Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to April 17, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate family history and an egg roll for everyone.

Ellis Island’s immigration office opened on January 1st 1892, and became the point of entry for Europeans coming into the United States. The first person to pass through its gates was Annie Moore, a 15 year old girl from Ireland. She and her two younger brothers began what would become a mass migration from Europe. Over the next 6 decades, more than 12 million immigrants entered the country through Ellis Island. This facility is no longer in service, but it is a museum that pays homage to the brave men and women who came to America in search of building better lives. We celebrate National Ellis Island Family History Day by remembering this important era of American history and by tracing our own family stories through it.

Kids have been rolling eggs down hill in celebration of Easter for decades. In Washington, DC Capitol Hill was the best in town. However, the festivities were so disruptive that in 1876 Congress passed a law to keep trespassers off the property. Two years later, President Rutherford B Hayes and his wife Lucy invited all the local children to roll their eggs on the South Lawn of the White House instead, and it’s been an Easter tradition ever since. The ceremonies and circumstances have changed a bit over the years. Kids now use wooden eggs rather than the hard boiled variety, but the contest itself is the same, roll an Easter egg down the hill and have a good laugh about it with your friends. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate many things, but especially the joy we can find through celebrating 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 April 16, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate unlikely poets and eggstraordinary breakfast.

There have been many strange and eccentric poets over the centuries, but none quite like Archy the Cockroach. This little guy was the reincarnation of a nameless poet who found his way into the office of newspaper columnist Don Marquis. One night, Archy started writing poetry by jumping from key to key on the typewriter there. All of his poems are written in lowercase because he couldn’t push the shift key and the letter keys at the same time. If you’re not impressed by poetry from a bug who can write, there are literally millions of other poets to check out during National Poetry Month. Human, insect, or otherwise.

It has been said that “Eggs Benedict” was named for Pope Benedict XIII, who requested the dish often. Then there’s the story of Mrs. LeGrand Benedict who couldn’t decide what to order while dining at Delmonicos in New York. The chef came up with a similar recipe and claims to have named it after her. Finally there’s Lemuel Benedict, a Wall Street Broker who ordered buttered toast, two poached eggs, bacon and hollandaise sauce. Apparently, it was such a winning combination that it went on the menu at the Waldorf hotel, which begs the question, which Benedict came first? On National Eggs Benedict Day, there’s no need to quibble. Enjoy this dish that is fit for anyone with eggstraordinary taste.

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 15, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the ripple effect and taking a wild guess.

Today marks the 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, one of the greatest tragedies in modern history. There are many stories of that fateful night, but one of the most inspiring is that of the ship’s band, led by Wallace Hartley. As the Titanic slowly submerged, the band played on, doing its best to calm the nerves of the panicked travelers. Even as their own fates became certain, the musicians kept on, leading people in a chorus of hymns. The few survivors remembered this selfless act, and when Hartley’s body was recovered, he was celebrated as a hero. Over 30,000 people paid their respects at his funeral. On National Titanic Remembrance Day, we reflect on our own ripple effect and the small acts that may also be remembered.

Marlo: Hey Anna did you know that it’s National Take a Wild Guess Day?

Wanna play Take A Wild Guess?

The unicorn is the National Animal of which country?

Anna: Okay, can you name the largest living organism on planet earth?

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 14, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate creative gardens and unusual life guards.

One of the most beautiful and unique gardens you’ll ever see is in Fresno, California. But you’ll have to look underground to find it. In 1906, Sicilian immigrant Baldasare Forestiere began excavating a series of caves and passageways inspired by the Catacombs he’d seen in Rome as a child. Over the 40 years he worked on the complex, he planted trees and flowers as he went. Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and more exotic trees are scattered throughout the rooms, growing thanks to skylights that provide plenty of sunshine even though some rooms are more than 25 feet under ground. On National Gardening Day, celebrate by showing off your green thumb and maybe even your creativity.

Few things in the animal kingdom inspire the spirit of playfulness more than the dolphin. But what’s most amazing are the countless stories of wild dolphins saving humans in open waters. A young boy in Southern Italy was saved from drowning by a dolphin known as Filippo. A pod of dolphins circled a shark bitten surfer, until he was able to make it back to the California shore. And a group of 12 divers who found themselves surrounded by sharks in The Red Sea, were attended to by a pod of wild dolphins for 13 hours! Not only did the dolphins keep the sharks at bay, they also showed the rescue boat where each diver was until all the humans had been saved. On National Dolphin Day, we celebrate these aquatic wonders that appear to be man’s best ocean friend.

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 13, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a presidential lunch and the world’s favorite word game.

Thomas Jefferson was a true renaissance man. He wrote the Declaration of Independence. During his presidency, he doubled the size of the United States via the Louisiana Purchase. He even stocked the Library of Congress with thousands of his own books. But it’s one of his lesser-known contributions to society that still helps parents everywhere navigate the madness of feeding their kids each day. You see, Jefferson is responsible for introducing macaroni and cheese to Americans. He imported the dish from France and experimented with his own version until he got his recipe just right. It took years, but mac and cheese caught on with the public and is still around to this day, becoming a go-to for kids and those of us who are kids at heart. On National Thomas Jefferson Day celebrate with a bowl of this comfort food in honor of our 3rd President.

The game of Scrabble was invented during the Great Depression by an out of work architect. For anyone who grew up on Mars, Scrabble is played with two to four players who score points by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15 by 15 grid. Since its humble beginnings, Scrabble is now played in 121 countries in 29 different languages! It was also featured as a television game show in the 1980s. The highest scoring word ever recorded in a Scrabble tournament earned a whopping 392 points. The word was spelled C A Z I Q U E S, which is a type of oriole. On National Scrabble Day, challenge someone you know to the classic board game or play online to bring out your inner word nerdiness.

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 12, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the Centennial State and good old toasted cheese.

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado has the highest average elevation of any U.S. State, measuring in at 6,800 feet above sea level. Its capital, Denver is known as the Mile-High City, which is entirely accurate. In fact, the 13th step on the State Capitol Building has a marker to identify that it is exactly 1 mile above sea level. The thin air makes the sun feel warmer and makes alcoholic drinks feel more potent than at lower altitudes. And if you need coffee before your day skiing in the mountains, it’ll be ready much quicker because water boils faster. On National Colorado Day celebrate the Centennial State and all its natural beauty and the good old Rocky Mountain high,

The invention of the grilled cheese sandwich is arguably the greatest thing since, well, sliced bread. And while folks have been toasting bread with cheese since Ancient Roman times, the American variety took off in the 1920s with the invention of the first bread slicer. Just prior to that JL Kraft and Brothers began making its processed cheese, or as the English called it, rat trap cheese. They are, of course, partial to their cheddar. But here in the States, the grilled cheese sandwich took off with these two inventions and today they’re considered classic comfort food. If you’re in the mood to be fancy, add some sliced apples, bacon or brie. But whatever you’re craving on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, enjoy a crunchy, melty morsel of comfort food deliciousness, with or without the rat trap cheese.

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 11, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate cheeky pets and amazing inventions.

Pets and their owners form a special bond that others can’t truly understand. Animals often pick up mannerisms from their humans, developing very unique personalities of their own. Take, for example, Poll—President Andrew Jackson’s beloved parrot. When Jackson passed away in 1845, thousands came to pay their respects—and someone brought the parrot. And, as the minister described it: “Before the sermon…a wicked parrot…got excited and commenced swearing so loud and long as to disturb the people and had to be carried from the house.” On National Pet Day, spend some extra time with your favorite animals, just watch what you say around them.

We think of the submarine as a fairly modern invention, and with good reason. The technology involved in keeping a ship underwater while providing humans with air is pretty complicated. However, the first working model of a submarine was actually created in England in 1620. Cornelis Drebbel, a Dutch engineer, built what he called a “diving boat,” a wooden vessel that could travel underwater. It used greased leather to keep air in and was propelled by oars. He showed off this invention in London and traveled along the Thames River at a depth of 15 feet. The trip only lasted about 9 miles, but considering the technology, it was wildly impressive. On National Submarine Day, we celebrate an invention that still seems amazing!

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 10, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the animals that help us every day and our family frenemies.

Today we celebrate sounders, broods, trips, and herds. In case you don’t have a dictionary handy, those are the group names of pigs, chickens, goats, and cows. Farm animals. These domesticated critters have helped to feed humans for thousands of years and are still integral to this day. Without them, we wouldn’t have milk, eggs, or most of the food staples we rely on everyday. At least on small farms, the livestock are as important as the crops. On National Farm Animals Day, celebrate your own gratitude for the farm to table critters that we couldn’t do without.

Today we celebrate our best friends, who are at times our worst enemies. No matter how you remember your childhood, there are no greater allies in life than your siblings. Claudia Evart created Siblings Day in 1995 and it has been a top trending day ever since. Having lost a brother and a sister in her youth, the native New Yorker realized the important role that siblings play in our lives. In other parts of the world such as India, Spain and France there are celebrations for brothers and sisters that honor this special bond. Here in the United States, more than 80 percent of us have siblings and this day is about giving them an extra special shout out with presents, hugs or by posting childhood photos on social media. On National Siblings Day, share your favorite memories with those you love, even if they still make you crazy.

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 9, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate great orators and magical beasts.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was one of history’s most gifted public speakers. His strong oratory skills and sense of humor helped lead Great Britain through World War II. His voice made such an impact that Mr. Churchill was awarded The Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for “his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values.” Not bad for a kid who grew up with a lisp and who was extremely uncomfortable in public settings. On National Winston Churchill Day, celebrate this master of the English language by revisiting some of his most classic quotes. Like: ”The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes."

The unicorn appears in many natural history texts from ancient times and is generally described as a single horned goat or horse. While the descriptions vary widely, all seem to grant the beast a magical quality. All except Marco Polo. He describes a brutish beast, who prefers to wallow in the mud, with hair like a buffalo and feet like an elephant. With a large black horn in the center of its boar-like head, this creature was hardly the stuff of legend to be tamed by a maiden of purity. We have since determined that Marco Polo was describing a rhinoceros. Thankfully the mythical creature still inspires frappuccinos, slippers and bathrobes. On National Unicorn Day, celebrate your own kind of magic.

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 8, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate hot guitars and original zoos.

For his entire career, BB King played a black Gibson guitar named Lucille. But where did the name come from? In 1949, a fire broke out at the Arkansas club where King was playing. Two men were fighting and knocked over a kerosene heater, setting the club ablaze. After getting to safety, BB realized he’d left his guitar inside and ran back to get it. He found out later that the men had been fighting over a woman named Lucille and he bestowed his guitar with the name. April is International Guitar Month, so show a little love to your own guitar or listen to your favorite musician.

People have been fascinated by animals for centuries with the oldest public zoo opening in Vienna in 1752. The Holy Roman Emperor himself traveled around the globe to find the exotic animals that would be displayed there. Here in the United States, the Central Park Zoo began as an accidental menagerie when a bear cub was left at the park in 1859. The bear attracted visitors and eventually more exotic animals turned up at Central Park. A formal zoo charter was granted in 1864 and even President Lincoln donated animals. With about 2,400 zoos in the United State alone, lions and tigers and bears are practically in your own backyard. On National Zoo Lovers Day, celebrate a trip around the animal kingdom in one easy stroll.

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