Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to May 7, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate short sports and thinking outside the package.

Today is the Kentucky Derby, also known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Despite the name, there have only been two winners in history who’ve finished the mile and a quarter race under the two minute mark. In 2001, Monarchos finished with a time of 1:59.97. And in 1973, the great Secretariat clocked in at 1:59.40, the fastest time ever for the Kentucky Derby. But a big Derby win does not guarantee future success. Of the winners with the fastest Derby times, only Secretariat won the Triple Crown. Mix yourself a mint julep and check out the big race this afternoon!

It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And while that may be true, it wasn’t for Coca-Cola in the early 1900s. Its product was so popular that dozens of knockoff beverages had hit the market and were cutting into Coke’s business. They decided the best way to combat this was to create a distinctive bottle. This new design not only made it stand out in a crowd, it quickly became so recognizable that people could look at it and immediately associate it with the brand. On National Packaging Design Day, take a moment to appreciate the thought that goes into the boxes and bottles we see everyday that put those products above the rest.

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

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The Pale Blue Dot is one of the most famous photographs ever taken, though you may not recognize the subject at first glance. NASA’s Voyager I spacecraft launched in 1977 and traveled the solar system, transmitting images back to scientists on Earth and forever changing our view of our celestial neighbors. In 1990, as it was passing Neptune, Voyager turned its camera back to Earth and took a photo. This picture, taken nearly 4 billion miles away, shows Earth as a pale blue dot. The planet doesn’t look like much, but it does show just how small we are in the grand scheme of things. And it’s breathtaking. On National Space Day, we celebrate the wonder of the universe and what they teach us about life on Earth.

In the midst of the Civil War, an unlikely hero emerged. This person was not a soldier or even a politician. Clara Barton, a trained nurse, was working as a patent clerk, when she decided to leave her civilian post to serve in the conflict. She attended the sick and injured troops on both sides of the front line, bringing food and medical attention wherever it was needed most. This earned Clara Barton the unofficial distinction of being an Angel of the Battlefield. She went on to found the American Red Cross and is celebrated today in both the North and the South. On National Nurses Day we celebrate the hard work and dedication of the people on our front lines today.

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

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Welcome to May 5, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate Mexican independence and reaching for the stars.

In 1862, France tried to take over Mexico. The country had defaulted on loan payments to France, and the European nation was so angry that it sent troops to Mexico to resolve things with force. Normally, the United States would have intervened, but was in the midst of civil war…and France took advantage of the situation. As the French army marched toward Mexico City, it had to pass through the town of Puebla. There, a small force of Mexican soldiers, though badly outnumbered, beat the French and sent them running back to the coast. Cinco de Mayo celebrates this victory and the fiercely independent spirit of our southern neighbor. ¡Viva México!

If you were alive on this day in 1961 to watch the Freedom 7 Space capsule and its 15 minute orbit, chances are good you can still feel the excitement of that moment. Astronaut Alan Shepard is regarded as a hero today and no matter your age or how you spend your time on earth, one truth remains constant, “Space Inspires.” Today we celebrate the pioneers like Shepard and many others who were willing to risk it all and go first. We know that our kids will reach new frontiers as they stand on the shoulders of these giants. On National Astronaut Day, reach for the stars and support the programs that teach the next generation of space explorers, who already know that the sky’s the limit!

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

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Welcome to May 4, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate fancy birds and feeling the force.

Male birds tend to be more beautiful than their female companions. And there’s a reason. In the bird world, the female chooses her mate based on how he woos her—and this involves catching her eye. Take, the Costa’s Hummingbird, who puts on an elaborate aerial show in front of the lady he’s courting. Twisting and turning and doing mid-air tricks, he shows off his radiant green body in the hopes that she’ll want him. But then he has to pull off the big finale: puffing out the plumes on his head to look like a big purple dandelion. And even then, she might shrug and fly away. Suddenly, swiping right doesn’t seem like such a big deal, does it? On Bird Day celebrate the eye-catching dance rituals that you thankfully don’t have to pull off yourself.

In the summer of 1980, filmgoers around the world couldn’t stop buzzing about one of the biggest plot twists ever to come out of Hollywood. The first Star Wars was a massive hit, but The Empire Strikes Back made the budding franchise legendary. And it did so with one simple phrase: “Luke, I am your father.” When Darth Vader uttered that line, it immediately became one of the most famous lines ever spoken on film. And in the 40+ years since, Star Wars has kept on making memories and inspiring audiences. Raise your lightsabers and gather your droids! It’s National Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you!

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

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Welcome to May 3, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the Big Sky State and all things spooky.

There are more cattle than people in Montana. By a count of nearly 3 to1. But the state has always had strange ratios when it comes to population. In the mid-1800s when a gold rush started, prospectors flocked to Montana to strike it rich. And a few lucky miners really hit the jackpot. More than a few, actually. For a time in the 1880s, Montana—specifically the area around the capital Helena—had more millionaires per capita than any other place on Earth. It’s National Montana Day, when we celebrate the aptly named Treasure State and all its natural beauty, particularly its big sky.

Did you know that history’s most famous magician, Harry Houdini was also a real life ghostbuster? When he wasn’t on stage performing, he devoted his time to proving that ghosts didn’t exist. In particular, he regularly exposed psychics and spiritual mediums as frauds. Houdini once gave his wife a secret phrase that only they knew and told her he would contact her from the afterlife if such a thing were possible. Though she held many seances after his death, she never did hear from Harry the ghost. If you are naturally curious like Mulder and Scully then this is your day to explore hair raising videos. On National Paranormal Day we celebrate all things spooky and supernatural, and remind you that the truth is out there.

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

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Welcome to May 2, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a month of pedaling and smelly food.

You’ve probably seen the old-fashioned bicycle known as the penny-farthing but didn’t know it by name. This very silly looking bike has a huge front wheel, with a seat and handlebars on top, and a tiny wheel behind it. It got the name because the wheels reminded people of the penny and farthing British coins, one of which was big and the other small by comparison. The style seems wildly impractical now—which it is—but there was a time when this bike was all the rage. Because of its large wheel, it moved faster than other bikes and handled better on rough surfaces. However, if you fell…let’s just say it was not pleasant from that height. Whatever style of bicycle you prefer during National Bike Month, hop on and start pedaling!

If you’re a fan of all things chocolate, then the word “truffle” brings to mind rich, decadent candy. But if you’re a connoisseur of the fungus kind then you know truffles are a culinary treat. Truffles are mushrooms that grow underground, and when they are ready for harvesting, they give off an odor that is best detected by a pig or a dog. This pungent aroma is what gives them their characteristic flavor and ridiculously high price. But buyer beware; most truffles lose this flavor after only four days! For a product that fetches up to $350 an ounce, the market can be full of counterfeits. It’s best to buy them from a reputable supplier. Or better yet, celebrate National Truffle Day by dining out at your favorite fancy restaurant.

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

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Welcome to May 1, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate nursery rhymes and sweet success.

We all grew up learning rhymes about a cat playing a fiddle and little piggies going to the market, but probably never questioned where they came from. To be honest, the origin of nursery rhymes isn’t really clear, since they were passed down by word of mouth for centuries. The first time these children’s poems were collected in print was in the book Tales of My Mother Goose way back in 1695. And over the years, that title got turned into the name of an author—the most beloved poet who never existed. If you happen to see cows jumping over the moon or find that your flatware ran off with your plates today, don’t worry! It’s just National Mother Goose Day!

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. The first Sunday of May invites you to visit the website lemonadeday.org to find new ways to inspire young people and their lemonade stand businesses. This organization teaches them to first, set a goal, second, make a plan, third, work the plan and fourth, achieve your dream. Of course you’ll want to get a jump start on the planning so your kids can have every opportunity to succeed. What better way to learn about running a small business than by starting one? On National Lemonade Day don’t forget to kick back and sip the juicy rewards!

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

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Welcome to April 30, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate healthy treats and a wascally wabbit.

It seems there’s an oddball in every group, even when it comes to cookies. People go crazy for chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, but that’s not the case for oatmeal cookies. Some people turn up their noses at the very idea. But come on—you get to eat sweets AND something healthy at the same time. How many desserts can make that claim? On National Oatmeal Cookie Day, celebrate having your cookie and your good health too. And I would like to point out that it’s also National Raisin Day. Can’t these two factions join up? Are there really kid’s with a box of raisins celebrating in a corner when they could be hanging out with the cookie kids? Sounds like a mom made that up!

What’s up, Doc? Today we celebrate one of the most famous cartoon characters - that wascally wabbit otherwise known as Bugs Bunny. Since his debut in the 1940’s cartoon “A Wild Hare,” Bugs has appeared in more films than any other animated character and even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Everyone knows and loves this wise-guy rabbit with the Brooklyn accent, except of course for Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd. These guys are off plotting revenge for being the butt of all his jokes. Or maybe they’re just jealous that they don’t have their own National Days. Cue up some Looney Tunes and grab some carrots with a side of sarcasm. It’s National Bugs Bunny Day!

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

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Welcome to April 29, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate cool inventions and crazy trees.

Zippers are something that we use almost daily but probably don’t give much thought. This essential but overlooked part of our lives was invented in 1851 by Elias Howe, the same man who invented the sewing machine. But the idea didn’t become popular until 1917 when Gideon Sundback reworked the design. At first, the zipper was used only for boots and purses, but then it caught on with the fashion industry and the rest is history. On National Zipper Day, celebrate by wearing something you haven’t worn in a while. But no buttons, please. Zip-up clothes only.

While many plants and animals adapt to their environment, one of the strangest cases is the Monkey Puzzle Tree from Chile. It’s been around for over 200 million years, which speaks to its unique adaptation. Having grown up around active volcanoes, the Monkey Puzzle Tree developed fire-resistant bark. Its branches are very spiky and would cause monkeys to pause before climbing one, hence the name. Although individual trees can live up to 700 years, the species ended up on the endangered list due to logging and mining throughout the Andes Mountains. On National Arbor Day, take notice of the trees around you and all they have 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 April 28, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate heroes both fictional and in real-life.

Marvel Comics debuted its first superhero in October 1939. His name was the Human Torch, an android with a design flaw. Any time he is exposed to oxygen, he bursts into flame. Seems like something that should’ve been caught earlier in the design process, but what do I know? The Human Torch fought alongside Captain America in WWII, so you’d think that would get the character a lot of respect in the world of comic books. Not really. He still exists, but fans have never seemed very interested. There’s even a character in the Fantastic Four who has the same powers and name. Poor ol’ Torch. On National Superhero Day, we celebrate heroes both fictional and in real-life.

BraveHearts for Kids is an organization that helps save the lives of children. It provides information, hope, guidance, and resources to families dealing with a childhood cancer crisis. They offer their services at no cost, and additionally, 100% of individual contributions go to the programs that support kids. This includes emergency fundraising and 1-on-1 mentoring. They match families with a mentor who has experienced a similar diagnosis and crisis with a child of their own. On National BraveHearts Day we remind you to show your support anyway you can and know that doing good anywhere does good everywhere.

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

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