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Post by pennmom on Jan 23, 2022 17:32:48 GMT
National Handwriting Day – January 23, 2022~U.S.
If you keep a journal or a hand-written to-do list, you probably appreciate the tactile pleasures and slower pace of writing by hand. Although it may seem quaint in a world full of digital devices and voice-to-text apps, handwriting is an important skill that can help sharpen your brain, slow the frenetic pace of your thoughts, and improve your memory. National Handwriting Day is observed on January 23, the birthday of John Hancock — the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence. His autograph became so famous that we now commonly use ‘John Hancock’ as another term for ‘signature.’
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY
Writing, the element that separates prehistory from history, is a key skill that elevates human civilization and allows us to communicate and trade on a large scale. Writing not only lets us record our thoughts and feelings but, more crucially, for the development of early societies, it gives us a way to record transactions, count items, and pass on information to future users.
The true origins of writing are murky, but we know it arose independently in several regions of the ancient world, from Meso-America to China, India, and Mesopotamia, starting around 3400 B.C. The earliest-known writings come from present-day Iraq, pictorial signs that were later replaced with a complex system of characters based on the sounds of the Sumerian language known as cuneiform.
Writing systems differ in their construction. Some rely on pictorial symbolism, others combine characters to form new meanings, and some use grammatical structures to create full sentences and depth of meaning. Alphabet-based writing systems use symbols to represent consonants, vowels, or syllable sounds, while semanto-phonetic writing systems have symbols that represent both sounds and meanings.
Handwriting has many purposes in utility and record-keeping, correspondence, literature, and art. Calligraphy, the art of decorative lettering, elevates writing to an exquisite art form. Examples of traditional calligraphy include ancient Chinese bronze ware, Mayan hieroglyphs, Western European illuminated manuscripts, and Islamic mosque inscriptions.
Although in today’s digital world we tend to record everything on electronic devices, research shows that writing things down by hand has benefits that typing does not. Writing by hand can improve focus, reduce stress, and aid with memory. Not to mention, a handwritten note or letter carries more weight than typed or emailed correspondence. Try writing a letter, a diary entry, or a to-do list by hand and notice the difference for yourself!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 23, 2022 17:35:46 GMT
National Pie Day – January 23, 2022~U.S.
Sponsored by the American Pie Council (yes, that’s a real thing!), National Pie Day lets us enjoy one of our favorite desserts guilt-free. After all, we’re celebrating a national holiday!
While pie exists in some form all over the world, the United States has an inextricable relationship with the flaky dessert. From Don McLean’s epic song “American Pie” to expressions like “as American as apple pie,” our country embraces the pie — apple in particular — as a symbol of national pride.
So preheat your oven or visit your local bakery, grab a slice, and celebrate the simple, delicious pleasures of good pie.
WHEN IS NATIONAL PIE DAY 2022?
Apple, Cherry, Blueberry,  , gorge on all your favorite flavors of America’s favorite dessert on National Pie Day on January 23. Traditional fruit pies, savory pies, or creams pies used for comedy, no pie is left behind on this holiday!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PIE DAY
One of the oldest prepared foods, pie shows up in written recipes dating back as far as the ancient Romans. The first known pie recipe was for a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie. The Romans made pies with a variety of meats, seafood, and fruit, and developed a dense pie called placenta, similar to cheesecake. At sumptuous Roman feasts, pie played a role in several courses.
Until recently, pie crust was mostly used as a vehicle for filling. Unlike many of today’s luscious, buttery crusts, early pie crusts often didn’t get eaten at all. The crust acted as a container to keep the meat moist and prevent it from burning.
Pies first appeared in England in the 12th century, still mostly filled with meat. The dubious origin of some pie fillings gave rise to jokes and horror stories, including the penny dreadful that would become “Sweeney Todd.”
When the Puritans and other English settlers fled for the New World, they took pie with them. But although no American Thanksgiving table is complete without sweet and pecan pies, sweet pies didn’t make an appearance at the so-called “First Thanksgiving” and pie didn’t become popular until the 1800s. Today, sweet pies overwhelmingly outsell savory pies, and pie is an enduring fixture of the Thanksgiving meal.
Not to be confused with National Pi Day, National Pie Day has nothing to do with math and everything to do with that sweet American treat. Created in the 1970s by Charlie Papazian (who conveniently placed the day on his birthday), National Pie Day encourages us all to take a break with America’s favorite dessert.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 23, 2022 17:39:28 GMT
National Rhubarb Pie Day – January 23, 2022~U.S.
National Rhubarb Pie Day on January 23 every year celebrates the delicious rhubarb pie. It is no coincidence that the king of pies is celebrated on the same day as National Pie Day. Rhubarb is used in pies so much that it is often called the pie plant. Surprisingly, rhubarb is also used in savory dishes such as with fried pork chops, although its sweet pie variations are best known. On National Rhubarb Pie Day, you can celebrate one of the world’s tastiest pies by stuffing your face with it. Don’t worry — no one will judge you.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL RHUBARB PIE DAY
Rhubarb is the name of the fleshy stalks of plants from the Rheum genus. While no one knows the specific origin of the plant, we know that it was popular in Europe before the 18th century, when it was used largely for medicinal purposes. There are also some traces of it dating back to at least 2700 B.C. in China, Tibet, Mongolia, and the surrounding regions.
Rhubarb is one of those tricky plants whose identity as a vegetable or fruit is controversial. Botanically, it is a vegetable, but in culinary circles, it is used as a fruit. In 1947 though, a New York court officially ruled it as a fruit since that was what Americans primarily used it as. Businesses that imported rhubarb celebrated this declaration because they paid less tax if rhubarb was considered a fruit rather than a vegetable.
In 1772, U.S. President Benjamin Franklin sent rhubarb seeds from Scotland to John Bartram, a friend of his who was a botanist in Pennsylvania. Rhubarb became even more popular in 1837 when a sweeter variety called Victoria rhubarb was introduced. However, because rhubarb needed a lot of sugar to offset its tartness, it didn’t spread as much until sugar prices started dropping.
We don’t know who exactly came up with the brilliant idea to make pies out of rhubarbs, but we are eternally thankful to them. Today, rhubarb pies are a traditional dessert in the U.S. In the words of John Cleese in the ‘Rhubarb Tart Song,’ “I want another slice of rhubarb tart. I want another lovely slice. I’m not disparaging the blueberry pie. But rhubarb tart is oh so very nice. A rhubarb what? A rhubarb tart! A whatbarb tart? A rhubarb tart!”
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Post by pennmom on Jan 23, 2022 17:52:10 GMT
Kiss a Shark Week – January 23-29, 2022~U.S.
Kiss a Shark Week, celebrated in the fourth full week of January, is a seven–day affair that showcases the shark for all the right reasons. The day aims to educate people about sea creatures and promote efforts to save them. The week-long holiday is supported by various influential organizations and people and is often paired with various shark-themed celebrations.
HISTORY OF KISS A SHARK WEEK
We might not have much to share with you about the history of Kiss a Shark Week, but we sure do have loads to say about the fish. Sharks seem to have been around for a couple of million centuries, 400 million to be precise. Fossils found in oceans in the U.S. and Australia seem to verify their theory.
Sharks are essentially older than dinosaurs since those guys came into the world only 200 million years ago! The reconstructed shark doesn’t look much like any shark we know, but many historians believe they are the ancestors of the modern shark species.
Shark fossils from some 380 million years ago show us that sharks back then are identical to some existing shark species. These massive predators have always been at the top of the food chain, except for the dinosaur age, when the shark took a back seat.
Although the shark made it through 5 mass extinction events, they are still near extinct today. This is primarily because we have been exploiting the seas, depleting a natural resource. This is one of the reasons why this holiday was created, to educate, protect and conserve sharks.
My Favorite Shark, Bruce :)
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 11:44:18 GMT
National Compliment Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
On January 24, celebrate National Compliment Day by going all out with praise. The power of a compliment is pretty remarkable: either giving or receiving one can boost your happiness and confidence — making the act a win-win. You never know when someone could use some good vibes, so spread the positivity by giving someone a reason to smile!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL COMPLIMENT DAY
Complimenting people on a good job, or praising them for work we admire, is so engrained in human nature that we do it without even giving it a second thought. Which is why we believe it’s important to compliment a good compliment! So, without further ado, here’s 3 of our favorite compliments in history:
1. George R.R. Martin’s fan letter.
Before he was a best selling author, Martin was a teenage fan boy in love with the world of comics. In 1964, he wrote a letter addressed to Stan Lee and Don Heck. In his letter, he praised the latest two issues of The Avengers and Fantastic Four, saying he had “finally come to the decision to have both mounted in bronze and set on a pedestal in the center of my living room.”
2. Maurice Sendak’s tasty art!
In 2011, Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, told NPR that a child once expressed his love for the writer’s work by devouring it. The young boy had sent Sendak a charming card with a little drawing on it, which Maurice adored. In response, he sent a card and drew a picture of a Wild Thing with the words “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Sendak soon received a letter back from Jim’s mother saying “Jim loved your card so much, he ate it.”
3. Clyde Barrow to Henry Ford
Famous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde’s preferred getaway car was reportedly the Ford’s V-8 powered Model B. In fact, they even died in one, after law officers showered their stolen Ford with more than 130 rounds of steel-jacketed bullets. Clyde wasn’t well practiced in writing, but between heists he took the time to send a letter to Henry Ford, proclaiming ” what a dandy car you make.”
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 11:46:57 GMT
National Peanut Butter Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
When Marcellus Gilmore Edson first patented peanut butter in 1884, he probably didn’t realize it would become a taste sensation that would sweep the nation. Whether you go crunchy or smooth, on January 24 we put down our cell phones and pick up our spreading knives to celebrate National Peanut Butter Day.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 11:53:20 GMT
National Lobster Thermidor Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
National Lobster Thermidor Day is on January 24, and we’re here to show you how you can celebrate this day in an amazing way. Do you know that the recipe for Lobster Thermidor is 117 years old? It is a French dish of lobster meat cooked in a rich wine sauce, stuffed back into a lobster shell, and browned. The sauce is a mixture of egg yolks and brandy (such as Cognac), served with an oven-browned cheese crust. One of the trademarks of the dish is that it is served in the lobster tails.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL LOBSTER THERMIDOR DAY
There are many stories and theories regarding the origins of the recipe of Lobster Thermidor. Some believe that this dish was first created for Napoleon Bonaparte, the protagonist of the French Revolution and the founder of the Republic of France. It is said that Lobster Thermidor was prepared as a specialty for a celebratory dinner for Napoleon during the month of Thermidor.
The term Thermidor is said to have come from the French Republican Calendar. The eleventh month, the second one in the quarter of summer, was named Thermidor. It is said to have originated from the Greek word, “Thermos” which meant hot. If compared with the Western calendar, the month of Thermador starts from July 19 and lasts for 30 days, that is, till mid-August.
Another story is that Lobster Thermidor was prepared during the celebratory opening of the play, “Thermidor,” at Café de Paris. “Thermidor” was a grand play by Victorien Sardou, which was based on the story of the overthrowing of Robespierre. It opened in the Comedie-Francaise. Leopold Mourier is said to have come up with the recipe for Lobster Thermidor during that time. Some say that the recipe is credited to Maison Maire, a well-known restaurant in Paris. Though the exact origins of National Lobster Thermidor Day are not known, this day has been celebrated every year on January 24 as a day to celebrate and relish this great recipe.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 11:57:35 GMT
Macintosh Computer Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
Macintosh Computer Day, celebrated on January 24, celebrates the same day in 1984 when the very first Macintosh computer, the predecessor of today’s Apple computers, was introduced to the public. Macintosh broke into the consumer market as the alternative option to other computers, ushering in a new age of freedom and creativity, and continues to be the preferred system for creatives and techies across the globe.
HISTORY OF MACINTOSH COMPUTER DAY
The Macintosh project began in 1979 when Jef Raskin, an Apple employee, proposed a user-friendly, cost-effective computer for the average consumer. He wanted to name the computer the McIntosh, after his favorite type of apple, but the spelling was changed to “Macintosh” for legal reasons. In September 1979, Raskin was permitted to start hiring for the project and he on-boarded his long-time colleague, Brian Howard. Later on, he would hire Steve Jobs as project lead, sealing the future of Apple computers in technological history. However, in a 2013 interview, Steve Wozniak implied that he had led the initial design and development phase of the Macintosh project. He temporarily left the company after experiencing a traumatic airplane crash in 1981, at which point Jobs took over. In that same interview, Wozniak stated that the original Macintosh ‘failed’ under Jobs and that it was not until Jobs left that it became a success. He credited the Macintosh’s ultimate success to people like John Sculley “who worked to build a Macintosh market when the Apple II went away.” Reaching a 300 million valuation almost overnight, Apple became the fastest-growing company in U.S. history. With over 50 companies salivating for a bite of the Apple, one company stood out above the rest — IBM. And so began one of the most ruthless rivalries in corporate history as many promising competitors drastically fell by the wayside.
Macintosh continued in a formidable battle against IBM, but decades later Apple would take over the industry with the introduction of iPhones and iMacs in one of the biggest and longest emerging comebacks in the history of any industry.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 12:00:16 GMT
National Beer Can Appreciation Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
On January 24, we celebrate Beer Can Appreciation Day in remembrance of the historic, monumental, and thirst-quenching day beer was first sold in cans. Now canned beer just makes sense. Beer cans are easier to pack in a box or cooler. Advanced thermodynamics and quantum physics tells us beer cans are more efficient to pick up. But remember, fellow history buffs, it wasn’t always that way. If we don’t remember where we’re from, how will we know where we’re going? And wouldn’t we still be thirsty when we got there? Take a minute to think that one over while downing a cold one. Happy National Beer Can Appreciation Day!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 12:05:30 GMT
National "Just Do It" Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
National “Just Do It” Day is on January 24, and we’re here to help you epically celebrate the day. National “Just Do It” Day was first celebrated in 2015. It is a day that inspires us to do new things or to finally just do that one thing that we’ve been procrastinating for a while. It inspires us to start changing things in life by doing the one tiny thing we keep leaving undone — calling your gran, cleaning the garage, or writing that email. One step can make a big change.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL "JUST DO IT" DAY
Though the exact origins of this holiday are not known, National “Just Do It” Day is supposed to have been celebrated for the first time in 2015. Since then many have used this day as an opportunity to do new things. Be it the travel plans that were never executed, the job application that was never sent, or the relationship that was never given a chance, people have used this day to do things they always wanted to do but never did because something was holding them back.
“Just Do It” is the slogan of shoe company Nike, and it is one of the most recognizable components of Nike’s brand. The slogan was first used in 1988 at an advertising meeting. Dan Wieden credits the inspiration for his “Just Do It” Nike slogan to Gary Gilmore’s (twice-convicted murderer) last words: “Let’s do it.”
The words “Just Do It” are ingrained in the American way of thinking and embody far more than shoes. People moving to the U.S. find the ease with which motivated Americans get things done, quite remarkable, which is embodied by the slogan. The slogan also personifies focus and success, which is why it is appropriate for a day when we tackle things incomplete and undone, or go for the bold adventure we have always delayed embarking on. The words are the exact opposite of a couch potato and motivate one to be your best self.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 12:08:33 GMT
Community Manager Appreciation Day – January 24, 2022~U.S.
Community Manager Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Monday of January. It was created by Jeremiah Owyang in 2010 as a way to recognize the efforts of community managers globally. The life of a community manager is a hectic one — endless monitoring, conversation after conversation, and nonstop content creation. There’s a saying: “Social media never sleeps, and neither do community managers”. That’s why on this day, we celebrate community managers and vendors in the social media marketplace post blogs in appreciation of their hard work and dedication.
HISTORY OF COMMUNITY MANAGER APPRECIATION DAY
Some of you might be wondering “What exactly is a community manager?” It’s actually a relatively new term. The earliest recognized origin of the role itself only dates back to the 1990s. Originally referred to as Sysops, this role began as online systems first offered features and functions that allowed for community creation. Sysops were responsible for operating the bulletin board in software systems and effectively the growth of mainstream online computer services like Prodigy and America Online. These communities took on many names but largely were identified as Special Interest Groups. Their leaders were often referred to as Community Leaders.
Each Network has a purpose and it is the Community Manager’s job to maintain focus. As online communities have developed, so has the responsibilities of the Community Manager. They are responsible for branded online communities, online research communities, corporate blogs, social media marketing, and research activities. Today the demand has expanded to an even wider variety of responsibilities and skill-sets including product support and development, PR, and customer support all while maintaining open communications between the developer and the community.
Community managers aren’t just about their business, they’re about developing a community around a shared appreciation for a product. They are also dedicated to assisting in improving their product, they’re the guy (or gal) that listens to the fan-base, reports back to the higher-ups and gets them to listen. Their entire goal is to connect people and build them something they all want. Community managers allow for personalization, they build relationships and empower consumers, and we think that’s pretty noble.
Someone who stands up for the little guys definitely deserves a day of recognition. So if you’re a part of an online community, make sure to throw a shout-out to your community managers and let them know you appreciate them.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 24, 2022 12:12:33 GMT
Data Privacy Week – January 24-28, 2022~International
Data Privacy Week from January 24 – January 28 is an international effort to create awareness about digital data privacy, and how it is being used and sometimes exploited by businesses. The cause advocates respecting the privacy of individuals, and for businesses to be more transparent about how they handle user data.
Millions of people are unaware of how their digital activity and personal data are being collected and shared with large corporations. Data Privacy Week gives the power to control privacy back to the users.
HISTORY OF DATA PRIVACY WEEK
In 1981, a treaty titled “The Convention for the Protection of Individuals with Regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data ” was formed by the Council of Europe. This was the first-ever international treaty that dealt with data privacy and its protection. The treaty safeguarded the rights to privacy of users, maintaining the ever-growing digital flow of personal data across borders.
To commemorate the signing of Convention 108, Data Protection Day was created on April 26, 2006, with the date of the observance set on January 28. In 2022, the annual holiday will expand to a week-long campaign called Data Privacy Week.
Data Privacy Week educates users about online privacy, how to identify whether their personal information is being used, and what measures should be taken to prevent data breaches. The holiday also encourages companies to stop misusing data collected, and be accountable about how consumer data is being collected and used.
Every single activity done online leaves a trace. Whether it is an individual’s online activity, frequently visited websites, or personal information such as identification numbers, it is all collected and shared without the user’s knowledge. As the digital hub grows, and with children being exposed to internet culture more so than ever, it is becoming increasingly important to handle and protect your personal information online. We encourage everyone to be stringent with their privacy settings, passwords, and where they are uploading their valuable information.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 25, 2022 16:05:50 GMT
Observe the Weather Day – January 25, 2022~U.S.
Observe the Weather Day is celebrated on January 25 every year, and we’re excited to do it again this year. Do you know that there were people who could foretell the weather just by glancing at the sky? However, science has progressed to the point where various equipment can now be used to study and forecast the weather.
HISTORY OF OBSERVE THE WEATHER DAY
The weather is representative of nature. It is an atmospheric condition that constitutes hotness, coldness, warmness, and atmospheric changes; in essence, humidity, wind, velocity, cloudiness, moisture, and temperature.
Apart from that, the weather represents the seasons and has an impact on every aspect of human life. It has an impact on living patterns, crop planting, and many aspects of man’s comfort. Extreme temperatures and humidity can cause torrential rainfall, heatwaves, storms, and a variety of other natural disasters in some instances. So observation of weather is a very important part of nature, which, if we can totally understand and predict, would go a long way in helping humanity to preempt and take precautions against natural disasters.
Throughout history, one of the most important necessities of early man has always been sheltered. When braving the wilds in search of food and safety, the weather was just as dangerous as the wild animals if precautions were not taken. Several thousand years ago, the early man began to observe weather fluctuations in order to make informed decisions about their hunting and farming patterns. They have been able to insure their life by studying the movement of the wind, the humidity in the air, and the hue of the clouds.
Weather observation began with the birth of astrology in Babylonia, and it has since evolved into what we know today. Observe the Weather Day is a day set aside to challenge our minds by analyzing minute changes in the weather, making predictions, and enjoying nature’s tremendous gift overall.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 25, 2022 16:43:45 GMT
St. Dwynwen's Day – January 25, 2022~U.K.
We’ll be hard-pressed to find a holiday more charming than St. Dwynwen’s Day, on January 25th. As the Welsh equivalent to Valentine’s Day, St. Dwynwen’s is all about spreading heartfelt gestures and lovers’ well-wishes. This holiday shows us all how we can turn a crummy situation into a legacy of love.
HISTORY OF ST. DWYNWEN'S DAY
St. Dwynwen, or Dydd Santes Dwynwen, was born one of 24 daughters to a Welsh king Brychan Brycheiniog during the 5th century. Legend has it that she was the most beautiful of the king’s girls and was highly sought after by royals in the neighboring countries. But Dwynwen fell in love with local citizen Maelon Dafodrill. When he received news from Dwynwen’s father that she had already been promised to a prince, he gave Dwynwen the silent treatment.
Rather than go through with the arranged marriage, Dwynwen ran into the forest in a state of distress to implore God to change her circumstances. She made three wishes: that Maelon — who had been turned into a block of ice by an angel who had visited Dwynwen before — would thaw, that God would help all true lovers, and that she would never marry. At the end of it all, God granted all three wishes and, to show her gratitude, Dwynwen moved to a Welsh convent and became a nun. She spent much of her time praying in earnest that other lovers would have better luck than herself, which is how she became Wales’s patron saint of lovers.
Each year, on January 25, much of Wales (but not all) honors St. Dwynwen by answering her prayers and focusing their attention on their romantic partners and lovers. Some visit the local carving shop in the town of Tenby to craft a love spoon while others go for a chilly stroll on Llanddwyn Island where St. Dwynwen founded a convent. In general, this is a day to surrender to warm fuzzy feelings and ardently spread them around.
While this holiday is pointedly Welsh, the culture proudly shares its celebrations with anyone who wants to partake. They offer their blessings to any romantics out there in the world who want to use the 25th of January and St. Dwynwen’s selfless legacy as a reason to give special attention and gifts to their spouses and partners.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 25, 2022 16:48:19 GMT
Opposite Day – January 25, 2022~U.S.
Most experts agree that Opposite Day is observed on January 25. but other experts claim it is celebrated on January 7th. Still others believe that it is to be celebrated every month of the year on the 25th day. Either way children across the country rejoice in this day as they declare they mean the opposite of whatever they say. I would love to do the dishes! Broccoli is my favorite food! I didn’t push my brother in the mud! Here is a serious question… What is the opposite of Opposite Day?
WHEN IS OPPOSITE DAY 2022?
The strange and wacky Opposite Day is celebrated on January 25. For those who are into the concept of different timelines, Opposite Day is the closest we can get, giving us a tiny glimpse of what the world will be like if the opposite of everything happened!
HISTORY OF OPPOSITE DAY
Opposite Day has been declared for January 25 but its advent and development is legendary, at minimum. Considered a “children’s philosophy course,” Opposite Day has wormed its way into our jokester hearts by creating a perfectly comprehendible self-referential paradox.
By declaring today is opposite day it is not, in fact, opposite day because the opposite of opposite day is a normal day. So is it actually Opposite Day?
One of the truest pop-cultural moments in opposite day history has been the George Costanza method of “doing the opposite.” George, realizing his life has gone nowhere, decides to do the opposite of whatever he would typically be doing in any situation. The end result is that the typically horizontal, curmudgeon George suddenly becomes an active, sincere, and honest person.
Whether you choose Opposite Day to derail your workplace’s productivity with philosophical logistics, or to create better habits that help you realize a healthier version of yourself, Opposite Day’s history is one of mischief, humor, and profound realizations.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 25, 2022 16:53:37 GMT
Speak Up and Succeed Day – January 25, 2022~U.S.
Speak Up and Succeed Day is celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of January every year. The speaker and author, Mary-Ellen Drummond, established it, and we celebrate the day to observe the importance of the ability to speak up in a public setting. It is only by speaking up that others can take notice of who we are and our ideas. It can change people’s minds and motivate others. Speaking up in front of others can lead to success in terms of your career or personal life. Public speaking is a skill that you can only attain by challenging yourself, and today is the perfect opportunity to do so.
HISTORY OF SPEAK UP AND SUCCEED DAY
The ancient Greeks valued public discourse as an act of political participation. Aristotle (384 B.C. to 322 B.C.) is known to be one of the most significant proponents of rhetoric, i.e., the classical style of public speaking using the art of persuasion. The Classical Period educated citizens on public speaking from the early teachers known as Sophists. Sophists were self-appointed professors who imparted knowledge about how to succeed in the civic life of Greece.
In 106 B.C., Cicero, a Roman, became one of the most influential figures in public speaking of all time. He published many books which concentrated on the art of public speaking, and he created the five canons of rhetoric, a five-step process for developing a persuasive speech that we still use to teach public speaking today. The Enlightenment Period that started in 1600 A.D. revived the classical public speaking tradition. The classical rhetoric style evolved into the elocutionary approach, which focused on delivery and style by watching the speaker’s bodily actions such as gestures, vocal tone, facial expressions, and pronunciation.
From the 20th century onwards, public speaking became an essential skill included as a learning objective in school curriculums. Several competitions allowed students to participate and test their speaking skills. Different forms of public speaking like the Extempore, Just a Minute, Elocution, etc. came into the picture. Universities also established departments that taught communication and offered various public speaking exercises as soft skill courses to help students advance in their professional careers.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 25, 2022 16:56:09 GMT
National Plan for Vacation Day – January 25, 2022~U.S.
We celebrate National Plan for Vacation Day every year on the last Tuesday in January to remind us to start planning our vacations and to take time off from work and school. Vacations help people spend some quality time with their  and friends, and it also helps with their mental health. Vacations also lead to an increase in tourism, which ensures a well-functioning economy. This day is important so stop postponing your vacation and plan to take a few weeks off. Many brands and media houses also participate in this day to help people pick out destinations and provide them with the best travel outfits.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY
Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” published in the 14th century, contains the earliest known reference to the concept of vacation. The word ‘vacacioun’ is used in the prologue of the “Wife of Bath” chapter, which refers to spare time. Until the 19th century, the word ‘vacation’ was used by Americans the same way the English used it, meaning “vacating a place.” At the time, it referred to when teachers and students had to vacate the school premises and go out. Vacation was also seen as a sign of privilege, as it still is for so many today.
Gradually, the vacation came to include the middle class as well and started to stand for a general time of leisure and respite. One of the not-so-well-known turning points in the history of American travel occurred in 1869. A young preacher from Boston named William H.H. Murray published one of the first guidebooks ever about the wild Adirondack Mountains region. By exploring the Adirondack Mountains, which cover a massive expanse of lakes, forests, and rivers in upstate New York, Murray developed the very innovative travel idea (at the time, it was seen to be outrageous) that an excursion into the wilderness of nature could be pleasurable. This idea inspired treks and excursions where people from cities sought out the peace and quiet of the natural world.
The need for this day became especially important when survey findings revealed that Americans were not using their vacation days since 2015. This was, in turn, negatively affecting their health, relationships, and even companies.
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pennmom
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Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 25, 2022 16:59:04 GMT
moni
National Florida Day – January 25, 2022~U.S.
National Florida Day is celebrated on January 25 every year. The day was established to recognize Florida’s arrival as the 27th state in the union of the U.S. Also known as the Sunshine State, Florida is famous for its warm and sunny weather and beautiful landscape. The average Florida temperature ranges from 65 to 70 degrees in the northern region and 74 to 77 degrees in the southern region. The climate makes swimming in the cool waters of Florida beaches extra refreshing! Florida also has amusement parks and many recreational outdoor activities. It’s an active and serene place to be.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FLORIDA DAY
About 14,000 years ago, the first inhabitants to live in the peninsula that we now know to be part of the U.S. were the Native Americans. The archeological evidence and many artifacts the Native Americans left behind established this fact. In 1513, the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de León, arrived in Florida and made textual records. He called the peninsula ‘La Pascua Florida’ from which the state’s name was derived. The name ‘Pascua Florida,’ which means “Festival of Flowers” in Spanish, was given because of the region’s vast and flourishing landscape.
The first region where the Europeans settled in the United States was Florida. During the 16th century, the area was populated with French and Spanish settlements as well. Florida was also under the colonial rule of Spain from the 16th to the 19th century. The 19th century also witnessed the coming together of various communities. Florida became a refuge for African slaves, fugitives, and the Native American people. The new Native American groups from the South banded with fugitive slaves and became a group known as the Black Seminoles. The Seminoles were Native American people who moved to or lived in the state.
Florida was also under the rule of Great Britain during the 18th century, and after its independence, it became a territory of the United States in 1821. Finally, in 1845, Florida was admitted to the union as the 27th U.S. state. We celebrate this day every year to remember its history and honor the various struggles it endured.
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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 25, 2022 17:01:19 GMT
Burns Night – January 25, 2022~U.K.
Burns Night honors the iconic Scottish poet Robert Burns, who wrote the New Year’s Eve anthem Auld Lang Syne. Many Scots host a Burns supper on January 25, the poet’s birthday, although they can be held throughout the year. Some of the suppers can be grand affairs; others less formal. The events will often feature a bagpiper or traditional Scottish music, and the Scottish pudding, Haggis, is served.
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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 25, 2022 17:05:16 GMT
National Irish Coffee Day – January 25, 2022~U.S.~World
National Irish Coffee Day is celebrated on January 25, and we think that it’s the perfect occasion to warm yourself up with a tasty, boozy treat. We don’t know about you, but nothing puts quite as much pep in our step as indulging in the two-for-one punch of Irish Coffee. Although there are certainly a few different variations out there, Irish Coffee traditionally consists of black coffee, whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY
The Irish Coffee was created in the winter of 1943 by Joe Sheridan, a humble chef at Foynes Port near Limerick, Ireland. The village of Foynes was an airbase for transatlantic flights at the time, often being the landing spot of many prominent figures and celebrities, normally as a layover and refuel spot for longer flights. Passengers would often need to spend the night in Foynes and a hub of new accommodation, bars, and restaurants was created to service the travelers.
One day, after a plane abandoned its trip and turned back to Foynes, Joe whipped up something to help the passengers forget about the cold and their disappointment. Legend has it that everyone drank their drinks in total silence, savoring the unique taste as it passed through their lips. One person eventually spoke up, asking Joe if they were drinking Brazilian coffee, to which he heartily replied “No, that’s Irish Coffee.”
Irish Coffee became a huge success and an airport specialty. Irish Coffee was introduced to the United States in 1952 by travel writer Stanton Delaplane. He brought it to the attention of Jack Koeppler, a bartender at the Buena Vista Hotel in San Francisco, and persuaded him to recreate it.
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, gorge on all your favorite flavors of America’s favorite dessert on National Pie Day on January 23. Traditional fruit pies, savory pies, or creams pies used for comedy, no pie is left behind on this holiday!
and friends, and it also helps with their mental health. Vacations also lead to an increase in tourism, which ensures a well-functioning economy. This day is important so stop postponing your vacation and plan to take a few weeks off. Many brands and media houses also participate in this day to help people pick out destinations and provide them with the best travel outfits.