Celebrate Every Day

The Vesper Martini May Be The Most Famous Drink, But The Original Ingredients Are No Longer Available!

Welcome to June 19th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate timeless timepieces and “first class” drinks. 

In the late 1800s, wristwatches gained popularity throughout Europe, replacing the more common pocket watches. To Americans, this seemed like just another fancy European fashion trend that would fade into obscurity after a few years. But, as we know, that was not the case. The thing that made Americans change their opinion on these new timepieces was World War I. While in combat, soldiers needed a reliable way to check the time. Pulling out a pocket watch was impractical, but a wristwatch required nothing more than a quick glance. After the war, soldiers had become accustomed to using this new style of watch and it caught on with the public back home. On National Watch Day, celebrate this timeless accessory that still manages to catch our eye.

When the James Bond movies debuted in the late 1960s, the popularity of martinis went up.  Today, there are endless variations including chocolate and apple pie, but back in the day there were only three classic choices, the Gibson, the Dirty martini and the Vesper.  The last one is James Bond’s favorite made with gin, vodka and Kina lee-LAY, a bitter wine aperitif. According to Ian Fleming, the writer who created Bond’s character, the Vesper is “strong, cold and very well made,” much like the world’s most famous spy.  And like Bond, the drink has an air of mystery to it.  Kina lee-LAY no longer exists, so mixologists have to improvise to emulate the Vesper’s original taste. On World Martini Day, raise a glass to one of the classiest cocktails and be sure to enjoy it shaken, not stirred.  

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

Some First Ladies Have A Reputation For Being Big Spenders!

Welcome to June 18th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate big spenders and relaxing hobbies. 

When President Lincoln was elected to office in 1860, many people viewed him as less than sophisticated because he wasn’t from a big city. In order to make a good impression, his wife Mary Todd upgraded her wardrobe by purchasing new clothes. Lots of them. Throughout their time in office, this earned the First Lady a reputation for being a big spender. But it wasn’t simply gowns that she purchased. Mary Todd also spent a considerable amount of money on redecorating the White House, managing to go over budget by $6,000. Which would be the equivalent of nearly $200k today. She certainly managed to make the First Family “look the part.” On National Splurge Day, go ahead and treat yourself, and remember: there’s no need to keep up with the Jones’s or Lincolns. 

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish… and you can expect him to disappear for hours on end.”  No, that's not how the proverb goes, but anyone who has ever stood on the water’s edge with a fishing rod in hand knows it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.  Sure, some people take fishing very seriously and won’t be content unless they reel in “the big one.”  But plenty of folks are happy to patiently wait for a tug at the end of their line, while enjoying the peace of the great outdoors. Bragging about the one that got away is optional.  Today is the perfect excuse to get outside and cast a line.  On National Go Fishing Day, cast your cares aside too as you head on down to the old fishing hole.  

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

This Chicken Drew A Crowd For Nearly 50 Years, Making It The Most Famous Team Mascot Of All Time!

Welcome to June 17th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the characters and the desserts that keep the good times on a roll. 

In 1974, a guy was hired to dress in a chicken costume for an event at the city’s world-famous San Diego Zoo. Ted Giannoulas was a big fan of the Padres baseball team and worked out a deal to wear the costume during games. His intent was to be able to watch the Padres for free, but the mascot’s appearances at games soon made him into a sensation. Even when the team wasn’t playing well, people would show up to the stadium simply to see the San Diego Chicken’s antics. Dancing, chasing around players, joking with the umpires…he did it all. For nearly 50 years, the Chicken entertained audiences and became the most famous team mascot of all time. On National Mascot Day, we celebrate the folks who are willing to “take one for the team” to keep fans entertained even when their teams are stinking it up on the field.

The German word “strudel” literally means “swirl,” which makes sense if you think of its whirlpool shape.  This flaky, fruit-filled pastry was created in 1696 and became very popular during the Habsburg Dynasty.  Today apple strudel is still one of Austria’s most famous dishes, but you may not know that at one time it was also the official state pastry of Texas.  That’s because German settlers brought strudel to America and won over this part of the country.  While many flavors of strudel exist both savory and sweet, the apple kind has remained a favorite.  This is probably because apples can be found during good times and bad, and on National Apple Strudel Day, you can count on this dessert to inspire celebration.  

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

This Bird Was Passed Over To Be The Symbol Of Our Nation, But It Still Has Its Own Fan Club.

Welcome to June 16th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a loveable bird and a profitable candy. 

When the Founding Fathers chose the American Eagle as the national bird of the United States, Ben Franklin wasn’t crazy about the idea. The outspoken intellectual thought it was a bad choice for many reasons, but mainly because the illustration of an eagle on the Presidential Seal made it look like a turkey. He joked that the turkey was “a Bird of Courage”that would not hesitate to attack any British soldiers who dared to step foot into their farm. Franklin’s point was made and the seal was edited to make the bird appear more like an eagle. June is National Turkey Lovers Month and while the bird was passed over as our Nation’s mascot, it’s still a go to protein for meat eaters and a formidable foe on the farm.  Celebrate your love for turkeys with a burger or a trip to the petting zoo depending on which camp you’re in. 

From her dorm room desk at Vassar College, Emelyn Hartridge wrote that a classmate’s cousin had sold a pound of fudge for 40 cents.  She hatched a plan to make up a batch for the Senior Auction that year and the entrepreneur spirit quickly spread.  Soon other women’s colleges developed their own recipes and by 1888 fudge fever was afoot.  Young women dodged curfew and cooked up the candy over gas lamps in their rooms.  It was seen as an indulgence, which may have fueled the rebellion.  But regardless of who cooked it up first, candy stores on Mackinac Island, Michigan put this treat on the map.  Today gift shops across the country carry all sorts of flavors and on National Fudge Day, it’s easy to celebrate the candy that still sells like hotcakes.  

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

This Top Predator Ruled The Oceans For Nearly 20 Million Years.

Welcome to June 15th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate menacing smiles and amazing views. 

Today we celebrate a creature whose pearly whites reigned the oceans for more than 20 million years.  I’m talking about a prehistoric shark known as megalodon.  Each of its 276 serrated teeth measured nearly 7 inches and its 11 foot wide smile was probably due to its being at the top of the food chain. It is supposed that this 60 foot creature went into decline at the dawn of the Ice Age, when food became scarce.  Megalodon also had to compete with smaller, faster sharks such as the modern day Great White.  On National Megalodon Day, check out fossil and dinosaur museums near you, and be glad you can view that menacing smile from a safe distance.  

Have you ever noticed how being out in nature can automatically boost your mood?  On Nature Photography Day why not bring that feeling home with you? Most smartphones take amazing pictures, and you don’t have to be an expert like Ansel Adams to capture the moment.  Great pictures tell great stories, and this is your chance to bring your vision to life.  Sharing them on Social Media can inspire others to take in their own view. We could all use a break and the natural world is a ready oasis, even if your National Geographic adventure extends only to the backyard.  On Nature Photography Day, answer the call of the wild and watch your day get a little brighter. 

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

There Are Some Specific Requirements for This Alcohol To Receive Its Unique Label.

Welcome to June 14th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate distinctly American tastes. 

Countries around the world have their own distinct take on alcohol. Russia has vodka. Japan has sake. And here in the United States, we have bourbon. It’s widely believed that whiskey can only be considered bourbon if it comes from Kentucky. That’s not true, but there are some specific legal requirements for every alcohol that wants to be labeled bourbon. First, the grains used to produce it must be at least 51% corn. And it must also be aged in charred oak barrels. The aging process is what gives bourbon its distinctive taste. If you’re an aficionado, you already know this makes all the difference in the world. On National Bourbon Day, enjoy a glass of this distinctly American drink.

It is widely believed that Betsy Ross created the American flag in 1777, although since then, the design of Old Glory has been changed 26 times.  One thing remains the same, however, we Americans love our flag.  It’s even the subject of our National Anthem.  During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, athletes from around the world pause in front of the host country’s head of State and dip their nation’s flag in tribute.  Only one country does not dip their flag, the United States.  On National Flag Day, unfurl the Stars and Stripes and put your American spirit on display in good old red, white and blue. 

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

Did You Know There's A Weed That Can Grow 12 Inches In One Day?

Welcome to June 13th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the weeds that are always greener and a revolutionary invention. 

In the early 1900s, farmers in the Southeast United States found a plant that seemed to be an inexpensive way to combat soil erosion. It was called kudzu. It does do that, but it also kills other plants by smothering them and cutting off any nutrients. And it grows like wildfire. Kudzu can grow a whole foot in one day and in just a few decades it has covered the landscape from Florida up to New Jersey and as far west as Texas. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Yikes. So when you’re in your backyard complaining about dandelions and crabgrass on National Weed Your Garden Day, remember that it could be a lot worse.

Before the invention of the sewing machine, fabric was stitched by hand.  While most people saw the value of this practical device, French tailors took to rioting in the streets. Due to their loss of income, they even destroyed the machines themselves. But elsewhere in the world, sewing machines were making some inventors very rich. Four manufacturers created a patent pool in 1850, which allowed inventors to receive royalties for every machine that was built from their design.  When the demand for uniforms spiked during the Civil War, both Howe and Singer became the very first millionaire inventors. On National Sewing Machine Day, we celebrate the invention that’s kept us in stitches for over 150 years.

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

Sometimes Products Need Celebrity Endorsements To Take Off. Find Out Who Made Peanut Butter Take Flight!

Welcome to June 12th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate convenient snacks and tasty health food. 

Stops at a convenience store are typically about 2 things: getting gas or buying snacks. And many times, that snack is a bag of jerky. While we don’t have any data to back this up, these stores probably account for the most jerky sales. But this food once served an important role in global exploration, especially in cold climates. Fur traders in Canada used jerky and other dried foods because the fresh stuff was often in short supply.  Expeditions to the North and South Poles carried a type of jerky called pemmican because it weighed less and took up less space in their packs. Plus, it had good nutritional content, perfect for sustaining the men on their long treks. On National Jerky Day, you don’t have to trek far to find a variety of this delicious snack, which can keep you going on your local expeditions.

John Harvey Kellogg, founded the Battlecreek Sanitorium as a health spa and platform for preaching his beliefs about plant based nutrition.  In his campaign against eating animal protein, Kellogg  filed a patent for a proto peanut butter in 1895.  While this first nut butter was a little bland, celebrity endorsements from Amelia Earhart and Henry Ford helped peanut butter become a delicacy.  By the 1920s peanut butter found its way into cookies and sandwiches and today Americans can’t get enough of the stuff ! On National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, celebrate one of the tastiest ways to enjoy this healthy food. 

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

Did You Know That German Chocolate Cake Isn't German At All?

Welcome to June 11th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate confusing cakes and Summer’s best veggie. 

German chocolate cake…it’s a luscious dessert straight from Germany, right? Nope. The cake is actually named after the man who invented it: Sam German. The thing that made it stand out from traditional chocolate cakes was its use of sweet, rather than dark baking chocolate. Plus the frosting with coconut and pecans. For years, it was known as German’s Chocolate Cake, but wasn’t particularly popular until the 1950s when a newspaper in Dallas, Texas brought it to the public eye. And somewhere along the way, the apostrophe S got dropped, giving it the somewhat confusing name we know today. There’s no confusion about how delicious it is though, so go ahead splurge on National German Chocolate Cake Day, with a nice big slice.

Summertime brings us a few of our favorite things: ice cream, beach vacations and corn on the cob.  That’s right, I said corn.  It may not be the first thing you associate with Summer, but where would backyard barbecues and clambakes be without corn?  Most of the year, our only option is frozen or canned, which pale in comparison to the sweet, sun ripened kind.  This time of year it’s hard to go wrong, whether you buy ears from the grocery store or a roadside stand. Peak season brings peak flavor! And best of all this casual favorite invites us to eat with our hands!  On National Corn On The Cob Day, celebrate the vegetable that has Summer written all over it! 

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

Did You Know That Ballpoint Pens First Sold For The Equivalent Of $150?

Welcome to June 10th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate disappearing ink and the perfect way to beat the heat. 

Considering how quickly they disappear from desks, ballpoint pens can seem like a precious commodity. And when they were first introduced in America in 1945, they were priced as if they were. The first ballpoint pen sold in the United States, the Reynolds Rocket,  was priced at $12.50, which is the equivalent of $150 today. Despite the hefty price tag, the Reynolds company sold nearly 1.5 million units that year. Today, over 3.5 billion of these pens are imported into the United States annually. Safe to say that they’ve become an integral part of everyday life, even if you can never find one when you need it. On National Ballpoint Pen Day, celebrate the ordinary item we can’t seem to live without.

This common, everyday drink was so popular that at one point in history it changed the world economy and sparked a revolution.  That beverage of course is tea.  In the 1700s, the demand was great and the English began importing more than 3,000 tons.  While their trade fleets brought wealth and power to the British Empire they also brought the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution.  And in the end it all worked out, as the British maintain their elaborate tea customs and we are free to follow our laid back American style.  On National Iced Tea Day, find a spot in the shade and enjoy this perfect way to beat the heat. 

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