Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to October 13, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate digging up history and our Nation’s fighting spirit.

In 1676, a giant leg bone was unearthed in England. Scientists didn’t know what it was, or where it came from, but they examined it and decided that it had come from—a giant. They were partially right. While they were envisioning a human-like, fairytale giant, it was actually from a giant lizard that would later come to be known as a dinosaur. Specifically, a Megalosaurus. But no one realized that until nearly 150 years later, when scientist Richard Owen pieced it all together. Today we use fossils to better understand the history of our planet and the evolution of life on it. On National Fossil Day, dig up some cool facts on these links to the past that teach us from the dust.

On this day in 1775, the Second Continental Congress formally established what would become the United States Navy. The most famous American Captain from this era was John Paul Jones. In 1779, he engaged the British 44 gun Royal Navy frigate, Serapis. With his ship burning and sinking, Jones refused to surrender and he uttered the now famous words, “I have not yet begun to fight.” And it turns out he was right! Three hours after making this declaration, the British ship surrendered to him and Jones took command. On our Navy’s Birthday, we celebrate the men and women who carry on the fighting spirit of Captain Jones.

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

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Welcome to October 12, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a Southern melting pot and those who work the land.

When we think of gumbo, the hearty stew of seasoned vegetables and seafood or meat, we immediately think of Southern cooking. For this we can thank it’s older West African roots that blended with Native American and European traditions to create a culinary classic. Traditional recipes call for okra, a vegetable that thickens things nicely, but you may have also heard of gumbo filé. This Choctaw spice made from dried sassafras root, also thickens the stew and was most likely used when okra was out of season. And if all else fails you can tighten things up with a good old fashioned roux. Or leave the cooking to an expert! On National Gumbo Day, celebrate this “melting stew” that warms us during chilly seasons.

Farmer’s Day has been celebrated since the mid 1800s and it’s easy to see why. These folks contribute to much more than just the food on our table. From early on, people who worked the land set the bar for hard work and their products have affected many industries from manufacturing to transportation. For proof, you can look at a whole host of products from leather goods to textiles and even the ethanol in our gas tanks. These days it’s more important than ever to support your local farmers. Even city slickers can do their part by purchasing from markets and visiting restaurants that take pride in their farm to table menus. On National Farmer’s Day, celebrate the way of life that sustains us all.

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 11, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate kicking butt and an uncommon hero.

If you’re running low on motivation these days, you’re not alone. Most of us think that successful people have some extra luck, but the truth is, they’re just people who pushed past the failure. Milton Hershey worked in a candy factory, but when he tried to make it on his own he failed – three times, before returning to the family farm. That didn’t stop him from perfecting the recipe for milk chocolate. Ben Franklin dropped out of elementary school. Stephen King’s first novel was rejected 30 times. And no one took Michael Jordan’s dream seriously as a kid because he was short! If you’re feeling like a failure these days, you’re in some very good company! On National Kick Butt Day, get past the excuses and go kick some butt!

Many brave Americans fought in the Revolutionary War, but the colonists did not fight alone. Other European nations, who were not fond of the British, were willing to lend a helping hand. One of the most prominent was Polish General Casimir Pulaski. After being exiled from his homeland, where he fought against the Russian army, Pulaski made his way to Paris. Here Benjamin Franklin recruited him for the war against Great Britain. He became one of General Washington’s most valuable field commanders and went on to win key battles for the Continental Army. Pulaski saved hundreds of troops before he was fatally wounded in Savannah, Georgia. On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we celebrate the hero who stepped up for a country that wasn’t even his own.

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 10, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a walk in the park and the food of angels.

How close is your closest park? You may not be aware of it, but on October 10, 2017 the Trust for Public Land launched the 10-Minute Walk Campaign. This movement calls on mayors across the country to ensure that people who live in cities have access to a quality park within a 10 minute walk of their home. Today nearly 300 mayors have taken on the challenge. On National Walk To A Park Day, we challenge you to get outside and find out how they’re doing in your neck of the woods. Bonus points if you discover Fall leaves, changing skies and a reason to wear your favorite sweater. It’s probably no accident that it’s also World Mental Health Day.

The origin of angel food cake carries an air of mystery. The recipe came from India, but was given to an American family in 1883 by a friend. The family owned a boarding house along the Hudson River and the owner was a skilled baker who took her friend’s recipe to a whole new height. It is said that she baked one cake at a time behind closed doors to protect the secret recipe. The lighter than air results were a great success, and angel food cake became a favorite of First Lady, Lucy Webb Hayes. Today, this cake can be found almost anywhere. On National Angel Food Cake Day, celebrate the lighter than air concoction that doesn’t require a wing and a prayer.

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 Stew Makes Us Think Of Southern Cooking But It's Actually Much Older Than That!

Welcome to October 12, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a Southern melting pot and those who work the land. 

When we think of gumbo, the hearty stew of seasoned vegetables and seafood or meat, we immediately think of Southern cooking.  For this we can thank it’s older West African roots that blended with Native American and European traditions to create a culinary classic.  Traditional recipes call for okra, a vegetable that thickens things nicely, but you may have also heard of gumbo filé. This Choctaw spice made from dried sassafras root, also thickens the stew and was most likely used when okra was out of season.  And if all else fails you can tighten things up with a good old fashioned roux.  Or leave the cooking to an expert!  On National Gumbo Day, celebrate this “melting stew” that warms us during chilly seasons. 

Farmer’s Day has been celebrated since the mid 1800s and it’s easy to see why.  These folks contribute to much more than just the food on our table.  From early on, people who worked the land set the bar for hard work and their products have affected many industries from manufacturing to transportation.  For proof, you can look at a whole host of products from leather goods to textiles and even the ethanol in our gas tanks.  These days it’s more important than ever to support your local farmers.  Even city slickers can do their part by purchasing from markets and visiting restaurants that take pride in their farm to table menus.  On National Farmer’s Day, celebrate the way of life that sustains us all. 

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

Einstein Said, "You Never Fail Until You Quit Trying." Turns Out He Was In Good Company.

Welcome to October 11, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate kicking butt and an uncommon hero. 

If you’re running low on motivation these days, you’re not alone.  Most of us think that successful people have some extra luck, but the truth is, they’re just people who pushed past the failure.  Milton Hershey worked in a candy factory, but when he tried to make it on his own he failed - three times, before returning to the family farm. That didn’t stop him from perfecting the recipe for milk chocolate.  Ben Franklin dropped out of elementary school.  Stephen King’s first novel was rejected 30 times. And no one took Michael Jordan’s dream seriously as a kid because he was short!  If you’re feeling like a failure these days, you’re in some very good company!  On National Kick Butt Day, get past the excuses and go kick some butt!

Many brave Americans fought in the Revolutionary War, but the colonists did not fight alone.  Other European nations, who were not fond of the British, were willing to lend a helping hand.  One of the most prominent was Polish General Casimir Pulaski.  After being exiled from his homeland, where he fought against the Russian army, Pulaski made his way to Paris.  Here Benjamin Franklin recruited him for the war against Great Britain.  He became one of General Washington’s most valuable field commanders and went on to win key battles for the Continental Army.  Pulaski saved hundreds of troops before he was fatally wounded in Savannah, Georgia. On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we celebrate the hero who stepped up for a country that wasn’t even his own.  

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

This Dessert Was Once A Closely Guarded Secret.

Welcome to October 10, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a walk in the park and the food of angels. 

How close is your closest park?  You may not be aware of it, but on October 10, 2017 the Trust for Public Land launched the 10-Minute Walk Campaign.  This movement calls on mayors across the country to ensure that people who live in cities have access to a quality park within a 10 minute walk of their home.  Today nearly 300 mayors have taken on the challenge.  On National Walk To A Park Day, we challenge you to get outside and find out how they’re doing in your neck of the woods. Bonus points if you discover Fall leaves, changing skies and a reason to wear your favorite sweater.  It’s probably no accident that it’s also World Mental Health Day.  

The origin of angel food cake carries an air of mystery.  The recipe came from India, but was given to an American family in 1883 by a friend.  The family owned a boarding house along the Hudson River and the owner was a skilled baker who took her friend’s recipe to a whole new height.  It is said that she baked one cake at a time behind closed doors to protect the secret recipe.  The lighter than air results were a great success, and angel food cake became a favorite of First Lady, Lucy Webb Hayes. Today, this cake can be found almost anywhere. On National Angel Food Cake Day, celebrate the lighter than air concoction that doesn’t require a wing and a prayer. 

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

Welcome to October 9, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a soft spot for wool and a warm spot in the Cold War.

In 1974, the sci-fi classic Doctor Who cast a new actor in the lead role. Costume designer James Acheson was given the task of creating a unique look for the Doctor. He thought the costume should have a scarf and he asked his friend Begonia Pope to knit one. Acheson dropped off several balls of yarn and went on his way. Begonia began knitting, and because she wasn’t sure how long the scarf should be, she didn’t stop until every last inch of yarn had been used. The result was a ridiculously long scarf that was about 18 feet long. This colorful accessory became the trademark look for Tom Baker’s incarnation of Doctor Who. On I Love Yarn Day, express your own textile taste and don’t be afraid to go over the top!

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union seemed invincible at the game of chess. For decades, every single World Championship was won by a Soviet player. When an American named Bobby Fischer made it to the championships in 1972, the whole world was watching to see what would happen. Fischer lost the first two matches to the reigning champ Boris Spassky and it looked as if the Soviet streak would continue. Then Fischer staged one of the greatest comebacks in the history of competitive chess. His performance was so impressive that the crowd broke out into applause after his win. Even Spassky gave Fischer a standing ovation. On National Chess Day, celebrate the ultimate game of strategy that can still bring the world together.

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 8, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a long standing game and a fluffy bite of history.

In 1990, a group of friends, who called themselves the Tag Brothers started a game of tag. And it’s still going 30 years later. They’ve kept it up with a lot of work, creativity, and a little bit of craziness. In high school, they’d run up and tag someone. But as adults, they’ve upped the ante. One guy broke into a friend’s house to tag him. Another time, one of the Tag Brothers flew cross-country and hid in the trunk of his friend’s car for hours—before popping out and tagging him. And the craziest “tag” was at a funeral for someone’s father. On American Touch Tag Day celebrate the simple game that can really go the distance.

The story of the Fluffernutter sandwich began with the great, great, great grandchildren of Paul Revere: Armory and Emma Curtis. In the early 1900s, Armory cooked up a sticky spread that he called Snowflake Marshmallow Creme. Other companies made similar products, but Emma added a flash of marketing genius. She created a recipe for a peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich that was published in the newspaper. During World War I, while meat was being rationed, the sandwich was used as a source of protein. That’s when it became known as the Liberty Sandwich. On National Fluffernutter Day, celebrate with a bite of history that is more than just a little fluff.

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 7, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a happy accident and the big impact of short waves.

Many of us can’t get going in the morning without a cup of joe. Luckily for coffee drinkers, Dimitris Vakondios was no exception. Dimitris was a Nestle employee in Greece who really needed a caffeine fix one morning. Unfortunately, there was no hot water in the office on that fateful day. But Dimitris would not be deterred. He mixed instant coffee with cold water and ice, then shook it up and created a new twist on an old favorite. Today this chilled coffee drink called the Frappe is familiar to anyone who loves their java cold, although many people mix things up with a variety of flavors. On National Frappe Day, chill out with your favorite version of this happy accident.

On this day in 2014, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to the inventors of blue light emitting diodes. Apparently, the shorter wavelength of the color blue was the trickiest one to reproduce. With it came the invention of the white LED light. Today we take for granted the brightness of this bulb, which appeals to our eyes and saves energy. Though you may not be aware of the difference, your senses are naturally drawn to the color consistency and comforting high quality of the LED light. Beyond their ability to attract us like a moth to a flame, the longer lasting bulbs are a clear winner. On National LED Light Day, celebrate the big impact of small waves.

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