Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to November 2, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate outrageous tax laws and a spicy history.

During the late 1800s, Peter the Great imposed a beard tax on his citizens. That’s right! Men were charged an annual fee if they chose to grow out their whiskers. This meant that peasants were charged every time they entered cities. Those who paid the tax were allowed to keep their chin hair, but most men shaved to avoid the tax. As a result, extravagant mustaches became all the rage and were often paired with excessive sideburns. If you notice the men in your life sporting mustaches this month, it’s because November is Movember, a time to raise awareness for men’s health. Today the only money changing hands today is for charity, not taxes.

While a lot of foods fall in and out of favor, it appears that deviled eggs have a long history of success. Even the Ancient Romans liked boiled eggs with spicy sauce as the opening act of their meal. And while 13th century Spaniards began smashing the yolks as a filling, the term “deviling” didn’t appear until the 18th century. This is when a little heat became associated with the devil. Call it reverse psychology, or great marketing but somehow a little paprika became a walk on the dark side. Today, no potluck or gathering would be complete without deviled eggs. New twists on this classic h'ordeuvre can be made by adding wasabi or southwestern spices. On National Deviled Egg Day, celebrate your spicy side any way you please.

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

This Crazy Tax Law Led To A Mustache Rebellion.

Welcome to November 2, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate outrageous tax laws and a spicy history. 

During the late 1800s, Peter the Great imposed a beard tax on his citizens.  That’s right!  Men were charged an annual fee if they chose to grow out their whiskers.  This meant that peasants were charged every time they entered cities.  Those who paid the tax were allowed to keep their chin hair, but most men shaved to avoid the tax.  As a result, extravagant mustaches became all the rage and were often paired with excessive sideburns.  If you notice the men in your life sporting mustaches this month, it’s because November is Movember, a time to raise awareness for men’s health.  Today the only money changing hands today is for charity, not taxes.

While a lot of foods fall in and out of favor, it appears that deviled eggs have a long history of success.  Even the Ancient Romans liked boiled eggs with spicy sauce as the opening act of their meal.  And while 13th century Spaniards began smashing the yolks as a filling, the term “deviling” didn’t appear until the 18th century.  This is when a little heat became associated with the devil.  Call it reverse psychology, or great marketing but somehow a little paprika became a walk on the dark side.  Today, no potluck or gathering would be complete without deviled eggs. New twists on this classic h'ordeuvre can be made by adding wasabi or southwestern spices. On National Deviled Egg Day, celebrate your spicy side any way you please.  

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

This Author Used Her Diabolical Powers For Good!

Welcome to November 1, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate trade secrets and the stories they inspire. 

Agatha Christie is the queen of the Whodunit.  Of the nearly 80 murder mysteries she wrote, about half of them involve death by poisoning.  Christie had an extensive knowledge of drugs and poisons because of her time spent working in a hospital pharmacy during World War I.  She watched carefully as pharmacists and nurses administered medicine to patients, and she learned what dosages were safe, along with what could kill someone.  Luckily for the world, Agatha used her knowledge for good and wrote some of the most successful novels of all time.  In fact, she’s only been outsold by the Bible and Shakespeare’s works.  On National Author’s Day, celebrate from favorite storytellers by cracking open a good page turner.

Cinnamon warms everything from Fall drinks to French toast.  But long ago the spice was a rare commodity that cost nearly 50 months wages for a mere pound.  The Egyptians used cinnamon to embalm their mummies, and burned it like incense in their tombs. The origins of cinnamon were kept a secret due to a spice trade monopoly. Europeans were told that the bark came from the banks of the Nile river, and had to be collected in fishing nets.  But perhaps the strangest of all stories claimed that giant cinnamon birds harvested the bark to line their nests, built on high cliffs.  Today it’s no secret that most cinnamon comes from Indonesia. On National Cinnamon Day, enjoy something delicious and be glad it didn’t come from a giant bird’s nest.

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

Welcome to November 1, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate trade secrets and the stories they inspire.

Agatha Christie is the queen of the Whodunit. Of the nearly 80 murder mysteries she wrote, about half of them involve death by poisoning. Christie had an extensive knowledge of drugs and poisons because of her time spent working in a hospital pharmacy during World War I. She watched carefully as pharmacists and nurses administered medicine to patients, and she learned what dosages were safe, along with what could kill someone. Luckily for the world, Agatha used her knowledge for good and wrote some of the most successful novels of all time. In fact, she’s only been outsold by the Bible and Shakespeare’s works. On National Author’s Day, celebrate from favorite storytellers by cracking open a good page turner.

Cinnamon warms everything from Fall drinks to French toast. But long ago the spice was a rare commodity that cost nearly 50 months wages for a mere pound. The Egyptians used cinnamon to embalm their mummies, and burned it like incense in their tombs. The origins of cinnamon were kept a secret due to a spice trade monopoly. Europeans were told that the bark came from the banks of the Nile river, and had to be collected in fishing nets. But perhaps the strangest of all stories claimed that giant cinnamon birds harvested the bark to line their nests, built on high cliffs. Today it’s no secret that most cinnamon comes from Indonesia. On National Cinnamon Day, enjoy something delicious and be glad it didn’t come from a giant bird’s nest.

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 October 31, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate magical history and all things spooky.

During the Golden Age of Magic, there was only one magician more famous than Harry Houdini. Adelaide Herrmann. Her husband had a very popular magic show and when he died in 1896, she kept it going. Adelaide became wildly successful in her own right, performing for the next 25 years. Her signature trick was the bullet catch, in which someone would fire a gun at her and she would appear to catch it with her hands…or teeth. One time she even faced down a firing squad and caught all the slugs coming her way—or so the illusion would have everyone believe. On National Magic Day, celebrate the sleights-of-hand that still keep us guessing.

Halloween dates back thousands of years to ancient Ireland, when folks celebrated the end of the Summer harvest. They believed that on this night, the gates between the worlds of the living and the dead would open. In order to scare off any fairies or evil spirits, people dressed in costumes. Centuries later, the custom of “souling” began. This involved going door to door in costume, singing hymns and reciting prayers on behalf of the dead. In return, they were given soul-cakes, something like a fruit muffin. And just where did the idea for jack o’ lanterns come from? Well, it turns out that those costumed singers carried around hollowed out turnips with candles inside to represent the souls of the dead. Get your masks on, boys and ghouls, it’s Halloween, the spookiest day of the year.

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

This Magician Was More Famous Than Harry Houdini In Her Day.

Welcome to October 31, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate magical history and all things spooky. 

During the Golden Age of Magic, there was only one magician more famous than Harry Houdini. Adelaide Herrmann. Her husband had a very popular magic show and when he died in 1896, she kept it going. Adelaide became wildly successful in her own right, performing for the next 25 years. Her signature trick was the bullet catch, in which someone would fire a gun at her and she would appear to catch it with her hands…or teeth. One time she even faced down a firing squad and caught all the slugs coming her way—or so the illusion would have everyone believe. On National Magic Day, celebrate the sleights-of-hand that still keep us guessing.

Halloween dates back thousands of years to ancient Ireland, when folks celebrated the end of the Summer harvest. They believed that on this night, the gates between the worlds of the living and the dead would open. In order to scare off any fairies or evil spirits, people dressed in costumes. Centuries later, the custom of “souling” began. This involved going door to door in costume, singing hymns and reciting prayers on behalf of the dead. In return, they were given soul-cakes, something like a fruit muffin. And just where did the idea for jack o’ lanterns come from? Well, it turns out that those costumed singers carried around hollowed out turnips with candles inside to represent the souls of the dead.  Get your masks on, boys and ghouls, it’s Halloween, the spookiest day of the year.

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

Welcome to October 30, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate spooky endings and sweet beginnings.

If you hear a knock at your door this time of year, you can expect to see kids in costumes asking for candy. It is, after all, a Halloween tradition. But people living in Sweden or Finland don’t get visits from Trick or Treaters in October. Instead, this celebration takes place during the week leading up to Easter. Children dress up as witches and go door to door asking for sweets. Why? Well, this tradition comes from an idea very similar to Halloween. If there are monsters and ghosts lurking around, the best thing to do is blend in. Some people really know how to stretch out the season of costume wearing. And when it’s this much fun, why not celebrate the last Saturday of October with National Trick or Treat Day?

Not everyone is a fan of candy corn, which was invented in the 1800s and originally called Chicken Corn. At the time, most Americans were farmers and candy shaped like vegetables were all the rage. What made candy corn stand out were its bright Fall colors. During World War II, sugar had to be rationed, so the makers of candy corn cut back production and limited sales to the Fall. Trick or treating became popular around the same time, so candy corn became synonymous with Halloween. These days you can find all kinds of varieties including a full candy corn Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, there is turkey flavored candy corn. If you’re a fan then indulge your sweet tooth on National Candy Corn Day. And if not celebrate the fact that it's only around a short while.

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

Turns Out That Halloween Is Not The Only Day For Trick Or Treating!

Welcome to October 30, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate spooky endings and sweet beginnings. 

If you hear a knock at your door this time of year, you can expect to see kids in costumes asking for candy. It is, after all, a Halloween tradition. But people living in Sweden or Finland don’t get visits from Trick or Treaters in October. Instead, this celebration takes place during the week leading up to Easter. Children dress up as witches and go door to door asking for sweets. Why? Well, this tradition comes from an idea very similar to Halloween. If there are monsters and ghosts lurking around, the best thing to do is blend in. Some people really know how to stretch out the season of costume wearing.  And when it’s this much fun, why not celebrate the last Saturday of October with National Trick or Treat Day?

Not everyone is a fan of candy corn, which was invented in the 1800s and originally called Chicken Corn. At the time, most Americans were farmers and candy shaped like vegetables were all the rage. What made candy corn stand out were its bright Fall colors. During World War II, sugar had to be rationed, so the makers of candy corn cut back production and limited sales to the Fall. Trick or treating became popular around the same time, so candy corn became synonymous with Halloween. These days you can find all kinds of varieties including a full candy corn Thanksgiving dinner.  Yes, there is turkey flavored candy corn.  If you’re a fan then indulge your sweet tooth on National Candy Corn Day.  And if not celebrate the fact that it's only around a short while. 

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

Welcome to October 29, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a freaky Friday and a good start to the day

In 1815, a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia spread ash around the entire globe. The following year was dubbed The Year Without a Summer. The skies were dreary and dark, and temperatures were far below normal. In the midst of this, a legendary novel was born. Lord Byron invited Mary Shelley and her fiance to his home in Switzerland, where the friends huddled around a fireplace and read from a book of scary stories. In this eerie setting, Byron came up with the idea that each guest should write their own ghost story to share with the group at the end of their stay. And that is how Mary’s Frankenstein was born. On National Frankenstein Friday host your own eerie happy hour or read the original classic, if you dare!

Samuel Johnson, creator of the first proper English dictionary, was no fan of oatmeal. In his definition, he called it “A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.” His friend James Boswell, a Scotsman, replied “Aye, and that’s why England has such fine horses, and Scotland such fine people.” If you’re one of these fine people, you know how good oatmeal can be. It may not be the most exciting breakfast food, but it is perfect for chilly mornings. Add some fruit, honey, or syrup, and you’ve got a tasty and healthy start to your day. On National Oatmeal Day, celebrate with a bowl of the good stuff, or even a batch of oatmeal cookies. And if you’ve got a horse, feel free to share the love.

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

This Classic Monster Came From The Gloomy Year Without A Summer.

Welcome to October 29, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a freaky Friday and a good start to the day

In 1815, a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia spread ash around the entire globe. The following year was dubbed The Year Without a Summer. The skies were dreary and dark, and temperatures were far below normal. In the midst of this, a legendary novel was born. Lord Byron invited Mary Shelley and her fiance to his home in Switzerland, where the friends huddled around a fireplace and read from a book of scary stories. In this eerie setting, Byron came up with the idea that each guest should write their own ghost story to share with the group at the end of their stay. And that is how Mary’s Frankenstein was born. On National Frankenstein Friday host your own eerie happy hour or read the original classic, if you dare!

Samuel Johnson, creator of the first proper English dictionary, was no fan of oatmeal. In his definition, he called it “A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.” His friend James Boswell, a Scotsman, replied “Aye, and that’s why England has such fine horses, and Scotland such fine people.” If you’re one of these fine people, you know how good oatmeal can be. It may not be the most exciting breakfast food, but it is perfect for chilly mornings. Add some fruit, honey, or syrup, and you’ve got a tasty and healthy start to your day. On National Oatmeal Day, celebrate with a bowl of the good stuff, or even a batch of oatmeal cookies. And if you’ve got a horse, feel free to share the love. 

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