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Post by pennmom on Oct 12, 2021 16:44:48 GMT
National Gumbo Day – October 12, 2021~U.S.
National Gumbo Day is celebrated on October 12. It’s a time to appreciate this heavily seasoned, savory state dish of Louisiana. Although, gumbo is a perfect bit of indulgence any day, anywhere! Gumbo typically consists of strongly-flavored stock with meat or shellfish, a thickener, and seasoned vegetables. The seasoned vegetables may include celery, bell peppers, and onions. In the Cajun cuisine, the trio is known as the “holy trinity. Most people serve gumbo over rice. Curl up on the couch and savor the flavors on National Gumbo Day, or enjoy with and friends.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL GUMBO DAY As is quite common with the lesser-known holidays, even diligent research doesn’t reveal the first instance or true origins of National Gumbo Day. We do know that since 1989, the city of New Iberia, Louisiana has held a widely publicized yearly Championship Gumbo Cook Off every October, a festival that injects two million dollars annually into the local economy, though the contest was cancelled in 2020 due to pandemic concerns.
Let’s start with the etymology of the word “gumbo.” A certain amount of ambiguity survives to this day, since one of the main ingredients, okra, is translated in the Niger-Congo languages spoken by slaves of the time as “quingombo,” while another main ingredient, filé, in the tongues of the native American Choctaw peoples of the region, is pronounced “kombo.” So, like the American hamburger, no one can claim credit for gumbo’s origin with absolute certainty.
So what makes gumbo such a big deal? Its historical significance to Louisiana goes back to the beginning of the 19th century when English settlers arrived in the area and took note of the rich, hearty, stew-like — and spicy! — dish. Gumbo has never lost its momentum as a staple of Louisiana cuisine. It’s the “official food” of Louisiana, and we would be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in the region that didn’t have gumbo on the menu.
Also, it’s not just a dish for commoners. In 1972, to commemorate the passing of Louisiana Senator Allen Ellender, the Senate’s cafeteria added Creole Gumbo to its menu as a permanent fixture. At its essence, there are two versions of gumbo, one originating with the Cajun people (from “Acadian,” a Canadian designation), and the other with the Creoles who had settled the region from France and Spain along with an enslaved African contingent.
Gumbos from both camps usually start with a roux — a French-style mixture of flour and fat — and may contain the vegetable okra, beef, fowl or sausage, the “holy trinity” of vegetables, pungent spices like “filé”, and whatever the chef throws in to make the batch big enough for a crowd.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 12, 2021 16:47:21 GMT
National Freethought Day – October 12, 2021~U.S.
National Freethought Day is celebrated on October 12 every year. It’s an irony that it has taken so long for us to celebrate and raise awareness about something as basic as independent thinking. Every free and democratic citizen must be allowed to enjoy the freedom of political, educational, and scientific thinking. Yet humans have always been cynical about unique or independent thinkers. Famous persons such as Einstein, Newton, Da Vinci, Galileo, Jesus, and many more were ostracized, penalized, and even executed because the majority did not agree with their thinking. National Freethought Day cultivates an environment of understanding and freedom.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FREETHOUGHT DAY There’s a reason why National Freethought Day is celebrated on October 12: On this day in 1692, William Phips, the then governor of colonial Massachusetts, wrote a letter to the British monarchs expressing concern about how the Salem Witch Trials were heard and prosecuted according to spectral evidence. He complained that the entire evidence upon which judgment was executed was someone’s beliefs and dreams. In the Salem Witch Trials, almost all of the evidence were assumptions that a person was involved in consorting with devils; there was no definite proof. William Phips, therefore, following mass protests and agitation, stopped the Salem Witch Trials.
In 1997 organizations such as Freethought Society, American Humanist Association, and Secular Coalition For America initiated the celebrations for Freethought. And although the Salem Witch Trials were abolished in 1693, persecution for free-thinking continues to date. History bears witness that those who, instead of following society’s norm and convention, chose a different (often eccentric) path were either greatly rewarded or severely opposed and ostracized. That one’s ideas contradict established norms does not make one any less deserving to be heard. If freedom of thought were outlawed, we would have been denied some of the most brilliant discoveries, inventions, and creations that humankind has achieved. National Freethought Day celebration began in 1997, but it took another four years before it became popular and celebrated all over the country.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 12, 2021 16:50:14 GMT
National Face Your Fears Day– October 12, 2021~U.S.
National Face Your Fears Day is celebrated on the second Tuesday of October every year, on October 12 this year. Whether you have a deep-seated fear of public speaking or are terrified of spiders, this day is an opportunity to step out and overcome things that are holding you back.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FACE YOUR FEARS DAY Though some credit the creation of National Face Your Fears Day to public speaker Steve Hughes, who reportedly founded the day in October 2007, the history surrounding the day is uncertain.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines fear as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm”. Fear is one emotion that is universal, experienced by all classes of people, be they old or young, poor or rich, educated or illiterate.
According to scientists, fear is purely physical. When a person is confronted by a stimulus or the subject of fear, a physical reaction occurs in the brain. The part of the brain called the amygdala immediately goes to work and alerts the nervous system of a possible threat. In response, stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released, preparing the body for fight or flight. This response prepares the body to either stay and confront the situation or run to safety. The blood pressure goes up, the heart rate increases, and the palms get sweaty. All these are signs that the body is experiencing and processing the emotion of fear.
This proves that the fear response is involuntary, meaning that it happens without conscious thought. But just because it’s an automatic response, doesn’t mean we should allow our emotions to control us. Fear can be useful in protecting us from danger, but when we allow fear to become debilitating, we limit ourselves and deprive ourselves of experiencing all that the world has to offer. On National Fear Your Fears Day, it’s time to stand up to those fears and say yes to courage!
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Post by pennmom on Oct 12, 2021 16:53:49 GMT
Maha Saptami – October 12, 2021~India
Maha Saptami is celebrated every year on the seventh day of the waxing moon called ‘Shukla Paksha’ in the Hindu calendar month of ‘Ashwin,’ which falls on October 12 this year. The Maha Puja (Great Ceremony) starts on Maha Saptami. There is a Durga Puja, a Hindu festival, that takes place with great fanfare and celebrates the 10-armed goddess and her victory over the evil buffalo demon ‘Mahishasura.’
HISTORY OF MAHA SAPTAMI India celebrates a 10-day-long Durga Puja festival with great enthusiasm and spirit. Maha Saptami is day seven of that festival, and Saptami means ‘seven’ in Sanskrit. The Maha Puja of the Durga Puja begins on the day of Maha Saptami. It is said that the battle between Goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura began on this day and ended on Vijaya Dashami Day, the 10th and last day of the Durga Puja festival with the victory of the goddess over the demon.
There is another legend surrounding the celebration of this day. It is believed that Lord Rama prayed to Goddess Durga before his battle with the demon king Ravana, who abducted his wife Sita. This puja had to be done with 100 blue lotus flowers; however, Lord Rama could only find 99. To complete the puja, he plucked out his own blue eye and offered it to the goddess in place of the missing lotus. Goddess Durga was pleased with this devotion and showered him with her blessings, which helped him win against Ravana. This battle happened on day seven of the month of Ashwin.
Durga Puja has traditional rituals associated with it, such as the Navapatrika, where nine plants are bathed in the River Ganges before the sun rises. These nine plants are turmeric, bel, Ashoka, ‘jayanti,’ pomegranate, banana, paddy, colocasia, and arum. The second ritual is the Mahasnan, where a mirror is treated as the personification of the Goddess Durga and is given a ritual bath. The last ritual is the Prana Prathishta, where a pot filled with holy water and covered with a coconut surrounded by five mango leaves is placed in front of the idol of the goddess, followed by chanting divine hymns. In the end, the goddess is worshipped using 16 special items.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 12, 2021 16:57:07 GMT
Bone and Joint Health National Action Week – October 12-18, 2021~World
If your back and joints hurt, you’re not alone because bone and joint ailments are some of the most common problems facing millions of people around the world. Bone and Joint Health National Action Week is the best source for information on causes and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions. This event takes place on October 12-20 each year. Bone and Joint Action Week centers around discussions on preventing and treating arthritis, back pain, trauma, pediatric conditions affecting bones, and osteoporosis.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:03:35 GMT
Navy Birthday – October 13, 2021~U.S.
Celebrate the Navy’s Birthday on October 13 and recognize the brave men and women who have served our country — past and present. Established during the Revolutionary War, the original Continental Navy was formed, disbanded, and then reestablished nearly 10 years later. Today it’s the largest and most capable navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage. The Navy also boasts the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet, over 300,000 active personnel, and nearly 100,000 in the Ready Reserve.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:06:08 GMT
National Yorkshire Pudding Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
National Yorkshire Pudding Day is a day so special that it is celebrated twice a year: The first Sunday in February in the U.K. and October 13 in the U.S. and everywhere else. To make it, a pancake batter is placed under a lump of meat being roasted over a fire, and the fat drippings from the meat season and color the pudding, making it savory, tasty, and scrumptious. This delicacy, though traditionally British, is a side dish loved by many in America. The fact that Yorkshire pudding has two holidays to its name, celebrated in two continents, is proof that these golden-brown beauties are heavenly luscious.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL YORKSHIRE PUDDING DAY British Yorkshire Pudding Day is observed every first Sunday in February. That’s the date in the British calendar dedicated to celebrating the much-loved delicacy made from egg, flour, and milk, and is cooked by deep-frying in one large group of individual puddings.
Although its exact origin in the northern part of England is unknown, the appositive ‘Yorkshire’ now associated with the pudding was first used to describe the delicacy in a 1747 book titled “The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy.” The book distinguished the light and crispy texture of puddings made in England’s northern region from others created in parts of the country.
Considered to be one of the most modest yet protean British side dishes, the Yorkshire pudding is loved by most people, with its formed cavity acting as a receptacle, holding lots of sauce.
In the U.K., Yorkshire pudding is mostly cooked in beef dripping or, in this modern-day, oil, as is done in the United States and Canada.
This traditionally British dish often has large festivals organized around its celebration in the U.K. each February that is usually attended by lovers of this gourmet meal.
It is believed that it came into existence with the mainstream usage of wheat flour for baking and was invented as a result of northern England cooks trying to find a way of making use of the fat drippings that drops into the pan while the meat is being roasted.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:07:53 GMT
National Transfer Money to Your Son Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
National Transfer Money To Your Son Day is October 13, so expect your son to finally call home. Sure you probably send him money whenever he needs it, or when you’re just thinking of him in general. But why not get festive and send him some pocket change to celebrate this very specific holiday. You might even get an “I love you” out of it!
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:10:36 GMT
National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day occurs on Wednesday in the second full week of October, which is October 13 this year. Its purpose is for parents to have an enjoyable and memorable moment talking to and learning about the things their children eat in school. Parents and school administrators collaborate to help come up with a system that provides the healthiest luncheon for school kids.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO LUNCH DAY On National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day, parents bond with their children in lunchrooms, learning not only about the efforts that go into delivering healthy meals to the children but also about the kids’ eating habits.
This annual celebration began in 2015 and has continued since then. It is heavily promoted by “Kiwi,” an online magazine dedicated to providing families with resources and information and helping them make the best choices about health, food, home life, etc. On this day, parents enjoy lunch with their kids at their school canteens. They get to see and taste the foods that their children eat every day, examine the environment, and even engage with the cafeteria staff. The day, basically, is an excellent opportunity for parents to focus on other aspects of their child’s school life besides their grades, giving mom and dad a peek at everything going on in their child’s school kitchen.
National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day is considered one of the most important days in the nation’s schools. Parents who wish to participate but live in places where the celebration is not observed can talk to school administrators about joining in the celebration. They can also discuss it with the school’s Parent-Teacher Association or get other parents to form a committee to host the event themselves.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:15:49 GMT
National Stop Bullying Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
National Stop Bullying Day, which falls on the second Wednesday in October, schoolchildren, their teachers and their parents spend time learning about bullying and recognizing how they can prevent it. It calls on schools and organizations to bring together children, educators, and parents for the sake of preventing bullying situations. Bullying can come in many forms, and victims can feel helpless or unsure of how to stop the situation. While bystander intervention is an effective way to stop bullying in real-time, understanding how it can be prevented can be even more important.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL STOP BULLYING DAY Though there have always been bullies, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the issue began to be researched. Dr. Dan Olweus, a Norwegian psychologist, spearheaded efforts to better understand and prevent bullying. In 1983, in response to the tragic suicide of three boys who were being bullied, Dr. Olweus developed a bullying prevention program that helped to inform American anti-bullying efforts in the 1990s.
In 1999, after the school shooting at Columbine, anti-bullying programs sprung up in and around schools. The tragic event seemed to give way to the movement, which focused on fixing the environment around victims – no longer putting the weight of the burden on the victim. To combat bullying, anti-bullying laws and policies were introduced, and teachers focused on empowering bystanders, policing classrooms and hallways, and punishing and reforming the bullies.
Georgia and California were two of the states that were quickest to adopt anti-bullying legislation. For California, this came in 2008 and focused specifically on eliminating the emerging threat of cyberbullying. This followed the Federal law that stated it was illegal to abuse and harass others online – while not explicitly naming cyberbullying, it went a long way towards prevention of the act.
In addition to legislation, organizations and foundations to prevent and eradicate bullying have significantly helped combat the issue. Examples include the National Bullying Prevention Center, launched by the group PACER in 2006, and the STOMP Program in 2005, which is dedicated to eradicating cyberbullying, racism, and homophobia. Started by two college women in 2009, The Kind Campaign aims to stop bullying between girls. Today, bullying is a nationally-recognized issue, and there are many resources for parents, teachers, victims of bullying, and bystanders to help stomp out the problem.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:18:03 GMT
National Pet Obesity Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
Pets come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes sizes get a little out of hand. That’s why on October 14 we recognize National Pet Obesity Day to remind people to keep their pets healthy. When your pooch starts getting a little plump, you know it’s time for a few things . More walks, less table scraps, and perhaps even an additional visit to the vet to make sure they’re still healthy. While a rotund Rover can be a cute or funny sight, that extra layer for lovin’ can have some serious consequences. Thanks to National Pet Obesity Day, we can now all learn more about this problem among our beloved pets.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PET OBESITY DAY While humans have domesticated animals for hundreds of years, only most recently have we seen such an exponential increase of plus-sized pets. While it’s hard to say no to those precious faces when it comes to food, it’s important to practice discipline for the safety and well-being of our beloved companions. It starts with recognizing there is a problem. Pet owners think their obese dog or cat is a normal weight, making confronting obesity difficult. No one wants to think their pet is overweight, and overcoming denial is our first battle. Currently more than half of all domestic dogs and cats are clinically overweight, which is to say their body condition score is above a four. That amounts to nearly 49 million dogs and more than 50 million cats who are a bit portlier than their peers. This can lead to serious health issues for these animals including diabetes, arthritis, decreased life expectancy, high blood pressure and cancer. Not only will it be hard for your pet, but it will be hard for you to watch, not to mention these conditions can quickly become very costly. The good news is that pet obesity can be easily prevented by taking a few cautionary steps, thanks to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP).
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:21:28 GMT
National No Bra Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
WHAT IS NATIONAL NO BRA DAY? October 13 is National No Bra Day, also known as: “the moment we get home from work“ day. Today is not just about comfort, though. National No Bra Day, which falls right in the middle of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is a time for women (and men!) to learn about breast health. It helps remind people that breast cancer is a potentially fatal disease, but also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. National No Bra Day is all about learning to spot early warning signs and get an edge in the fight against cancer.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL NO BRA DAY National No Bra Day’s origins can be traced back to two days in history: July 9, 2011 and October 19, 2011. The latter was founded in Toronto, Canada where it was originally titled BRA Day by Dr. Mitchell Brown. BRA (Breast Reconstruction — An Event of Learning and Sharing) Day was celebrated to raise awareness for women who undergo a mastectomy and encourage self examinations. In July that same year, a person using the pseudonym Anastasia Doughnuts conceived National No Bra Day to raise breast cancer awareness, along with a website to help promote the event’s occurrence. Three years later, the two days were combined and pushed to October 13 to be celebrated during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:24:54 GMT
International Top Spinning Day – October 13, 2021~International
International Top Spinning Day occurs every second Wednesday of October (falling on October 13 this year) to the delight of lovers of spinning tops around the world. Did you know, this event was initiated by a museum in Burlington, Wisconsin?
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL TOP SPINNING DAY A spinning top is a toy with a squat body and a sharp bottom that is designed to be spun on its vertical axis. The International Top Spinning Day celebration is about this toy. The day is celebrated by all lovers of spinning tops around the world who, on this day, joyfully participate in and enjoy spinning tops in quirky and unusual environments around them. Tops can come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, but they all have the characteristic of being able to defy gravity in exactly the same way as explained by the gyroscopic effect that uses inertia, gravity, momentum, and centrifugal force.
In 2003, when the Spinning Top and Yo-Yo Museum in Burlington, Wisconsin, created International Top Spinning Day, its director, Judith Schultz, likened the rotation of the toy when spun to the earth spinning around its axis. According to her, “The earth spins around a single axis, just as the toys spinning tops and yo-yo’s do.”
International Top Spinning Day is also meant to recognize and celebrate the scientific fact behind how tops defy gravity. According to researchers’ findings, spinning tops have existed for millennia, with the oldest ever found dating back to the 35th century B.C., or around 6,000 years ago. Historically, tops appear to have originated from different parts of the world but they all have the characteristic of being set in motion by pulling a string or cord that is attached to their axis or, rotated by holding its tail — usually the narrower part of its whole body — between your longest finger and thumb, and spin.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:29:47 GMT
National Herpes Awareness Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
October 13 is National Herpes Awareness Day, an opportunity to raise awareness around the causes, risks, and treatment of different types of herpes infections, particularly genital herpes. Perhaps more importantly, it’s a chance to debunk myths around the disease, start conversations about what it really means to have a genital herpes infection and, hopefully, destroy the stigma around the disease that impacts nearly 16% of women between the ages of 14 and 49.
National Herpes Awareness Day is sponsored by FemiClear, a brand that has launched a new over-the-counter genital herpes symptom relief product that has been shown to kill 99.9% of the Herpes Simplex I and II viruses in laboratory tests.* In fact, in a test of women experiencing a genital herpes outbreak, >90% said that they experienced less severe outbreak symptoms.**
*Independent accredited laboratory test (non-human/non-animal) measured the antiviral activity of FemiClear using a suspension time-kill procedure against Herpes.
**As self-reported in a comprehensive IRB approved study of 50 women diagnosed and actively experiencing a genital herpes outbreak. These women received modest compensation. Not a cure for herpes or a replacement for prescription antiviral medication. Individual results may vary. Data on file. See FemiClear.com.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HERPES AWARENESS DAY Herpes has been one of the most misunderstood (and mistreated) ailments in history. It has been around for millions of years and affected nearly every species of human along the evolutionary scale. In fact, in 2017, scientists discovered the ancient primate believed to have been herpes patient zero. Needless to say, we hominids have been dealing with the itching, burning, tingling pain of herpes for millennia.
However, the stigma around herpes is relatively new. Throughout most of modern medical history (ie. the 20th century) the stigma of herpes was relatively low. Yes, it was a sexually transmitted infection, but it was also transmitted through other forms of contact and it wasn’t considered a discrete type of infection until the 1960s.
By the 1980s, herpes, particularly Herpes Simplex II, the virus known to cause most genital cases, became a very real source of public shame and embarrassment. Time Magazine labeled it “the new sexual leprosy” bringing with it the expected stigma and turning it into a boogeyman on the level of other sexually transmitted diseases.
The fact is, having herpes shouldn’t dramatically change a person’s self-worth and sexual health. Herpes Awareness Day was created to start a conversation around the condition and encourage people to seek treatment for the symptoms (there’s currently no cure) and promote healthy, reasonable discourse about the virus’ actual impact on people’s lives. It’s an important conversation that is long overdue and the folks at FemiClear are taking the lead as they try to help women living with genital herpes get their lives back.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:32:11 GMT
English Language Day – October 13, 2021~International
English Language Day is celebrated on October 13 to commemorate the day Parliament was opened for the first time by a speech in English, in 1362, rather than in French. The day also celebrates the universality of the language, and how it has evolved over the centuries. Scholars believe that there is no true version of the language, as over 7,000 variations of English can be found in the world right now. English has also adopted many words from other languages. Other than speech, English has also become the primary language for movies and TV shows, literature, and music.
HISTORY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAY The English Project launched the world’s first-ever English Language Day on October 13 in 2009. English Language Day is celebrated to commemorate October 13, 1362, when Parliament was opened for the first time by a speech in English, instead of French. In the same Parliament, a Statute of Pleading was approved that allowed members in debate to use the English language. This made English the official language of law and law-making.
English is a vast language. There are more than 250,000 words in an Oxford Dictionary — minus a lot of technical, scientific, and slang words. English is probably the only language with as many synonyms for many of its words, largely because of its enormous absorbing capacity — borrowing words from as many languages as possible, including German, Greek, Portuguese, French, Latin, and even the language of the colonies where it became widespread. Years of colonialism meant that English now also had words from Asian, the Caribbean, and African cultures. The English language has always been eager to adopt and adapt words and phrases from other languages. The willingness to adapt itself is probably what makes English so different from other languages, such as French.
The English language is easily the most broadly used and spoken language on the planet, and it enjoys a good reputation for adapting words, concepts, and cultural influences from around the world. This adds to the language’s enormous vocabulary, one that is full of odd rules, spellings, and grammar. English Language Day remembers and celebrates the incredible popularity of the language and even its eccentricities!
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:35:11 GMT
ADA Lovelace Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
Ada Lovelace Day on October 13 highlights the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Launched in 2009 as a celebration of women in science, the event promotes programs that encourage girls and women to pursue careers in STEM.
A daughter of Lord Byron, Ada Lovelace is widely known as the first person to recognize the potential of early computers and published what is known as an algorithm. Before most others, Lovelace recognized that computers could do more than simple number-crunching, opening the door to complex functions and ushering in the modern era of computing.
HISTORY OF ADA LOVELACE DAY Born in 1815, Ada Lovelace was the daughter of famed Romantic poet Lord Byron. Thanks to her privileged upbringing, Ada had the opportunity to study math and science, subjects not open to most girls and women of the era. The bright young lady was mentored by Charles Babbage, the inventor of the mechanical calculator. Her work with Babbage led to the 1843 publication of what is now recognized as the first algorithm.
Although she never saw it tested during her lifetime, Lovelace’s commentary and notes on her translation of Babbage’s description of his Analytical Engine is now widely considered the first algorithm. More than a hundred years before computers started to become mainstream, her theories proposed that computers could do so much more than basic arithmetic. Babbage called her the “Enchantress of Numbers,” a fitting name for the world’s first computer programmer. Sadly, Lovelace died of what was most likely uterine cancer at the young age of 36.
In 2009, technologist Suw Charman-Anderson founded Ada Lovelace Day to draw attention to this pioneering woman scientist and promote the achievements of women in STEM careers. Although women earn more than half of undergraduate college degrees in the United States, less than a quarter of them are in STEM fields.
Advocates of STEM education argue that studying sciences and math gives women a step up in career options and benefits science by including different perspectives. Ada Lovelace Day aims to promote STEM education and honor the teachers, researchers, technicians, advocates, and others who champion the importance of science and math.
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:38:24 GMT
Emergency Nurses Day – October 13, 2021~International
Emergency Nurses Day is celebrated on the second Wednesday of October every year, which falls on October 13 this year. Nursing as a profession requires a great deal of compassion and expertise, and nurses working in hospital emergency wards have to deal with numerous difficulties all through their working hours. A special focus is placed on Emergency Nurses Day, which is a part of a wider celebration of Emergency Nurses Week. Events are held around the world to express gratitude and show support for emergency nurses, who provide invaluable care and assistance to those in need.
HISTORY OF EMERGENCY NURSES DAY Emergency Nurses Day celebrations first started in 1989, and it has been observed ever since. It was established by the Emergency Nurses Association and is a part of Emergency Nurses Week. The day recognizes the extraordinary commitment and labor of emergency nursing professionals around the world.
By 2001, the Emergency Nurses Association began celebrating the entire week as Emergency Nurses Week. This allowed the association to highlight the contributions of emergency nursing professionals. Emergency rooms handle cases of allergic reactions, accidents, and matters requiring urgent medical care. Nurses work quickly to make sure a patient’s needs are assessed and that their care is prioritized. They begin with stabilizing the patient, and once that is done, they diagnose the problem and start working to nurse (no pun intended) the patient back to health. Needless to say, it is a traumatic job, having to deal with patients whose lives are on the line. Emergency nurses are patient, calm under pressure, compassionate, and have exceptional critical-thinking skills. They work as part of a team with other healthcare professionals, including nurses and physicians.
The Emergency Nurses Association was founded in 1970. It is the premier professional nursing association that is dedicated to leadership, innovation, research, education, and advocacy for the betterment of emergency nursing. The association now comprises more than 44,000 members spread across the globe. The Emergency Nurses Association stands for several important things, including patient safety, emergency healthcare public policy, and developing superior practice guidelines and standards.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:40:20 GMT
National Fossil Day – October 13, 2021~U.S.
Fossils aren’t just interesting and fun to look at — they’re also proof of the existence of once-living things (like dinosaurs, animals, plants and even DNA remnants). Through these fossils we’re able to learn a lot about life from billions of years ago. We can even take a look at animals and life-forms that are no longer on the planet! These fossils (and the education around them) deserve to be preserved and explored. That’s why we celebrate National Fossil Day annually on the Wednesday of the second full week in October, with this year’s celebration being held on October 13. Show some appreciation for these incredible “time capsules” and the paleontologists who excavate them.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 17:43:13 GMT
International Day for Disaster Reduction – October 13, 2021~International
International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed every year on October 13. Effective tackling of natural disasters has much to do with governance. One can measure good disaster-risk governance in lives saved, reduced numbers of disaster-affected people, and reduced economic losses. Along with the usual risk factors, the climate emergency indicates that we need a clear vision, plan, and a competently empowered governance that takes action based on scientific evidence for the benefit of the public. It’s time for governments and people to take responsibility if we want to leave a stable planet for future generations
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION The International Day for Disaster Reduction was started in 1989. The decision was made after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day that would be dedicated to building a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. The International Day for Disaster Reduction acknowledges how people and communities around the world are coming together to reduce exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of timely action.
In 2015, at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (held in Sendai, Japan), the international community discussed how disasters hit hardest at the local level. This increases the risk of deaths along with great social and economic upheaval. Disasters that strike without caution displace millions of people every year. Some disasters are made worse by climate change which often reverses sustainable development and disturbs the local ecosystem.
Keeping these risk factors in mind, it was decided that disaster relief plans need to be made from the ground up. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is people-focused and action-oriented in its approach. The framework focuses on disaster risk reduction and offers solutions to the risk of small-scale and large-scale disasters caused by man-made, or natural hazards. It also takes a look at the related environmental, technological, and biological hazards and risks. The success of good planning is making sure that the disaster reduction framework is multi-sectoral, linking policies in areas such as land use, building codes, public health, education, agriculture, environmental protection, energy, water resources, poverty reduction, and climate change adaptation.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Oct 13, 2021 18:34:07 GMT
International Skeptics Day – October 13, 2021~World
Like most things, skepticism is good in moderation but, today, on International Skeptics Day, on October 13, go ahead and question some of your beliefs. The ‘investigation’ of your assumptions can be fruitful and worthwhile.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL SKEPTICS DAY Research thus far has not revealed an inaugural year of recognizing International Skeptics Day, nor does skepticism itself follow a clear timeline that would be punctuated by specific events.
But as a paradigm within which to operate, skepticism shows no loss of momentum, with periodicals like “The Skeptic” and “The Skeptical Inquirer” still in print, along with podcasts, TV documentaries, and meet-up groups all over the world. The Doubting Thomas who is reading these words should have no trouble finding like-minded people, whatever his or her current location.
The word ‘skeptic’ comes from the Greek word ‘skepsis,’ meaning ‘investigation.’ The skeptics in the ancient period were actual individuals comprising a school of thought — in the literal sense of the phrase. Their ultimate goal was ‘a life without belief.’ In written arguments, a skeptic would often be found debating with a Stoic, a Cynic, or an Epicurean — interlocutors whose main function in the writing would be to elicit the opinions of the skeptic for all to read.
In the modern day, skepticism is considered a sign of intelligence because it indicates a desire to get at the real truth but skepticism in an individual can also stem from a feeling of insufficiency on their part — “That girl is asking me out for a dubious reason. She just wants something.”
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