Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to June 26th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate our best friends in beauty and adventurous fruits.

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With nearly 100 billion dollars spent each year on cosmetic and personal care products in the United States alone, that’s a market that depends heavily on how we see ourselves. Regardless of economic downturns, these self-esteem boosters are high on our list. Products like lipstick trended upwards, even while folks stood in line for food during the Great Depression. Today we celebrate our trusted friends in our quest to be our personal best: our beauticians, barbers, aestheticians and cosmetologists. They know us in our weakest moments, when we can’t face the mirror alone. And the transformation is much deeper than listening to our troubles while they whisk away our flaws. On National Beautician’s Day, we celebrate those who help us find beauty in ourselves.

If you find yourself walking the beaches of Ireland or the UK, you may be in for a surprise. Yes, you’ll see all the usual things like seashells and gulls, but you may also stumble across coconuts. How did these tropical fruits come to be found in such a far off locale? As unusual as it may seem, there is a perfectly logical explanation. Coconuts fall from palm trees in the Caribbean and get caught up in the Gulf Stream. The current picks up the coconuts and takes them on a journey across the Atlantic of nearly 4,500 miles. From there they wash up on beaches, much to the surprise of residents and tourists. On National Coconut Day, enjoy the exotic taste of this adventurous island fruit.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 25th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate two winter holidays in the Dog Days of Summer.

The Saturday after the Summer Solstice, gather your friends and family to celebrate Summersgiving! This day is designed to combine all the fun of Summer with America’s favorite Thanksgiving foods. It’s a celebration of life rooted in gratitude, to be shared with the friends that make life fun. Everyone has a favorite holiday food or tradition, and Summersgiving lets you celebrate outside under the stars. What a perfect opportunity to expand this tradition to a broader circle of family and friends.

With the season in full swing, the heat is probably getting to you. Take some cool consolation that Christmas is a mere 6 months away. It may sound a bit premature to be thinking about the holiday, but this is the perfect time to start planning for Christmas, especially if you are the crafty type. Why wait til the last minute when you can get a head start on the festivities? That doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying your summer. It means you have more time to get your ducks in a row. So hang by the pool, and know that you’re way ahead of the game today on National Leon Day. If you’re confused, don’t be. Leon is just Noel spelled backwards!

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 24th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate furry interns and sweet “nut-things.”

For those of us who work at home, every day is National Take Your Dog To Work Day. And these pups are truly lucky to be around their favorite person all day - you! There’s the added benefit of playtime, treats, and tummy rubs which can break up work nicely. But if you work in an office, consider this: dogs at work can relieve stress and increase productivity, not just for you but also for your whole team! Don’t be afraid to bring your pooch along, to celebrate the canine calming effect on National Take Your Dog to Work Day.

There are lots of stories about the origin of the candy known as the praline, but they all point to the same 17th century Count. Apparently this lovesick Count asked his personal chef to create an irresistible candy that he could give out to the women he was courting. The confection, which was originally made with almonds, became very popular and was brought to the Southern United States by French immigrants in the 1800s. It was there that the candy was given a local twist, replacing almonds with pecans. The praline that we know and love in the States was born from this substitution. On National Pralines Day, celebrate your sweet tooth with this classic confectionary love note.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 23rd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate being in the pink and Motown pizza.

Some people have streets named after them. Others have landmarks. But not many people can say they have a color named in their honor. Madame du Pompadour, a mistress of Louis XV loved pink so much that a designer created a shade just for her. The color Rose Pompadour became very fashionable with European royalty during this time, and was used for clothing and fine china. While it may be traditionally associated with women’s fashion, pink has been gaining popularity with men nowadays. If you’re “in the pink” today, it means you are in good health, top form or condition. Though you may prefer to call it salmon, rose or fuchsia, on National Pink Day, we hope you’re feeling uplifted with good reasons to celebrate.

8x10 is the size of a photo frame. Unless you’re in Detroit. Here, an 8x10 or a 10x14 are pizza sizes. While New York and Chicago usually get all the attention, Motor City has its own spin on the Italian favorite. Their brand of pizza is similar to the Sicilian style—thick, square slices. But what sets Detroit-style pizza apart is the way it’s constructed and baked. First, the dough is shaped into the pan, then the add-ons like pepperoni are placed on top, then cheese, then pizza sauce. This seemingly mixed-up order of ingredients prevents the dough from getting soggy while it’s being cooked. If you haven’t tried this type of pizza, National Detroit-Style Pizza Day is the perfect time to give it a whirl.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 22nd, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate carbs fit for a king and great moments in greasy spoon history.

Not much is known about the origin of eclairs, but we do know they became famous in nineteenth century France. Chef Careme is thought to be their creator, as he baked them at the Court of King Louis the 18th. The word eclair means flash of lightning, which may be a nod to its shiny frosting. Or it could be the speed at which Louis devoured his favorite pastry. Today, chocolate eclairs can be found in bakeries around the world, although they shouldn’t be confused with the Long John. This is a doughnut that’s shaped like an eclair with a cream filling and chocolate glaze. On National Chocolate Eclair Day, celebrate in courtly style, with the pastry that still goes down like lightning.

It’s not often that a fried food becomes a lightning rod for controversy, but on June 10, 2007, that’s exactly what happened to onion rings. After 6 seasons, The Sopranos took its final bow. But rather than the series ending with a bang, it ended with the main character sitting in a diner, eating an onion ring. The frustration at this show’s “big finale” is understandable, but so is the moment of solace that Tony Soprano gets from this diner grub. Usually French fries get all the love, but there’s really nothing better with a burger than a crispy order of onion rings. Whether thickly battered or lightly fried, this comfort food is absolute heaven. On National Onion Rings Day, hook up your meal with the side dish that truly satisfies.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 21st, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate shredding the half pipe and the need to overshare.

The Z-boys were a group of Los Angeles teenagers who rode the waves near the Santa Monica pier. On days when the ocean was too calm for surfing, they would go skateboarding. In the early 1970s, there was a major drought in Southern California and when pools began to dry up, the teens found a silver lining to the situation. They skated the walls of empty pools, which was the origin of skate parks and half-pipes that every skateboarder knows today. Without the Z-boys, there would never have been a Tony Hawk or X-Games and skaters everywhere owe these kids a debt of gratitude. On Go Skateboarding Day, grab your longboard and cruise the streets or get out to the skate park and start shredding.

Selfies are more popular than ever, as folks can’t seem to resist sharing every aspect of their lives. There are even categories of selfies that express our favorite moments. Duck face selfies need no explanation along with selfies we take in the car. Foodie Selfies show off our good taste in meals, and Pet Selfies capture how much we look like our pets. Travel Selfies show off the places we go and Celebrity Selfies are a big boost on Social Media. If you’re looking extra glamorous or buffed out at the gym, Selfies capture that air of confidence. And perhaps most popular of all are the Bestie Selfies that feature the folks who always make us look and feel our best, no matter what we are up to. On National Selfie Day, celebrate sharing what you care about the most.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 20th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate great birds in history.

Benjamin Franklin once said that the turkey was “a Bird of Courage… '' that would not hesitate to attack any British soldiers who dared to step foot onto their farm. This argument did not win the day when choosing our Nation’s mascot and unfortunately for the bird is loved today for very different reasons. June is National Turkey Lovers Month and while the bird was passed over as a mascot, it’s still a go to protein for meat eaters and a formidable foe on the farm. Celebrate your love for turkeys with a burger or a trip to the petting zoo depending on which camp you’re in.

After the United States became a sovereign nation, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers requested that a Presidential Seal be made. But it took nearly 6 years to find an acceptable design that Congress could agree on. It’s the one we know today, with a Bald Eagle as the focal point, and its appeal was nearly unanimous. Well, nearly. Ben Franklin thought the illustration made the eagle look like a turkey. Thankfully, Ben was outnumbered on this one and the eagle took its place as the symbol of our country. On National American Eagle Day, we celebrate the majestic bird that still inspires us to reach great heights.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 19th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate timeless timepieces and the guys we look up to.

For hundreds of years after their invention in the 1500s, watches were carried in pockets or worn on chains around one’s neck. Wristwatches didn’t become popular with men until the early 1900s, and then only out of necessity. During World War I, soldiers wore timepieces on their wrists in order to keep both hands free to load and fire weapons. Soldiers grew so accustomed to wearing them that watches became all the rage after the Great War even for civilians. Not only were they functional, they were also viewed as quite masculine because of the connection to the military. On National Watch Day, celebrate the timepiece that keeps on ticking. Marlo, you have a watch that also keeps track of your steps, eh?

Father’s Day was made for honoring the guy in your life who taught you how to fish or ride a bike. Maybe you haven’t always seen eye to eye, but just for today give your dad the celebration of his choice. Fortunately there’s something for everyone. If your dad likes to lay around on the couch and eat lasagna, you could celebrate National Garfield The Cat Day together. Or fire up the grill and cook turkey burgers for National Turkey Lovers' Day. And if your dad likes gadgets there’s always National Watch Day to inspire some new gear as a gift. No matter how you celebrate Father's Day, spending quality time together is the very best present of all.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 18th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate side splitting self care and relaxing hobbies.

Today is about the ultimate in self care - “the splurge!” Splurging is that “certain something” that makes you feel spoiled in your own special way. It might be extra whipped cream on your latte, a great bottle of wine or a gadget that would make your life easier. But if you’re like me, splurging means ordering whatever you please from the menu. And if you happen to be in Kingman, AZ, Mr. Dz Diner is the perfect place to do just that. John, what was that thing you ordered on our last trip to Mr. Dz? I believe there’s an unwritten law that calories consumed on a road trip don’t count. So give yourself permission to celebrate the best life has to offer on National Splurge Day.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you can expect him to disappear for hours on end. No, that’s not how the proverb goes, but anyone who has ever stood on the water’s edge with a fishing rod in hand knows it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. Sure, some people take fishing very seriously and won’t be content unless they reel in the big one. But plenty of folks are happy to patiently wait for a tug at the end of their line, while enjoying the peace of the great outdoors. Bragging about the one that got away is optional. Today is the perfect excuse to get outside and cast a line. On National Go Fishing Day, cast your cares aside too as you head on down to the old fishing hole.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to June 17th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a dessert that keeps on rolling and a mascot who keeps us laughing.

The German word “strudel” literally means “swirl,” which makes sense if you think of its whirlpool shape. This flaky, fruit-filled pastry was created in 1696 and became very popular during the Habsburg Dynasty. Today apple strudel is still one of Austria’s most famous dishes, but you may not know that at one time it was also the official state pastry of Texas. That’s because German settlers brought strudel to America and won over this part of the country. While many flavors of strudel exist both savory and sweet, the apple kind has remained a favorite. This is probably because apples can be found during good times and bad, and on National Apple Strudel Day, you can count on this dessert to inspire celebration.

In 1974, Ted Giannoulas was hired to dress in a chicken costume for an event at the city’s world-famous San Diego Zoo. Ted was a big fan of the Padres baseball team and worked out a deal to wear the costume during games. His intent was to be able to watch the Padres for free, but the mascot’s appearances at games became a sensation. Even when the team wasn’t playing well, people would show up to the stadium simply to see the San Diego Chicken’s antics. Dancing, chasing around players, joking with the umpires…he did it all. For nearly 50 years, the Chicken entertained audiences and became the most famous team mascot of all time. On National Mascot Day, celebrate the folks who are willing to “take one for the team” to keep fans entertained even when their teams are stinking it up on the field

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks fo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices