Celebrate Every Day

Today Is All About Rising To The Challenge.

Welcome to  August 23rd, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the challenge of reaching new heights.   

For as long as we have been watching birds fly, humankind has wanted to join them.  The Wright Brothers achieved this in 1903 with a combustion engine plane, but it turns out that a human powered aircraft was much tougher to build.  To create some incentive the Royal Aeronautical Society announced the Kremer Competition in 1959 with a prize of 50,000 pounds.  But the strict figure 8 course was tough to navigate and the prize was not awarded until August 23rd, 1977. That's when Paul MacCready’s Gossamer Condor 2 beat the Japanese Stork and a year's worth of work paid off big! On National RideThe Wind Day visit the Smithsonian where the Gossamer Condor 2 is displayed next to the Wright Brothers Plane and the Apollo 11 moon capsule.  

And if you enjoy a good baking challenge, set your sights on the airy rise of a perfect sponge cake.  One of the most difficult cakes for bakers to master, sponge cake makes the perfect backdrop for berries and cream or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar.  And if you are intrigued by this challenge, here are a few tips to ensure your success. Start with sifting the flour.  Sifting adds air which makes for a lighter batter.  Cake flour is more finely milled, and also helps produce a finer crumb.  For egg whites that whip to the highest heights, use the freshest eggs you can buy.  And finally, it is said that a happy baker will produce a lighter cake.  If you need help with that one, invite over a friend, who will celebrate your victory no matter what the results on National Sponge Cake Day.

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Just When Did Fairies Begin Their Dental Intervention?

Welcome to  August 22nd, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate supernatural dental assistants and taking a bao.  

It seems that fairies took an interest in children's health education beginning in the 1920s. Although no one is quite sure how this magical intervention came about, the playwright Esther Watkins Arnold created quite a stir when she printed her small play: The Tooth Fairy.  Reports of these tooth fairies popped up everywhere after that, as kids tucked their lost teeth under pillows only to find money had been exchanged while they slept.  These supernatural sightings have been a phenomenon ever since and had quite an effect on the economy, not to mention kids' imagination. On National Tooth Fairy Day celebrate this magic with a trip to the ATM in hopes of helping out the benign fairy folk.

Anna: Marlo, have you ever had bao?

Marlo: You mean like take a bow on stage?

Anna: No, I mean the food. Bao. B-A-O. They’re Chinese pork buns.

Marlo: Pork buns? Now you have my attention.

Anna: Actually, they’re not always filled with pork. There are lots of different fillings, but all bao are steamed—in bamboo baskets if they’re made in the traditional way.

Marlo: That actually sounds delicious.

Anna: Good! Because it’s National Bao Day and we should order some for lunch.

John: Well done, Anna. You should take a bow for that performance.

Anna: That was awful. You’re not invited to lunch.

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

It's Never Too Late to Make a Splash! Find Out How These Seniors Styled Up Their Golden Years.

Welcome to  August 21st, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate late bloomers and stylish ice cream.  

Perhaps you are less than thrilled to be of a certain age.  If the term “over the hill” has you clamoring for a bottle of hair color, you may be in need of some perspective.  There are plenty of senior citizens who made a splash that launched their golden years into the stratosphere.  Take the Long Island comedian who didn’t land his lucky break until his appearance on the Ed Sullivan show at age 46. While he may have gotten “no respect” in his junior years, his appearance in Caddyshack at age 59 launched an enviable career for Rodney Dangerfield. Other notable seniors, such as the figure skater and editor turned dress designer, did not even hit her stride till after age 40.  Today, style maven Vera Wang is a 71 year old fashion icon.   On National Senior Citizens Day, celebrate the folks who know that it’s never too late to make your mark!

No one does style quite like the Italians and as the popularity of gelato spread across Europe, ice cream makers had to find a way to ship it more efficiently. Chefs in Italy created Neapolitan ice cream, which was one big block with multiple flavors. And in the 1800's when Italian immigrants in New York began shipping it over from Europe they called this treat spumoni, after their favorite molded ice cream treat from Naples. The classic flavors include chocolate, pistachio, and cherry. Though when vanilla is substituted for chocolate, it's just as delicious. And you'll be surprised to find out that something so rich and creamy has less fat than traditional ice cream. On National Spumoni Day, try a new twist on an old favorite that helps you beat the Summer heat alla moda. 

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

The Radio Was Not Created By Just One Genius. Can You Name a Few of the Great Minds Behind This Invention?

Welcome to  August 20th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate an all American mashup and the invention that took a global village.  

Few things are as sweet as the Southern favorite pecan pie, but when someone decided to add chocolate, this candy-like dessert went over the top.  Pecan trees are native to the American South, and this classic pie sprung up in the region around the late 1800's.  Though sugar pies with a mixture of eggs, sugar and flavorings existed throughout Europe before then, the addition of crisp pecans is an all American claim to fame.  The only other variation that puts this dessert on the map is a shot of bourbon whiskey.  But for sheer decadent appeal a handful of chopped chocolate will likely make this Southern belle a true crowd pleaser.  On National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day, celebrate the American way of taking things over the top!

While some inventions are created by just one genius, radio was born from a true meeting of the minds, though they never actually sat down together.  In Germany, the research of Heinrich Hertz proved that electricity could be transmitted wirelessly. From Croatia, Nikola Tesla provided radio with the Tesla coil. And the first commercially available wireless is thanks to the Italian born Marconi. It was a Marconi wireless that broadcast the distress signal from the Titanic and it was the military that first used this useful technology.  But as wireless came alive, broadcast stations began airing programs in the 1920s featuring news and world events.  It didn't take long  for entertainment to follow and the world became synchronized through the power of sound. On National Radio Day we celebrate this melting pot invention and the connection it still provides to this day.

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 We Celebrate Taking to The Skies, But Do You Know Why it Happens on This Day?

Welcome to  August 19th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a centuries old game and more than a century in the sky. 

Some things just make sense, like celebrating National Golf Month in August.  Most greens offer discounted prices during this month, making it the perfect time to bring along a novice golfer. Just prepare them that the game takes patience, and that practice at the driving range makes perfect.  Even the pros would envy the longest drive by Michael Austin, who shot a record 515 yards in 1974.   And if the long game seems too intimidating, there’s always miniature golf to level the playing field. Celebrate National Golf Month with the perfect way to social distance and still enjoy some fun in the sun.

While folks have been dreaming of navigating the skies for centuries we typically credit the first controlled powered and sustained flight to Orville and Wilbur Wright.  The brothers tossed a coin to see who would test their glider first, and while Wilbur won the toss, his flight at Kitty Hawk lasted only 3 and a half seconds.  Orville claimed the second attempt and made history on December 17, 1903.  And though we celebrate National Aviation Day thanks to the contributions of many inventors from Leonardo da Vinci to George Cayley, August 19th was chosen by Franklin Delano Roosevelt  in honor of Orville's birthday. Today we celebrate these pioneers by dreaming up new heights to reach.  

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

While Online Shopping is Convenient, It's The Browsing With Your Fingertips That Makes It Fun! Find Out Why It's The "Sizzle" That Sells.

Welcome to  August 18th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the pictures that sell like hotcakes and a meal with an irresistible sizzle.  

On this day in 1872, Aaron Montgomery Ward of Chicago, IL produced a one page catalog of goods designed for direct order via mail, that aimed to cut out the middleman from the business of buying and selling. This catalog grew into a 540 page illustrated book.  Obviously, these pictures were worth way more than a thousand words, and by slashing prices, Montgomery Wards effectively carved out a brand new marketing strategy.  Sears and others followed quickly and by 1971, catalog sales exceeded more than $250 million in U.S. postal revenue. While today we shop online and websites have taken over from the more tactile version, we celebrate the fun of window shopping from home on National Mail Order Catalog Day.

It's a long held belief that food cooked outdoors just tastes better.  Perhaps it's this appeal that made the sizzle of fajitas a household favorite.  In the early 1930's, Mexican vaqueros in Southwest Texas used throwaway cuts of meat cooked over an open flame as a convenient meal for hardworking cowboys.  Paired with corn or flour tortillas, this simple yet satisfying food became a regional favorite.  But when served with pico de gallo, guacamole, and southwestern spices the fajita took off around the globe. Today restaurants add peppers and onions, shredded cheese and a squeeze of lime, but it's still that flame licked flavor that defines the fajita.  On National Fajita Day make your taste buds happy with the sizzle that satisfies.  

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 Kick Off This Week With A Tribute to The King.

Welcome to  August 17th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate The King and found treasures.  

In 1939, the Toof family built a mansion on their 500-acre farm in Memphis, Tennessee. The home stayed in the family until 1957 when a popular young singer purchased it for one hundred grand. We probably should mention that the property was called Graceland. And the guy who bought it…you might have heard of him before, after all he became known as The King.Over the course of his career, Elvis Aaron Presley racked up 114 hits. 40 of those were in the top 10 and 18 went to number one. To date, it’s estimated that he’s sold over 1 billion albums. Not bad for a poor kid from Tupelo, Mississippi. We kick off Elvis Week in celebration of the King of Rock n Roll, so slip on your blue suede shoes and head on over to the Heartbreak Hotel.

If one man's trash is another man's treasure then thrift stores are the holy grail for bargain hunters.  Not everyone who shops at a thrift store is seeking a deal, however, and for some it's all about the thrill of discovery.  The stores are often run by nonprofits or charities and donations make the merchandise affordable to everyone.  If you enjoy keeping our planet greener, thrift stores are the ultimate in recycling.   And there’s no better place to find one of a kind items that may become a decorator’s dream. On National Thrift Store Day, consider making your own donation, but be prepared to find treasures there too, as many places are considered a gold mine of gently used goods and vintage finds.

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

This Laid Back Spirit Once Sparked a Revolution. Get Ready for Twists and Turns As We Celebrate Rum and Roller Coasters.

Welcome to  August 16th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the spirit of the islands and a wicked need for speed.  

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  And in the spirit of turning something ho hum into something fantastic, the byproduct of sugar became rum.  Yum!  Sugar production in the West Indies yielded lots of molasses which typically went to waste back in the 1600s.  But when it was discovered that a delicious clear spirit could be distilled from this syrup a new prized commodity was born.  So popular in fact that the British began heavily taxing the Colonies for their sugar, molasses and rum. Boo! It’s believed that this unrest led to the American Revolution.  On National Rum Day, kick back and relax with an umbrella in your drink and ponder on the tasty outcome of all that upheaval. 

The Formula Rossa can reach speeds of up to 149 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. But it's not a car. It's the world's fastest roller coaster and it is located in Abu Dhabi. This ride is so fast that passengers need to wear protective headgear. And if that sounds too speedy for you, how about the Kingda Ka at Six Flags, which only goes a mere 128 miles per hour? Much better, right? Did we mention that it's the tallest coaster in the world with a drop of 45 stories? Ever since they were invented in the late 1800s, roller coasters have been appealing to the daredevil in all of us.  Though you won't catch me on one anytime soon.  But don't let that stop you from celebrating National Roller Coaster Day, especially if you have a need for speed.  

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

Did You Know That Bees Are a Huge Part of Our National Economy? Find Out the Bottom Line on These Busy Bugs.

Welcome to  August 15th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a cheerful pastry and the industrious bee.  

If you’re taking things easy in the sunny month of August then boy do we have a dessert for you.  Bright as the sun and “as easy as pie” a lemon meringue would do nicely right about now.  Though lemons grow year round and nothing brightens up a meal come rain or shine quite like a lemon, it’s time to bake up this old fashioned shortbread crust with tangy yellow custard topped with fluffy clouds of sweet meringue.  It’s rumored that Elizabeth Goodfellow first whipped up the dessert as we know it today in the 19th century, when she also founded one of the first cooking schools in America. On National Lemon Meringue Pie Day, celebrate with an all time classic that reminds us of sunshine in clouds.

If you think the humble honey bee is just an ordinary bug, think again!  While they seem to be aimlessly buzzing from flower to flower in our garden, it is estimated that over one third of our United States food production is dependent on bees pollinating crops. Farmers spend millions of dollars renting hives to help pollinate their fields. Without honey bees, many fruits and vegetables would disappear from our grocery stores. Simply put: honey bees are a huge part of our economy. These insects contribute around $24 billion to United States agriculture every year, which is some pretty heavy lifting for a tiny little insect. On World Honey Bee Day celebrate our busy friends that are hard at work keeping us fed.

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 Origin of the Sandwich? Find Out How This Finger Food Helps You Celebrate On the Go All Month Long!

Welcome to  August 14th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate food on the go and one kid’s successful dream.  

John Montagu was obsessed with gambling. So much so that he played at cards for hours on end, even forgetting at times to eat. Then one day, he devised a meal that could be eaten with one hand and requested that his servant bring him some meat between two pieces of bread. And thus, the Earl of Sandwich created the…well, the sandwich. Since then, this portable meal has become one of the most popular finger foods in the world. And with so many choices from the multilayered club to the easy peanut butter and jelly, we decided you need a whole month to celebrate. Enjoy packing in lots of fun on the go during National Sandwich Month.  

You may have heard that the Popsicle was invented by a kid.  That kid was 11 year old Frank Epperson, who kept right on dreaming after the huge success of his first frozen treat.  At an age when most of us are trying out a paper route, young Frank experimented with vanilla ice cream covered in a shell of orange sherbert that he eventually called the Epsicle.  Ok, so naming his inventions wasn't his strong suit, but the Creamsicle made with vanilla ice cream and the Dreamsicle, its ice milk cousin are now a frosty phenomenon.  This kid certainly got something right when he set up a patent in 1923.  Today over two billion popsicles are sold every year.  On National Creamsicle Day, celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of a kid who knew how to keep on dreaming.  

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