Celebrate Every Day

Did You Know That By 2040 About One Quarter Of All Cars Will Be Autonomous?

Welcome to May 31st, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we honor those who have preserved our freedoms of life, liberty and the open road. 

Memorial Day honors the men and women who have died during military conflict and has been kept in the United States in various forms since the end of the Civil War.  It was first observed on May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day with volunteers decorating the graves of some 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  Across the country, humble tributes were paid and a laurel wreath was placed upon the head of a Lincoln statue at City Hall in Washington D.C.  Today we pay tribute to those whose sacrifice affords us our freedom and we mark the beginning of Summer with our own celebration of life.

Autonomous vehicles such as self-driving cars and unmanned aerial vehicles, may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but the future is closer than you think! Cars that take us from point A to point B without having to touch the wheel are already a reality in some states. Pilot programs around the country test a variety of formats.  According to the Brookings Institution, one quarter of all cars will be autonomous by 2040, and while that figure may scare you, consider this.  Autonomous features such alerts that let you know you are too close to the car in front of you and cars that drive themselves once the anti lock brakes kick in are probably already installed in the car you drive today.  On National Autonomous Vehicle Day, celebrate the future of safety and a ride you will likely enjoy. 

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

If You Are A Fan Of The Mint Julep You Won't Be Surprised That The Southern Drink Started Out As "Medicine."

Welcome to May 30th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate flora in all its glorious forms. 

Now that Spring is in full bloom, it’s time to stop and appreciate the actual blooms all around us. Flowers are more than just pretty. Throughout history, they’ve made some significant impacts on the world. In the 1600s, Tulip-mania nearly destroyed the Dutch economy when speculation drove the value of tulip bulbs so high that some were going for as much as $750k in today’s money. And then there’s the thistle. According to legend, when Vikings tried to conquer Scotland, the spiky flower slowed down the invaders, giving the Scots time to escape. As you can tell, flowers are kind of a big deal. On National Water a Flower Day, grab your watering can and give these blossoms the love they deserve.

If you’ve ever been to the American South you have likely been offered one of two drinks. Sweet tea is consumed in this part of the country almost as much as water. But for the non teetotaler, nothing is more Southern than the mint julep.  A julep is a sweet beverage that was once served to literally make the medicine go down.  From there it graduated to a grownup cocktail that included water, gin, sugar, and muddled mint leaves.  Today the mint julep goes hand in glove with the Kentucky Derby and is made with bourbon instead of gin. An estimated 120,000 mint juleps are served at Churchill Downs over the two day event. On National Mint Julep Day, celebrate that sweet Southern style with this refreshing Summer drink. 

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

Before The Bicycle Caught On, People Road Around On This Dandy Horse.

Welcome to May 29th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a good way to get around and a crazy way to trade up. 

Have you ever heard of a velocipede? It may sound like something out of Jurassic Park or even a giant insect, but it’s something a lot more ordinary. A velocipede was an early version of the bicycle, but without a key feature. Instead of using pedals, riders would propel the vehicle along with their legs and once it was going fast enough, they would pick up their feet and cruise along. A lot of people thought these looked silly and gave them the nickname “dandy horses,” which wasn’t the nicest expression at the time. About 50 years later, pedals and a chain were added and we got what we know today as bicycles. May is National Bike Month and today is the perfect day to get out and enjoy Spring!

Have you ever heard the story about the guy who traded a paperclip for a house?  Kyle MacDonald, a Canadian blogger played the childhood game called Bigger, Better and started with a simple paperclip.  The idea of the game is that you keep trading up for something bigger and better until you reach an item you would actually like to keep.  At first Kyle traded his paperclip for a fish-shaped pen.  After thirteen exchanges he found himself with a movie role, which someone offered to trade for their two story farm house in Kipling, Saskatchewan!   Imagine turning an office supply into a house after only fourteen transactions.  On National Paperclip Day, celebrate the simple things in life that are worth more than you think! 

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

Which Kind Of Road Tripper Are You; The Tourist Or The Pilot?

Welcome to May 28th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a fast food favorite and taking the road less traveled. 

In the 1950s, one of the hottest new appliances for restaurants was the Multimixer, a blender that could make up to 6 milkshakes at once. And this is what brought a young salesman named Ray Kroc to a burger joint owned by the McDonald’s brothers. Kroc was so impressed by their operation that he partnered with them to franchise the restaurant. By 1958, McDonald’s restaurants had sold over 100 million burgers and that number is now in the hundreds of billions. Their hamburgers are easily the most famous burger on the planet. And if it weren’t for an ambitious salesman, we may never have heard of McDonald’s. On National Hamburger Day, grab your own favorite, whether fast or slow.

When it comes to road trips there are two kinds of travelers, the tourist and the pilot.  The tourist likes to take their time.  They’re looking for those lesser known sights found on the road less travelled.  Tourists stop more often for snacks and any handwritten sign advertising local treats.  The pilot, on the other hand, is on a mission. Program the GPS with minimal stops so that passengers arrive ahead of schedule,  even when they’re protesting for more potty breaks or a ride on the giant dinosaur!  No matter which kind of traveler you are, travel centers have got you covered.  Be sure to plan a route that has plenty of fuel, food and travel necessities along the way so you can celebrate the journey that brings families together on National Road Trip Day.  

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

Believe It Or Not This Invention Took Its Sweet Time Becoming Useful.

Welcome to May 27th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate happy accidents and inventions that really stick. 

Like so many good things, the Popsicle’s creation was a happy accident.  In 1905, 11 year-old Frank Epperson was sitting on his front porch, stirring a cupful of powdered soda and water with a stick.  That night was unusually cold, and by the next morning the forgotten mixture left out on the porch was transformed into a frozen pop.  Today the Popsicle is the quintessential Summertime treat, thanks to a few other inventions like the freezer.  On National Grape Popsicle Day, chill out with the happy accident that never goes out of style.

Some inventions are an overnight success while others take a little more time.  Richard Gurley Drew began his career as an inventor in 1920 when he worked for the 3M company in St. Paul, MN. He created invisible tape in 1930 for the cellophane packages sold in bakeries and grocery stores.  But when Dupont introduced heat sealing cellophane, Richard found that his invention had completely missed the mark.  3M knew a good thing when they saw it though, and today you’d be hard pressed to find a home that didn’t have multiple rolls of Scotch tape. On National Cellophane Tape Day, celebrate the inventions that capitalize on sticktoitiveness. 

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

These Two Days Favor The Spirit Of The Mashup, Whether It's Dance Cultures Or Viticulture.

Welcome to May 25th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a dance step mashup and the spirit of the vine. 

Like so many things in American culture, tap dance is a melding of immigrant traditions. Irish step dancing, performed with clogs, and African juba dance, which involves rhythmic clapping and stomping combined to form the basis for a new form of dance. Tap dancing merged aspects of both dances, but added metal to the bottom of shoes, giving each step a musical quality. And that combination created a style of dance unlike any other. Vaudeville popularized tap, but it was made famous by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, who added a bit of ballroom flair to the mix. Astaire’s dance in Singin’ In the Rain may be the most memorable tap performance ever. Celebrate National Tap Dance Day by watching an old musical or by learning a few steps for yourself.

Now I’m not exactly a wine connoisseur, but I will say I have tried them all.  That would include both red AND white.  Okay, so I’m no expert, but for those of you who are, this day was made for you! The earliest origins of viticulture or wine making were found in modern day Georgia over 8000 years ago.  That would be the Georgia located in Eastern Europe, where they buried clay vessels filled with fermented grape juice for up to 50 years.  So the next time you’re surrounded by experts who are sniffing, gargling and spitting the good stuff you’ll have something intelligent to add. On National Wine Day, it’s okay to just drink the stuff too. 

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

Have You Heard Of The Scavenger Hunt That's Lasted More Than 200 Years?

Welcome to May 24th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate missions impossible and our original frenemies. 

Off the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, lies the mysterious Oak Island. In 1795, Daniel McGuiness and his friends began digging a hole and encountered what appeared to be a man-made shaft. As more of the tunnel was unearthed, a rock was discovered with a coded inscription that, when translated, read: “Forty feet below, two million pounds lie buried.” Since then, Oak Island has turned into the world’s biggest scavenger hunt, with treasure seekers looking for clues that could lead to a hidden fortune. Some have made discoveries such as parchments that, in turn, led them to other small treasures, such as ancient jewelry or weapons. But after more than 2 centuries of digging, no one has found the big treasure. On National Scavenger Hunt Day, plan your own treasure quest, which is even more fun if it only takes a day!

A guy who teases you one minute and then acts like your best friend is what you might call a jerk!  Unless they’re related to you, in which case they’re called brothers.  Today we celebrate the guys who made a career out of tormenting you.  Maybe they tore up your comic book collections, cut off your pigtails or put live critters in your bed.  They also picked you up after you crashed your bike and taught you how to throw a baseball.  If you think about it long enough, you would probably count yourself lucky to have these guys in your corner.  On Brother's Day, celebrate the things you’re grateful for, and have a good laugh about all the rest.

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

Did You Know That The First Salt Water Taffy Was A Happy Accident?

Welcome to May 23rd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the flip of a coin and sticky situations. 

Pennies were first minted in 1793, but it wasn’t until 1909 that Abraham Lincoln’s image was added to the coin. Teddy Roosevelt commissioned these coins in recognition of Lincoln’s 100th birthday. This was the first time that the likeness of a president—or any real person—appeared on a United States coin. The engraving of Honest Abe appeared on the front and the back read “One Cent. United States of America” until 50 years later, when the back was changed to an image of the Lincoln Memorial. In 2010, the tails side was altered again, this time with a Union Shield. They may not be valued at much these days, but on National Lucky Penny Day, keep your eyes peeled for these omens of good luck.  

Life is full of happy accidents, it’s all in how you look at things.  Consider the story of salt water taffy.  In 1883, David Bradley of Atlantic City, New Jersey walked into his store to find his entire supply of taffy had been covered in ocean water during a local storm.  When a girl came in that morning to buy some candy, Bradley joked that he only had salt water taffy.  She willingly tried a piece and found it was delicious, and then ran down the beach to tell her friends.  Salt water taffy is now a mainstay at candy stores and gift shops everywhere.  On National Taffy Day, celebrate the sweet solutions to any sticky situation.  And thank your lucky stars for those big storms. 

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

This Video Game Hall Of Famer Has Been Around For Over 30 Years!

Welcome to May 22nd, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate pie in the sky purchases and going solo. 

Here’s a question for you, if you could buy any musical instrument, which one would it be?

My brother has his eye on the Deering Banjosaurus Long Neck that comes in at a cool $64,000.  I guess I know what he wants for Brother’s Day.  Celebrate National Buy A Musical Instrument Day with your own dream purchase, which may seem more reasonable after listening to our bucket lists.

The World Video Game Hall of Fame has honored such favorites as Pac Man, Super Mario Brothers and Halo.  But one game in the Hall of Fame may surprise you, Solitaire.  This game made its debut in 1990 and since then it’s been played by more than half a billion people worldwide.  Solitaire is also number three on the list of most frequently used Microsoft programs.  Anyone who has ever worked in an office can tell you how happy they are that Solitaire exists.  Otherwise, how would we make it through conference calls?   On National Solitaire Day, celebrate the game for one that helps us goof off, while still being productive at work. 

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

Did You Know That NASCAR Is Related To Bootlegging?

Welcome to May 21st, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate fast cars and two ingredients for a perfect party. 

During Prohibition, it became very popular in Southern states to illegally distill the alcohol known as moonshine. Federal agents would chase down vehicles during transport and destroy the barrels, so bootleggers began to soup up the engines on their cars. With these faster cars, they could outrun the Feds. Once Prohibition ended, those really fast cars were going to waste, so people began to race the vehicles and that evolved into what we know today as…NASCAR. Each year on the third Friday of May, we celebrate NASCAR Day. So get comfortable on the couch, crack open a cold one and get ready for the races. It’s exactly what the sport’s creators would’ve wanted.

Everyone knows that a good party starts with two things, great food and great friends.  If you know where to pick up the perfect pizza, then you’re halfway to one of the best ways to celebrate.  And if your friends are impressed by trivia here’s a few pizza facts to throw into the mix.  Some people give credit to the ancient Greeks for making the very first pizza, which was more like a flatbread covered in oil and spices. Others think pizza has gotta have cheese, which the Romans added along with honey and bay leaves.  But almost everyone agrees that the cheese of choice is mozzarella.  Today, more than 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese are produced every year in the United States alone! On National Pizza Party Day, do your part by ordering extra, and watch your guests celebrate even more. 

Today: National American Red Cross Founder’s Day, National Waitstaff Day

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