Celebrate Every Day

Do You Know The Lyrics To The Most Famous Song That Nobody Knows?

Welcome to December 31st, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate forgettable songs and great wines.

Tonight, we bid farewell to 2020 and at the stroke of midnight, we’ll all attempt to sing a song that few of us understand. Auld Lang Syne is sometimes referred to as “the most famous song that nobody knows,” and that’s not only because people have been drinking before they sing it. Written by Robert Burns, the phrase is Scottish and roughly translates to “days gone by.” Somewhere along the way, it was set to music and became a traditional Scottish song. So how’d it get to be associated with New Year’s Eve? For that we can thank the famous bandleader Guy Lombardo. Beginning in the 1920s, he played the song on his New Years Eve radio show, and the next 30 New Years after that. We made it! It’s New Year’s Eve. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, 2020!

Nothing says celebration like a good champagne, and while the genuine article comes only from the Champagne region of France, there are plenty of good bubbly wines from California and Italy. Prices vary widely, and if you’ve ever wondered why bottles of Dom Peringnon fetch up to $50,000 a bottle, it’s because Dom only produces wine during years when the grapes have reached top quality.  That means that since they opened in 1921 they have only produced 36 vintages.  If splurging at that price point is not your thing, just pop open a bottle of your favorite sparkling beverage and remember to always drink responsibly.   On National Champagne Day we toast to your health and good fortune and welcome all the new opportunities to Celebrate Every Day!

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

Back In The Day, Bringing Home The Bacon Was A Big Deal! Find Out Why It's Still Pretty Good.

Welcome to December 30th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the power of pork and other ordinary ingredients.

If you’ve ever made a volcano at home then you already know the magic of baking soda.  Today we pay homage to this versatile chemical that puffs up cakes and polishes pans, eliminates odors in pantries and armpits. Marlo, what are you making?  Are you whipping up a cake? On National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, we celebrate this powerful powder that freshens both our pets and our plants and anywhere else our pH needs neutralizing. Was that supposed to be a volcano, Marlo? Why is it red and green? Marlo: I guess you’re not supposed to use a fruitcake as a base. Anna: Baking soda also makes a good cleanser.  

Most people think that the phrase “bringing home the bacon” refers to a paycheck, although actual bacon is worth cheering for as well.  But it turns out that the saying goes back to 12th century England, when married men would swear before God that they had not argued with their spouse for a whole year and a day.  Upon taking this oath they were rewarded with a side of bacon. The phrase then referred to men who were seen as exemplary citizens and husbands. Another story says that the phrase came about in 1906, when boxer Joe Gans got a telegram from his mother before fighting for the world lightweight championship. Her message was simply to “bring home the bacon,” which he did, though not literally. On Bacon Day we pay tribute to a food that receives a hero's welcome, no matter who brings it home. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

What's Left On Your List Of Things To Do?

Welcome to December 29th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate ticking clocks and heroes in plain sight.

Are you already watching the countdown clock to put an end to this year?  Most of us are grateful that we’re rapidly approaching the end of 2020. But before we break out the party hats and noisemakers, there are still a few things that need our attention. Are there business purchases or donations that can be made that will impact our tax returns? Have we set up our health plans for next year? And did we make use of all the benefits we had for 2020? If there’s still money in a Flex Spending account, now’s the time to purchase that cool new pair of glasses or get our teeth checked. The clock is literally ticking,  so let’s make the most of Tick Tock Day.

We all know a superhero when we see one. Clark Kent, Peter Parker, Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark may be hiding in plain sight, but the minute they don their disguises, we know that help is on its way. But how many real live heroes surround us every day?  They don’t have to leap tall buildings in order to make an extraordinary contribution.  How many times has your life been affected by a teacher, doctor, first responder or mentor?  It may be someone in your family or a distant relative whose choices still echo in your life today.  Heroism is in the eye of the beholder, but on National Hero Day, take time to acknowledge the people who have made a difference to you. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

Do You Know What The Highest Payout For A Single Poker Tournament Was? Makes You Wanna Practice Your Bluffing!

Welcome to December 28th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the illustrious beginnings of our favorite pastimes.

A standard pack of cards may be used for playing a variety of games, some of which are played for money. It’s said that the game of poker, which originated in Louisiana is a derivative of the game of dominos which dates back a few thousand years.  What’s common to both games is the art of bluffing.  Even the best poker players in the world only have a 5 percent advantage over other players and thus bluffing is what makes the game most interesting. The earliest games like Texas Hold’em were played for gold nuggets or dust and while it's hard to calculate the winnings of those hands, the most lucrative tournament in modern times was won by Antonio Esfandari who took home a record $18.35 million.  On National Card Playing Day you may wanna bone up on your bluffing. 

We all love cheering on our favorite movies at the award shows.  But how often have you paid attention to the category of short films?  When you watch the Academy Awards, are you tempted to go grab some popcorn as they announce the winners in this category?  Then perhaps you'll be interested to know that we owe a huge thanks to a short film called “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory,” which made its debut in 1895 at the Grand Cafe in Paris. The movie was only a few minutes long and showed workers going home at the end of their shift. The 10 people in the audience that day became the first ever to view a motion picture in a theater and the rest, as they say, is history.  On National Short Film Day, we celebrate this one small clip and the giant leap forward for the movie making industry. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

Do You Have A Few Unwanted Items Lying Around After The Holidays? One Of Them May Be A Tax Donation.

Welcome to December 27th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate gaudy cakes and a new life for old jalopies.

More charitable donations are made in December than in any other month. Yes, it’s probably because people need a tax deduction, but it also comes at a time of the year when some folks need help the most. Even if money is tight, you can still make a difference by donating an old or unused vehicle during National Car Donation Month. The car doesn’t even have to run and the charities make it as simple as possible for you to donate. And if you don’t have a car to give away, you can still help to raise awareness of this charitable act. Spread the word on Facebook and Instagram. And if your neighbor still doesn’t take the hint, you can etch “Donate Me” in the dirt on the windshield of his old jalopy.

This time of year our love for goodies may be fading, but one treat is still alive and celebrating, the fruitcake.  That’s because they are built to last. In the early 1700s these dense cakes were baked during harvest time and loaded with nuts and fruits. But they were saved until the following year as a ritual for ensuring the next season’s bounty.  Fruitcakes also had quite a reputation for being sinfully rich. Queen Victoria was said to have waited a whole year after receiving one for her birthday before eating it, just to show proper restraint and dignity.  But if your fruitcake has become a holiday joke, that gets re-gifted only to get tossed, perhaps you haven’t tasted a truly delicious one.  On National Fruitcake Day, make a pledge to find a good recipe next year. That way when it's the first thing you eat, people will think you’re as nutty as a fruitcake.   

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

Did You Know That Even Bank Robbers Send Thank You Notes?

Welcome to December 26th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the flavor of the season and etiquette for everyone.

Peppermint sticks have been around for at least 200 years, but the red and white striped candy cane that we all associate with Christmas did not actually appear until 1900 and until 1921 they were all made by hand.  That’s when Brasher O. Westerfield invented a machine that turned out these 5” peppermint canes.  And that’s a good thing these days as we produce more than a billion every year.  The Guinness World Record for the longest candy cane is 51 feet!  Many folklore tales describe the symbolism behind this iconic treat, but on National Candy Cane Day, we invite you to savor the flavor and meaning of your choice.

One day in 1934, Henry Ford opened his mail and got a big surprise, a thank you note from one of America’s most infamous bank robbers. Clyde Barrow wrote to thank Ford for putting out such a quality car. Or as he put it,  “For sustained speed and freedom from trouble, the Ford has got every other car beat… It don’t hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8.” Today is a good day to surprise your family and friends with letters of your own. Thank them for their holiday gifts or their general love and support. And since handwritten messages are becoming a lost art, surprise them even more by putting pen to paper. On National Thank You Note Day, show people that you care enough to go the extra mile to acknowledge their generosity. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

How Many Christmas Puns Do You Know?

Welcome to December 25th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate holiday puns and the twists and turns of Christmas. More after the break.

Marlo: Happy A’phabet Day!

Anna: It’s pronounced “Alphabet”.

Marlo: No. A’phabet. It’s the word “alphabet,” but with no L. Get it? Noel. Like Christmas.

Anna: Ah. So it’s bad pun day?

Marlo: Yep. Today, while you’re enjoying the festivities, see how many puns you can slip into conversations.

Anna: I want to enjoy the day, not listen to puns, Marlo.

Marlo: Anna, did you know I bought my son a refrigerator for Christmas? I can’t wait to see his face light up when he opens it.

Anna: Ugh.

Marlo: Yule be sorry if you don’t attend my Christmas party this year.

Anna: You’re being a jerk, Marlo.

Marlo: It takes one to snow one.

Anna: You’re sleigh’n it.

While Christmas enjoys popularity throughout the world today, its traditions have fluctuated widely.  In medieval times, the birth of Jesus Christ was a solemn observance with very little feasting or singing.  The Renaissance gave rise to the gift giving, decorating and caroling we enjoy today.  The traditions of tree trimming and mistletoe came from the ancient celebration of Yule, which was adopted into Roman customs along with Christianity.  For this reason, early puritans banned Christmas for nearly 20 years in America.  The true spirit of this holiday is alive today because of our universal love for celebration.  No matter how you keep this tradition, today we wish all you a very merry Christmas. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

Do You Know Who Wrote The Night Before Christmas?

Welcome to December 24th, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate clearing up literary history and fogging up a holiday favorite.

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house… You know the rest. Most of us do. Clement Moore’s classic poem is one of the best-known literary works in American history. When he wrote it in 1822, he used the title “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” He shared it with a friend who was visiting and the friend liked it so much that they sent it to a newspaper for publication…without Moore’s permission…and without his name attached. The poem became a huge success, though no one knew Moore had written it until he included it in a book of poetry in 1844. He was known for his scholarly works, so he was reluctant to attach his name to the piece until his children urged him to do so. It’s Christmas Eve and, to quote Moore’s poem: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

With the stockings all hung by the chimney with care, folks are free to unwind with a glass or two of eggnog.  You may be scratching your head as to how this drink got its name and which came first, the egg or the nog? It turns out that alcohol was once served in carved wooden mugs called noggins.  In the middle ages a drink known as posset was made with milk, spices, and alcohol and served as a cold remedy.  From there the trail gets foggy with some adding eggs to the recipe and others calling it egg flip for the way it got poured between two pitchers.  Because rum was known as grog here in the States, one bartender dubbed it “egg and grog.”  Confusing, we know, but one thing is sure, National Eggnog Day celebrates the delicious flavor that’s been a holiday favorite much longer than pumpkin spice.  

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! 

Does Your Family Celebrate Festivus? If So, It's Time To Break Out The Aluminum Pole!

Welcome to December 23rd, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a festivus for the rest of us and digging a little deeper.

It’s that time of year. Tensions are running high and everyone is driving one another crazy as we gear up for Christmas. Which makes it the perfect day for Festivus. If you’re not a Seinfeld fan, here’s how it works: First, there’s the Airing of Grievances. Gather your family around, and talk about things that have disappointed you over the past year. This the list may be very long…and very cathartic. Then there’s the Festivus Dinner— since you’re going to be eating big over the next couple of days, keep it simple—something like meatloaf or spaghetti. And finally, the Feats of Strength. The holiday can’t officially end until the head of the household is bested in a challenge, which traditionally, involves wrestling, but if you wanna keep it civilized try arm wrestling match or a board game. Set up the aluminum pole and prepare your list of grievances. SERENITY NOW! It’s Festivus!

There’s no doubt we have all become a little more interested in our roots. I’m not talking about the gray kind that we cover up with hair dye, I’m talking about family history.  DNA testing has doubled in popularity since these kits began offering valuable health information, a view of how and where our forefathers migrated and a sense of our personal identity.  Today we encourage you to dig a little deeper.  After all, you may have a valuable source of living history right in your own family circle. Stories and photos mean so much more when they are shared with the people who actually collected them.  On National Roots Day, tend to your own family tree with the ones who can help you find the most meaning. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!   

This Game Has Over 500 Septillion Combinations. Do You Know How Many Zeros That Is? That's Probably Why It Never Gets Old!

Welcome to December 22nd, 2020 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate good for you goodies and one of our favorite ways to beat the odds.

If you’re already burnt out on holiday goodies why not try something healthy and delicious by celebrating National Date Nut Bread Day?  Dates have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, and are prized for their sticky, caramel sweetness. But they also provide protein, fiber and minerals.   Nuts add a super-charged nutritional crunch and this combination has been used in quick bread recipes since the first one appeared in 1939.  Back then it was served as a tea time treat  but today this dynamic duo practically passes for health food! 

This month recognizes the birthday of one of America’s favorite games, Bingo. While it seems pretty straight forward, the game is far more complicated that you might think. It’s estimated that there are over 500 septillion combinations of numbers that could appear on your bingo card. To put that in perspective, a septillion is a 1 with 24 zeros after it. No wonder people get so excited when they win! So who invented bingo cards? Edwin S. Lowe, a salesman from New York came up with the idea, then hired a math professor who created 6,000 cards, each with a different non repeating combination of numbers. These cards cut back on the number of winners, which meant that Bingo halls could make more money. Bingo’s Birthday Month celebrates a game that still makes us excited to beat the odds. 

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow us on Facebook and check out our website TheNationalDailyShow.com. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!