Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to July 19th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate making peace and cooling off. 

In 1077 CE, Emperor Henry IV got into a huge argument with Pope Gregory VII and was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. As leader of the Holy Roman Empire, this wasn’t acceptable for Henry and he needed to make things right. So he went to the Pope to make peace. After traveling across the Alps, Henry waited outside the Pope’s residence for three days. In the snow. With no shoes. Eventually, Pope Gregory felt the Emperor had had enough and welcomed him inside to accept his apology. On National Get Out Of The Doghouse Day, it’s time to eat some crow and make nice with the people in our lives we may have crossed. Hopefully they accept your apology faster than Pope Gregory did.

Some drinks are synonymous with tropical vacations, but the daiquiri is named after a small mining town in Santiago de Cuba.  During the Spanish American War, workers at a mine in Daiquiri would gather to cool off at the end of a long day’s work.  At a place called the Venus bar their American supervisor, Jennings Cox came up with the drink made from rum, lime juice, and sugar.  But when Ernest Hemmingway first encountered the daiquiri, he ordered another without the sugar and double the rum. This drink became known as the Papa Doble. Hemingway bragged that he could drink 17 daiquiris without getting a hangover. On National Daiquiri Day, celebrate responsibly with the drink that still tastes good at the end of a long, hot day.  

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

This American President Is Known For His Ice Cream Recipe, Which Some Folks Still Make To This Day.

Welcome to July 18th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a splurge from the sea and a scream-worthy treat. 

Caviar is a delicacy that is typically served at only the most elegant of events, being that it’s so expensive. Beluga caviar is widely considered to be the best that money can buy, but it might as well be plain old scrambled eggs when compared to almas caviar. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this delicacy isn’t just the priciest caviar in the world, it’s the most expensive FOOD in the world. Period. 1 pound of it can cost up to $17,000! It’s produced from the eggs of the endangered albino sturgeon, which can only be found near Iran, in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. On National Caviar Day, you may not have the budget for the best of the best but a little goes a long way when it comes to celebrating this extravagant morsel.

For as long as folks have been enjoying ice cream, we bet they’ve been letting out a scream.  In Ancient Persia the dessert was made with snow.  Hopefully no one started an avalanche by screaming from a mountain peak.  The first use of ice and salt to freeze ice cream was discovered in China in 697 AD.  From there the Italians made sorbet in 1642.  Here in the United States, one of the first ice cream recipes can be traced to Thomas Jefferson. A copy of his handwritten instructions for old fashioned vanilla are preserved in the Library of Congress.  And some shops around the country still serve his recipe to this day.  In 1984 Ronald Regan declared July to be National Ice Cream Month, and on National Ice Cream Day, we celebrate the treat that always inspires a cheer.  

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

They Say A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words. There are Nearly Two Million Of These.

Welcome to July 17th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate wearable art and emotional icons. 

For many people around the world, tattoos are merely skin art. But to the Maori of New Zealand, tattoos are an important cultural ritual, with roots in their mythology. According to legend, Rangi was the god of the sky and Papa was the goddess of the earth. When they were separated, their son Ruamoko went to live with his mother. In his sadness, he tossed and turned, shaking the earth above him. And he became known as the god of earthquakes. So, you’re thinking, what does this have to do with tattoos? Well, Ruamoko’s earthquakes split and cracked the ground, leaving scars and fissures on his mother’s skin. Which became the very first tattoos. On National Tattoo Day, celebrate your own pictorial history even if it’s only the temporary kind.

Like it or not, our teenagers are influencers. That’s why a Japanese programmer created emoticons in 1990 to appeal to teens.  When Apple released the first iPhone in 2007, they added the emoji keyboard to grab the attention of the Japanese market.   But the picture words took off around the globe. Who knew that a simple text could become so misinterpreted out of context?  Emojis to the rescue.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and today there are over 1800 of them listed on emojipedia.org.  That’s nearly 2 million ways to bridge the generation gap.  On World Emoji Day celebrate the cute little characters who have taken on a life of their own! 

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

Do You Know The Difference Between Fritters and Johnnycakes?

Welcome to July 16th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a Southern staple and coloring outside the lines. 

Corn was an important part of Native American culture, but Europeans knew nothing of it until the 15th Century. When the settlers learned how to prepare corn from Native Americans, they included this new ingredient in traditional recipes, creating foods like cornbread. In the South, corn was used to create two regional favorites, which are often confused with one another. The johnnycake is made with cornmeal and is prepared like a pancake. Its cousin, the corn fritter is made with corn kernels in the batter that form a  dough patty that is fried in oil. Today, we’re celebrating the fritter. Sorry, johnnycake. On National Corn Fritters Day enjoy this delicious Southern treat with something savory or sweet, or as a meal on its own. 

Before the invention of the printing press, books were copied by hand. This tedious work was carried out by monks, who labored day and night to replicate the pages.  To break up the routine, some monks began doodling in the margins of the books. They drew everything from flowers and dragons to rabbits with swords.  While the illustrations did not always come from the text, the eye catching watercolors brought the work to life. Today, illuminated manuscripts are priceless.  So the next time your toddler draws in their books, remember that today’s crimes may be tomorrow’s treasures. Celebrate World Watercolor Month with a blank book to doodle in. You might find a great way to beat boredom for yourself! 

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

This Horse Still Holds The Triple Crown Title And Record Speeds!

Welcome to July 15th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate Triple Crown winners and super sour sweets. 

For a horse to win the Triple Crown, they must win 3 big races—the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness. And in the 100-year history of American horse racing, only 13 horses have accomplished this feat. But none of them could compare to Secretariat. This horse not only won, he humbled the competition. The speeds he posted for each Triple Crown race are records that stand to this day. The longest race of the series, the Belmont Stakes, is 1.5 miles. Secretariat ran it in 2 minutes, 25 seconds…an average speed of 30 mph and finished 31 lengths ahead of the next horse. On National I Love Horses Day, we celebrate all our equine friends and the special bond they share with humans. No matter how fast they can run.

In 1922, German candy maker Hans Reigel invented gummy candy.  Nearly 60 years later, gummy bears were sold in the United States and became an instant hit.  By the 1980s the Trolli company was importing 40 tons of the candy a day to North America.  After seeing the popularity of these sweet little bears, Trolli took the idea in a different direction with the gummi worm.  The idea behind this new candy was simple, kids love candy as much as they like gross stuff.  Gummi worms are not only delicious, they also gross out parents.  And when you add super sour flavors, you kick up the ick factor even more.  On National Gummi Worm Day, sneak some worms into your chocolate pudding.  After all, the kid in all of us deserves to celebrate.

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

One Million Boxes Of This Brand Are Sold Every Day!

Welcome to July 14th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a classic comfort food and the spirit of class. 

Macaroni and cheese has become a staple food for kids everywhere. If you’re a parent, you’re probably sick of being asked to make this dish, but you gotta know you’re not alone. Kraft sells one million boxes of mac and cheese. Per day. And Canada buys almost 24% of that total. Up there, it’s referred to as Kraft Dinner and some have unofficially called it the country’s national meal. It’s also popular to put ketchup on it, but don’t give your kids any ideas. On National Mac And Cheese Day, whip up a bowl of this classic comfort food, though it may not feel different from any other day, still a celebration is a celebration, right?

Everything about the orange flavored liqueur known as Grand Marnier signifies class, elegance and distinction. Made from Caribbean oranges, fine cognac and sugar, this spirit is aged to perfection for nearly 10 years.  Since its debut in 1880 the process has changed very little. It first appeared at the Ritz Hotel in Paris and sailed aboard the RMS Titanic.  To this day a rescued bottle is found in the Titanic Museum.  It was more recently served to Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee and today a new bottle is purchased every two seconds.  On National Grand Marnier Day, celebrate the spirit that evokes class in everything from cocktails to desserts. 

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

What's Your Favorite Way To Dress Up French Fries?

Welcome to July 13th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate warrior cows and wartime spuds. 

We think of cows as peaceful, gentle giants grazing in fields of tall grass, but in Viking mythology, they were viewed very differently. Legend tells the tale of a battle cow named Sibilja, who led troops into war, charging at the front of their battle line. The bellowing from this animal sent a chill up the spines of her enemies and she was an unstoppable war machine. According to the legends, she ran over everyone and everything in her path until one day a giant fell on top of her. We didn’t make any of this up. Honest. On Cow Appreciation Day, celebrate the fact that our favorite farm animal was moved to hang up her battle armor and head out to pasture. Enjoy a milkshake or snack on some cheese, but whatever you do, don’t eat burgers or steak! The last thing we need is a bovine uprising.

Any kid will tell you that fries are their favorite vegetable, but depending on where you live they may be called something else. The recipe for French fried potatoes first appeared in an English cookbook in 1856, but some believe the name became popular during World War I.  When American soldiers discovered the fried potatoes served in French speaking Belgium, the nickname took hold. Legend has it that potatoes were first fried in Belgium in 1690 during a particularly cold winter. When the river froze and people couldn’t get to their supply of fish they cooked up potato slivers instead.  And today no one would argue with making fries a meal.  On National French Fry Day serve them with chili or cheese, ketchup or mayo.  No matter where you live this veggie is worth a supersized celebration.  

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

Most People Play With This Dessert But We Bet You've Never Heard Of Using Jello For This!

Welcome to July 12th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate playing with your food and satisfying your sweet tooth. 

Since it was first introduced in 1897, Jello has been a popular dessert with families everywhere. What you may not know is that Jello also played a part in one of the most beloved movies of all time. In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and friends arrive at the Emerald City and meet the Horse of a Different Color. Because all film effects were practical at the time, the horse needed to be colored for each shot. Paint wasn’t a good choice because it would hurt the animal. But then someone came up with the idea to make a paste out of Jello powder and covered the horse’s body. This safe and easy solution was perfect—except for the fact that the horse kept licking it off between takes. On Eat Your Jello Day, it’s okay to celebrate by playing with your food!

Pecan pie has been a Southern favorite since the 1800s, though its origins are a bit of a mystery. It all began with a simple custard of sugar, eggs, nuts, sweet milk and flour in a recipe that was published as Texas Pecan Pie.  A version of this pie can be traced to Louisiana in the early 1800s but the Texas version was published in 1897 and folks began copying it ever since.  Then in the 1930s the wife of an executive at Karo syrup company was said to have discovered a new use for corn syrup.  She claimed to be the creator of the recipe that is now printed on every bottle of Karo syrup.  It might not be an actual conspiracy but this pie is certainly addictive to anyone with a sweet tooth. On National Pecan Pie Day celebrate your favorite recipe that sums up the phrase, as sweet as pie. 

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

There's A Reason This Summer Fruit Is So Expensive And It Has To Do With Our Feathered Friends!

Welcome to July 11th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a convenient Summer sip and the gold standard of Summer fruits. 

The granddaddy of all convenience stores got its start as an offshoot of Southland Ice Company. In 1927, the store that would become 7-Eleven opened its doors in Dallas, Texas. The idea was to sell eggs, milk, and bread, which would allow to shoppers to avoid grocery stores if they only needed these food staples. By the late 1940s, the store set its hours as 7am to 11pm, giving it the name we all know today. Then in the 1960s, 7-Eleven changed its hours again—to 24-hours a day. Since then, this franchise has opened over 70,000 stores around the world, much to the delight of late-night snackers everywhere. On National 7-Eleven Day, celebrate convenience and the perfect Summer escape... the Slurpee.

Some people look forward to crops that are seasonal, and if you’re a fan of cherries then you’re most likely celebrating this one today.  Named after Mount Rainier, this golden variety is a cross between Bing and Van cherries.  Harry Fogle developed them at Washington State University in 1952 and folks have been gobbling them up ever since.  The creamy yellow fruit is milder and more delicate than its bright red cousin and costs significantly more because it must be harvested by hand.  About one third of the crops are also eaten by birds.  But who can blame them!  On National Rainier Cherry Day, celebrate the season’s gold standard with this prized Summer beauty!  

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

The Original Words To This Song Did Not Even Mention This Tropical Drink!

Welcome to July 10th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate picture perfect pets and pineapples in paradise. 

When it comes to Instagram petfluencers, there are only a few animals in the same league as Nala Cat. And yes, a “petfluencer” is a real thing. With approximately 4.4 million followers, Nala Cat is the most famous feline on Instagram and possibly in the world. This adorable gray, Siamese-Persian mix with gorgeous blue eyes has captured the hearts of Social Media fans around the globe. But before she was a celebrity, Nala was a lonely kitten sitting in a shelter waiting for her forever home. On National Kitten Day celebrate your own future star, though you might want to honor their wishes for remaining purrfectly anonymous.  

The number one song from the 1970s is also today’s celebration drink, the Pina colada.  In the song, Rupert Holmes describes the story of a man who answers a lonely hearts classified ad, only to discover that his wife was the woman who placed it.  The strange part is that the original lyrics began with, “If you like Humphrey Bogart and getting caught in the rain.”  Holmes changed his lyrics at the last minute because he wanted to describe the woman’s longing for escape. He decided that the Pina colada was the ultimate, island getaway. The other strange part is that the song is actually true although Holmes denies that he likes the drink.  If you like them, celebrate National Pina Colada Day with this tropical vacation in a glass.  Getting caught in the rain, optional.

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