Celebrate Every Day

What is Your Favorite Classical Music? This One Has Celebration Written All Over It!

Welcome to September 2nd, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we kick off two month long celebrations that are an “Ode to Joy.”  

Maybe you’re not a fan of classical music, but I bet you know Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy. Many consider this to be the composer’s greatest work, which is high praise considering the amount of music he created. What makes this symphony so special is that it was composed when Beethoven was deaf. When the 9th Symphony debuted in 1824, he stood with the conductor in front of the orchestra, back turned to the audience. As the performance ended, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and because he couldn’t hear, Beethoven had no idea the audience liked it until he turned around and saw the standing ovation. September is Classical Music Month, the perfect time to revisit some of the most beautiful music ever composed. 

When we think of the fabric of our great nation, the threads that tie us all together could be called Americana. Since the word was coined in 1841 it has been used to describe our culture, from folk music to food and events that strike a chord in the hearts of people coast to coast.  This word means home and that home might be different for everyone who embraces the word, but what matters most is the history we hold dear that keeps us connected to our roots.  This pride of ownership in our own country can hopefully soothe the gaps between us while letting us celebrate the things that make us beautiful.  September is National Americana Month and while we search for what is meaningful in songs of perseverance, stories of character and food that is comforting, may we find respect among our nation’s most cherished traditions. 

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

What Rhymes With Orange?

Welcome to September 1st, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the random and ridiculous.  

Hey, Marlo.  What rhymes with “orange?”It’s National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day and we highlight the words in our language that do not rhyme with anything.  Words like “silver” or “spirit” are called refractory rhymes and they drive poets crazy.  Of course if those things don’t matter to you as a writer, feel free to celebrate the completely random and capricious.  

Marlo: “spacious!” 

Anna: No, Marlo.  Capricious is not a refractory rhyme.

Marlo: “delicious!”

Anna: What are you doing?!!

Marlo: “Croatious!”

Anna: THAT’S NOT EVEN A WORD!  You’re not making any sense.

Marlo: “Loquacious!”

Anna: Yes, you are.  Alright, you go ahead and try to teach us something!

During its heyday, Route 66 offered not only beautiful scenery, but also many fun places to stop along the way. One of its most famous roadside attractions was Chicken Boy, a fried chicken restaurant in Los Angeles, CA. This place boasted a giant statue of a man with a chickens head that welcomed visitors to the City of Angels. But when a new highway system made Route 66 obsolete, many of the stops went out of business. One of them was Chicken Boy and in 1984, the iconic statue was headed for the trash heap. Fortunately, a local artist rescued Chicken Boy, installing him on another rooftop, where he came to be known as The Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles. On National Chicken Boy Day, celebrate this blast from the past with some wings or fried chicken.

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

Welcome to  August 31st, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate food for the trail and those who set us up.  

As summer winds down, it’s time to take advantage of the great outdoors while you still can. Hiking is a great way to get out into nature and grab a workout at the same time. And when you hit the trails, remember to take along some fuel. But not any old thing. Trail mix is the snack that was literally made for this! Its basic ingredients are fruits and nuts, but from there it's okay to get creative. Add some chocolate chips, M&Ms, or pretzels. It just depends on how healthy you want to be. I mean, you’re out there getting exercise, so if you want some candy in there, go for it. Take a hike, my friend. It's National Trail Mix Day.

Before online dating sites, the art of matchmaking was devised by a few brave souls who were willing to fire cupid's arrows.  Though the comic and tragic results are portrayed in Will Smith’s movie Hitch, there are some couples whose romances have been successfully arranged.  When Katie Couric trusted her friends with the delicate task of setting up a blind date after her first husband passed, John Molner became her new perfect match. Meghan Markle's only question to her friends that recommended Prince Harry, was, "Is he nice?"  It appears that this fairy tale match ended nicely.  And while not all celebrities can claim marital bliss, we think John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are doing just fine with two kids and two careers from two sides of the pond. Whoever put them together deserves two thumbs up.  On National Matchmaker Day, here's to the chemistry that can’t be found by an algorithm.   

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

What's Your Secret to Toasting a Perfect Marshmallow?

Welcome to  August 30th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate making sweet memories in the happiest of places.  

Crafty veterans know that the glowing coals of a dying fire are the perfect place to toast a marshmallow.  Though kids love to make them burst into flames, it’s a good time to take some advice from an expert. Have them pull up a camp chair and feast their eyes on the creeping golden tan that bubbles up hypnotically. And while they wait, patiently or otherwise you can tell them that even Ancient Egyptians had marshmallows, made from the sticky sap of the mallow plant.  And today we buy more than 90 million pounds of them each year, which is the same weight as 1286 gray whales.  Over 50 percent of these marshmallows get toasted and right about then, your own marshmallow should be toasted to perfection, with a nice golden crust and a gooey to the core center.  On National Toasted Marshmallow Day, teach the sweetest lesson of all that good things come to those who wait.

Someone once said, “Happiness is a day at the beach.” That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? There's no better place to get away from it all: with the smell of salty air, the sand crunching between your toes and the sound of waves crashing into the shore… Just talking about it makes you want to hop in the car and drive to the ocean.  Colleen Paige created National Beach Day in 2014 to celebrate beaches and the importance of keeping them clean. So be sure to do your part and leave this paradise better than you found it.  And if you want to avoid the crowds, taking a walk at sunset or sunrise can be one of the most relaxing things you'll ever do. On National Beach Day, grab your umbrellas and blankets and head down to the water's edge, otherwise known as your happy place.  

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

What's For Dinner? Here's A Few Choices To Mix Things Up!

Welcome to  August 29th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we sort out some culinary misconceptions.  

If you like Southern food, then you know how good fried catfish can be. Some people avoid it because they think it’s too “fishy” tasting, but if catfish has that flavor, it’s because it hasn’t been prepared properly. To start, you’ve got to soak the fillets in milk for at least an hour, which takes away the fishiness. From there you season and bread the fillet, fry it, and—bam—you’ve got yourself great catfish, friend. Add some traditional sides like black-eyed peas, corn bread, or mac and cheese, and enjoy. During National Catfish Month, it’s easier than you think to celebrate Southern style.

Alan Davidson calls the origin of chop suey a prime example of culinary mythology.  It is believed that the name means “assorted pieces” and this name fits the hodge podge of myths surrounding its creation.  Though the Chinese do not claim the dish, they are usually at the heart of its stories, ranging back to an 1860s Chinese cook in San Francisco, CA. The chef was called upon to serve something to drunken miners after hours. As he had nothing fresh to offer, he combined leftovers and served a makeshift meal which went over so well with the customers that they demanded a name for this new dish.  It is reported that he replied: “chop suey” though no one realized it meant odds and ends.  On National Chop Suey Day celebrate the delicious combination of flavors that piece together our love of chinese cuisine.  

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

Today its All About the Reds. Unless You're a Green Ranger. Or Pink. Or Blue...

Welcome to  August 28th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a little cheese with your wine.  

If you’re a fan of Zordon or Rita Repulsa, then you know exactly what we’re celebrating today. Although a kid’s show pieced together with old footage from a Japanese TV show might sound crazy, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers was a huge hit when it debuted in 1993. Five teenagers transformed into…well, power rangers…who then merged into a giant robot that fought monsters. Yeah, it sounds bonkers, but if you grew up in the 1990s, this was THE show to watch. On National Power Rangers Day, take a walk down memory lane and watch some old episodes. Though the cheesy special effects are on par with Godzilla movies, the lessons on teamwork are timeless! 

Though folks enjoy wine all year long, the end of Summer begins the seasonal celebration of the varietals known as reds.  Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and Syrah pair well with the coming of the cooler weather and the richer foods that accompany them.  Wine has been a symbol of celebration for thousands of years, since the time when spoiled grapes became known as delicious.  And while bottles of red wine have been sold for as much as $500,000 an affordable and delicious bottle can be enjoyed for under twenty bucks.  Don't be intimidated by the vast knowledge of wines that some people boast.  Your smarty pants friends are all too happy to teach you the fine art of appreciation.  On National Red Wine Day relax and enjoy the fruits of the season with those who make you feel like celebrating.   

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

Is There Something You've Been Meaning to Do, But You Just Haven't Gotten Around To It? Today is Your Day!

Welcome to  August 27th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate life’s rich rewards and doing things “just because.”  

Pots of cream may not sound delicious but pot de creme deserves its own celebration.  Think of it as a cousin to crème brûlée.  Both are made with simple ingredients of cream, eggs and flavorings which are baked in individual ramekins or pots for a super rich and creamy flavor.  Today most people think of pot de creme as a chocolate dessert though its texture is close to a vanilla custard. Interestingly, the French have no word for custard which has been around since the Middle Ages.  In those days it was used to fill pies and tarts or “crustade”, and the name became attached to its original use. By the 17th century  people realized that the cream was the best part anyway and pots of cream became a dessert on their own.  On National Pots De Creme Day celebrate getting to the good stuff and serve this decadent dessert with a Viva la creme!  

Sometimes you just have to say “to heck with it” and do whatever you want. Is there something you’ve been putting off, saying “Someday I’ll get to that.” National Just Because Day is the chance to do something fun, something outrageous, something that you wouldn’t normally do. Or maybe you wanna veg out and binge on your new favorite show, or sing in the shower. Heck, sing in the car at the top of your lungs. Treat yourself to a fantastic, “anything goes kind of day”. Well, anything within reason. After all, tomorrow is a normal day and you don’t need any trouble to follow you back into real life. 

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

We Owe A Century of Thanks to Those Who Have Stood Up For Women's Equality. Do You Recognize Any of These Names?

Welcome to August 26th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate women’s rights and man’s best friend.  

On this day in 1920 the United States Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women full and equal voting rights. While it may sound preposterous to our young women and girls, this amendment was nearly 80 years in the making, if you take into account that the seeds of unrest were sown in the early 1800s.  That’s when Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Staton, along with Martha Wright, Mary Ann McClintock, and Jane Hunt, set in motion plans for the first woman’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York after being denied access to the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London.Today, we celebrate National Women’s Equality Day and the one hundred years of progress we have made since the 19th Amendment was passed.

Over 15,000 years ago, early humans domesticated wolves and in doing so they formed a friendship that has endured the test of time. Modern dogs, from purebreds to mutts look and act much different from their wild ancestors, with many being bred to perform certain jobs. And with so many different breads to choose from, there is truly something for everyone.  Consider these differences carefully when adopting a new member of your family.  Because so many pets end up in shelters, it's important to find the right fit for you and your lifestyle. On National Dog Day, celebrate your furry friends who are awfully glad that you are in their pack.

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

Do You Know The Birthplace of the Banana Split?

Welcome to  August 25th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a legacy of enjoyment charted by those who loved their jobs.  

After serving in the Union Army during the US Civil War, Ferdinand Hayden did geographical surveys of the Grand Canyon and what would become the Western United States. One particular region of northwestern Wyoming caught his attention and he petitioned the US government to explore and document the area. Along with photographer William Henry Jackson and painter Thomas Moran, he put together a report that was presented to Congress. It made such an impression that on March 1, 1872, President Grant established Yellowstone as the first National Park and nearly 150 years later, it’s still one of the most visited national parks in the United States. On National Park Service Founders Day, we celebrate the people who saw the forest for the trees and helped preserve the great outdoors.

In 1904 David Evans Strickler showed more than a little enthusiasm for his job.  The 23 year old apprentice pharmacist enjoyed making up new kinds of sundaes, but little did he know that the banana based, triple ice cream treat with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry would earn him a place in history. At Tassels Pharmacy they charged double the price of other sundaes for it, but David's banana split was worth all 10 cents!   He eventually bought the place in Latrobe, PA naming it Strickler's Pharmacy and to this day The Great American Banana Split Festival happens in downtown Latrobe.  On National Banana Split Day we celebrate classic American ingenuity and the sweet rewards for being top banana. 

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.

Are You a Pancake Person or a Waffle Person?

Welcome to  August 24th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate foods so delicious, they are hard to top!   

Somewhere between June and August a peach tree will yield its golden fruit for around the space of one week.  While most of us think of Georgia when it comes to peach trees, there are actually more of them in California and 20 states across the country produce peaches commercially.  That's good news for pie makers, for nothing tastes better than tree ripened fruit between two golden layers of flaky crust.  And if you’re a scratch baker this pie is hard to beat with all the juiciness of Summer saved up for one perfect bite.  On National Peach Pie Day celebrate the season that can’t possibly get better unless of course it's topped with ice cream.

There are two kinds of people: pancake people and waffle people. Sure, pancakes are delicious, but if you leave them in syrup too long, they get soggy. On the other hand, waffles are built for that sort of thing and their deep pockets let you pile on the toppings and sauces. It was likely this feature that spurred Cornelias Swarthout to patent the waffle iron in 1869. Though this tasty breakfast has been around since the 14th century, the invention made waffles more readily available.  And when folks tasted the Belgian kind at the 1964 New York World's Fair, they found even deeper pockets for piling on the toppings.  On National Waffle Day serve them anyway you please and invite your pancake friends to enjoy the difference. 

If you would like to Celebrate Every Day with us, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com.