Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to March 28th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate strange facts and spooky cakes.

After Prohibition, former bootlegger George Boyington moved to Oregon to embark on a legitimate career. He opened a hotdog stand on Rockaway Beach, which became very popular with tourists. But when his entire inventory of buns was ruined in a storm, it looked as if he might go out of business. He needed a quick solution and came up with the idea of putting hotdogs on sticks, then dipping them in batter, and deep frying them. He called the new food Pronto Pups and watched with pride as his new creation sold out. On National Something on a Stick Day, we celebrate this remarkable fact: everything tastes better on a stick!

In Southeastern Germany lies the world-famous Black Forest. It’s known as the setting for several Grimm fairy tales. But many more know it because of the dessert that bears its name: Black Forest Cake. Some people may dismiss it as plain old chocolate cake, but they’re missing out entirely. This chocolate cake layered with whipped cream and topped with cherries is nothing short of magical. The star of the recipe is cherry liqueur, which is distilled in the Black Forest region of Germany and gives this cake its delicious allure. Celebrate National Black Forest Cake Day with a slice of decadence, but beware of any witches who serve it up from gingerbread houses.

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

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Welcome to March 27th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate doodles with purpose and a good old cuppa Joe.

Before we can write or even draw, one of the first things we do as kids is scribble. And as adults, the idle scribbling we do when bored can give insight into our personalities. According to researchers, if you draw squares, you’re a planner. People who like round shapes are friendly and tend to avoid conflict. Flowers indicate affinity for others and stars indicate ambition. So does this mean you should hide your drawings today on National Scribble Day? Maybe it’s time to show the world what you’re made of.

Ever wonder why we call coffee a cup of Joe? During World War I, Joseph Daniels, the Secretary of the Navy, banned alcohol on naval bases. Needless to say, this didn’t always sit well with the troops. Daniels thought he could make up for it by increasing rations for coffee. But morale went from bad to worse and sailors began referring sarcastically to coffee as a cup of Joseph Daniels. This was later shortened to a cup of Joe. Today isn’t just about our favorite caffeinated drink. We also celebrate the people we know and love who have the name Joe. So on National Joe Day grab your friends Joey, Joanna and Joseph and take them to lunch or maybe grab a cup of, well, Joe.

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

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Welcome to March 26th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate going green and Irish roots.

The town of Crystal City, Texas survived the Great Depression thanks to an unlikely hero—Popeye the Sailor Man. In the 1930s, Popeye cartoons became very popular, which meant that kids everywhere saw him chomping away on his favorite snack—spinach. And, as luck would have it, Crystal City was a huge producer of spinach. Moms were thrilled that their kids wanted to eat the healthy food and business boomed as spinach was added to menus across the country. To this day, the town is known as the Spinach Capital of the World and they even have a Popeye statue erected outside city hall. On National Spinach Day, celebrate the veggie that still gives us our super strength.

In the mid 1800s the Potato Famine in Ireland forced people to leave their country and many of them immigrated to the United States. The Irish had a tough go of it at first, but they managed to work their way into being respected members of the community. As a huge voting block they helped certain politicians get elected. By taking on jobs as police and firefighters, they were seen doing good deeds and the Irish became respected members of society. Since then we can count 22 American Presidents, authors, inventors, and entrepreneurs that can all claim Irish roots. During Irish American Heritage Month celebrate these indomitable folks who have added a tight knit to our cultural fabric.

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

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Welcome to March 25th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate strange new worlds and acts of bravery.

To say that JRR Tolkien had an impact on popular culture is an understatement. Without The Lord of the Rings, we might never have experienced Harry Potter or played Dungeons & Dragons. Before he wrote anything about a Hobbit, Tolkien was a professor of Old English literature and a student of language. So when he created Middle Earth, he came up with an entire history for his fictional world. And wrote not one, but FIVE different languages exclusively for the books. Quite the perfection. On Tolkien Reading Day, celebrate your favorite escape into a perfectly curated world.

The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon our military for extraordinary acts of service. In the case of Teddy Roosevelt it was awarded for his acts of apparent defiance during the Spanish American War. But not until many decades later. Colonel Roosevelt grew impatient as progress was stalled on a charge of the San Juan hill. He managed to convince his immediate supervisor to allow his Rough Riders to push ahead. With only four or five men, Teddy was the first American to arrive in the Spanish trenches. This brave act turned the tide of the entire battle. Roosevelt was nominated for a Medal of Honor during his life, but wasn’t awarded it until 2001, 82 years after his death. On National Medal of Honor Day we remember the more than 3500 souls who have received this award by going above and beyond the call of duty.

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

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Welcome to March 24th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate two origin stories with happy results.

Considering how long alcohol has been part of human culture, it’s surprising that the first cocktail wasn’t invented until the 1800s. Antoine Peychaud created the Sazerac in New Orleans using cognac, sugar, absinthe, and a dash of bitters. The name Sazerac comes from the brand of French cognac that was used, but these days the primary ingredient is rye whiskey. And why do we call these drinks cocktails? Supposedly, that first cocktail was served in an egg cup—or, in French, a coquetier—a word that morphed into cocktail. On National Cocktail Day, mix yourself a glass of your favorite drink.

In 1930, Pat Olivier ran a hotdog stand in Philadelphia. One afternoon, he cooked up some sliced beef on his grill and made a steak sandwich. A passing cab driver asked Pat to make him one too and he loved it so much he told all his friends. Soon the steak sandwich was the talk of the town. Nearly 20 years later someone thought to add cheese. And this is where it turned into a “Hatfields and McCoys” rivalry. Geno’s and Pat’s are two restaurants located across the street from one another and each wants to take the credit. No one is sure who actually came up with it, but on National Cheesesteak Day, everyone agrees it’s a great sandwich!

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

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Welcome to March 23rd, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate dynamic duos and our favorite snuggling companions.

If you enjoy chips and dip, you can thank a tea company for the idea. In the years following World War II, the American suburbs grew rapidly, as did the demand for food and recipes for entertaining. Lipton, the British company known for its tea, marketed its onion soup mix as a way to make dip. Just add it to some sour cream and voila!—an American snack legend was born. For a while, this became known as the California Dip, but now we just know it as good ol’ chip and dip. On National Chip and Dip Day, whip up this dynamic duo, and let the celebration begin. And if you invite your friends just be sure not to double dip.

Dogs and humans have shared a bond since civilization began. They have hunted together, played together and snuggled for warmth. The expression “three dog night” comes from this practical purpose: on the coldest of nights it takes 3 dogs to keep out the chill. Having a six pack of puppies may sound like a recipe for chaos, but everyone knows there’s nothing more endearing. That’s why the organization Canine Companions for Independence trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities. And the best part is, they do it free of charge. On National Puppy Day cuddle up with your favorite pup and enjoy the sloppy kisses.

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

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Welcome to March 22nd, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate hidden attractions and dessert for breakfast.

Nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find the town of White Sulphur Springs, WV. If you happen to be passing through, stop at The Greenbrier resort. It’s a gorgeous place, but the real attraction is far beneath the hotel. 720 feet below, to be exact. The Greenbrier sits atop a nuclear bunker that was commissioned by President Eisenhower. It was built big enough to house the President, members of Congress, and their staff. Though its been decommissioned since the 1990s, you can still take a tour of the massive site. On National West Virginia Day, we celebrate the majestic Mountain State, a place so beautiful it’s almost Heaven.

What’s the difference between French and Bavarian Crepes? It starts with the batter. The French recipe calls for resting after mixing the ingredients, which allows the gluten in the flour to relax. And if you have time to wait, then by all means kick back, drink a glass of wine and do things the Parisian way. This makes for a lighter, more tender crepe. If you don’t mind a sturdier pancake, then get on with it already. After all, if you’re adding Bavarian Cream to the pancake why wait for tenderness? On National Bavarian Crepes Day celebrate getting to the good stuff. And if this means having dessert for breakfast, even better.

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

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Welcome to March 21st, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the voice that launched our greatest missions and the sweet signs of Spring.

One of the most famous voices in the world belonged to Jack King. You may not know the name, but likely you’ve heard of him. Jack was responsible for one of the best-known countdowns in history—the launch of Apollo 11. As people everywhere watched the Saturn V rocket take off into space en route to the Moon, it was Jack King that calmly narrated the entire event. He was the voice of many NASA countdowns, but perhaps none more important than that one in 1969. On National Countdown Day, you can start a countdown of your own…easy as 123…or should we say 3-2-1.

If you’ve ever had sun ripened strawberries from a roadside stand, you’ll know why we are celebrating this delicious Springtime treat. In California, strawberry season kicks off on March 21st to coincide with the Spring equinox. Splurge on a trip to the farm if you’re close enough to pick them. While many of us are still covered in a blanket of snow, new crops of bright red fruit are just popping up in California. Who doesn’t love fresh berries on pancakes or pies? Juicy strawberries with whipped cream could almost make you run around barefoot. If you’re in the mood for some California dreaming then pick up a pint on National California Strawberry Day. Summer is only a short cake away.

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

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Welcome to March 20th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the sweet signs of Spring and pasta turf wars.

In Greek mythology, Demeter was the goddess of farming, and she loved her daughter Persephone very much. So when Hades, god of the underworld, abducted Persephone, the goddess was furious and demanded that her daughter be returned. Hades agreed, but there was a problem. Pomegranate seeds. Persephone had eaten a few during her stay and eating or drinking anything in the underworld caused a person to be trapped there forever. The gods worked out an agreement where Persephone could return to the surface world. But only for half of the year. When Persephone is away, crops die and leaves fall. But when her daughter is on Earth, Demeter is happy and everything begins to grow again. It’s a little something we like to call the start of Spring.

Ravioli have been around since the 14th Century. But sometime around the 1940s a ravioli was accidentally dropped into a fryer and a new sensation was born. The incident took place in an Italian American neighborhood in St. Louis, known locally as The Hill. And here’s where it gets strange. At least three restaurants claim the accident occurred in their kitchen. All of the original owners have passed away. And the only one around to produce any proof is Sicilian, Tony Lombardo. He proudly displays Lombardo’s 1930s menu that includes the toasted rav. On National Ravioli Day get the party started by frying up your own batch of toasted ravs. Just don’t get any bright ideas about claiming you invented them.

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

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Welcome to March 19th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the great outdoors and one man’s sweet dream.

For years, American backyards were very functional. They were mainly used for gardening or as workspaces. But after World War II, people had more disposable income and moved to the suburbs. Plus, there was a surplus of materials like aluminum and concrete, which meant that it was inexpensive to build pools, patios, and lawn furniture. In short, the backyard became a place for leisure and entertaining—an extension of the living space. And now that warmer weather is returning, what better time to celebrate National Backyard Day?

While Milton Hershey is best known for making chocolate, he started his confectionary career with caramel. When the World’s Colombian Exposition came to Chicago, Milton became fascinated by the machinery that made German chocolate. Deciding that milk chocolate was the way of the future, he purchased the entire exhibit and shipped it to his Pennsylvania factory. The Hershey bars we still enjoy today prove that Milton was onto something and his addition of caramel only sweetened the success. On National Chocolate Caramel Day, celebrate the legacy of Milton Hersheys sweet tooth.

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

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