Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to June 16th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate profitable pastimes and candies.

There was a time that if you wanted to listen to music in public, there needed to be a live band. But Jimmy Savile changed all that in 1943, when he threw the world’s first DJ dance party in Otley, England. He played jazz records at the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds and was the first DJ to use twin turntables, a setup DJs still use to this day. Later that decade, the first disco club opened in Paris, France, called Whiskey a Go-Go. Since then, the disc jockey has become a fixture in popular culture and is an integral part of getting pop music to the masses. June is National DJ Month, when we celebrate the folks who keep the world singing and dancing.

From her desk at Vassar College, Emelyn Hartridge wrote that a classmate’s cousin had sold a pound of fudge for 40 cents. She hatched a plan to make up a batch for the Senior Auction that year and the entrepreneur spirit quickly spread. Soon other women’s colleges had developed their own recipes and by 1888 fudge fever was afoot. Young women dodged curfew and cooked up the candy over gas lamps in their dorm rooms. Fudge was seen as an indulgence, which probably fueled the rebellion. But regardless of who cooked it up first, candy stores on Mackinac Island, Michigan put this treat on the map. Today gift shops across the country carry all sorts of flavors and on National Fudge Day, it’s easy to celebrate the candy that still sells like hotcakes.

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

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Welcome to June 15th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate deadly creatures and amazing views.

The Great White Shark is one of the most deadly predators on Earth. But it looks positively tame when compared to its great great great granddaddy—the Megalodon. This prehistoric fish hunted throughout the world’s oceans until about 3.5 million years ago when it went extinct. Based on fossils, the Megalodon was about 50 feet in length, making it not just the biggest shark ever, but also one of the biggest fish ever. So big, in fact, that its name literally just means big teeth. It used to feed on whales and its open mouth measured 10 feet across—large enough to swallow a couple full grown humans whole. Luckily, people weren’t around at the time to witness this monstrosity in the flesh. On National Megalodon Day, celebrate by learning more about one of the ocean’s deadliest creatures.

Have you ever noticed how being out in nature can automatically boost your mood? On Nature Photography Day why not bring that feeling home with you? Most smartphones take amazing pictures, and you don’t have to be an expert like Ansel Adams to capture the moment. Great pictures tell great stories, and this is your chance to bring your vision to life. Sharing them on Social Media can inspire others to take in their own view. We could all use a break and the natural world is a ready oasis, even if your National Geographic adventure extends only to the backyard. On Nature Photography Day, answer the call of the wild and watch your day get a little brighter.

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

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Welcome to June 14th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate inspirational bears and distinctly American tastes.

In 1950, a large and destructive wildfire tore through the mountains of south-central New Mexico. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, they found a tiny bear cub hanging on to the top of a charred tree. Rangers took him in and nursed him back to health and gave him a name—Smokey Bear. This little guy became a mascot for the United States Forest Service as well as the face of fire prevention and forest conservation. When he passed away in 1976, his remains were returned to the mountains where he’d been rescued so many years before. There’s even Smokey Bear Historical Park built in his honor. On National New Mexico Day, we celebrate the Land of Enchantment and all its citizens, even the four-legged ones.

Countries around the world have their own distinct take on alcohol. Russia has vodka. Japan has sake. And here in the United States, we have bourbon. It’s widely believed that whiskey can only be considered bourbon if it comes from Kentucky. That’s not true, but there are some specific legal requirements for every alcohol that wants to be labeled bourbon. First, the grains used to produce it must be at least 51% corn. And it must also be aged in charred oak barrels. The aging process is what gives bourbon its distinctive taste. If you’re an aficionado, you already know this makes all the difference in the world. On National Bourbon Day, enjoy a glass of this distinctly American drink.

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

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Welcome to June 13th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a persistent inventor and persistent weeds.

Elias Howe patented the sewing machine in 1838, but didn’t make any money selling it. In fact, he was living in poverty until he realized that other manufacturers had been ripping him off and selling lots of sewing machines in the process. So he sued them. All of them. And he won each lawsuit, earning himself millions of dollars. But what really brought the machine to the masses was his collaboration with Isaac Singer, who had invented a sewing machine that was totally different, except for one thing. Singer licensed the needle design from Howe, who took a cut of every machine sold, and the rest is history. On National Sewing Machine Day, celebrate a revolutionary invention that’s kept us in stitches for more that 150 years!

In the early 1900s, farmers in the Southeastern United States found a plant that provided an inexpensive way to combat soil erosion. It was called kudzu. It does do that, but it also kills other plants by smothering them and cutting off any nutrients. And it grows like wildfire. Kudzu can grow a whole foot in one day and in just a few decades it has covered the landscape from Florida up to New Jersey and as far west as Texas. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. So when you’re in your backyard complaining about dandelions and crabgrass on National Weed Your Garden Day, remember that it could be a lot worse.

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

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Welcome to June 12th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate floriography and tasty health food.

Floriography, the process of communicating via flowers and their arrangements, was developed during the Victorian era. For example, a bouquet containing verbena is asking for your prayers. A bouquet with yellow tulips is saying that the sender loves your smile. And birdsfoot trefoil means that someone is looking for revenge. But the most timeless symbol of floriography is the red rose. It symbolizes romantic love in its purest form. Henri Matisse once said “There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.” On National Red Rose Day, give someone you love a subtle hint with a bouquet of these classic blooms.

Stopping in at a convenience store is typically about 2 things, getting gas or buying snacks. And many times, that snack is a bag of jerky. This food once served an important role in global exploration, especially in cold climates. Fur traders in Canada used jerky and other dried foods because the fresh stuff was often in short supply. Expeditions to the North and South Poles carried a type of jerky called pemmican because it weighed less and took up less space in their packs. Plus, it had good nutritional content, perfect for sustaining the explorers on their long treks. On National Jerky Day, celebrate this delicious snack that can keep you going on your local expeditions.

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

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Welcome to June 11th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate Summer’s best veggie and a confusing cake.

Americans love fresh corn and, on average, eat about six pounds per person each year. During summer cookouts, it’s arguably the most popular food other than burgers and hotdogs. But some people take their love of corn to the extreme. The National Sweet Corn Eating Championship is held each year in West Palm Beach, Florida and attracts corn aficionados from around the world. Carmen Cincotti from New Jersey holds the record for most corn on the cob eaten in a 12-minute span. In 2019, Cincotti wolfed down 61.75 ears. That’s roughly 38.5 lbs of corn, more than enough to last someone for several summers. On National Corn on the Cob Day, celebrate with some sweet corn of your own. But go slow and savor it.

German chocolate cake…it’s a luscious dessert straight from Germany, right? Nope. The cake is actually named after the man who invented it: Sam German. The thing that made it stand out from traditional chocolate cakes was its use of sweet, rather than dark baking chocolate. Plus the frosting with coconut and pecans. For years, it was known as German’s Chocolate Cake, but wasn’t particularly popular until the 1950s when a newspaper in Dallas, Texas brought it to the public eye. And somewhere along the way, the apostrophe S got dropped, giving it the somewhat confusing name we know today. There’s no confusion about how delicious it is though, so go ahead splurge on National German Chocolate Cake Day, with a nice big slice.

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

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Welcome to June 10th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate movie classics and disappearing ink.

It’s estimated that since the beginning of film, there have been about 500,000 feature-length movies made. And although it fluctuates from year to year, the genre that has earned the most money worldwide is Action. The all-time highest-grossing film is Avatar, with over $2.8 billion in ticket sales. Unless you adjust for inflation. Then the top film ever is Gone With The Wind, which has grossed the equivalent of $3.75 billion since its release in 1939. You’ve got thousands of options to celebrate National Movie Night, so get that popcorn popped and pull up on the couch with one of your favorites—movies and people.

Considering how quickly they disappear from desks, ballpoint pens can seem like a precious commodity. And when they were first introduced in America in 1945, they were priced as if they were. The first ballpoint pen sold in the United States, the Reynolds Rocket, was priced at $12.50, which is the equivalent of nearly$150 today. Despite the hefty price tag, the Reynolds company sold nearly 1.5 million units that year. Today, over 3.5 billion of these pens are imported into the United States annually. Safe to say that they’ve become an integral part of everyday life, even if you can never find one when you need it. On National Ballpoint Pen Day, celebrate the ordinary item we can’t seem to live without.

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

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Welcome to June 9th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the bird that still quacks us up and Summer’s best sweet tart duo.

Donald Duck was first introduced to the world in 1931 in a book called The Adventures of Mickey Mouse. In the story, he and several other animals join Mickey and Minnie for a hoedown at a local barn. The story isn’t that significant, but something in the book is—it’s the first and only time that Donald ever wore pants. Plus, the pants and matching hat were green, so maybe that just means he hadn’t yet joined the Navy. That outfit didn’t make an appearance until his first film role in 1934. Today, we celebrate the crazy, foul-tempered little duck who plays second fiddle only to Mickey, Mr. Donald Fauntleroy Duck. Yes, that’s really his middle name. Happy National Donald Duck Day!

It will probably come as no surprise that rhubarb was initially produced as a medicine. The first recorded use dates back to 2700 BCE. Today we know that rhubarb is high in oleic acid, although the leaves are toxic and the stalks must be cooked before they can be eaten. It’s also a food that tastes much better when paired with sugar or sweet fruits. Strawberries to the rescue! This winning combination was first discovered in England and Germany, but we have gladly adopted its sweet, tart flavor here in the United States. On National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day, pucker up and celebrate a seasonal super star!

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

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Welcome to June 8th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate polka paradise and pals who are the perfect fit.

Not many people have made a career out of playing an accordion. But then again, most people aren’t Weird Al Yankovic. Since he burst onto the music scene in the early 1980s, Yankovic has been poking fun at other musicians. And while they made names for themselves with electric guitars and drums, Al did it his way—with kooky lyrics and his trusty accordion. The instrument isn’t exactly cool, but it gives a distinct sound and, as Weird Al put it: “It’s great, especially if you’re a solo accordion act. You can get a whole lot of really cool sounds out of it and basically be a one-man band.” June is National Accordion Awareness Month, a perfect time to polka or dive into Weird Al’s discography.

Most of us choose our friends because they like the same things we do. But best friends aren’t necessarily our twin. Take Bella the Labrador retriever and Bubbles the elephant. This pair met at Myrtle Beach Animal Safari after Bubbles was rescued from Africa. Their unlikely friendship was featured in the movie Ace Ventura II and even a Janet Jackson Video! What makes these two so special is their love of water. They can be found splashing around, playing catch and cuddling afterwards. And while your bestie might not double as a perfect leather sofa, On National Best Friends Day, be sure to show them love for being the perfect fit in your life!

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

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Welcome to June 7th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate feathered heroes and a frozen favorite.

In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, you can visit a museum that pays tribute to some of the lesser-known heroes of the American armed forces—the winged kind. Specifically pigeons. During World War II, over 55,000 of these winged messengers carried notes high above battlefields, delivering information that might otherwise be intercepted over radio or phone lines. The American Pigeon Museum & Library offers an in-depth look at how these birds helped shape American history, both in times of war and peace. On National Oklahoma Day, celebrate the Sooner State and all its citizens, winged or otherwise.

While the most popular ice cream flavor is vanilla, it may surprise you that chocolate ice cream was invented first. The recipe for chocolate ice cream appeared in an Italian cookbook in 1692, but like most frozen treats, it came from popular drinks that were poured over ice. When the Spaniards conquered Mexico in 1519 they discovered the irresistible Mayan chocolate drink that would become the basis of the first frozen chocolate. Spanish explorer Alberto Garcia reportedly exclaimed, “In all my life I have never made a discovery so fine. This is not a taste, it’s an emotion.” On National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, celebrate the scoops that still make us swoon!

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

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