Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to October 6, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate reaching new heights and going a little batty.

No matter how transcendent their skills, every athlete needs someone to help them achieve greater success. This is where a great coach can make all the difference. Michael Jordan was already one of the NBA’s most dynamic players before Phil Jackson became coach of the Chicago Bulls. Jordan was not initially a fan of his new coach, who wanted the team to spread the ball around—rather than make Jordan the focus of the game plan. But Jordan played along. And Jackson’s leadership took the team to six championships over the span of eight seasons, including 2 three-peats. On National Coaches Day, celebrate the people who help us elevate our game to a whole new level.

In the middle of Alice’s trip through Wonderland, she stopped for a tea party that was hosted by the Hatter. Yes, that’s right, the character’s name isn’t the Mad Hatter, though that’s how we all know him. The phrase “mad as a hatter” was popular at the time that Lewis Carrol wrote his book, and since the character was a bit crazy, the name stuck. As for the phrase itself, hat makers in the 1800s used mercury to manufacture felt hats. Prolonged exposure to this chemical led to mercury poisoning, which caused irritability, memory loss and slurred speech. Sounds like the fictional host of the tea party in Wonderland! On National Mad Hatter Day, celebrate with a spot of tea and your silliest hat.

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 5, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate getting funky and paying things forward.

As a child growing up in Georgia, James Brown was so poor that his clothes were little more than rags. Sometimes he was sent home from school for being too dirty. So when he became a professional musician, this shaped his image. He dressed in extravagant outfits—becoming known for wearing capes, jumpsuits covered in rhinestones, and copious amounts of jewelry. This caught everyone’s attention, but it was his talent that earned him the name “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” Brown was a major player in the history of Funk music, setting the standard for musicians like Earth, Wind, and Fire, Parliament Funkadelic, and even Prince. It’s National Get Funky Day and while you don’t need to be the Godfather of Soul, you can play some music and get your groove on.

Aaron Collins was only 30 years old when he came up with his last wish. In life, he loved to give waiters and waitresses a big tip, and when he passed away just a few weeks after his 30th birthday, his brother Seth carried out Aaron’s last request. Sarah Ward was serving pizza to the Collins family at Puccini’s Restaurant in Lexington, KY when Seth handed her a $500 tip wrapped with Aaron’s name. Sarah immediately offered to share it with the entire staff. Even better, she pledged to tell Aaron’s story for the rest of her life. Since then more than $30,000 has been donated to continue the cause, now known as "Aaron's Last Wish.” Wait staff in all 50 states have received $500 tips. On National Do Something Nice Day celebrate the ripple effect with your own act of kindness.

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 4, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a smooth drink and an explosive food.

During the golden age of Hollywood, vodka was popularized by celebrities, who drank cocktails at their swanky parties. However, America’s infatuation with the Russian alcohol came under fire during the early years of the Cold War. In the 1950s, when countries like the US and England were staunchly anti-Russia, vodka sales dropped. Vodka makers like Smirnoff scrambled to save their public image. And they got some help from an unlikely source—super spy James Bond. When 007 made vodka martinis his signature cocktail, the public began to view the liquor in a different light. No longer was it simply Russian. It was now worldly and sophisticated. On National Vodka Day, celebrate the essence of smooth.

One of America’s most popular foods got its start in the silver mines of Mexico. Here in the 1700s, miners would roll gunpowder in pieces of paper and insert them into the rocks, as an alternative to dynamite. They called the small charges “tacos.” When these same workers brought their lunches of meat and cheese rolled in tortillas, they referred to them by the same name as the explosive charges. The taco came to the United States with the Mexican immigrants, who worked in mines or on railroads. But their popularity exploded when Robert L. Gomez established the National Taco Council in 1964. On National Taco Day, celebrate with your favorite spicy flavor, which is not nearly as explosive as it was in the beginning.

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 3, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate making an entrance and embracing our inner geek.

Joseph Merlin was a famous inventor who had a flair for the dramatic. When unveiling one of his new inventions, he preferred to do so in front of an audience. When he came up with the idea for roller skates, Merlin decided to make a splash, and so he debuted his new skates at a high-society party. He rolled in dressed in full costume, playing a violin. As the hundreds of party-goers watched in amazement, Merlin zipped around the ballroom, showing off the roller skates. Unfortunately, this early design did not have brakes and he spun out of control and smashed into a mirror, breaking the violin and injuring himself. During National Roller Skating Month, play it safe at a roller rink and if you’re trying new tricks, please wear a helmet!

National Techies Day encourages students of all ages to consider a career in technology. You don’t have to be a math or science wizard to take advantage of this trend. People often assume that computers and artificial intelligence are beating people out of jobs. The truth is that more people now work in the software and services industry than they did in coal mining at its peak. We now know that for every high-tech job, four more jobs are created. That's a lot of economic boost driven by one industry. No matter what drives you, it's a good time to invest in learning something new about the ways that technology is affecting your area of expertise. On National Techies Day boost your IQ for tech and don't be afraid to embrace your inner geek.

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 2, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate culinary adventures and man’s best mechanical friend.

No matter how crazy or inventive recipes from today’s top chefs seem to be, they’d have a hard time rivaling anything in the Libro de arte coquinaria. This 15th-Century cookbook was compiled by the chef of an Italian cardinal and is housed in the Library of Congress. So what makes this particular book so special? Well, for starters, it is the first known cookbook to list both ingredients and instructions. And it’s also full of wild recipes like “How to Dress a Peacock With All Its Feathers, So That When Cooked, It Appears to Be Alive and Spews Fire From Its Beak.” That’s literally the title of the recipe. Try to top that, Food Network. During National Cookbook Month, take a walk on the wild side and try a new adventure.

If you’ve ever named your car then you are not alone. Movies and TV shows give top billing to everything from Herbie the Love Bug to Kit from Knight Rider and Smokey in Smokey and the Bandit. But perhaps the most loved car in today’s world is Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars. This animated feature film banks on our natural affinity to consider our car as something more human than machine. Maybe it’s been awhile since you played with matchbox cars or thought of your set of wheels as a trusty companion. But chances are good that giving your car a name will inspire you to give it some extra TLC. On National Name Your Car Day celebrate man’s other best friend and keep your engine purring.

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 1, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate letting our hair down and showing off our spots.

What do Audrey Hepburn, The Beatles, and Jennifer Aniston have in common? Every one of them had a major impact on pop culture. And not just for their performances, but for their hairstyles. Hepburn’s starring role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s popularized the beehive. The Beatles inspired a generation of kids to grow out their hair. And the haircut that Jennifer Aniston wore on Friends—the Rachel—was one of the hottest trends of the 1990s. It makes sense that people want to emulate what they think looks good. After all, our hair is one of the first things that people notice about us. On National Hair Day, you don’t need to be a fashion icon to make a statement. Let your hair down and be grateful for what you’ve got.

Dalmatian dogs have a long history of being known as a fire pup. This goes back to the early 1700s when fire trucks were actually horse drawn carriages. Dalmatians have a natural affinity with horses and were trained to run ahead of the rig to keep the roads clear. Once they arrived, fire pups both calmed the horses and watched over the valuable carriage while firefighters did their job. Dalmatians were excellent companions back at the station, where they bunked with the horses and earned their keep catching mice. This breed is known for their grace under pressure and one other feature that made them easy to “spot.” Today they mostly tag along as mascots for those teaching fire safety. On National Fire Pup Day celebrate the canine wonder that symbolizes the bravery of those who do this difficult job.

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 September 30th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a Fall ritual and an old school way of freshening your breath.

Wassail is an old Norse expression that literally means “be you healthy” Wassailing was an old English drinking ritual of warming cider with spices and other ingredients to ensure a good harvest of cider apples for the following year. Now that’s thinking ahead! In ancient Roman times they mulled wine in the same way. Now that sounds like a good excuse for a drinking game! There are lots of recipes for hot mulled cider that include orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Now that sounds like a recipe to chase away the cold! On Hot Mulled Cider Day, brew up your own favorite recipe and drink to your health: “Wassail!”

While chewing gum may seem like a modern invention, it’s actually been around for 9,000 years. The ancient Aztecs chewed something called chicle, although they had to follow certain rules of etiquette. Children and unmarried women could chew it in public, but everyone else had to chew it at home. Chicle became the main ingredient in chewing gum in the mid 1800s, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that gum became popular. That’s when William Wrigley, Jr. launched an all out campaign, mailing free samples of his gum to every person in the phonebook. Apparently, this move paid off big! On National Chewing Gum Day, celebrate the freedom to chew wherever you please, though keeping it quiet is still appreciated.

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 September 29th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate Veterans of Foreign Wars and an iconic buzz.

The VFW was founded in 1914 by veterans of the Spanish American War and soldiers who had served in the Philippines. The group was created to secure benefits and medical treatments for the sick and wounded veterans. At the time, soldiers returning home from duty had no Veterans Administration care or pensions. The VFW also enabled veterans to help each other transition from the battlefield to normal life. The organization’s motto is “No one does more for Veterans,” and it’s easy to see why. No one understands a soldier better than someone who has served in the military. The individual posts also play a big role in their communities through fundraising and community service. On VFW Day find out more about the organization that honors the fallen by helping the living.

When it comes to brand ambassadors, there are few more iconic than Juan Valdez. This fictional coffee farmer has been the face of the Coffee Growers of Colombia for over 6 decades. And for nearly 40 of those years, Carlos Sanchez portrayed the iconic spokesperson. The Colombian actor had actually been a coffee farmer in his youth, so he fit the role perfectly. With his wide brimmed hat and big smile, Juan Valdez became the center of a worldwide ad campaign that made the character nearly as popular as Colombian coffee itself. Sanchez retired from the role in 2006, but Juan Valdez lives on both as a spokesperson and as a chain of coffee shops. On National Coffee Day, celebrate your own favorite brand with a delicious cup of joe.

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 September 28th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the folks on the porch next door and putting ourselves first.

In the early 1970s, National Good Neighbor Day was created by Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana. What began as an effort to build goodwill in our communities, became a Presidential Proclamation in 1978. Jimmy Carter said: “As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other the opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family… On National Good Neighbor Day celebrate the spirit of friendship that has far reaching consequences.

While the month of September is nearly gone, there is still time to celebrate creating an important habit: taking better care of ourselves. This is not about being selfish. It’s a matter of making our own health and wellness a priority. Self care can be as simple as pausing for a breath when we are feeling stressed to taking a more luxurious break when we need one. Gandhi once advised us to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Remember that kindness begins with treating yourself kindly. During Self-Care Awareness Month celebrate the impact you make on those around you simply by treating yourself a little better.

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 September 27th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the little things that comfort the body and soul. More after the break from Anna Devere.

Scarves are a wonderful way to brighten up the gloom of fall and winter as they cozy up to our necks and keep us warm. The first scarves depicted in fashion are found in ancient Egypt, where Queen Nefertiti wore a tightly woven scarf beneath her conical headdress. Military ranks were often marked with scarves of varying value from expensive silk to lowly cotton. But our love for scarves as a fashion statement can be traced to the house of Hermes in the 19th century. Making use of the beautiful patterned fabrics from China and India, Hermes designed the first ready-to-wear graphic silk scarf in 1837. When it caught the eye of Queen Victoria and became a part of her iconic look, scarves were quickly embraced in Europe and America as the essence of chic. On National Scarf Day, enjoy the big impact of a small strip of fabric.

While hot chocolate has been around in one form or another for thousands of years, it’s believed that chocolate milk came from 17th century Jamaica. Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish botanist was given a post here, to serve an English Duke. While mixing with the locals, he discovered a drink made of cocoa and water that he described as nauseating. By substituting milk for the water he created a much smoother concoction that he later brought to apothecaries in Europe, where it was used as a medicine. And while chocolate milk may not be considered a health food, on National Chocolate Milk Day we remind you that some foods feed your body, while others feed your soul.

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