter.
The day itself was the brainchild of Minnesota PDGA State Coordinator Jason Wilder and non-profit Throw Pink’s co-founder Sara Nicholson. They consulted disc golf legends Dan “Stork” Roddick, Jim Palmeri, and Tom Monroe about the date, too, finally settling on August for two reasons. One, the legendary American Flying Disc Open launched this month, and two, Ed Headrick patented the first disc golf course, which is now par for the course (pardon the pun) for all disc golf course designs. This day was approved five years ago, and the U.S. has been celebrating it ever since.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 14:59:40 GMT
National Lighthouse Day – August 7, 2021
Lighthouses are wondrous things — beautiful, yet incredibly useful. On National Lighthouse Day, August 7, we celebrate how these scenic, historic structures comforted travelers throughout the centuries. In 1789, the U.S. Congress passed an act securing the protection of all lighthouses under federal support.
If you ever visit a lighthouse, you’ll understand the serenity and stability they represent to viewers on land. While lighthouse technology has evolved over time, lighthouses were once widely used to mark dangerous reefs, shorelines or harbors. Today, we imagine how a lighthouse’s beacon of light offered hope to those seeking land in the midst of stormy seas and dark nights.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 15:01:39 GMT
National Mustard Day – August 7, 2021
Ground from the seeds of a mustard plant, mustard is one of America’s favorite condiments. Food lovers can celebrate this versatile topping on National Mustard Day, August 7. The National Mustard Museum was the originator of the holiday and celebrates the day every first Saturday in August. Guests who visit the museum on this special day can take part in a wide variety of games and even try a free hot dog and mustard sampling. Of course, you don’t have to go to the museum to have fun. Be sure to try out as many mustards as possible: the standard yellow American style, French Dijon mustard, Bavarian sweet mustard and the tangy, beer mustard!
WHEN IS NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY 2021? National Mustard Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in August.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY Mustard has been among the most used spices in the world for centuries. Believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt, it was used for medicinal purposes as well as a spice. The Greeks and Romans followed suit, utilizing mustard for both flavoring and as a herbal remedy. Mustard was prescribed as a cure for a range of ailments, from snakebites to hysteria.
The mustard arrived in Northern France where it was gradually cultivated by local monks. The word ‘mustard’ is derived from the word ‘mosto’ or ‘grape muss’ — a type of unfermented wine that hasn’t matured and was mixed with mustard seeds by the French monks. Monasteries started producing large amounts of mustard in the 9th century, from which they generated even larger amounts of income through sales.
Prepared mustard or modern mustard as we know it, was created in Dijon, France in the 13th century. The preparation of this condiment is thanks to the efforts of Pope John XXII of Avignon, who loved mustard and created a special post of Grand Moustardier du Pape or the Grand Mustard-Maker, to which he appointed his nephew.
At the beginning of the 19th century, mustard was finely milled into powder by the world’s first mustard millers, the British. This is how mustard became an industrial-level food ingredient. In 1904, the modern yellow mustard was introduced in Rochester, New York, from where it became popular due to its pairing with the classic American hot dog.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 15:03:45 GMT
Purple Heart Day – August 7, 2021
Purple Heart Day on August 7 is the kind of day created to give back. It’s a day for Americans to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed whilst serving. These people are decorated with a Purple Heart in the name of the President, and this day is for remembering them and their sacrifice. Some states, counties, and cities pause in recognition, as do some sports and entertainment entities. Military and veteran organizations also hold meetings for remembrance. Join us as we honor those that have been given a Purple Heart.
HISTORY OF PURPLE HEART DAY The original Purple Heart, designated as a Badge of Merit, was awarded by George Washington in 1782. There was a lack of funds in the Continental Army at the time so the award was a way to honor enlisted and deserving people. The honor is presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action.” It was designed with a piece of silk bound through it with a thin edge of silver. Washington only gave out three of the badges himself, and instead authorized subordinates to issue the badges as they saw fit.
The Badge of Merit faded from use but was revived and relaunched in 1932, this time as the Purple Heart. As well as honoring those wounded in combat, this iteration of the Purple Heart recognized commendable action. It was in 1944 that the policy was tweaked slightly and the Purple Heart was given the purpose we know it for today, specifically to honor those who have been wounded or died.
The first service member to be given the modern Purple Heart was General Douglas MacArthur for his service in the Pacific theater during World War II. In total there have been 1.8 million Purple Hearts awarded over the years.
Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014 and has been observed every year since. It’s a chance to reflect on the bravery of those who have fought for the U.S. and to ensure that their courage is never forgotten.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 15:05:44 GMT
Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day – August 7, 2021
Have you ever battled vainly to open a tightly sealed bottle of tablets – only to end up with a sprained wrist and an even worse headache? Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day aims to lift the lid on this kind of problem.
So, if you’re being forced to use knives or scissors to prise a toy or tool out of an impenetrable plastic case, don’t keep your feelings under wraps. Let the manufacturers know that their way of packing items just isn’t your bag.
As well as wasting customers’ time, unnecessary over-packaging also wastes precious resources. What’s more, it leaves us all with extra rubbish to dispose of. An ideal way to mark the occasion is to avoid unnecessary packaging as much as possible. This is a day to bypass burger cartons, say no to supermarket plastic bags and do some thinking outside the box!
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 15:07:57 GMT
Aged Care Employee Day – August 7, 2021
It’s something people commonly joke about as the years go by, especially when parents start getting on our young nerves. “Remember Dad; I’m the one that gets to pick what Home you go into,” With Home meaning that universal specter of every independent adult, the Adult Care Facility. While many of us would never dream of sending our parents someplace horrible, it’s important to remember the men and women who make those facilities a warm and welcoming place when it comes time. Aged Care Employee Day reminds us that there is someone who’s hands we place the care of our elderly in when we’re not there to care for them ourselves.
HISTORY OF AGED CARE EMPLOYEE DAY The Whiddon Group recognized that days like International Nurses Day didn’t cover a broad enough spectrum to show support and gratitude to all of the people who are involved in the care of the elderly, and took steps to change that. Almost 80% of the people who provide Aged Care aren’t nurses, doctors, or other medical professionals. They’re janitors, kitchen staff, laundry workers, and even volunteers who take time out of their day to ensure that our golden years are full of comfort and support.
While Nurses are an essential part of the Aged Care industry, things would simply grind to a stop without the help of the cleaners, cooks, drivers, hospitality teams, and laundry employees who deal with all the day to day minutiae that helps things move along smoothly. Throughout their work these individuals also interact with our loved ones, forming meaningful relationships and friendships that ensure that loneliness isn’t one of the experiences they have while in the facility.
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Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 15:10:02 GMT
Sandcastle Day – August 7, 2021
Few childhood memories are looked back upon more fondly than building sandcastles on the beach–the hot sun overhead, the cool water washing over your feet ever now and the fleeting beauty of the castles themselves that disappear the moment the tide comes in…there’s no doubt about it, childhood sandcastle memories are magic.
And be honest: when was the last time you actually built a sandcastle, either with your child, friends, or even all on your own? This Sandcastle Day it’s time to find a couple of hours to remember just how wonderful building sandcastles at the beach can be.
HISTORY OF SANDCASTLE DAY Sandcastles have likely been around for thousands of years, a favorite past time of both children and adults alike, but it is only recently that people have begun to take them seriously as an art form.
From 1989 until 2009, a World Championship in Sand Sculpture was held in Harrison Hot Springs in Harrison, British Columbia, Canada, also known as “Harrisand”. Other countries hold their own versions of the world championships, but as you may have guessed, it is not possible to get all the people who want to take part in the same place at the same time due to the expense and logistics.
The world’s tallest sandcastle was built on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina during the 2007 Sun Fun Festival. The structure was almost 50 feet (15 m) high and took 10 days to construct, using 300 truckloads of sand.
Sandcastle Day was created to help us remember just how much enjoyment some sand, water, and sunshine can give us. It’s the little things, right?
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