Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to July 16th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate coloring outside the lines and a Southern staple.

Before the invention of the printing press, books were copied by hand. This tedious work was carried out by monks, who labored day and night to replicate the pages. To break up the routine, some monks began doodling in the margins of the books. They drew everything from flowers and dragons to rabbits with swords. While the illustrations did not always come from the text, the eye catching watercolors brought the work to life. Today, illuminated manuscripts are priceless. So the next time your toddler draws in their books, remember that today’s crimes may be tomorrow’s treasures. Celebrate World Water Color Month with a blank book to doodle in. You might find a great way to beat boredom for yourself!

Corn was an important part of Native American culture, but Europeans knew nothing of it until the 15th Century. When settlers of the New World learned how to prepare corn from Native Americans, they included this new ingredient in traditional recipes, creating foods like cornbread. In the Southern United States, corn was used to make two regional favorites, which are often confused with one another. The johnnycake is made with cornmeal and is prepared like a pancake. Corn fritters are made with corn kernels in the batter to form a dough patty that is fried in oil. This delicious Southern treat can be served as savory or sweet, or as a meal on its own.

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Welcome to July 15th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate Triple Crown winners and super sour sweets.

For a horse to win the Triple Crown, they must win 3 big races—the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness. And in the 100-year history of American horse racing, only 13 horses have accomplished this feat. But none of them could compare to Secretariat. The speeds he posted for each Triple Crown race are records that stand to this day. The longest race of the series, the Belmont Stakes, is 1.5 miles. Secretariat ran it in 2 minutes, 25 seconds…an average speed of 30 mph and finished 31 lengths ahead of the next horse. On National I Love Horses Day, we celebrate all our equine friends and the special bond they share with humans.

In 1922, German candy maker Hans Reigel invented gummy candy. Nearly 60 years later, gummy bears were sold in the United States and became an instant hit. By the 1980s the Trolli company was importing 40 tons of the candy a day to North America. After seeing the popularity of these sweet little bears, Trolli took the idea in a different direction with the gummi worm. The idea behind this new candy was simple, kids love candy as much as they like gross stuff. Gummi worms are not only delicious, they also gross out parents. And when you add super sour flavors, you kick up the ick factor even more. On National Gummi Worm Day, sneak some worms into your chocolate pudding. After all, the kid in all of us deserves to celebrate.

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

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Welcome to July 14th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a classic comfort food and the spirit of class.

Macaroni and cheese has become a staple food for kids everywhere. If you’re a parent, you’re probably sick of being asked to make this dish, but you gotta know you’re not alone. Kraft sells one million boxes of mac and cheese. Per day. And Canada buys almost 24% of that total. Up there, it’s referred to as Kraft Dinner and some have unofficially called it the country’s national meal. It’s also popular to put ketchup on it, but don’t give your kids any ideas. On National Mac & Cheese Day, whip up a bowl of this classic comfort food, though it may not feel different from any other day, still a celebration is a celebration, right?

Everything about the orange flavored liqueur known as Grand Marnier signifies class, elegance and distinction. Made from Caribbean oranges, fine cognac and sugar, this spirit is aged to perfection for nearly 10 years. Since its debut in 1880 the process has changed very little. It first appeared at the Ritz Hotel in Paris and sailed aboard the RMS Titanic. To this day a rescued bottle is found in the Titanic Museum. It was more recently served to Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee and today a new bottle is purchased every two seconds. On National Grand Marnier Day, celebrate the spirit that evokes class in everything from cocktails to desserts.

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

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Welcome to July 13th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate almost everyone’s favorite veggie and their rightful place in history.

Fries are pretty much everyone’s favorite vegetable, but depending on where you live they may be called something else. The recipe for French fried potatoes first appeared in an English cookbook in 1856, but some believe the name became popular during World War I. When American soldiers discovered the fried potatoes served in French speaking Belgium, the nickname took hold. Legend has it that potatoes were first fried in Belgium in 1690 during a particularly cold winter. When the river froze and people couldn’t get to their supply of fish they cooked up potato slivers instead. And today no one would argue with making fries a meal. On National French Fry Day serve them with chili or cheese, ketchup or mayo or dare to go bare with some crave worthy seasoned fries.

Anna: I can’t stand the suspense. Marlo are you moving Fry Day to Friday, should we even be celebrating fries today?! John, what’s the count on that petition?

John: Not sure, but enough people have done their civic duty and voted so now it’s truly up to Marlo.

Anna: There’s still time to visit frydaytoFriday.com to sign up and get a coupon for free fries. They’re not closing it out till later today.

Anna: How does this not make sense to you Marlo? Think of all the happy, hard working people who will be celebrating for years to come with another reason to say TGI Fryday! This is a historical moment. I hope you do the right thing.

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

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Welcome to July 12th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate satisfying your sweet tooth and playing with your food.

Pecan pie has been a Southern favorite since the 1800s, though its origins are a bit of a mystery. It all began with a simple custard of sugar, eggs, nuts, sweet milk and flour in a recipe that was published as Texas Pecan Pie. A version of this pie can be traced to Louisiana in the early 1800s but the Texas version was published in 1897 and folks began copying it ever since. Then in the 1930s the wife of an executive at Karo syrup company was said to have discovered a new use for corn syrup. She claimed to be the creator of the recipe that is now printed on every bottle of Karo syrup. It might not be an actual conspiracy but on National Pecan Pie Day go ahead and celebrate your favorite recipe that sums up the phrase, as sweet as pie.

Jello has been a popular dessert with families everywhere. What you may not know is that Jello also played a part in one of the most beloved movies of all time. In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and friends arrive at the Emerald City and meet the Horse of a Different Color. Because all film effects were practical at the time, the horse needed to be colored for each shot. Paint wasn’t a good choice because it would hurt the animal. But then someone came up with the idea to make a paste out of Jello powder and covered the horse’s body. This safe and easy solution was perfect—except for the fact that the horse kept licking it off between takes. On Eat Your Jello Day, it’s okay to celebrate by playing with your food!

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

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Welcome to July 11th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the gold standard of Summer fruits and a convenient Summer sip.

Some people look forward to crops that are seasonal, and if you’re a fan of cherries then you’re most likely celebrating this one today. Named after Mount Rainier, this golden variety is a cross between Bing and Van cherries. Harry Fogle developed them at Washington State University in 1952 and folks have been gobbling them up ever since. The creamy yellow fruit is milder and more delicate than its bright red cousin and costs significantly more because it must be harvested by hand. About one third of the crops are also eaten by birds. But who can blame them! On National Rainier Cherry Day, celebrate the season’s gold standard with this prized Summer beauty!

The granddaddy of all convenience stores got its start as an offshoot of Southland Ice Company. In 1927, the store that would become 7-Eleven opened its doors in Dallas, Texas. The idea was to sell eggs, milk, and bread, which would allow shoppers to avoid grocery stores if they only needed these food staples. By the late 1940s, the store set its hours as 7am to 11pm, giving it the name we all know today. Then in the 1960s, 7-Eleven changed its hours again—to 24-hours a day. Since then, this franchise has opened over 70,000 stores around the world, much to the delight of late-night snackers everywhere. On National 7-Eleven Day, celebrate convenience and the perfect Summer escape... the Slurpee.

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

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Welcome to July 10th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate picture perfect pets and pineapples in paradise.

When it comes to Instagram petfluencers, there are only a few animals in the same league as Nala Cat. And yes, a “petfluencer” is a real thing. With approximately 4.4 million followers, Nala Cat is the most famous feline on Instagram and possibly in the world. This adorable gray, Siamese-Persian mix with gorgeous blue eyes has captured the hearts of Social Media fans around the globe. But before she was a celebrity, Nala was a lonely kitten sitting in a shelter waiting for her forever home. On National Kitten Day celebrate your own future star, though you might want to honor their wishes for remaining purrfectly anonymous.

The number one song from the 1970s is also today’s celebration drink, the pina colada. In the song, Rupert Holmes describes the story of a man who answers a lonely hearts classified ad, only to discover that his wife was the woman who placed it. The strange part is that the original lyrics began with, “If you like Humphrey Bogart and getting caught in the rain.” Holmes changed his lyrics at the last minute because he wanted to describe the woman’s longing for escape. He decided that the pina colada was the ultimate, island getaway. The other strange part is that the song is actually true except Holmes doesn’t like the drink. You don’t have to get caught in the rain to celebrate National Pina Colada Day, just pour yourself a vacation in a glass.

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

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Welcome to July 9th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today We celebrate a classic sugar rush and cars that make our hearts beat faster.

It's believed that sugar cookies originated in the mid 1700s in Nazareth, Pennsylvania when German Protestant settlers created a round, crumbly butter cookie known as the Nazareth Cookie. During the Victorian era people thought that spices would overly excite children and thus tea cookies were made purposefully plain. They evolved into the perfect medium for shaping elaborate Christmas ornaments. But starting in the 1930s, baking soda and vanilla were added and sugar cookies disappeared before they could be hung. Today both young and old enjoy a good sugar rush, and the more ornate the better! On National Sugar Cookie Day, bake up a batch of the treats that make any day a holiday.

The 1933 Chicago World's Fair was billed as a Century of Progress Exposition. And one car was put to the test in a gladiator arena to demonstrate its safety: the 1934 Chrysler Airflow. This classic beauty thrilled a live audience with a stage life and death challenge. The track was watered down to create hydroplane danger. A camera crew was positioned dead center, at the end of this hazard and with their cameras rolling, the whole world watched as the hydraulic brakes and Goodyear tires pit man against machine. And with true dramatic flair, this champion stopped mere inches from the humans. On Collector Car Appreciation Day, you can view these yesteryear champions in places like Dunton Motors on Route 66.

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

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Welcome to July 8th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate mighty fruits and staying cool.

They say good things come in small packages and this is especially true of blueberries. Not only are they a popular fruit, blueberries are one of the healthiest things you can eat. This superfood provides more antioxidants than almost any other fruit or vegetable, and has been linked to reducing cholesterol. And while you could go on and on, the fact is blueberries are just plain delicious. There’s a reason why these juicy berries get a whole month of celebration. You don’t hear people getting excited about broccoli season. During National Blueberry Month check your local farmer’s market for this super snack or better yet, find a patch and pick your own.

Flavored sugar water in a plastic tube hardly sounds like a crowd pleaser. But on a hot summer day, there are few things better than a freezer pop. These frozen treats have been around since the 1960s and are a staple for kids around the world who wanna stay cool. Fla-Vor-Ice is the most popular brand, but you may also know them as Otter Pops, Freezies, or even Zooper Doopers. And if you happen to live down under you probably don’t celebrate your Zooper Doopers till December, when it’s Summertime in Australia. In fact you might even leave a few out for Santa. The rest of us are keeping it cool by celebrating National Freezer Pop Day in July

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

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Welcome to July 7th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a Founding Father’s favorite and the old watering hole.

Thomas Jefferson was a true renaissance man. The third United States President completed the Louisiana Purchase, founded the University of Virginia, and even invented the swivel chair. But one thing you may not know is that Jefferson introduced us to macaroni and cheese. He first tasted the dish while visiting France. Once Jefferson got home, he experimented with the recipe to get it just right. Unfortunately, not everyone gave his mac and cheese a thumbs up. Perhaps it was not the best dish to serve at a State dinner, but today folks give him credit for the popularity of the dish. On National Macaroni Day we celebrate this favorite comfort food and the Founding Father who stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, dive bars got their name because of their location. Rather than their upscale cousins, these bars were set in the cellars and basements below restaurants. They gave drinkers a place to “dive” below street level and avoid the world for a bit. Since then, the term “dive bar” has evolved to mean any local bar that doesn’t put too much effort into the ambience. They’re just places to stop, relax, have a drink and chat with friends. On National Dive Bar Day celebrate your favorite watering hole, which might be in your own basement.

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

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