Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to July 29th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a perfect pucker and a bar food favorite.

If you love to get attention for your perfect pucker then you’re in good company. Though lipstick has sparked some controversy throughout the ages, there are some famous folks who approved of it. George Washington himself wore lip rouge. Winston Churchill believed that lip color boosted morale in an excellent way. On the other hand Queen Victoria thought it was impolite to color your lips and in the 1770s, British Parliament banned lipstick, calling it a devilish attempt to trick men into marriage. Some people associated lipstick with witchcraft and it could be because it contained poisonous additives. Today our lips are liberated with multiple shades from shocking red to barely pink. On National Lipstick Day, celebrate with your signature shade.

In 1964, the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, changed the world of bar food forever. When the pub received too many chicken wings from their supplier, Teressa Bellissimo wasn’t sure what to do with them. Her son came in with friends, who got hungry as they were having some beers. Teressa deep fried the wings and served them with a spicy sauce, in the hopes of using up the surplus of wings. The men loved them and chicken wings became a staple on the menu at Anchor Bar. And they’ve served them at the restaurant ever since. Oh…and the bleu cheese dressing and celery? Teressa claimed she didn’t have anything else to serve and added them to the plate. I’m so excited, it’s National Chicken Wing Day.

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

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Welcome to July 28th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a Summer oasis and savoring the sweet life.

About midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, in the middle of the Mojave Desert, sits a small abandoned body of water called Lake Dolores. It doesn’t look like much now, but it was once home to one of America’s first water parks. Bob Byers built the area around the lake as a place for camping, then over the years added waterslides. Throughout the early ‘70s and ‘80s, Lake Dolores was one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southern California. Although many of the rides—including a stand-up waterslide—seem dangerous by today’s standards, Byer’s creation helped pave the way for more elaborate parks. On National Waterpark Day, celebrate by taking the plunge on a thrill seeker’s ride or cooling off in the lazy river.

We can all thank the Mayans and Aztecs for bringing us drinking chocolate, but today we celebrate the sweet candy bars that most of us crave. It was a Dutch chemist who invented the process of separating cocoa butter from cacao in the early 1800s. But in 1875 when Daniel Peter added powdered milk to chocolate liquor, the milk chocolate lovers rejoiced. Here in North America a whopping 71 percent of us prefer milk chocolate over dark. Sure we know that dark chocolate counts as a health-food, but the sweeter milk chocolate has a smooth way of winning us over. Companies such as Hershey's make out either way, but on National Milk Chocolate Day we can all celebrate the sweet side of this debate.

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

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Welcome to July 27th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the “essence of smooth” with a sweet dessert and a dram of class.

If someone offered you a dish called “burnt cream” you’d most likely say, "No thanks!" But say it in French and you get the much more appealing “crème brûlée .” It starts off with cream that is steeped with vanilla, sugar and egg yolks that all end up in a warm bath that is baked to perfection in the oven. With a crisp, burnt sugar shell, this creamy custard has been an elegant finish to any meal since 1691. The English claim they created this dish in the 15th century calling it Cambridge Cream. And the Spanish claim they have been serving flan as far back as the 5th century. But today we are celebrating the “essence of smooth” with National Crème Brûlée Day.

Whiskeys get their distinctive flavor from the distillation process or the type of barrels in which they’re aged. In the case of Scotch whiskey the flavor comes from peat. Peat gives Scotch its unique smoky flavor and comes from the bogs and marshes around the Scottish countryside. The level of smokiness depends on the time the barley grain is exposed to peat smoke during the 30 hours it dries before being distilled. Meant to be sipped from a glass or even paired with a fine cigar, good Scotch should be savored. On National Scotch Day, celebrate by pouring yourself a dram of this sip of class.

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

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Welcome to July 26th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate taking a risk and a courtly carb. 

Taking a big risk usually helps us move forward with our careers or relationships. Not many people can claim their leap of faith changed the course of Western civilization. But not everyone is Alexander the Great. In one major battle with the mighty Persian Empire, Alexander’s army was outnumbered nearly 5 to 1. If his troops were defeated, the Persians would spread their influence across the Mediterranean and make their culture the dominant force in the world. Against the advice of his generals, Alexander led his army straight into the Persian ranks…and somehow he came out on top. Big risks, big rewards. On National All Or Nothing Day, you may not be shaping the world, but as Yoda says, “Do or do not, there is no try.” 

In the 17th Century an Austrian baker presented the King of Poland with a new creation. Based on the king’s love of horses, the baker made a circular, doughy bread shaped like a stirrup, or “boogel.”  Rumor has it that bagels have been a favorite in Poland ever since. And when Polish immigrants set up bakeries in New York’s Lower East Side, people in the United States started celebrating  bagels with a generous schmear of cream cheese. Thanks to the Lender family, bagels rolled out across the nation with their automated process for manufacturing, freezing and shipping our favorite kosher carb.  On National Bagelfest Day, stop by your local bakery or coffee shop and enjoy a breakfast fit for a king. 

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

This Classic Carnival Ride Was Inspired By Jousting Knights!

Welcome to July 25th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a dynamic duo and the ride that proves what comes around goes around. 

According to Greek Mythology, Aristaeus was the god of olive-growing, bee-keeping, and…most importantly…cheese-making. To add to his repertoire, he asked his uncle to teach him how to make beer and wine. And as far as teachers go, Aristaeus couldn’t ask for a better one. Because his uncle, Dionysus was also the god of wine. We can’t be sure, but this was likely the beginning of one of history’s greatest pairings: Wine and cheese. Whether it’s port and gorgonzola or chardonnay and cheddar, these two things were made for one another. On National Wine & Cheese Day, enjoy a delicious pair courtesy of the Olympians.

No amusement park would be complete without a classic roller coaster or merry-go-round. But the oldest of these rides was first depicted in 500 AD during the Byzantine Empire.  Baskets that carried a rider were suspended from a central pole and whirled around in a circle.  The more modern carousel was inspired by the sport of Jousting, but not the dangerous medieval kind.  Apparently in the 12th century knights made a game of riding in a circle and tossing a glass ball filled with perfume at one another.  This required great skill and horsemanship to avoid dropping the ball, which would prove a shameful and smelly defeat. On National Merry-Go-Round Day, celebrate a classic ride that’s been around the block.  

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

These Pioneers Carved A Path Across Through The Sky And The Old West.

Welcome to July 24th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the spirit that won the old West and our place in the sky. 

Many of us have wondered what it would be like to completely reinvent ourselves. In the late 1800s, all it took was to move to the American West. Take for example John Henry Holliday. He came from a respectable family in Georgia and studied dentistry in Philadelphia. After a few years, he moved his practice to Dallas, Texas. But then John gave up dentistry and became a gambler…and a gunfighter. The legend we now know as Doc Holliday earned a reputation as a man not to be messed with, especially after joining up with the famous lawman Wyatt Earp. Cowboys became a symbol of the American West because of men like these. On National Day of the Cowboy we celebrate the spirit that helped build our Nation.

At age 10, Amelia Mary Earhart knew she wanted to fly an airplane.  While women in her day were not supposed to do such things, this adventurous tomboy saved up and bought a bright yellow biplane called The Canary.  From there, she blazed a trail across the sky.  Charles Lindbergh was the first to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic, but Earhart was the first woman to achieve this mission four years later. Her flight was fraught with complications and after more than 14 hours she landed in Derry, Ireland.  This earned her the United States Distinguished Flying Cross. Throughout her life, Earhart broke many records and her disappearance in 1937 while circumnavigating the globe remains a tragic mystery.  On National Amelia Earhart Day, celebrate this pioneer who inspired the world with her love of aviation. 

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

There Was A Time When Chocolate And Vanilla Were Inseparable. Thankfully, This Flavor Now Stands On Its Own.

Welcome to July 23rd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a juicy Summer fruit and an ice cream that stands out from the crowd. 

Georgia is known as the Peachtree State, but it’s not the biggest producer of peaches in the United States. That distinction goes to California, which grows over 468,000 tons of the fruit each year. Nearly 14,000 times as much as Georgia. However, the southern state prides itself on producing the highest quality peaches anywhere. Peach County, Georgia is the unofficial peach capital of the world, and holds the world record for the biggest peach cobbler ever made. It used 75 gallons of peaches plus 150 pounds each of flour and sugar. During National Peach Month, celebrate this juicy stone fruit that’s just as good on it’s own as it is in cobblers and jams.

The International Ice Cream Association has determined that 29 percent of us prefer vanilla over any other flavor.  You may be surprised to learn that chocolate is preferred by only 9 percent.  And there was a time when the two flavors were inseparable. In the Aztec culture vanilla was added to chocolate drinks for flavor.  Chocolate and its counterpart were then imported to Europe, but it wasn’t until the 17th Century that someone thought to separate them.  An apothecary named Hugh Morgan created chocolate free treats for Queen Elizabeth I, and vanilla stood on its own at last. The flavor became wildly popular in France and in the 1780s the American Minister in Paris took great interest in this exotic taste. This was of course Thomas Jefferson.  On National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, celebrate the flavor that stands out from the crowd. 

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

This May Be The Best Way To Kick Back On A Summer's Day.

Welcome to July 22nd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate paying your dues and taking it easy. 

The small town of Hamelin, Germany found itself overrun by rats. One day a man arrived in Hamelin wearing brightly colored clothes and playing a flute. He told the townspeople that he could get rid of the vermin that plagued their homes. His flute music not only hypnotized the rats, they followed him out of town. But when the man returned to collect his payment, the people refused to give him any money. So he played his flute once more, and all the town’s children followed him away. And for some strange reason the people of Hamelin celebrate this story every year with festivals and reenactments. On National Rat Catcher’s Day you can celebrate by settling any unpaid debts or maybe just try tipping the exterminator.

Summertime is all about the simple life. And there’s no better way to catch some z’s than by swinging from trees in a hammock.  Dating back thousands of years, the sling bed was used in Central America to protect people from dirt and bugs.  European explorers of the 17th Century discovered its comfortable convenience. And naval ships used them to save space in close quarters. Today, backpackers still enjoy a good night’s sleep in this portable bed that doesn’t weigh them down.  No matter where you’re headed this Summer, from the adventurous trek to a staycation in the yard, your siesta is better when you’re swinging in the breeze.  On National Hammock Day, celebrate the easiest way to rock yourself to sleep. 

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

No One Could Believe That FDR Served This American Favorite To The King And Queen Of England At A State Dinner!

Welcome to July 21st, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate royal dogs and the good things that come in small packages. 

Meetings between world leaders can be an awkward affair.  Take for example, the meeting between King George VI and Franklin Roosevelt in 1939.  Rather than throwing a fancy state dinner, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wanted to treat the King and his Queen to some traditional American food. When word got out that hot dogs were on the menu, the American public was outraged.  No one could believe that FDR planned to serve such a common food to royalty.  But all that worrying was for naught, as the King loved them so much he asked for seconds.  The only awkward moment came when the Queen had to ask, “How do you eat this?”  On National Hot Dog Day, fire up the grill and enjoy a meal fit for royalty.

Packaged foods in one form or another took off in the 1800s when the process became commercial.  While snacks that come in cans, bottles and cellophane are not necessarily more appealing, the added sugar, salt and fat are downright addicting.  Enjoy a guilt free excursion today with a virtual tour of snacks from around the globe. Our Aussie friends are celebrating National Lamington Day with sponge cake squares covered in chocolate and coconut.  In Canada the favorite messy snack is poutine or French fries covered in cheese and gravy. And across the pond there are Jaffa Cakes, Crepes and Arancini.  You may not be able to hop a plane for all your cravings, but on National Junk Food Day, you can certainly appreciate the convenience of your hometown favorites. 

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

This Guy Went The Distance To Make Sure We Remember That "One Small Step For Mankind."

Welcome to July 20th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a sweet ending and going the extra mile. 

One of the staples of Chinese takeout didn’t come from China at all, but rather from Japan. In the late 1800s, Japanese bakers began making crackers with small notes inside.  Japanese immigrants to America opened up Chinese restaurants to capitalize on the growing popularity of Chinese food. They served these fortune cookies as dessert and the treats caught on. During World War II, Chinese immigrants to the United States opened more restaurants and kept the tradition of fortune cookies alive. Now, a takeout meal of General Tso’s Chicken wouldn’t be complete without a fortune. On National Fortune Cookie Day, celebrate this sweet ending to any good meal.

We all appreciate that first step taken by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 Mission in 1969.  NASA has called the event the single greatest technological achievement of all time.  And while Richard Nixon proclaimed National Moon Landing Day in 1971, there was no further annual celebration.  As the fan fare died down, the event was drifting into obscurity until a gas station attendant from Michigan took up the cause to bring it back. Richard Christmas mailed letters to Congressmen and Governors in all 50 States, urging them to create a permanent National Day.  His efforts became known as the Christmas Card Campaign and today we celebrate National Moon Day thanks to the inspiration of this one man. 

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