Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to September 16th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate an all American fruit and dough reinvented.

If you’re a fan of tropical fruits then you’ll know that their origins lie in faraway lands. Which is why it may surprise you to learn that pawpaw originated here in the United States. This fruit is often confused with papaya, though their color, taste and texture are quite different. The pawpaw has been called a Kentucky Banana or Hillbilly Mango, which gives you a hint at its tropical flavor. It was reportedly a favorite of George Washington and part of the Monticello garden cultivated by Jefferson himself. During the Corps of Discovery, Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that they were quite fond of the pawpaw. At one point during their expedition in 1806, they relied on this food when other provisions ran low. On National Pawpaw Day, celebrate a tropical fruit with all American roots.

Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Take wallpaper cleaner for example. When Joe McVicker first invented his clay, it was useful for picking up soot. But when the fuel in our furnaces changed from coal to oil, wallpaper cleaner was no longer needed. That’s when Joe saw a new life for his compound and in the hands of some preschoolers, an idea took shape. The toy showed promise when he renamed it Play- Doh and added some color, but it took a certain captain to move it up the ranks. When Captain Kangaroo featured Play-Doh on his new CBS show, the clay became a household name. Inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 1988, it’s hard to imagine a world without this creative invention. On National Play-Doh Day, celebrate the spirit of fun that still fuels our kids’ imaginations.

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

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Welcome to September 15th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a seasonal topper and wagging your pasta tongue.

As Summertime turns to Fall, most of us swap out our closets for cold weather clothes. If you are among the fashion forward, this means pulling out your felt hats. Not so long ago people wouldn’t dare to be seen without a hat on in public. More than a fashion statement, hats have identified our status, our military rank and even our religion. Think Quaker hat or the stovepipe kind worn by President Lincoln. These days, most people love the vintage styles of a pork pie or bowler. Be bold enough to try something new and you may never have a bad hair day again! On National Felt Hat Day, sport your own style, whether you’re mad as a hatter or conservative as a cloche.

Why are there so many different pasta shapes? You might think it’s silly to make a fuss over such things, but to the Italians everything has a reason. Some pastas like fettucine are flat and broad and made for holding cream sauce. Others like spaghetti are rounded in shape and perfect for tomato based sauces. And the best of both worlds is the elliptical shape of linguine, which means “little tongues.” For the people of Genoa, linguini is a 400 hundred year old tradition. The region also boasts it’s pesto and seafood. We find it’s best not to argue with tradition. On National Linguine Day, let these little tongues loose and don’t forget to clam up.

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

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Welcome to September 14th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a classic snack and a hero by another name.

Back to school means packing school lunch and every parent knows that peanut butter is “brain food.” But PB&Js don’t always make the grade and that’s when it’s time for a good old standby: Ants On A Log. Celery sticks are sturdy and when they’re loaded with peanut butter and studded with raisins, this fun and healthy treat can beat any snack attack. The kid-friendly recipe has been around since the 1950s, so feel free to give it an update with your own variation of nut butter and dried fruit. Kids love them and parents know that the extra protein will help get them back in the swing of things. On National Ants On A Log Day, celebrate back to school with a crunchy bite that keeps kids going even when their minds wander off the trail.

Most foods are known by just one name, but the submarine sandwich varies widely by region. Depending on where you live, you may call it a sub, grinder or hero. But did you know that the name “hoagie” goes all the way back to World War I? During that time in Philadelphia there were a lot of Italian immigrants working the shipyards of Hog Island. Apparently, they were known for packing delicious sandwiches for lunch, which came to be known as “hoggies” after the island where they worked. The Philly accent probably explains how the name “hoggie” became “hoagie,” but a sandwich by any other name still tastes as good. On National Eat A Hoagie Day, feel free to call it anything you like, depending on where you live.

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

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Welcome to September 14th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a classic snack and a hero by another name.

Back to school means packing school lunch and every parent knows that peanut butter is “brain food.” But PB&Js don’t always make the grade and that’s when it’s time for a good old standby: Ants On A Log. Celery sticks are sturdy and when they’re loaded with peanut butter and studded with raisins, this fun and healthy treat can beat any snack attack. The kid-friendly recipe has been around since the 1950s, so feel free to give it an update with your own variation of nut butter and dried fruit. Kids love them and parents know that the extra protein will help get them back in the swing of things. On National Ants On A Log Day, celebrate back to school with a crunchy bite that keeps kids going even when their minds wander off the trail.

 Most foods are known by just one name, but the submarine sandwich varies widely by region. Depending on where you live, you may call it a sub, grinder or hero. But did you know that the name “hoagie” goes all the way back to World War I? During that time in Philadelphia there were a lot of Italian immigrants working the shipyards of Hog Island. Apparently, they were known for packing delicious sandwiches for lunch, which came to be known as “hoggies” after the island where they worked. The Philly accent probably explains how the name “hoggie” became “hoagie,” but a sandwich by any other name still tastes as good. On National Eat A Hoagie Day, feel free to call it anything you like, depending on where you live. 

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

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Welcome to September 13th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate trading places and how our nation got its uncle.

If you remember the movie Freaky Friday then you already know this cautionary tale for parents and kids: the grass is not always greener. If parents could step into the life of their children they would discover that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, and vice versa. Why not meet in the middle by celebrating National Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day? It’s a great way to encourage young chefs while answering the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?” Sure it might be pancakes or macaroni and cheese, but it could be a delicious change of pace. It also lets kids stretch their legs a little, while spending some quality time together. Just be sure to agree on who has to do the dishes, because that’s where things could get a little freaky.

When we hear the name Uncle Sam we immediately picture the serious man in the star spangled hat, all decked out in red, white and blue. Did you know that Uncle Sam is based on a real person? During the war of 1812, Samuel Wilson of Troy, New York worked in a meatpacking plant. The factory provided American troops with food for the war effort and thus their barrels and crates were stamped “U.S.” The stamping was Samuel’s job and his coworkers began joking that “U.S”. stood for “Uncle Sam.” The joke was on them, however, as the name stuck and became a symbol of our nation’s pride and strength. On Uncle Sam Day, celebrate your own patriotic spirit and be careful with nicknames that can last a lifetime.

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

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Welcome to September 12th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate chocolate medicine and a real game changer.

In the late 1800s milkshakes were served in pharmacies as a tonic or medicine. These sturdy eggnog type drinks were spiked with whiskey and other ingredients that were thought to be medicinal. By the 1900s, a more wholesome drink was offered with either chocolate, vanilla or strawberry syrup and none of the alcohol. Malt powder made its debut in the 1870s but both malts and milkshakes hit their stride in the 1920s. By this time ice cream and blenders were more popular and elevated the milkshake to its frothy heights! Today we’re back to serving shakes as a health food with added protein powder and superfoods. On National Chocolate Milkshake Day, it’s just fine to celebrate with whipped cream and chocolate sauce to make the medicine go down.

In 2018 the film industry grossed over 41 billion dollars worldwide. Not too shabby. But it might surprise you to learn that during that same year, video games sales were over 152 billion! If you’re not quick with numbers, that’s nearly four times as much! Pretty impressive for an industry that started with a game called Pong which consisted of two lines and a dot that bounced back and forth between them. Since then, we’ve been introduced to Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario Brothers. Every year the games get more elaborate and generate more revenue in an already booming market. On National Video Games Day, celebrate the pastime that is now bigger than all other forms of digital entertainment combined.

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

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Welcome to September 11th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we remember the events from two decades ago that affected us all in some way.

Sometimes events can bring us together in the spirit of hope. Anyone who remembers 911 can recall the intense emotions of an event that united us in tragedy. As we reflect on that day from a distance now, we pay our respects to the fallen, along with the families who were forever changed. We also remember the heroism of the first responders and countless volunteers who helped us all overcome the fear of that day. While 911 is referred to as Patriot Day, it is also known as National Day of Service and Remembrance. May we strive to find hope in our common ground and promote acts of unity no matter how small.

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

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Welcome to September 10th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the joy of music and a dinner flashback.

While you may not be a fan of classical music, I bet you’ve heard of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Ode to Joy is considered to be the composer’s greatest work. What makes this symphony so special is that it was composed when Beethoven was deaf. When the 9th Symphony debuted in 1824, he stood with the conductor in front of the orchestra with his back turned to the audience. As the performance ended, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and because he couldn’t hear, Beethoven had no idea that the audience liked it. Imagine his surprise as he turned around to see the standing ovation. During Classical Music Month, celebrate the oldies but goodies and find your very own ode to joy.

While the first aluminum tv dinner tray was added to the Smithsonian Museum in 1986, the origins of this meal are hotly contested. Maxon Food Systems manufactured the first frozen meal in 1945 for military and civilian air travel. The concept was further developed by Jack Fisher, who sold FridgiDinners to restaurants and taverns in the late 1940s. But the winner, winner chicken dinner goes to Swanson and Sons, whose Thanksgiving meal was first sold in 1953 for 98 cents. This dinner could be baked in the oven in under 30 minutes, which is pretty good for a meal that normally takes all day to make. And judging by the more than 10 million sold in the very first year, Americans were truly grateful. On National TV Dinner Day, celebrate this modern convenience that still holds a place at the dinner table.

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

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Welcome to September 9th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a serious schnitzel and a presidential bear.

If the name Wienerschnitzel makes you think of hotdogs, you’re not alone. But true Wiener Schnitzel is an Austrian dish that comes with a few strict rules. In Vienna this dish is made with veal by law and the name “Wiener” is German for Viennese cutlet. A schnitzel is the method of preparing any meat that is pounded thin, breaded and fried. Austrians claim that the recipe came from an Austrian Field Marshal in 1869. But the Italians have a bone to pick with this story. They insist that the recipe was borrowed from their cotoletta alla milanese, which is identical except that the veal is left on the bone. On National Wiener Schnitzel Day, settle the score with your own favorite recipe. Or head to Wienerschnitzel if you don’t have a dog in this fight.

Even before Theodore Roosevelt became President, he was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. But during his term, he became known for his compassionate side as well. On a hunting trip in 1902, Roosevelt’s companions lassoed a black bear and gave him an opportunity to take a shot. But the President refused to kill the defenseless animal and reportedly said, “I couldn’t be proud of myself if I shot an old, tired, worn-out bear that was tied to a tree.” News of this incident spread across the country and people admired his choice. In Brooklyn, New York a toymaker created a stuffed animal that was dubbed Teddy’s Bear. That bear became wildly popular and was soon in high demand. On National Teddy Bear Day, we celebrate this loveable toy and the softer side of the President who inspired it.

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

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Welcome to September 8th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate fascinating fungus and the 27th letter.

The largest organism on Earth isn’t an animal. It isn’t a tree, either. Surprisingly, it’s a fungus called the honey mushroom that grows in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest. The mushroom has a system that covers nearly 2000 acres, both above and below ground. It’s also estimated to be around 8,000 years old, which makes it one of the oldest living things on the planet. For the fresher kind, folks can visit the mushroom capital of the world which is found in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Here they produce more than one million pounds of edible mushrooms a day. This town is gearing up to celebrate National Mushroom Month with a festival that draws a crowd of 100,000. So if you happen to be near Chester County drop by for a portobello burger.

Every kid learns to recite their ABCs, but did you know that two hundred years ago there was a 27th letter? It appeared at the end, just after ‘z’ and though it’s not clear why this letter got the boot, the ampersand still holds a special place. It’s called a ligature, which is a fancy word for combining two letters. In this case the ‘e’ and the ‘t’ came together to represent the Latin word ‘et,’ which means ‘and.’ The symbol has been around for nearly 2000 years since the Latin shorthand system was created for Cicero. Today the ampersand gets special attention in logos and is the most often used special character in passwords. On National Ampersand Day celebrate this letter that left the alphabet song for its own starring role in language history.

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

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