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Post by pennmom on Jan 4, 2022 17:30:35 GMT
National Missouri Day – January 4, 2022~U.S.
National Missouri Day on January 4 acknowledges the 24th state to join the Union. The state boasts many cultural and artistic attractions, from music festivals to cruises on riverboats, and tours of the biggest brewing company in the nation. With a prosperous history and fascinating people, Missouri evolved into a stopping point for many migrating west. Some moved on and returned east but those who stayed made big names for themselves, names such as Walt Disney.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL MISSOURI DAY
The history of Missouri began during the Paleo-Indian period in about 12,000 B.C. when Native Americans settled in the area. Ensuing periods of native life developed until the 17th century, then New France set up small settlements. After some years, Napoleonic France sold the area to the U.S. in 1803, as a portion of the Louisiana Purchase.
Statehood for Missouri came after the Missouri Compromise in 1820 that authorized slavery, and the settlement was rapid after 1820, boosted by a network of rivers made passable by steamboats and by being centered in the city of St. Louis. This attracted European settlers, particularly the Germans. The Civil War saw multiple small battles and influence by the Union. But after the war, the economy became diverse and railroads set up in Kansas City opened up new farmlands in the west.
Missouri is named after the indigenous Missouri Indians. It comes from the word ‘ouemessourita’ meaning “wooden canoe people” or “those who have dugout canoes.”
The idea for National Missouri Day came from the school teacher and native Missourian Anna Lee Brosius Korn. She composed the old state song, “Missouri”, and felt that the state required a whole day to acknowledge significant Missourians. So, in 1915, House Bill 122 created Missouri Day and set it aside as a day to “foster love for our state’s history and to teach rising generations of boys and girls the glories of Missouri.” Today, Missouri is renowned for its natural beauty, with beautiful lakes, varieties of trees, and wildflowers. The state also yields the most lime in the nation and is the top producer of mined lead in the United States.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 5, 2022 20:07:59 GMT
National Screenwriters Day – January 5, 2022~U.S.
National Screenwriters Day is celebrated on January 5 in recognition of the writers who toil day and night to bring us the best stories, the ultimate zingers, and the sublime messages that steer our conscience. Screenwriters capture the imagination of society. The shows and movies we enjoy would be nothing without the pen of a devoted writer. Let’s honor the great screenwriters amongst us and take a pledge to give them their due credit.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SCREENWRITERS DAY
America’s love for cinema goes back a century. There were movies even before there was a video recorder. But the passion for telling stories in the form of plays and skits is a millennia-long affair. Regardless of the medium, multiple forms of storytelling have existed in every organized society. And when there’s a story to tell, there’s always a screenwriter who has to find the perfect way to tell it.
A screenwriter’s most important job is to determine how a scene will look on a screen. The entire movie or episode is constructed as per their vision. A good screenwriter can override the shortcomings of production or lack of acting talent, whereas a bad screenwriter can turn the biggest budgets and A-list casting to dust.
Screenwriters work under immense pressure and are often asked to make changes at a moment’s notice. They work alongside researchers, culture experts, and historians to build a foolproof storyline. Their deadlines are tied to the logistical requirements of directors and producers. They accommodate the creative demands of the dialogue writer and the actor’s comfort levels.
Sounds like a lot of hard work, doesn’t it? Now ask yourself how many famous screenwriters do you personally know of? It’s always the actors who get to be the face of the films, seldom is it the mind behind a story who is honored. National Screenwriters Day is a part of a movement that seeks to change that. In 2016, “Screenwriting Magazine”, an online publication, declared January 5 as National Screenwriters Day to honor screenwriters’ tremendous contributions.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 5, 2022 20:10:00 GMT
National Whipped Cream Day – January 5, 2022~ U.S.
Whipped cream is a sweet treat that we’ve been creating for centuries. As air is beaten into milk with a high enough fat content, the fats trap the air in tiny bubbles. With enough bubbles, the cream loses its liquid qualities and starts to hold its shape. The earliest recipes for whipped cream date back to Italy in the mid 1500’s. Not actually called “whipped cream” until the late 1600’s in England, early recipes dubbed the confection “snow milk” and recommended beating heavy cream with a willow branch until foamy. Now that we have sanitized whisks and modern food processing machinery, whipped cream is widely available in a range of flavors and textures. You can find chocolate whipped cream, mint whipped cream, and tubs of whipped-cream substitute that never goes flat. Then there’s heavy whipped cream, which has a higher fat content for a richer taste and sturdier peaks. Whether you like the convenience of whipped topping from a can or the sweet satisfaction of whisking up a homemade batch, be sure to celebrate the joys that whipped cream has brought you personally —and to all of us around the world —on National Whipped Cream Day this January 5.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 5, 2022 20:14:20 GMT
National Keto Day – January 5, 2022~U.S.
On National Keto Day, January 5, we are reminded that people on ketogenic diets cut carbs out of their diet to an extent where the body starts to consume fat — instead of carbohydrates — for fuel. The obvious benefit of fat used for energy is weight loss, but it also helps epilepsy patients avoid seizures, and is shown to increase cognitive brain function.
For those wanting to start keto, be aware of possible side effects dubbed the “keto flu.” However, there are plenty of reliable resources online and celebrities like the Kardashians and Halle Berry also swear by it!
WHEN IS NATIONAL KETO DAY 2022?
Ketogenic diets cut carbs out of diet so that body fat is used for fuel.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL KETO DAY
The ketogenic diet as a modern health strategy started in the 1920s, as a treatment for epilepsy in both children and adults. Later, with the introduction of effective anticonvulsant prescription drugs for seizures, keto fell out of favor with the medical community. However, some providers still recommended the regimen of the 4:1 fat to protein intake ratio and reduction in grain-based foods, sugars, and high-carb fruits, instead of the medicines.
Finally, in 1994, Hollywood producer Jim Abrahams, whose son’s epilepsy was controlled by the keto diet, established the Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies. This led to broad media coverage including an interview on “Dateline” and a made-for-TV movie starring Meryl Streep directed by Abrahams himself. Soon after, his foundation published a cutting-edge scientific study of ketogenics, and a renewed national and international interest began to grow.
So how did doctors in the early 20th century know that carb reduction would be of benefit to epileptics? The real history goes back to ancient Greece, where it was written by physicians in the “Hippocratic Corpus” that epilepsy was not supernatural as commonly believed, but a biological ailment that could be treated by severe fasting.
In 20th-century treatments and studies, it was discovered by neurologists that a starch and sugar-free diet could replicate the results of the total fasting version, and that fine-tuning and experimentation of course led to today’s version of keto, spurred on to a great extent by the national preoccupation with weight loss.
Today, the brain-health benefits of the keto diet are known to apply to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, insomnia, and more. The Vitamin Shoppe founded National Keto Day on January 5, 2019, to educate and bring awareness to the ketogenic diet and further highlight the many health benefits a keto lifestyle offers.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 5, 2022 20:17:22 GMT
![]() National Bird Day – January 5, 2022~U.S.
Birds have always held special place in our hearts, which is why we celebrate them on National Bird Day every January 5! While birds are amazing, they’re also a massive animal group under particular threat. And the phrase “canary in the coal mine” was named after birds for a reason—they’re the barometers of our planet’s environmental health. The fact that so many bird species are under threat thanks to the illegal pet trade, disease, and habitat loss means it’s more important than ever to raise public awareness of the needs of birds. The survival of hundreds of species depends on it!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BIRD DAY
Whether they’re your backyard’s star cardinal or the common pigeons that flock to and fro in the park, birds have always held a spot of fascination, love, and adoration in our hearts. There’s a certain awe that can only be tapped into when watching an eagle soar. Unfortunately, most birds are either endangered or protected, this is mostly due to habitat loss or illegal pet trade.
That’s why the Avian Welfare Coalition created National Bird Day: to raise awareness of the hardships and plights of these important animals and how we can initiate the change needed to create a healthier, more sustainable relationship with them.
Birds are often considered living links to the past, being the closest-related animals to the evolution of dinosaurs. They’re often keystone species in the ecosystems, signifiers of its health and vitality. For example, the holes left behind by woodpeckers are often used as homes for a large variety of other animals. That means if woodpeckers were to run out of a food source – or out of the right kinds of trees – so, too, would all the animals dependent on their pecking skills.
While National Bird Day may be relatively new, having been founded in 2002, the adversity that birds have had to face is nothing novel to the animal kingdom. Just ask the Dodo, the Labrador Duck, or the Passenger Pigeon, considered sacred by many Native American tribes and often the subject of many works of American art until its demise. |
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 17:59:29 GMT
National Smith Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
If you can believe it, National Smith Day is on January 6, and no, it’s not a day to celebrate blacksmiths, but rather to celebrate those who have the last name ‘Smith’ or one containing ‘Smith’. Smith is one of the most popular names in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith founded the day in 1994.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SMITH DAY
The name Smith originated in England and Ireland but has been popularized across continents. Now, almost three million people in the United States have a Smith in their name.
The name Smith actually refers to a smith, be it a goldsmith, locksmith, or blacksmith. The use of Smith dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, and was a surname derived from the occupation. Ecceard Smith of County Durham was recorded in 975. Many later Smiths had no connection to the occupation, but either adopted or were given the surname.
Since it was an extremely common name, it became usual for people in English-speaking countries to adopt the surname Smith, in order to maintain a secret identity. During the colonization of North America, Native Americans would take the name for use in dealing with colonists. Many slaves were known by the surname of their masters, or adopted those surnames upon their freedom, and in the World Wars, many German Americans anglicized the surname ‘Schmidt’ or ‘Schmitz’ to Smith to avoid discrimination.
These all led to the vast popularization of the name and in 1994, another Smith decided to make it a whole day! Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith created this day to honor people with the name Smith, and chose the particular date because it’s quite an important one in Smith history.
Captain John Smith was baptized on the date in 1580, and since his exact birth date is unclear, the date is commonly used as his birth date. He led the Jamestown colony settlers in 1607 and was one of the first Smiths to live in America. This day also marks the birthdate of Jedediah Strong Smith, who is believed to have been the first American to get to California by land.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:06:30 GMT
Three Kings Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, January 6, we celebrate Three Kings Day! Celebrated most in Europe, Spain, and Latin America, ‘El Dia de los Reyes’, as it’s called in Spanish, marks the glorification of baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men.
WHEN IS THREE KINGS DAY 2022?
Christmas celebrations must go on until Three Kings Day on January 6! For Christians, Christmas Day is just the beginning of the festivities, as it kicks off the celebrations for the Twelve Days of Christmas.
HISTORY OF THREE KINGS DAY
In Mexico and many other Latin American countries,  Claus isn’t as popular as he is in the United States. Rather, it is the Three Wise Men who are the bearers of gifts and leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name Epiphany and dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus’ baptism and to pay homage to the Three Wise Men.
Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus’ birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the star in Bethlehem. This new star appeared in the evening sky just prior to the arrival of Jesus. Three wise men, or Magi as they were known, whose names were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, traveled a far distance to pay homage to Christ. They brought with them fine gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Three Kings Day, or El Dia de Reyes, remains an important holiday for Catholics. In addition to gift-giving, there is also a culinary treat that is specific to the holiday. Known as Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake), this holiday dessert is a symbolic pastry. Shaped in a circle to signify a king’s crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion Dia de la Condelaria (Candlemas Day) which occurs each year on February 2.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:09:10 GMT
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
After the bustle and excitement of the Christmas season, National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day on January 6 provides the perfect end to the season. It’s the last of the 12 days of Christmas and encourages us to finally let go of the holidays, take down our trees, and usher in Epiphany.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TAKE DOWN THE CHRISTMAS TREE DAY
Christmas trees have been around since the 1500s, some say even earlier, and have become an integral part of the Christmas festivities.
Just like the celebrations, the time you choose to take down your Christmas tree is completely at your discretion. Many people take theirs down right after the opening of gifts on Boxing Day, and others leave it up until New Year’s Day, or even for a while after. However, if you’re one of those people who simply can’t seem to get around the depressing chore, National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day may present you with the perfect opportunity.
Founded by the ‘Queen of Holidays’, Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, the day is celebrated annually on January 6. This day is vital in Christmas history, as it marks the 12th and last day of Christmas, and is the day Epiphany takes place.
Epiphany is a feast day, celebrating the revelation of God as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles by the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, marking his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in 361 A.D.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day was created to add some excitement to the usually difficult process of letting go of the festive Christmas season. Take down your trees and usher in a new season.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:11:52 GMT
National Take a Poet to Lunch Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
If you know a poet, National Take a Poet to Lunch Day on January 6 will be the best time to show your support and appreciation for their work. Take them out for a great meal, on you. Poetry has been around since before Christ, and this creative, rhythmic form of literature has become the foundation for things we now enjoy, such as modern music.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TAKE A POET TO LUNCH DAY
National Take a Poet to Lunch Day is a day dedicated to appreciating poetry by taking a poet you know out to lunch. We cannot accurately track the history of this day, so instead, we will give you a brief history of the art form itself.
Epic poems were some of the first to ever be written. They are lengthy narrative poems, which discuss the extraordinary doings of people in a time beyond living memory. They mostly involved gods or other superhuman forces, and gave shape to the mortal universe. This allowed their descendants to understand themselves as a people or nation.
Some scholars believe that the art of poetry may predate literacy, with the oldest surviving epic poem, “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, dating back to as far as 3000 B.C. It was originally written in cuneiform script on clay tablets. A thousand years after that, in 2000 B.C, the first love poem, “Istanbul” was written on a tablet.
Other forms of poetry developed directly from folk songs, with the earliest entries in the oldest collection of Chinese poetry, “The Shijing”, being lyrics initially. It was compiled by the philosopher Confucius and is considered to be one of the official Confucian classics.
The study of the aesthetics of poetry, poetics, came to be when ancient thinkers found it difficult to determine what made poetry distinctive as a form, and what distinguished good poetry from bad poetry. Aristotle’s “Poetics”, described three genres of poetry — the epic, the comic, and the tragic. It developed rules to distinguish the highest-quality poetry in each genre. Later, aestheticians identified three major genres — epic poetry, lyric poetry, and dramatic poetry. Comedy and tragedy became sub-genres of dramatic poetry.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:14:06 GMT
World Day for War Orphans – January 6, 2022~International
World Day for War Orphans on January 6 highlights the array of challenges these orphans face. Globally, millions of children are orphaned due to war, and they are subjected to a life of hardship, and emotional and physical neglect. This day was created by the French organization, SOS Enfants en Detresses to raise awareness about their suffering and to better their future.
HISTORY OF WORLD DAY FOR WAR ORPHANS
Losing a parent is very difficult, but losing a parent due to war is even worse. UNICEF defines an orphan as any child under the age of 18 who has lost one or both parents to any cause of death.
In the wars that took place during the last few centuries, roughly half of the victims were civilians — a number that gradually increased until 2001. As of 2015, “there were nearly 140 million orphans globally, including 61 million in Asia, 52 million in Africa, 10 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 7.3 million in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” according to UNICEF.
Children who have lost their parents in untimely, harsh incidents like war are forced to stay with a surviving  member or they enter into the foster care system and face poor conditions like malnutrition and disease. The emotional and mental stress they endure is unimaginable.
Orphan numbers are lower in developed countries but are much higher in places that have been subjected to wars and epidemics. Some children, however, lose their parents by getting separated from them during the chaos of war.
World Day for War Orphans was created by SOS Enfants en Detresse, a French organization that works to bring a sense of normalcy to the lives of children affected indirectly by wars and conflict. It is held on January 6 annually, and every year, awareness programs take place to give people a better understanding of the plight orphaned children are forced to face.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:17:25 GMT
National Shortbread Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
We celebrate National Shortbread Day on January 6 to appreciate the delectable shortbread in all its glory. This high-fat, melt-in-your-mouth buttery treat is Scotland’s best gift to the world. Baked without a leavening component such as baking soda or powder, the dense and rustic texture of this incredible dessert stands out. As a remnant of the holiday spirit, bake this Scottish delight in your home on National Shortbread Day to start the new year on a sweet note.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SHORTBREAD DAY
Along with windmills, spectacles, and gunpowder, the 12th century also saw the creation of shortbread. Originating in Scotland and benefiting from a cultural exchange with French pastry chefs, shortbread’s original recipe calls for the simple mix of butter in the flour. The fattening of the dough shortens it, hence the name ‘shortbread’.
It wasn’t until the intervention of Mary, Queen of Scots, that this crumbling delicacy gained national prominence. In the 16th century, she refined the recipe and propagated its triangular sizing to match them with her preferred petticoat tails. After the introduction of sugar to the United Kingdom, the 17th-century shortbread became a sweet biscuit, best enjoyed with evening tea. Shortbread can trace its cultural footprint back to William Shakespeare’s 17th-century play, “The Merry Wives of Windsor”.
As the recipe traveled overseas, the limited ingredients and simplification of its preparation process became its trademark. In a way, shortbread connects us to the divinity of taste that erupts when we stop chasing after it. All you need is a cup of sugar, a scoop of butter, a handful of flour, and an oven to bake it till it’s golden brown.
Shortbread gained prominence in Scotland as a scarce luxury, reserved by the common folk for special occasions such as Christmas. There are many traditions attached to it, which signals its historical prominence. Today, shortbread is a highly commercialized item, sold in tartan boxes throughout the country. On January 6, we come together to share our deep love for this ultimate Scottish snack.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:18:47 GMT
National Cuddle Up Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
National Cuddle Up Day falls on January 6 for a very important reason. Since January has some of the coldest temperatures of the year, it’s a great excuse to warm up by cuddling with those closest to you! Plus, if you’ve got a fireplace and cozy blankets, it’s even better. Did you know you can even pay someone to cuddle with you (in certain cities)? Find a partner and get ready to cuddle up this January!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:20:06 GMT
National Bean Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
Because National Bean Day on January 6 falls in the middle of winter, it’s the perfect excuse to cook a favorite comfort food. Wondering why National Bean Day is held on January 6? That’s the same day as the famous geneticist, Gregor Mendel, died in 1884. Mendel used bean plants and pea plants to develop theories on genetics in plants. So the formation of National Bean Day has more to do with scientific development than how good bean recipes taste. But don’t let that deter you from enjoying eating beans on this holiday!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:23:57 GMT
Epiphany – January 6, 2022~World
For those who thought that Christmas was over, Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, marks the final celebratory day of the Christian holiday season! While most people begin taking down their Christmas decorations by New Year’s, there is still a full week before many practicing Christians complete their celebrations of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is commonly associated with the day the Three Wise Men arrived at the manger and has several different names throughout history and cultures.
HISTORY OF EPIPHANY
Epiphany is a Christian feast day celebrating the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men who followed an angel to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The day has also been referred to as Three Kings Day and Little Christmas by both Irish and Amish Christians. The Feast of the Epiphany concludes the twelve days of Christmastide and is the traditional end of the Christmas season.
As early as the fourth century, churches of the Eastern Roman Empire were celebrating Christmas on January 6. Those in the West were celebrating on December 25, which is why some places refer to the Feast of the Epiphany as Old Christmas. Since then, many cultures have developed their own names and traditions to celebrate this day. For example, in Scandinavia, they celebrate what they call Little Christmas Eve on December 23. In Spain, children traditionally did not receive their presents on Christmas Day but instead on January 6, in commemoration of the day the Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Ireland, they also call Little Christmas Women’s Christmas, because Irish men take on the household duties for the day. Other popular traditions include singing, chalking the door, having one’s house blessed, eating a three kings cake, going to church, and winter swimming. It is also customary for many Christians to remove their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve, although other Christian countries historically remove them on Candlemas, the conclusion of the Epiphany Tide. According to the first tradition, those who fail to remember to remove their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve must leave them untouched until Candlemas.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 6, 2022 18:27:00 GMT
Apple Tree Day – January 6, 2022~U.S.
We celebrate Apple Tree Day on January 6 to honor the great tradition of growing and cultivating apples across North America. Introduced to the region by colonists in the 17th century, apple farming has been leading the fruit production industry in the U.S. for a century. From cider to pies, the apple is a greatly versatile fruit with tremendous health benefits and a mouthwatering taste. Although they don’t need any extra marketing, apples still deserve this annual recognition for being the quintessential American fruit, found in our homes throughout the year. So mull that cider and fill your homes with that sweet aroma as we come together to celebrate this great holiday.
HISTORY OF APPLE TREE DAY
Apple Tree Day originally celebrated a two-century-old apple tree but as time passed and the day gained prominence outside of its region of origin, the holiday transformed into a celebration of apple cultivation and the fruit’s benefits.
Apple trees are rendered with great significance in our culture. Ancient mythology regards an apple tree as a sacred symbol of good health and prospective happiness. Apples are mentioned in the Celtic holy texts as the ‘Fruit of God’. Celtic mythology also highlights the healing properties of apples and the sense of wholeness they bring to the body. Similarly, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, shared a deep association with an apple tree, calling it the ‘Tree of Love’.
Americans, of course, cannot be separated from the need to bake an apple pie to mark a happy occasion. Apples are a great commercial export for the country as well, generating millions of dollars in revenue every year. Having easy access to/an excess of nature’s candy is a privilege not everyone can enjoy but thankfully, American orchards will produce apples abundantly for centuries to come.
The 21st-century depiction of apples has been somewhat tumultuous. From the fad diet culture to clamoring to eat one apple a day and nothing else, let’s come together on January 6 to establish all the true, scientific benefits of apples.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 7, 2022 12:48:48 GMT
Distaff Day – January 7, 2022~International
Distaff Day or Roc Day is an annual celebration held on January 7, and we are so ready to rock this one. This day celebrates the distaff and what it symbolized during medieval times, namely the efforts and work of women in textile to society. A distaff is a tool used in spinning to hold the wool or flax before spinning it onto the spindle, and it keeps the fibers untangled and makes the entire spinning process easier.
HISTORY OF DISTAFF DAY
We all love the soft and soothing feel of cotton and woolen clothes on our bodies, especially during the winter season when the cold seeps into our bodies and we wear clothes for warmth. But really, the history of making clothes as we know it today is rich, and at the forefront of its evolution is a simple but important tool called the distaff. A distaff is a tool used for holding unspun fibers, and women would freely wrap the fibers around it.
Distaff Day takes root in the old tradition where women returned to their regular household chores 12 days after Christmas. Distaff Day is also about commemorating and celebrating women’s work in the home. Spinning was very important in European traditions and throughout history. Today, spinning has become more of a hobby than a house chore. The different types of distaff include the basic distaff, which is simply a smooth stick, Russian-style distaffs, which are more decorative and board-like in shape.
Before the spinning wheel was invented in 1533, women used the distaff and the spindle to spin wool fibers or flax. A common method of handling a distaff was holding it under the arm when spinning or attaching it to a designated spinning wheel. The use of a distaff and spinning wheel slowly became acknowledged as exclusive to women and a symbol of the maternal side of the . Writers like Chaucer and Shakespeare also lavishly used the word ‘distaff’ in their works, popularizing the symbolism.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 7, 2022 12:50:34 GMT
Harlem Globetrotter’s Day – January 7, 2022~U.S.
We celebrate Harlem Globetrotters Day every January 7, and we are all pumped up to honor one of the greatest teams in the history of basketball. Do you know that the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team is one of 10 basketball teams ever to make the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame? They broke the color barrier in the NBA and the gender barrier in the Olympics. This team has given us so much entertainment while doing what they do best; playing basketball, and we are happy to be celebrating them.
HISTORY OF HARLEM GLOBETROTTER’S DAY
Everyone loves a good game of basketball, the rollercoaster of beautiful emotions that courses through us as we watch two teams play against each other and showcase their talent while we cheer on our favorites. The game has become integral in our lives, as we play and watch in our schools, parks, at the stadium, on television, and even at home. Some of the teams have gone further to help us make lasting, happy memories, one of which is the Harlem Globetrotters.
The game of basketball was developed in 1891 by James Naismith, a Canadian-American gymnastics teacher in Springfield, U.S., and became one of the most popular sports in the world. The game consists of two teams of five separate players on each side vying against each other to shoot a basketball into the opponent’s hoop while preventing them from shooting through their own hoop.
Abe Saperstein founded the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1926. They were initially known as the Savoy Big Five, after the famous Savoy Ballroom in Chicago, where they held their first performances. The original team members were all African-Americans from the south side of Chicago, and they didn’t play in Harlem until four decades after the team’s formation. The team embodies qualities of human persistence and creativity. Founded when professional basketball was exclusively for white players, they decided to take basketball to another level, infusing comedy and entertainment. Over the decades, they’ve won over 27,000 games! Harlem Globetrotters Day is a day to honor and remember the achievement of this great basketball team and all other teams worldwide.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 7, 2022 12:52:15 GMT
National Bobblehead Day – January 7, 2022~U.S.
If you find it tough to take bobbleheads seriously, you’re not alone. But perhaps you should. And National Bobblehead Day on January 7 now is a chance to recognize the fun behind these dolls—and admit you like them without feeling self-conscious about it. Although these goofy dolls have become popular in the past couple of decades, bobbleheads have been around for the past few centuries. We bet you there’s a bobblehead version of any famous person you can think of: presidents, sports figures, Supreme Court justices, and the Beatles all have their own bobbleheads. Clearly, National Bobblehead Day is a great idea. And if you don’t believe us, just ask the world’s population of millions of bobbleheads. They’re sure to be nodding in agreement.
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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 Jan 7, 2022 22:22:30 GMT
National Pass Gas Day – January 7, 2022~U.S.
National Pass Gas Day is held annually on January 7, and there is no better time to express ourselves and free our bowels of stale air without shame. Passing gas is one of those things that will make anyone giggle, from children to adults. Did you know that the gas we pass contains methane and hydrogen, making them flammable? But not to worry, you need an insane amount of gas to be able to burst into flames just from passing gas. So, you can keep on passing as much gas as you desire.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PASS GAS DAY
Humans have given several innovative, fun names and slang terms to the process of passing gas, including fart; mess; drop a bomb; toot; rip one; break the wind; cut one; cut the cheese; guff; trump, and break one loose. In most cases, we consider passing gas as a really bad and disgusting thing to do. If you ‘drop one’ near others, they might all look at you with disapproving eyes. And although it is not hygienic or civil to pass gas in public places or when we’re eating, passing gas is a very important part of human metabolism. It is a natural phenomenon and the body’s way of passing out waste gasses trapped in one’s belly due to digestion.
We produce around 17 to 68 ounces of gas in our intestines daily and release it through the anus at intervals. The gas is the by-product of the digestion process and contains several gasses, including oxygen, methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and 1% of sulfur (which causes the smell).
The first mention of the word ‘fart’ was in 1632, meaning “sending forth wind from the anus.” Subsequently, several other writers and jokesters started using the word and concept until it became commonplace. Our knowledge of the origin of National Pass Gas Day is sketchy at best. We don’t know when it took off, but now we celebrate the day annually on January 7. It is a day set aside to giggle at our crazy bodies, create awareness on the importance of passing gas, and talk about food products that cause gas secretions like eggs, broccoli, beans, cabbage, and dairy products.
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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 Jan 7, 2022 22:25:27 GMT
National Tempura Day – January 7, 2022~U.S.
National Tempura Day is celebrated annually on January 7. It is always a yummy time to celebrate tempura, a fantastic Japanese dish made from deep-frying vegetables, seafood, or other foods dipped in a light batter of flour, eggs, and water. Tempura has been with us for about three centuries. Although the Portuguese living in Nagasaki in the 16th century introduced it, tempura has become entrenched in Japanese culture, and you can find tempura everywhere in Japan today. On this day, you can enjoy tempura in different ways, including with a dipping sauce or something more experimental like tempura ice cream.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TEMPURA DAY
You may be quite familiar with some Japanese dishes like ramen, sushi, sashimi, and a host of others, but what about the delectable tempura? You definitely want to know more about this delicacy! Interestingly, tempura is one of the most commonly served Japanese dishes inside and outside the shores of Japan. When Japanese foods are mentioned, the thought of either tempura or sushi comes to mind.
However, how did tempura become so popular and special to be celebrated? Portuguese missionaries originally introduced the deep-fried food method of cooking now associated with tempura in the Japanese city, Nagasaki, in the 1600s. The original tempura dish was served during Lent, an annual Christian event where many Christian denominations are forbidden to eat meat. Remarkably, the name ‘tempura’ stems from the Latin word ‘ad tempora cuaresme,’ meaning “in the time of Lent.” The event was mistaken for the dish’s name, and tempura came to stay.
When it was introduced, this method of deep-frying food was not common and relatively new to Japan. The Japanese caught on to the new technique and skillfully made art out of it. Tempura today has become a sought-after snack that accompanies meals in households and public places. From inception, tempura was made up of minced meat in a ball shape, fish, and vegetables, but in the 1800s, Japanese chefs tried frying fish and vegetables together. As a result, the Japanese culinary style became fully immersed in tempura and became uniquely Japanese. Today, the preparation and sales of tempura have become an important part of Japanese cuisine. Through the transformation of tempura, the Japanese have shown their brilliance in consolidating foreign foods into unique Japanese foods.
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Claus isn’t as popular as he is in the United States. Rather, it is the Three Wise Men who are the bearers of gifts and leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name Epiphany and dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus’ baptism and to pay homage to the Three Wise Men.
member or they enter into the foster care system and face poor conditions like malnutrition and disease. The emotional and mental stress they endure is unimaginable.