Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to January 2nd, 2023 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a feast for everyone and a voyage of the imagination.

Anna: Marlo, I have a bone to pick with you. I’m all geared up to celebrate National Personal Trainer Awareness Day and I see it’s also National Cream Puff Day and National Buffet Day. Is that a joke? John, help me out here.

John: What do you mean? I'm gonna work out and have a cream puff and a buffet.

Anna: Yeah, but you're already in that routine. For those of us that are like picking the day to take a stand, it's horrible.

John: You just have to find your balance.

Anna: Okay, I guess I can celebrate being aware...

Marlo: You need to find a personal trainer that will join you on these things.

Anna: Alright, I'm aware that there’s a personal trainer out there with my name on it. I’m just gonna start the training part tomorrow.

Jules Verne is famous for books like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. He’s also known as the Father of Science Fiction. And his novels weren’t only exciting for his time, they also imagined technology that didn’t yet exist. Things like helicopters, submarines, space travel, and even videoconferencing! As a rule, science fiction blends technology with imagination, but Verne almost seems like a time traveler with the accuracy of his predictions. They say art imitates life, but in the case of Jules Verne, maybe it’s the other way around. On National Science Fiction Day celebrate with your own voyage of the imagination.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

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Welcome to January 1st, 2023 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a gruesome drink and a fresh start.

If you’re looking for a “hair of the dog” that bit you during last night’s reveling, consider the Bloody Mary. It’s become a brunch staple, but how did this drink get such a gruesome name? Many people assume it’s because of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s first daughter. But the widely accepted story is that a Paris bartender in the 1920s created a cocktail of tomato juice and vodka. One of the patrons loved the drink and suggested the name "Bloody Mary” because it reminded him of a Chicago bar called Bucket of Blood Club, and a girl named Mary who worked there. On National Bloody Mary Day celebrate with this classic drink that helps repair the most ghoulish hangover.

New Year’s Day is one of the most recognized holidays around the world. Though it has been celebrated for thousands of years, the exact beginning of a new year has gone through many changes. In ancient Rome, the calendar started with Martius or March and only had ten months. January and February were added later and the twelve month Julian calendar was eventually adopted. In ancient Babylon, new year’s resolutions were about paying back debts and returning borrowed stuff. If that is on your list it’s a great start. As the new year begins, may we follow the advice of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” We hope you will join us as we find new reasons to celebrate together.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

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Welcome to December 31, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate memorable wines and forgettable songs.

Nothing says celebration like a good champagne, and while the genuine article comes only from the Champagne region of France, there are plenty of good bubbly wines from California and Italy. If you’ve ever wondered why bottles of Dom Perignon fetch up to $50,000 a bottle, it’s because Dom only produces wine during years when the grapes have reached top quality. That means that since they opened in 1921 they have only produced 36 vintages. If splurging at that price point is not your thing, just pop open a bottle of your favorite sparkling beverage. On National Champagne Day we toast to your health and good fortune and hope you’ll remember to always drink responsibly.

Auld Lang Syne is sometimes referred to as the most famous song that nobody knows, and that’s not only because people have been drinking before they sing it. Written by Robert Burns, the phrase is Scottish and roughly translates to days gone by. Somewhere along the way, it was set to music and became a traditional Scottish song. So how did it come to be associated with New Years Eve? For that we can thank the famous bandleader Guy Lombardo. Beginning in the 1920s, he played the song on his New Years Eve radio show, and for the next 30 New Years after that. We thank you for joining us during 2022 and on New Year's Eve we welcome all that 2023 has to offer!

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 30, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the power of ordinary ingredients.

With only 24 hours left till the new year, it’s time for a quick science lesson. Trust us, you’ll wanna remember this. If you plan to tie one on for New Year’s Eve remember that not all hangover cures are made equal. Some swear by the hair of the dog, or an over the counter remedy like Alka Seltzer, but a magical ingredient is waiting to be discovered right in your own kitchen. If you guessed baking soda you are correct. It turns out that products like Alka Seltzer contain only a few active ingredients and bicarbonate of soda is one of them. Add in some aspirin and you are totally prepared for a wicked hangover. On National Bicarbonate of Soda Day discover this mighty wonder and please celebrate responsibly.

“Bringing home the bacon” is a saying that goes back to 12th century England, when married men would swear an oath that they had not argued with their spouse for a whole year and a day. Upon taking this oath they were rewarded with a side of bacon. The phrase then referred to men who were seen as exemplary citizens and husbands. This might be a good day to make a similar resolution for the coming new year, although it’s much easier to simply buy bacon these days. It’s true that few people can resist the smell of bacon frying up in a pan, so it’s bound to lead to a harmonious home. On Bacon Day we celebrate a food that is delicious no matter who brings it home.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 29, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate making the most of the final countdown and a National soup for the soul.

Most of us look forward to the end of the year, with the promise of a new year just around the corner. But before we break out the party hats and noisemakers, there are still a few things that need our attention. Are there business purchases or donations that can be made that will impact your tax returns? Have you set up your health plans for next year? And did you make use of all the benefits you had for 2022? If there’s still money in a Flex Spending account, now’s the time to purchase that cool new pair of glasses or better yet, order a National Day wall calendar! The clock is literally ticking, so let’s make the most of it on Tick Tock Day.

Philadelphia Pepper Pot has been nicknamed the soup that won the war. During the brutal winter of 1777 the Continental Army had dug in at Valley Forge and George Washington asked the army’s chef to prepare a meal that would both warm the troops and boost their morale. The chef rounded up some peppercorns, small bits of meat and other ingredients and the rest of course is history. Today you can find recipes online that mimic this one pot wonder and though you may have better ingredients on hand than the chefs at Valley Forge, peppercorns are the humble seasoning that brings it all together. On National Pepper Pot Day, we celebrate the simple things that keep the home fires burning.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 28, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the art of bluffing and kicking your clunker to the curb.

The game of poker originated in Louisiana, and is believed to be a derivative of the game of dominos, which dates back a few thousand years. What’s common to both games is the art of bluffing. Even the best poker players in the world only have a 5 percent advantage over other players and thus bluffing is what makes the game more interesting. The earliest games like Texas Hold’em were played for gold nuggets and while it's hard to calculate the winnings of those hands, the most lucrative tournament in modern times paid out a whopping $18.35 million. On National Card Playing Day you may wanna bone up on the skill of bluffing.

More charitable donations are made in December than in any other month. Yes, it’s probably because people need a tax deduction, but it also comes at a time of the year when some folks need help the most. There is still time to make a difference by donating an old or unused vehicle during National Car Donation Month. Most charities make the process as simple as possible and in some cases the car doesn’t even have to run. If you don’t have a car to give away, you can still help by spreading the word on social media. And if your neighbor still doesn’t take the hint, you can etch "Donate Me" in the dirt on the windshield of his old jalopy.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 27, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate starting something new and being nutty as a fruitcake.

Anna: You probably didn’t notice this Marlo, but December is Learn a Foreign Language Month. Marlo: You know, I didn't notice it obviously. I can't even say "Mario" correctly.

Anna: You were too busy giving out calendars and hanging out with Santa Claus. John, didn’t you learn Spanish or Portuguese?

John: Si, si; uh, espagnol y un petit peu de français.

Anna: Wow, I'm impressed. It's because you took a trip.

John: Yes, and I learned no Croatian or Greek while I was there.

Anna: Well, you know it's not too late. I mean, I know we have like four days, but you can start learning a new language today and it wouldn't be a bad call. What language would you pick Marlo?

Marlo: I would probably pick Italian.

Anna/John: "Eh, it's a me, it's a Mario."

Anna: During Learn A Foreign Language Month don’t be afraid to start something new.

Your tree may be losing its needles, but one holiday item is still holding onto its cheer, the fruitcake. That’s because they are built to last. In the early 1700s these dense cakes were baked during harvest time and loaded with nuts and fruits. They were then saved until the following year to ensure the next season’s bounty. Perhaps your fruitcake has become a holiday joke that gets tossed or re-gifted. Don’t forget that National Fruitcake Toss Day is just around the corner. On this day fruitcakes are launched in creative ways and last year’s cake becomes this year’s ammunition. On National Fruitcake Day, celebrate your own favorite tradition, even if you’re labeled nutty as a fruitcake.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 26th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate extending the flavor and good will of the season.

Peppermint sticks have been around for at least 200 years, but the red and white striped candy cane that we all associate with Christmas did not actually appear until 1900. Many folklore tales describe the symbolism behind this iconic treat though they were assigned much later on. The shape of the cane is a shepherd’s crook, the white symbolizes purity and the peppermint flavor is reminiscent of hyssop which was used for purification during biblical days. You may already be missing the fun of the holidays as you take down the Christmas trimmings but on National Candy Cane Day, we invite you to savor the flavor of the season.

Boxing Day has been an official holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. Also known as St. Stephen’s Day and Good Will Day in South Africa, the origins of this celebration point back to King Wenceslas, a 10th Century Duke. Upon observing a poor peasant, the Duke ordered that food, wine and firewood be brought to his subject in need. The Church of England adopted this tradition, distributing donations from a box that parishioners filled all season. Boxing Day is a great Second Christmas that folks around the world celebrate to extend this season of giving.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 25, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate holiday puns and the true spirit of gift giving.

A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day is observed on December 25th. This day is for punsters who can’t resist the play on words and avoid using the letter “L” in jokes and correspondence. Groan if you will, but No “L” Day invites you to celebrate with the fun loving folks, who make bad jokes a tradition. And if you still didn’t catch on, that’s ok too.

William Sydney Porter wrote his most famous story, the Gift of the Magi under the pen name O. Henry in 1905. This timeless tale of a down on their luck couple has been memorialized in movies and parodies ever since. O. Henry reportedly penned the Gift of the Magi in only two hours, just days before Christmas. In the story, the wife sells her long, luxurious hair to buy an expensive watch chain for her husband. The husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's beautiful hair. Each character is unaware of the sacrifice until the day of their gift exchange. While some see this as a cruel twist of fate, others are reminded of a simple truth, the best gifts are given from the heart. No matter how you celebrate Christmas, we wish you peace and the true spirit of giving.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

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Welcome to December 24, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate clearing up the mystery behind two holiday favorites.

Have you ever wondered how eggnog got its name? It turns out that alcohol was once served in carved wooden mugs called noggins. It’s believed that the first eggnog or posset was made as a cold remedy that included milk, spices, and alcohol. Some people added eggs to the recipe and others called it egg flip for the way it got poured between two pitchers. One American bartender dubbed it “egg and grog” because he made it with grog or rum. If you’re feeling a little foggy on the whole thing, celebrate National Eggnog Day without the alcohol. Or have yourself an eggnog latte like I do.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. You know the rest. Most of us do. Clement Moore’s classic poem is one of the best known literary works in American history. When he wrote it in 1822, he used the title A Visit from St. Nicholas. He shared the story with a friend who liked it so much that they sent it to a newspaper for publication, without Moore's permission, and without his name attached. The poem became a huge success, though no one knew Moore had written it. He was reluctant to claim the piece until his children urged him to do so, and in 1844 he finally included it in a book of his poetry. On Christmas Eve, we celebrate with a quote from Moore’s poem, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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