Celebrate Every Day

How Many Famous Lefties Can You Name? Today We Celebrate Southpaws and "Cute Steaks."

Welcome to  August 13th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate left handed compliments and Southpaw celebrities.  

If you‘ve ever wondered, “Where’s the beef” after being served a filet mignon, then it’s probably not the steak for you.  Mignon means “cute” in French and while it offers the most quality cut of the tenderloin, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  While the French are well known for small portions, their word for this same cut is “filet de boeuf” and filet mignon refers to tenderloin of pork.  Here in the states the author O. Henry first used the term to describe a steak in his book “The Four Million.”  This author was known for his romantic flair as well as stories with a plot twist, and we can imagine his ironic turn of phrase upon being served a small, well crafted steak.  Apparently in 1906 it was more polite to say “Ah, filet mignon” than “Where’s the Beef?”  On National Filet Mignon Day, don’t get too cute with the waiter, after all this beef is delicious.

In ancient times, being a lefty was associated with witchcraft. Joan of Arc was supposedly burned at the stake for being left handed. The left was associated with evil and the word sinister actually means on the left. But fear not. Being a Southpaw does have its advantages. In baseball, left handed batters are one step closer to first base and considered very important. Eight United States Presidents were left handed. So was Einstein, Mark Twain, Beethoven, Oprah and Bill Gates.  With only ten percent of our population being left handed, chances are good that being a lefty means you're in good company. On International Left Handers Day, celebrate the difference that could make all the difference.   

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Can You Name the Most Expensive Vinyl Record Ever Sold?

Welcome to  August 12th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate taking our favorite tunes for a spin and the kids who get stuck in the middle.  

If you’re still hanging on to the vinyl records you have likely been collecting since childhood, then you are not alone. And if you're catching any grief from family and friends for the space this takes up, you can let them know that the largest record collection contains more than one million LPs.   Vinyl record sales are on the rise and fans know they are even more valuable than the cds that replaced them.  For audiophiles there is no better sound than the distinct classic quality of a vintage record.  And for collectors it's probably no surprise that of the top ten most expensive vinyls ever sold, five of them were produced by the Beatles, with The White Album fetching a whopping $790,000.  On National Vinyl Record Day give your records a spin and celebrate a sound that still makes you rock around the clock.   

Anna: Marlo, here’s a list of three famous people. I want you to tell me what they have in common.

Marlo: Okay. Shoot.

Anna: David Letterman, Britney Spears, and Abraham Lincoln. 

Marlo: Uh… they’re all… I got nothin.

Anna: They’re all middle children.

Marlo: I would’ve never guessed that.

Anna: It makes sense. Middle children often feel overlooked by their parents, so they tend to be more adventurous and seek attention. That means a lot of middle children grow up to be very driven individuals. On National Middle Child Day, give a little extra attention to the kids who rarely get to be in the spotlight. 

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Do Commanders in Chief Have a Funny Bone? Even The Jokes That Bombe Have a Sweet Side!

Welcome to  August 11th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate unexpected humor and how to recover when your jokes bomb.  

The leader of the free world isn't someone you typically look to for a laugh, but some of the United States presidents have been really funny guys. Take for instance Martin Van Buren. After he lost his re-election bid, he joked that, “The two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.” Ulysses Grant, typically very stoic and serious, quipped, “I only know two tunes, one of them is Yankee Doodle the other isn't.”  But our favorite presidential wisecrack may be from FDR. His wife Eleanor visited a prison to see a manufacturing site they had built there. An aide told the president that Eleanor wasn't around because she had gone to prison. FDR replied: “I'm not surprised. But what for?” On National Presidential Joke Day, have some fun learning about the silly side of our commanders-in-chief.

Yeah those jokes are the bomb, Marlo.  And speaking of bombs we celebrate the season of raspberries with a delightful dessert known as the raspberry bombe. Ever had one of those, Marlo?  It’s an ice cream dessert which is molded in a half dome shape and layered with fruit, cream, nuts and maybe even some rum.  Rum makes everything better doesn’t it?  These beauties showed up in 1882 in French cookbooks.  They were so good at making food look decorative.  Although, if someone served a dessert shaped like a detonated weapon, I’m not sure it would count as festive.  Do you think it was a mixed message to the French aristocracy?  On National Raspberry Bombe Day try this gorgeous dessert that is after all ice cream and berries, nothing too scary about that.

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Who Invented S'mores Anyway? Pull Up A Couch and Get Lazy While We Follow The Sticky Trail.

Welcome to  August 10th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate some sticky history and getting lazy.  

The next time you're sitting around a campfire enjoying a toasted marshmallow with melted chocolate between two graham crackers consider telling the yarn of the fellow who started it all.  By some accounts that would be Alec Barnum, who created the first smores in the late 1800s.  But not much is known about this entrepreneur except that his sticky trail can be found across the internet with all kinds of myths and legends.  You could also cite the recipe published in 1927 in The Trampling and Trailing With The Girl Scouts, though they were not the first to toast a marshmallow.  Even the ancient Egyptians had a recipe for that.   One thing is certain, we are a nation obsessed with this triple flavor combo that appears in cupcakes, brownies and even martinis.  However you like to celebrate National S'mores Day, the origin story is up for grabs.  

Anna: Marlo, are you going to do your segment or not?

Marlo: Nope.

Anna: What are you talking about? Why?

Marlo: I’m celebrating National Lazy Day. 

Anna: Well, if you’re not doing it, then I won’t either. I want to be lazy too.

John: Uh…guys? Are you seriously not finishing the show?

Marlo and Anna: No. You can if you want.

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

How Many Vice Presidents Can You Name From History? It May Be Time To Crack Open A Book. Or Listen to Today's Show...

Welcome to  August 9th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate our love of books and perhaps a history lesson or two.  

Daniel Tompkins, George Dallas, Hannibal Hamlin. You may have never heard of these men, but at one point each was Vice President. In modern times, when you vote for a President, the VP is part of the package, but it was much different in our country’s early years. Originally, the office went to whomever finished with the second most electoral votes. That made a huge mess, however in the presidential election of 1800 when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied for second place. This led to the passage of the 12th Amendment and that changed the system so that voters cast separate ballots for Vice President. On National Veep Day, break out the history books and read up on some of the men who helped shape our country, even though they may only be footnotes.

Bibliophiles everywhere are embracing the celebration of National Book Lovers Day.  If you are one of them then you likely know the power of the written word to transport you through story to any corner of the imagination.  The first public libraries appeared in the Middle Ages and featured books written on vellum that were chained to a desk or a shelf to prevent stealing.  Today books are nearly free, with online ebooks and tablets replacing the hardbound and paperback kind.  But if you still enjoy the freedom of cracking open a book with a spine, offline in your favorite retreat, then enjoy the adventure of this centuries old pastime that lets you get lost virtually anywhere you please.  And on National Book Lovers Day don't forget to read to the next generation of up and coming bibliophiles.  

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 Can You See Tonight in the Night Sky? Check Out This Brand New Celebration!

Welcome to  August 8th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate our curious currency and a night with the stars.  

Unless your name is Carmen San Diego, every one of the bills in your wallet has out-traveled you. $1 and $5 bills exchange hands at least 110 times every year. And because they are passed around so frequently, they have fairly short lifespans. A $1 bill only lasts about 6 years, but a $100 bill can last up to 15 years. Most paper would tear or fade from all that use, but that doesn’t happen to US bills because the paper is an exclusive blend of cotton and linen. In fact, both the paper and the ink are only used by the US Treasury and the formula for making each is a closely guarded secret. That dollar bill doesn’t seem so ordinary now, does it? On National Dollar Day, we celebrate our nation’s currency and of course, wish that we all had more of it.

Whether it's in the backcountry or your own backyard, one of the best ways to experience the great outdoors is to spend a night under the stars.  On Global Sleep Under the Stars Night we invite you to witness the unique light show of the Perseid meteor showers, which can now be seen in the sky’s northeast, especially if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. And if you choose to celebrate this brand new tradition you can count yourself as part of the global community, who will all be gazing up!  So grab a blanket and head to the rooftop, pitch a tent on the patio or simply open the moonroof of your favorite ride.  Counting shooting stars may not put you to sleep, but it will surely ignite your childlike wonder no matter what your age.   

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

Water Balloons May Be The Best Way to Cool Down and Celebrate A Clean Fight!

Welcome to  August 7th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate valor and a clean fight.  

Purple Heart Day honors those extraordinary men and women who are of the Military Order of The Purple Heart.  General George Washington first created the Badge of Merit in 1782, which was given to six military soldiers during the Revolutionary War.  In 1944, the modern day Purple Heart, which bears Washington's image was awarded to General Douglas MacArthur, who helped change the requirements that limit the award to only those wounded or killed in combat.  Today it is estimated that the oldest military honor has been bestowed on nearly 1.9 million people since its creation.  On Purple Heart Day we thank all those who have dedicated their lives in service to our country.  

Today, we’re encouraging you to start a fight—but don’t worry. We’re talking about the water balloon kind. While having someone dump water on you or even hit you with a projectile is usually frowned upon, water balloons are the exception. On a hot summer day, a splash of cold water is a small price to pay for being pelted by a friend. Round up a group of people, fill some balloons, and start throwing. If you want to crank up the excitement, get a group of friends together and stage an all-out water war. Fill up buckets with water balloons, arm yourself with water pistols, and let the games begin as you celebrate National Water Balloon Day. The only catch is to make sure your targets agree to the battle, or else you may have a real fight on your hands.

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When it Comes to Refreshment, Do You Like it Bitter or Sweet?

Welcome to  August 6th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the best to beat the heat whether you enjoy the bitter or sweet. 

In the late 1700s, the British Empire spanned the globe, and one of its largest colonies was India. The Brits living there demanded goods from back home, so there was a significant trade route between the two countries. One of the most popular imports was beer, which didn’t age well when shipped to warmer climates. George Hodgson of the Bow Brewery in London came up with a solution. He brewed a lighter style of beer, called pale ale, then increased the amount of alcohol and hops in order to prevent spoilage. The downside was that the hops would lose their fruity flavor and produced a bitter taste. And so was born the India Pale Ale. It’s a beer that is sure to cause arguments—people either love it or hate it. If you’re one of the lovers, raise a pint today to celebrate National IPA Day.

Beating the heat is not always easy when it tends to stay hot well into the evening, and if you find yourself daydreaming of refreshment in the peak of Summer you're not alone.   It was on such a night in 1893 that Frank J. Wisner noticed the snow capped peaks of Cow Mountain in Colorado looked just like ice cream floating in soda.    The next day he scooped creamy vanilla into cold root beer and a soda fountain classic was born: the Black Cow.  Today we call them root beer floats and we suggest scooping up one for yourself on National Root Beer Float Day.  And while you're at it, get to daydreaming.  You never know what good things will come from a little goofing around.  

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 Love What You Do? Maybe It's Time to Take a Cue From Your Dog.

Welcome to  August 5th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a favorite shellfish and working like a dog. 

The Walrus and the Carpenter walked on a mile or so, and then they rested on a rock conveniently low: and all the little Oysters stood and waited in a row.  “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax--of cabbages -- and kings-- and why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings.  You know why I’m reciting from Alice in Wonderland?  Because on National Oyster Day I know you would rather listen to poetry than to think about eating an oyster!

If the phrase “working like a dog” sounds like some kind of torture that leaves you panting with your tongue out, consider the point of view of a working dog. Historically, most dogs were bred for specific jobs. And some of these jobs may surprise you. The ancestors of the Yorkshire Terrier once worked in mines to kill rats and mice, Dachshunds hunted badgers, and even Queen Elizabeth’s favorite breed the Corgi, once had an important job. They would bite the heels of any cows that tried to stray from the herd, and their short little legs came in handy when avoiding the kick of an angry cow. Today’s working dogs are some real K9 heroes.  On National Work Like A Dog Day, consider the pride of your favorite pups and put some pep in your step for your own job.  

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Just What is the Prize For Creating the Nation's Most Popular Cookie?

Welcome to  August 4th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the keepers of the coast and a classic cookie. 

In 1790, President George Washington established the Revenue Cutter Service in order to enforce the Tariff Act. The 10 ships protected United States waters and were the only line of defense on the open seas until the US Navy was created eight years later. In 1915, the military branch was officially renamed the Coast Guard, and its responsibilities grew from enforcing maritime law to also saving lives at sea. Today, the Coast Guard protects more than 100,000 miles of US coastline and waterways, as well as safeguarding waters vital to America’s economic interests. That area is over 4.5 million square miles and spans nine time zones. On National Coast Guard Day, we salute the brave men and women who are always ready to keep our shores safe. Semper Paratus!

Ruth Wakefield and her husband Kenneth owned the Toll House Inn and when Ruth added chunks of semisweet chocolate to her butterscotch cookie dough the Toll House Crunch Cookie was born.  Nestle offered her a lifetime supply of chocolate in exchange for the recipe, which they printed on the back of every bar.   But things really heated up when the recipe was published in a 1938 cookbook and families from Massachusetts baked the cookies for their GIs during World War II.  Stationed around the globe, these soldiers shared their care package cookies and requests for the recipe came pouring into the Toll House mailbox. On National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day celebrate the sweet success of one smart cookie! 

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