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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:15:22 GMT
National Croissant Day – January 30, 2022~U.S.
While most of us know it as a french speciality, the croissant actually originated in Austria under the name “kipferls”. Marie Antoinette first introduced the Austrian pastry to France when she married into the royal family and requested the simple cake in the crescent shape of her homeland. The French bakers created fancier versions of “kipferls” and thus, the croissant was born. In France, the croissant has become more sophisticated, influenced by the cuisine style of its country. At it’s most basic level, it’s a frugal kind of breakfast pastry, made from pâte feuilletée (soft flour of flour, yeast, butter, milk and salt). On January 30, we annually recognize National Croissant Day, so channel your inner Parisian baker today and say “oui” to these buttery treats!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:18:07 GMT
National Draw A Dinosaur Day – January 30, 2022~U.S.
National Draw a Dinosaur Day on January 30 celebrates the mysticism and magic that surrounds these magnificent animals that once roamed the world eons ago. On this day, kids and adults paint and sketch all types of dinosaurs — cute, scary, jovial, wicked, e.t.c., and have fun while doing so.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL DRAW A DINOSAUR DAY
On a seemingly unassuming day in 2007, a student named Todd Page was attending an anthropology class. To relieve the boredom, he put pen to paper and, out of nowhere, drew a dinosaur. He found it fun and stimulating. He motivated his classmates to sketch dinosaurs too, and they all found it to be fun. He decided to create a day when folks could just let their imaginations run riot by drawing the most mystical creatures that have inhabited our planet.
Todd Page registered the day — January 30 — as National Draw a Dinosaur Day and popularized it through social media. Since then, folks across the United States and Canada draw a dinosaur on the day and share their creations over social media.
It’s no secret that kids love dinosaurs. Ask any kid to do anything connected to dinosaurs, and they are over the moon! Drawing is a constructive way of engaging children. The celebrations on the day are simple — just draw a picture of a dinosaur and post it on various social media platforms. The picture is not essential, but having fun while doing it is! The idea is to motivate people, especially children, to let their imagination flow freely on paper or canvas.
Over the years, kids and adults have sketched their perceptions and visualizations of dinosaurs and shared them online.
So, on January 30, take out your pencils, wax crayons, color pens, paintbrushes, or even your stylus to draw your very own version of the most mystical creature to have ever walked the Earth.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:20:34 GMT
National Escape Day – January 30, 2022~U.S.
Every year, National Escape Day beckons to people on January 30 to move away from their daily lives and invest some time in rejuvenating themselves. The day literally encourages you to run away from your daily existential problems and simply live in the moment. While it is something that people should do daily, the pressing issues of life push them into putting it off for another day. National Escape Day tells you to live in the now, and to live life fully.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ESCAPE DAY
When life becomes a treadmill, and you find yourself running to nowhere, it’s best to just get off it for some time. This is the chief idea behind National Escape Day.
At some stage, everyone feels overwhelmed by the pressures of life. Bills, performance, exams, expectations, deliverables, deadlines, e.t.c., run us ragged at times. While the pressing nature of life today is inescapable, it would do you plenty of good to put your feet up for a day.
National Escape Day is your day — a day when you live life without worrying about credit card payments or deadlines. It is for you to treat yourself as the monarch of your very own realm.
While some may want to escape away physically from the maddening rush, others would be content with just escaping in their mind. Whatever your preference, it offers an excuse to live a day-tight life.
While there are no clear indications about the holiday’s origins, it has caught the interest and imagination of people in the U.S. Over the years, people have made it a point to unabashedly go incognito for a day without running the risk of rubbing bosses, clients, e.t.c., the wrong way. It lets people tell the world that they need a break — without sounding lazy or appearing burned out.
So go ahead! Run, walk, rest, get a massage or simply sit beside the sea counting the waves! There are no rules except that you should follow no rules! Whether you surf the sea, escape to a hill resort, walk into your neighborhood spa or merely lather yourself in the bath, this day is all about getting off the treadmill to pamper your life’s central being – you!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:23:12 GMT
School Day of Non-violence and Peace – January 30, 2022~World
School Day of Non-violence and Peace is observed in schools worldwide on January 30 to motivate tomorrow’s citizens to find non-violent solutions to conflicts. The day originated in Spain and has spread across the world, reminding us of the teachings of pacifists and advocates of non-violence, including Mahatma Gandhi.
HISTORY OF SCHOOL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE AND PEACE
Llorenç Vidal Vidal, a Spanish poet, educator, and pacifist, felt that schools should be the place where the leaders and citizens of tomorrow are taught about the importance of universal peace and conflict resolution through non-violent means. With this aim in mind, he founded ‘Dia Escolar de la No-violència i la Pau’ or the School Day of Non-violence and Peace on January 30, the death anniversary of the legendary apostle of world peace, Mahatma Gandhi.
Vidal started the day in his hometown of Majorca. He conceptualized the day as a beginning for creating and nurturing an educational ecosystem that facilitates the teachings of non-violence. Over the years, owing largely to his efforts, the day has acquired the status of a pioneering, non-governmental, independent, free, and voluntary initiative to popularize the teachings of “non-violent and pacifying education,” absorbed by educational frameworks across the world.
Today, the day is observed worldwide and is also known by the acronym DENIP, derived from its Spanish name. DENIP is working to create and promote a culture and an ecosystem of education that values non-violence and peace. It propagates universal love over egoism, non-violence over violence, and peace over war.
On this day, schools worldwide organize events and conferences where educators, teachers, and students at all levels are invited to participate and freely discuss how to create a non-violent, peaceful and just society. These engagements advocate providing students with the education to appreciate and promote the importance of peaceful coexistence, tolerance of different points of view, solidarity, and respect for human rights and non-violence.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:28:18 GMT
World Leprosy Day – January 30, 2022~World
World Leprosy Day, observed on the last Sunday in January annually, aims to create awareness about a disease that many people believe to be extinct, especially in developed countries. Leprosy, also called Hansen’s disease, is an infectious disease caused by a specific type of bacteria that targets the human body’s nervous system. It generally affects the hands, feet, and face. It is believed to spread through extensive exposure to the bacteria causing it. The day aims to not only educate people about the disease, but to draw attention to those afflicted by it.
HISTORY OF WORLD LEPROSY DAY
Leprosy is a long-term bacterial infection that can lead to permanent and irreparable damage to the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. The condition causes loss of sensation in the affected areas. Often, the afflicted person cannot sense pain in the affected area, leading to neglect towards injuries or unnoticed wounds, and resulting in the loss of limbs. An infected person may experience other indications, such as muscle weakness and poor eyesight.
The disease is also called Hansen’s disease, named after the Norwegian doctor Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who is known for identifying the bacteria that causes Leprosy.
To create awareness about the disease, especially its socio-economic ramifications, French philanthropist Raoul Follereau established World Leprosy Day in 1954. In India, the day is observed on January 30 — the death anniversary of the apostle of world peace, Mahatma Gandhi, to respect his unflinching compassion for people afflicted with the disease.
Although easily curable today and rare in developed countries, such as the U.S, the disease is surrounded by stigma. This is true especially in India, Brazil, and Indonesia, where the maximum number of cases are found. Infected people are often discriminated against and ostracized, leading to a lack of access to appropriate medical care, treatment, and even denial of basic human rights.
Since Leprosy massively affects the underprivileged sections of the world’s population, the world is beginning to conveniently forget about the disease. World Leprosy Day aims to increase public awareness of Leprosy to enable people to seek treatment and live a life of dignity.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:31:14 GMT
Yodel For Your Neighbors Day – January 30, 2022~U.S.
The sounds of yodeling — melodious, funny, or croaky — will fill the air when people celebrate Yodel For Your Neighbors Day on January 30. Every year, the day encourages people to try their hand at yodeling. It motivates them to get to know people around them better by inviting them to yodel along. Read on to learn how to celebrate the day with joy and make new friends along the way.
HISTORY OF YODEL FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS DAY
Yodeling is an age-old form of singing popularized by the shepherds in Scandinavia. The word ‘yodel’ originates from the German word ‘jodeln’, which means uttering the syllable ‘jo’ — also pronounced as ‘yo’ in English.
In yodeling, the singer creates sounds by rapidly alternating his or her voice back and forth between different pitch registers in the chest and head. The notes emanating often end in ‘oooo’ or ‘odeee’ and vary in range from the low pitch registers in the chest to the high pitch ones in the head, also known as ‘falsetto’.
The singing art form is believed to have been discovered in the 1500s in the Central Alps. Shepherds there used the unique sound to communicate with people in the hills and to round up their cattle. It is likely that the art came to America in the 1800s, brought into the country by German immigrants in Pennsylvania. Soon, minstrels and touring music groups from Europe featured yodeling in their performances. The trend caught America’s fancy, and homegrown  singing groups, such as the Hutchinson Singers, started performing the art.
The best part about yodeling is that laypeople with a basic understanding of notes and rhythms can also enjoy yodeling. And that is why Yodel For Your Neighbors Day has become popular across the U.S. You can yodel without expensive equipment or a venue. Just walk through the neighborhood yodeling and call out to your neighbors to join you. Soon, you’ll find yourselves being part of a small group yodeling happily on the street.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 30, 2022 15:35:07 GMT
Intimate Apparel Market Week – January 30-February 5, 2022~U.S.
Intimate Apparel Market Week takes place four times every year, during the first weeks of February, May, August, and November. It aims to provide an avenue for people in the intimate apparel industry to come together and share ideas.
HISTORY OF INTIMATE APPAREL MARKET WEEK
Intimate Apparel Market Week is sponsored by the Underfashion Club, a non-profit organization founded in 1958. The club was originally called The Corset and Brassiere Women’s Club, Inc. but changed its name to the Underfashion Club in 1963. The mission of the club is to educate young people and equip them with useful opportunities in the intimate apparel industry.
According to Tina Wilson, president of the club, “Taking responsibility for setting market week dates is a highly positive initiative for the UFC. We have become an organization that is relied on for networking, ideas, information, and supporting the future of the industry with student scholarships, grants, and internships.” She went on to say, “This is yet another way we are able to further support and engage our members and the intimate apparel marketplace.”
The term ‘intimate apparel’ was first used in the 1920s. Prior to this period, ‘underwear’ had been more commonplace, especially in England. Corsets, which had been the major garment among women’s intimate wear, fell out of style from the 1920s to the 1940s. This was caused by several factors, such as the rise of ‘flapper’ fashion and World War I, when the restrictive nature of corsets became an inconvenience for working women. However, they returned to the scene after World War II.
The 21st century has brought about more innovations and an increase in the comfort of women’s intimate apparel. No longer are strict rules followed that involve restrictive and oftentimes dangerous clothes, as the fashions are ever-changing to match the comfort and style of modern women.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 16:57:23 GMT
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day is celebrated annually on January 31. Art can touch our souls and make a lasting impact. Whether it’s a piece of music or a painting, it can broaden our horizons and inspire us in many ways.
HISTORY OF INSPIRE YOUR HEART WITH ART DAY
It was undoubtedly a creative and artistic person who created this day that shines a spotlight on the importance and power of art. We often don’t realize the impact art can have on our hearts. It can inspire, motivate, guide, and touch us in more ways than we can imagine.
Art has been around for a very long time. Several archaeologists found the first artifacts of human art, which date back to the Stone Age. Since then, art has developed over the years and is appreciated for a variety of reasons. Inspire Your Heart with Art Day is celebrated by various art organizations and strives towards appreciating all forms of art.
Many associate art with paintings only but it comes in many forms and it almost always inspires or touches your heart. Inspire Your Heart with Art Day is the perfect day to take a closer look at a piece of art to understand what the artist is trying to communicate. With an open mind, you can allow it to inspire you and change your perspective on many things. Art satisfies our basic need for harmony and balance, and it brings people together. Art also acts as an important form of communication that bridges the language barrier. Art can really go a long way in making a social impact on our lives.
On this day, it is a nudge to let your heart be inspired by paintings, books, music, movies, drama, e.t.c., whichever form of art draws your interest.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 16:59:42 GMT
Nauru Independence Day – January 31, 2022~Nauru
Nauru Independence Day is celebrated as a national holiday on January 31 each year. On this day in 1968, the Republic of Nauru declared independence. The 22nd anniversary of the Nauruans’ return from Truk was also honored on this day. Chuuk Lagoon is the name given to Truk nowadays. The day is celebrated all over the island nation with parades, dances, carnivals, and remembering the struggle for independence. Despite being a small country — just 13 square miles — it is quickly becoming a tourist favorite due to its beautiful oceans and beaches.
HISTORY OF NAURU INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Germans governed Nauru until the last years of the 19th century. They had discovered Nauru’s plentiful phosphorus reserves and realized that the island’s natural resources could be a source of great riches. Nauru was controlled jointly by Australia, New Zealand, and England following the end of World War I! This changed during World War II when Japan arrived on the island of Nauru and used it as an airstrip. When the war ended, Australia, New Zealand, and England regained control of Nauru. The administration, on the other hand, was solely the responsibility of Australia.
Nauru became a sovereign republic on January 31, 1968, when it declared independence from England. When the Japanese troops landed in Nauru in 1945, they deported 1,200 native islanders to the Chuuk Lagoon (or Truk) as laborers. After the Japanese lost, the Nauruans returned home on this day in 1946. To commemorate this landmark event, January 31 was honored as the Independence Day of Nauru.
The national flag of Nauru is the greatest representation of the country. The flag depicts the geographical position of Nauru, a degree below the equator – the Equator is shown by a golden horizontal line and Nauru as a 12-point white star. The white color signifies phosphate, the source of the nation’s prosperity, and each point represents one of the island’s 12 indigenous tribes. The Pacific Ocean is represented by the blue background of the flag. ‘Nauru Bwiema’ is the national anthem. Margaret Hendrie wrote it in 1862, and Laurence Henry Hicks composed the music.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:02:04 GMT
National Hot Chocolate Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
Few beverages are as deep-rooted in culture of Americans’ collective childhood quite like hot chocolate. This drink reminds us of raining days, skiing, sledding, or even a quiet day watching the snow fall. It’s thick, silky, toasty, and usually smothered in whipped cream—no other drink brings warmth to our lives and tastebuds quite like hot chocolate. Cozy up with your favorite mug because on January 31, we celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day, a day devoted to our favorite chocolate beverage.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:03:34 GMT
National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
If bubble wrap makes you think about the exquisite joy of popping noises — or perhaps just moving to a new apartment — you’re already a fan. Show your bubble love on National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day January 31 — which America proudly celebrates on the last Monday in January. How did this bubble-licious holiday begin? A radio station once inadvertently unwrapped microphones on the air and listeners loved it! The rest is (bubble) history. So get popping!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:06:46 GMT
National Backward Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
National Backward Day is celebrated on January 31, encouraging us to do things oppositely. It’s a time to take a look at our actions to see how reversing them can be effective and fun at the same time. One example of how doing things backward can be enlightening is by reverse poetry, which is a form that uses a reverse method to convey different messages depending on how the poem is read. They can be read forwards top to bottom with one meaning and backward from bottom to top with another. Spend the day finding new ways to do things in reverse!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BACKWARD DAY
An interesting example in history of doing things in reverse was from none other than one of the world's most well-known artists, Leonardo da Vinci. He famously practiced mirror writing, which is where text is written in the opposite direction so that it can be read in a mirror. There are multiple theories as to why Da Vinci did this. Firstly, it made it harder for people to steal his ideas, or he could’ve been hiding his work to avoid religious persecution. Another theory is the artist simply wanted to prevent smudging of ink. Also, Da Vinci was left-handed, and starting right to left could have made it easier for him.
Backwards Day was created by two women, Sarah Nicole Miller and Megan Emily Scott, who came up with the idea while on a farm. They were milking cows, thinking about arts and crafts when the initial idea came to them. The two women came up with the rules of and created it on January 29, 1961. The next day, word had spread around and the community was doing things backward. The pair then made the day on January 31 and so it has remained.
Throughout the decades, the benefits of doing things in reverse have become more visible. Some schools celebrate National Backward Day where students can wear their clothes inside out, their shoes on the opposite feet, write their names backward, and so on. Adding a little fun to the school day adds some entertainment to what could be just another ordinary day.
Backwards Day isn’t just confined to the real world either. The invocation of doing things backward is seen In one of the most memorable episodes of the Nickelodeon cartoon, SpongeBob Squarepants. SpongeBob’s serious neighbor Squidward Tentacles calls a realty company to sell his house, but they won’t accept it if his neighbors are too out of control. Squidward tells the rambunctious SpongeBob that it’s Opposite Day so that he changes his ways, and SpongeBob acts as if he’s Squidward. Now, the day is a fun opportunity to do things in reverse!
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:10:38 GMT
Hell is Freezing Over Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
Hell is Freezing Over Day is celebrated every year on January 31. The Northern Hemisphere experiences a chilling winter during this time period. The original idiom, “When hell freezes over,” actually refers to something that will never happen, but due to the freezing weather, it indeed feels like hell is freezing over.
HISTORY OF HELL IS FREEZING OVER DAY
While we don’t know who created this cold holiday, it must have been someone who finally saw the unthinkable happen.
Hell is Freezing Over Day is derived from the idiom, “When hell freezes over,” which refers to something that’s never going to happen. All of us have used it multiple times in our lives by saying, “I will apologize when hell freezes over,” “I will join the gym when hell freezes over,” or “I will watch a horror movie when hell freezes over,” and so on.
Hell freezing over has also been referenced in popular culture, and is the name of the Eagles album that was released in 1994. In an interview, when one of the band members was asked when they will reunite again, after they announced their break, he said, “When hell freezes over,” implying that a reunion was highly unlikely. They did, however, get back together after a 14-year break and, thus, their second live album was named “Hell Freezes Over.” It was also used in a speech at the United Nations in 1962 by the late Adlai Stevenson ’22.
Hell is Freezing Over Day is particularly relevant in the Northern Hemisphere as this day falls during winter when people are experiencing extremely harsh temperatures. Some places experience temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, which can even cause lakes to freeze completely, streets to be covered in snow, and the strong winds to become unbearable. It literally feels like hell has frozen over during this season.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:13:03 GMT
Grammy Awards Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
Grammy Awards Day is celebrated every year, albeit on a different date. On this day, the Recording Academy shows appreciation for the artistic eminence across genres such as hip hop, pop, classical, and more, in the musical field. It is a perfect day to celebrate mankind’s universal language.
HISTORY OF GRAMMY AWARDS DAY
The origin of the Grammys dates back to the 1950s when the Hollywood Walk of Fame began. This public monument, which honors the achievements in the entertainment industry, renewed interest to honor the talents of music professionals.
Recording executives on the Hollywood Walk of Fame committee realized that leading artists in the music industry were not able to earn their mark on Hollywood Boulevard. Also, Academy Awards like the Oscars and the Emmys recognized the leading talents in film and television but there was no such platform for the music industry. This led to the creation of the Grammy Awards — the highest achievement in the music industry.
The decision to name the award ‘Grammy’ was based on a mail-in contest where approximately 300 participants suggested the name. The winner of the contest, Jay Danna from New Orleans, Louisiana submitted the name as an abbreviated reference to the gramophone.
The first ceremony was organized at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City, New York, on May 4, 1959. They presented 28 awards across different categories. Over the years, the number of accolades and categories fluctuated and during one year, the awards distributed reached over 100. The second ceremony was also organized in 1959 and was the first ceremony to be televised.
Before Staples Center in Los Angeles became the fixed location for the award ceremonies in 2000, the ceremony moved from Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum, to Tennessee Theatre, to Radio City Music Hall, to Shrine Auditorium, and to Hollywood Palladium.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:15:28 GMT
Gorilla Suit Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
We love a day that lets us unleash our inner primate, even if it is in a suit(!) — and that’s why we are very excited about Gorilla Suit Day, which comes around on January 31 each year. This King Kong-sized day is meant to honor the monkey suits that are worn on Halloween, at costume parties, movies, and sometimes just for fun. So don your gorilla suit and join us for the celebrations.
HISTORY OF GORILLA SUIT DAY
The very first suit was handmade in the 1920s by Carlos Cruz Gemora, a Hollywood make-up artist. His study of real gorillas from the San Diego Zoo coupled with his make-up expertise gave his suit authenticity.
Before Gemora’s gorilla suit, movies had a version, which was unfortunately not very close to the real thing. This was because Westerners had not laid eyes on this primate until the 1860s, and even then, this animal was something of a curiosity back in the early 20th century. This made the initial gorilla suits somewhat questionable representations of the real animal.
By the time Gemora’s realistic suit came around, the movie industry — and gorillas — were enjoying a lot of popularity. This went on for the next few decades, until the 1950s, when their scare factor went down.
An innovation came into existence — special effects. It turned the film world on its head. No longer were men in costumes required; computers could take care of it all. A few followers of the good old times — Rick Baker, for instance — kept the gorilla suit alive. Baker kept away from special effects and illusions, using the gorilla suit instead to appear in movies like “Schlock,” and “The Thing With Two Heads.”
In 1963, one of “MAD” magazine’s ‘Maddest Artists’, Don Martin, wrote a 56-page comic about a character mocking the then-fictitious Gorilla Suit holiday. This character is then assaulted by gorillas and people in gorilla suits, in trademark “MAD” magazine’s absurdly hilarious style. This paperback was called “Don Martin Bounces Back,” and although the book itself is out of print, the holiday lives on through Don Martin fans. They get together with fans of “MAD” magazine to celebrate this unofficial holiday in memory of the artist and the suits themselves.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:18:19 GMT
Brandy Alexander Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
If you have not tried this incredibly tasty alcoholic drink, Brandy Alexander Day on January 31 is curated just for you! Held annually, Brandy Alexander Day celebrates the drink known as ‘Brandy Alexander,’ which is made from Crème de Cacao, cream, and brandy, most often of the cognac variety.
HISTORY OF BRANDY ALEXANDER DAY
Everyone agrees that this drink is a mouth-watering classic, but their opinion about its origin is less harmonious. A portion of historians believes the Brandy Alexander came about after a bartender named Troy Alexander had a brainwave. He worked at the Rector Hotel in New York and is said to have created this drink just after the turn of the century, for a celebration. As the story goes, there was to be a dinner celebrating a fictional character used in railroad advertisements — Phoebe Snow. Troy wanted to create a white drink for this occasion, to play on the character’s name. The rest is history.
Another version of events goes further back, well into the 18th century. The oldest daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, Princess Mary, was marrying Viscount Lascelles, and this drink was thought up for the wedding celebration. A popular theory also says this drink had another, earlier version, which used gin rather than cognac or brandy. It was also called ‘Alexander’.
Whatever its origins, this drink became immensely popular in the 19th century, particularly after it was mentioned in the movie, “Days of Wine and Roses.”
The Brandy Alexander was also former Beatles member John Lennon’s favorite drink, which he would call ‘milkshake.’ He was introduced to this drink by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson during Lennon’s famous ‘lost weekend’ (the period of his life that marked the separation between himself and his wife, Yoko Ono). Upon Lennon’s first introduction to this drink, the pair famously got wildly drunk and were thrown out of the Troubadour — a nightclub — in Los Angeles.
Just like the origins of the drink, the history of the day is a mystery too, at least for now.
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:22:25 GMT
Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day is held annually on January 31 to celebrate the checks that are sent out for social welfare across America. Apart from commemorating the actual benefits themselves, this day also celebrates those workers who ensure people get their benefits. If you are someone receiving this benefit, take a moment to appreciate the help.
HISTORY OF APPRECIATE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK DAY
Initially, the world had small guilds — groups of like-minded individuals or trade persons who banded together for economic and work security.
Around the 15th century, the state began to assume responsibility for the economic security of English citizens. Believing that this problem primarily affected those not financially strong enough, they dubbed the subsequent laws ‘Poor Laws’. When these English citizens spread around the ‘New World,’ they took their ideas and customs with them, including the ‘Poor Laws’. The first American colonial poor laws were fashioned on the originals. While help existed, no formal public institution existed for almost an entire century.
Social Security was around long before America adopted this system. In the 16th century, Revolutionary War figure Thomas Paine proposed a scheme for retirement security. He was one of the first people in the world to do so.
In the 20th century, entrepreneur and politician Dudley J. LeBlanc proposed a monthly stipend for the elderly in his campaign while running for governor of Louisiana. He went on to adopt this into his national platform too, after seeing its popularity with voters.
By this time, America was in the grips of the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed a plan to provide Social Security to the American public. He sent a message announcing the same to Congress on June 8, 1934, and asked them to create a committee for studying the economic problem and providing recommendations.
Six months later, they presented a detailed proposal to the President and it was passed in August 1935. America now had a Social Security Act. Initially, this act was mostly providing aid to retired workers. This was amended in 1939, and dependents were eligible to receive benefits too. This began the transformation of the Social Security Act from a program for workers to a -based economic welfare program.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:26:31 GMT
Scotch Tape Day – January 31, 2022~U.S.
Scotch Tape Day is celebrated each year on January 31. A problem arose when cars needed to be painted in two tones and sections needed to be taped off to do so. That’s how Richard Drew ended up creating scotch tape. Today, this versatile invention is used to stick anything and everything.
HISTORY OF SCOTCH TAPE DAY
In the early 1920s, Richard Drew worked at the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, which made sandpaper at the time. When he used to deliver sandpaper samples to auto body shops, he observed the inconvenience that car painters experienced when they had to paint two-tone color cars. At that time, surgical adhesive tapes or library glues were used to hold newspapers on cars when painting. However, when the newspapers were removed, residue remained and would rip the paint off when peeled off.
This inspired Drew to come up with a long-term and efficient solution. He went on to invent masking tape made out of crêpe paper, cabinetmaker’s glue, and glycerin. It adhered well to cars and came off easily without taking paint away. It was later marketed as Scotch Masking Tape.
Around the 1950s, the company introduced their mascot, “Scotty McTape”, who was declared a member of the Clan Wallace — the clan that William Wallace was from. The mascot started wearing red tartan and Wallace Hunting green plaid. However, he was jettisoned in the early 1970s. Nevertheless, to date, one can still find the green plaid on Scotch labels. Over the years, several manufacturers have started making transparent adhesive tape, however, many people still tend to call it Scotch Tape.
The invention of Scotch Tape, which can now be found in almost every home, resulted in Drew being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
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pennmom
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Post by pennmom on Feb 1, 2022 15:10:39 GMT
Imbolc – February 1, 2022~Ireland
Imbolc on February 1, welcomes the first wave of spring with a feast like no other! According to tradition, the Imbolc festival is also the day where the pagan goddess Brigid is honored. For Christians, she is recognized as the inspirational St. Bridget. Wondering why Imbolc is celebrated in Ireland? It’s because, on this day, the pagans strengthen their connection with the world of nature and pray for the fertile land that produces plenty of crops the entire year. The best part about this occasion is that even if you don’t believe in the history surrounding the event, you can’t resist the amazing celebration that takes place.
HISTORY OF IMBOLC
Imbolc is a celebration that has existed for centuries and has been passed down from generation to generation in different parts of the world. Needless to say, it is one of the strong traditions that will continue to be carried forward even by those who don’t truly believe in the customs since Imbolc is now a huge part of their identity. Yes, the celebratory day that has existed since the 10th century holds great importance in the lives of many as it is linked to the fertility of the land and the livestock.
The question is, why is the pagan goddess Brigid honored on this day? According to history, Brigid is considered one of the most powerful Celtic gods and is said to be born with a flame in her head. She is also said to have drunk the milk of a mystical cow from the spirit world. Known for the luck she brings, Brigid was celebrated for centuries by the Celtics and she was later adopted into Christianity as St. Brigid. Based on the statement of one of Ireland’s three patron saints, St. Brigid is believed to be the patron saint of Irish nuns, newborns, midwives, dairymaids, and cattle. She was born in Ireland around 453 A.D. and was the daughter of a slave and a chieftain. The tales passed down for centuries also state that St. Brigid never wanted to marry and instead, focused on forming a monastery in Kildare. This is where she is said to have lived her entire life.
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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 Feb 1, 2022 15:12:11 GMT
National Dark Chocolate Day – February 1, 2022~U.S.
If you’re like us, you don’t need a reason to celebrate dark chocolate, but it sure is sweet to have one. National Dark Chocolate Day on February 1 is an opportunity exalt the health and happiness that dark chocolate brings and pay homage to the history and cultural significance surrounding this decadent treat.
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singing groups, such as the Hutchinson