May 5, 2015

Daily Holidays - May 5

National Hoagie Day May 5 is National Hoagie Day. This type of sandwich has several names, but one thing remains common: bread and different kinds of fillings used to make it.
Hoagie sandwich appeared in Philadelphia during World War II and it was introduced by Italians, who worked at the shipyard known as Hog Island. They were making sandwiches on a long roll, usually Italian or French bread, and making layers of different cold lunch meats, cheeses and vegetables, like lettuce, tomatoes, onions. The sandwich was named Hog Island, that later evolved to hoagie.

Hoagie is also known in Europe as ciabatta or baguette and it refers to the type of bread used. The original hoagie calls for a variety of traditional Italian meats, like salami, capicalla, mortadella and provolone, vegetables, light vinegar and oil dressing. Today most hoagies are single-meat sandwiches, like ham or salami hoagies. You can also find cheese-only hoagie, where the meat is replaced with extra slices of cheese.

Did you know that hoagie was declared by Ed Rendell, former Philadelphia mayor, as the “Official Sandwich of Philadelphia”? Celebrate the National Hoagie Day with your favorite hoagie. You can use any kind of meat and cheese to make your own special hoagie of the day. https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1005

Oyster Day Oyster Day is a celebration of this most versatile mollusc. Oyster is the common name for a number of different groups of bivalve molluscs. Some species of oysters are commonly eaten, either cooked or raw, as a delicacy. While other types of oyster, such as pearl oysters, are not normally consumed by humans, they are harvested for their pearls.

The history of Oyster Day is unknown, but the history of human’s relationship with oysters is very long, since Roman times there is evidence of people in the United Kingdom and France farming oysters. In the 19th century New York harbour was the largest producer of oysters in the world and provided nutritious food for thousands of people. Nowadays Oyster Day is most widely celebrated in America and the UK, with many festivals to celebrate this culinary delicacy. People celebrate by eating fresh oysters or buying oyster pearls for loved ones. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/oyster-day/

International Midwives' Day On May 5 each year we ask the world to focus on the role of midwives and midwifery. Each year ICM comes up with a campaign theme to provide motivating call to action for all of us to get involved and champion our work. The International Day of the Midwife is an occasion for every individual midwife to think about the many others in the profession, to make new contacts within and outside midwifery, and to widen the knowledge of what midwives do for the world. In the years leading up to 2015, ICM is using the overarching theme “The World Needs Midwives Today More Than Ever” as part of an ongoing campaign to highlight the need for midwives. This reflects the WHO call for midwives and the need to accelerate progress towards MDGs 4 and 5. http://www.internationalmidwives.org/events/idotm/

National Ferret Day ‘A ferret is for life, not just for stuffing down your trousers’, as we are reminded every Christmas, although to many ferret owners, that is life. Ferret Day seeks to celebrate these remarakable and resilient creatures.

The ferret is a much maligned and misunderstood mustelid, the domesticated cousin of the European polecat. As such it is widely believed to be a smelly, quarrelsome, amoral, biting beast. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and Ferret Day promotes the true virtues of this cute, cuddly critter and furthers the welfare of ferrets everywhere.

Ferrets are often kept as working animals, but also make loyal and rewarding companions. The standards of welfare, nutrition and care required for each is the same. Ferret Day provides a focus for ferret-lovers to work together and share their passion, and to educate the wider public about this fine, upstanding member of the rodent community. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ferret-day/

Cartoonist Day Cartoonists Day celebrates the anniversary of the publishing of the first ever colour cartoon, The Yellow Kid in 1895. Now cartoons are a core component of many newspapers, publications and printed media, and have had (and continue to have) a huge impact on our culture. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cartoonists-day/

World Asthma Day is an initiative begun in 1998 by the Global Initiative for Asthma, which is an organisation that sets medical guidelines for the control of the disease. A theme is selected annually that raises awareness of the causes and effects of this bronchial condition, which affects approximately 235 million people worldwide.

Organised by healthcare workers in over 35 countries, World Asthma Day focuses on educating the public on what research has found to be the most effective ways of controlling and treating asthma. Past themes have included, ‘Reduce the Burden of Asthma.’ It is hoped that through education the number of sufferers will drop significantly.

Based on the current theme, GINA provides educational material that is distributed at the many and varied events held to raise awareness. These include sporting events, but future themes could possibly focus on environmental issues affecting sufferers, or demystifying medical research into asthma. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-asthma-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/may5.html

May 4, 2015

Daily Holidays - May 4

National Orange Juice Day When someone mentions vitamin C, you probably picture a glass of orange juice. And it's true, orange juice has more nutrients than virtually any other fruit juice. If you want the maximum vitamins per serving, drink orange juice with the pulp in it! Tip a glass today, National Orange Juice Day. http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/articles/view/18/1/National-Orange-Juice-Day.html

Intergalactic Star Wars Day May 4th has become commonly known as Star Wars Day. And who could be surprised? The words, “May the 4th” seem to beg the rest of the catchprase be uttered. Regardless of whether you prefer Star Wars or Star Trek, or if are even a sci-fi aficionado at all, the influence of George Lucas’ Star Wars on pop culture is undeniable.

The History of Star Wars Day

Star Wars, an epic space opera written and directed by George Lucas, premiered in 1977 and became an almost instant cult classic. Even today, almost 40 years later, Star Wars remains one of the most financially successful films of all time. The franchise it began remains the most successful one of all time, earning over 2.5 billion dollars since the release of the first film. However, the money it’s earned over the years is hardly the most impressive aspect of Star Wars. As famous film critic Roger Ebert put it: “Like The Birth of a Nation and Citizen Kane, Star Wars was a technical watershed that influenced many of the movies that came after.”

Star Wars was a real game-changer, beginning a new era of special effect-packed motion pictures bursting with excitement, adventure and imagination that appealed enormously to younger audiences as well as older ones. Many of today’s most acclaimed film directors, such as Peter Jackson, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan and James Cameron, cite Star Wars as a great influence on their careers. Star Wars has also had enormous cultural impact on other areas besides filmmaking, including politics–the Reagan Administration’s Startegic Defense Program was mockingly nicknamed “Star Wars”. As recently as 2013, President Barack Obama used the phrase “Jedi miind meld” to describe what some people were expecting him to do on his opposition to make them accept his ideas.

“May the Fourth be with you” was first used by Margaret Thatcher’s political party to congratulate her on her election on May 4th, 1979, and the saying quickly caught on. However, the first celebration of May 4th took place much later, at the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2001. This first official Star Wars Day’s festivities included a costume contest and a movie marathon. Fans’ favorite parodies of the franchise were also enjoyed, as were some of the most popular mash-ups and remixes. Since then, Star Wars Day has gained popularity and is celebrated by Star Wars Fans worldwide. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/star-wars-day/

International Firefighters Day Firefighters’ Day celebrates the dedication, heroism and importance of firefighters from all over the world. Many firefighters are volunteers, and many lose their lives in the course of duty.

Show your support by wearing blue and red ribbons (tied together, symbolizing the combination of fire and water) and help raise to awareness and support for your local firefighting operation. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/firefighters-day/

Petite and Proud Day For all people under 5’4?, you have a day where you can be petite and proud! Are you tired of people making derogatory comments about your size, such as: half pint, vertically challenged or titch? Petite And Proud Day is all about celebrating our lack of height and the advantages it brings. For example, we can squeeze into small spaces, we don’t bang our heads on low ceilings and we can fit in children’s’ clothing, which saves us money! Apparently short people live longer than their lankier counterparts, which is definitely worth celebrating.

Also, there are more petite celebrities than you might think, the following people are all 5’4? or under: Nathalie Portman, Kylie Minogue, Michael J Fox, Seth Green, Amy Poehler, Reese Witherspoon and Eva Longoria. Why not celebrate being petite with a petite and proud party, by posting an affirming message on Facebook or by making a quirky badge? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/petite-and-proud-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/may4.html

May 3, 2015

Daily Holidays - May 3

National Raspberry Tart Day A sweet tart, tout de suite! May 3 is National Raspberry Tart Day.

It's that time of year when fresh berries are coming into season, and filling the tables at your local farmers market or grocery store. What better time to make yourself a sweet taste of summer?

The sweet fruit tarts that we know and love today evolved from medieval tarts, which were typically filled with meat and served as dinner. But when our ancestors decided to replace the hearty meat with rich custard and fresh fruit, a whole new kind of dessert filled the realm.

Tarts are typically made using a shortbread pastry base - sweet, a little crumbly and very buttery, it tastes a bit like the cookie for which it is named. Then, vanilla custard or pastry cream is spread on top, followed by fresh raspberries standing at attention, or if you can't find any, raspberry preserves work well in a pinch. If you're feeling extra decadent, try a chocolate raspberry tart with white chocolate cream. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/05/03/national-raspberry-tart-day/

Garden Meditation Day Garden Meditation Day provides the perfect opportunity to achieve inner peace while honoring the essential ties between people and the environment. Garden and wild plants play a huge role in sustaining life on Earth; they produce food, they make oxygen, they preserve the soil and they beautify the planet. It’s no wonder that mankind has a natural connection to plant life. Garden meditation has been practiced for thousands of years because the natural elements in a garden create a soothing, peaceful environment for retreat, and they enable the necessary focus to bring about calm and stress relief.

Participation in Garden Meditation Day can include sitting with quiet awareness in your garden or nearby park, or weeding, watering or planting in a focused, relaxed manner. Practiced with or without movement, meditation can quiet the mind and invite inner harmony, and gardening can make the world more lush, beautiful and livable. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/garden-meditation-day/

Lumpy Rug Day One of the less well-known days celebrated is Lumpy Rug Day, where we dedicate time to appreciating our rugs: no rug should ever become lumpy or ragged, and so every year people are encouraged to smooth their rugs out and revel in the beauty of a perfectly flat rug.

Think of Lumpy Rug Day as a call to arms, if you will – it is a day where we should straighten out the kinks and bulges in the mats which adorn the floors of our homes, in the hope that at least one day a year we will all see rugs in their true beauty. If you really want to celebrate you might consider buying a brand spanking new rug, washing your old one, or just showing a bit of love and affection for the woven material you trample over each day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lumpy-rug-day/

National Two Different Colored Shoes Day There are lots of ways to express ourselves, but what better way than celebrating Two Different Colored Shoes Day? Every day we wake up and, without thinking about it, put on two shoes which are exactly the same – the only difference being one shoe is for the left foot and the other for the right. After getting fed up with the boring ritual which we all follow every day, Dr. Arlene Kaiser created what has become known as Two Different Colored Shoes Day: a day for everyone to appreciate how diverse we all are by wearing shoes of different colors.

So rather than spend a full year conforming to what society has told us is normal and appropriate, consider celebrating Two Different Colored Shoes Day. You might get some stares in public, and your boss might wonder what is happening, but you will know how important diversity is.

Paranormal Day Paranormal Day is a day for all those who believe in paranormal activity to share experiences all around the world. At the very least, it’s a great excuse to catch up with friends and watch a scary movie! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/paranormal-day/


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May 2, 2015

Daily Holidays - May 2

National Truffles Day It’s National Truffle Day! According to legend, a man named Louis Dufour invented the chocolate truffle in Chambéry, France in 1895. A few years later, Antoine Dufour opened the Prestat Chocolate Shop in London. Historians believe this chocolate shop was solely responsible for popularizing chocolate truffles in England (and beyond), but the relationship between Louis and Antoine is uncertain. Fun fact: Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was a huge fan of Prestat truffles!

The first recipes for chocolate truffles appeared in the 1920s. Today there are three main types—American, European, and Swiss. Each type of truffle has a slightly different twist, but they all include a creamy ganache filling and a topping like cocoa, coconut, or drizzled chocolate. http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-truffle-day

Join Hands Day While you might think that Join Hands Day is all about shaking the hands of strangers you meet in the street, it is fact a day dedicated to attempting a union in our communities between the older generation and the younger generation. In the world where youths are persecuted, and the elderly are presented as weak and frail, this day truly brings communities together to recognise the various ways in which we all aid each other.

Many communities across the world will use Join Hands Day to start a dialogue between the old and the young, hoping to plant a seed of communication which can exist for years to come. If you want to get involved try paying a visit to a community centre or elderly home, and show that regardless of age we are all humans who need to be appreciated and loved. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/join-hands-day/

Free Comic Book Day Free Comic Book Day (not to be confused with Comic Book Day) celebrates the humble graphical novel, with comic book stores giving away free comics to fans, enthusiasts and new readers alike. Why not visit your local comic store and see what takes your fancy? After all – you might get a free comic! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/free-comic-book-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/may2.html

May 1, 2015

Daily Holidays - May 1

National Chocolate Parfait Day A parfait way to begin May, May 1 is National Chocolate Parfait Day!

Depending on how you parfait, you can spend this perfect day celebrating one or two wonderful ways. Because parfait literally means "perfect" in French, you'll be sure to enjoy this dessert in at least one of its forms.

In 1894, parfait began to describe a frozen French dessert made with sugar syrup, eggs and cream. When the dessert migrated to the U.S., we naturally had to put our own spin on things.

The American chocolate parfait usually involves chocolate mousse or pudding layered with whipped cream, fruit, cookie crumbs or anything else delicious that you can imagine. You can also use a gelatin- or yogurt-based parfait and build from there. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/05/01/national-chocolate-parfait-day/

Batman Day If you are of the opinion that there are not enough days set aside to celebrate fictional vigilantes, who dress up as flying creatures in order to tackle crime, then we agree with you. Fortunately, there is one such date set aside every year – Batman Day.

The purpose of Batman Day is to celebrate the anniversary of the character’s first ever appearance, which was in Detective Comics #27 way back in May 1939. Since those early comic book appearances, Batman has grown into one of the world’s best-loved and most recognisable fictional characters, and is the focal point of television shows, animated cartoons, video games and Hollywood blockbusters.

Do you possess some Batman-related comic books, video games or DVDs? Are you the proud owner of a Batman fancy dress costume that rarely gets used? Whatever the case, why not find a way to celebrate Gotham City’s greatest detective? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/batman-day/

Global Love Day We are one humanity on this planet.
All life is interconnected and interdependent.
All share in the Universal bond of love.
Love begins with self acceptance and forgiveness.
With respect and compassion we embrace diversity.
Together we make a difference through love. http://www.thelovefoundation.com/globalloveday/

May Day May Day on May 1 is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday;[1] it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the celebrations that the day includes.

In the late 19th Century, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by the Socialists and Communists of the Second International to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago. In those countries that celebrate International Workers' Day, the day may also be referred to as "May Day" but it is a different celebration from the traditional May Day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day

Mother Goose Day Mother Goose Day is a celebration of classic nursery rhymes of long ago, that are quickly passing into the realms of history. Established in 1987, Mother Goose Day aims to promote pre-school reading and learning via nursery rhymes, and it is acknowledged across many cities, by establishments such as kindergartens, junior schools, cereal makers, libraries and care homes.

There are various ways for adults and children to enjoy Mother Goose Day. Make a list of your favourite nursery rhymes, or try writing a rhyme yourself. Choose one of the nursery rhymes and act it out, or draw pictures to illustrate it. Alternatively, you can use printed colouring pages, and fill them in. You can also watch videos of nursery rhymes and sing along with the songs. Groups of children can also recite popular nursery rhymes, with everyone taking a turn to deliver a line. However you celebrate, enjoy the day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mother-goose-day/

New Homeowner's Day If you’ve recently taken the plunge and purchased a house, New Home Owners Day is the perfect time to celebrate your new home! This is your day to forget the stresses of the whole process and bask in your accomplishments.

Even better, why not schedule your housewarming for the occasion? Invite all of your friends and family to enjoy your new home, and fill it with their laughter and their warmth.

New Home Owners Day is also a great time to reflect on how far you’ve come on your home-buying journey, and how far you can still go. You could look back on completed household projects or draw up some plans for new improvements. You might find that just re-arranging your current furniture can completely alter the look of your home!

Whichever way you choose to spend New Home Owners Day, tell us all about it in the comment section! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/new-home-owners-day/

Lei Day The most common festivities on Lei Day are hula, lei making demonstrations and contests, and the crowning of the Lei Queen and her court. What better way to celebrate Lei Day than by booking a trip to one of Hawaii’s many resorts!

Each island has its own Lei, traditional to each made with flowers, fruit and vines found on that island. Hawaii’s Lei is the Lehua, made from blossoms of ‘Ohi’, a Lehua tree which grows on the slopes of the Volcano.

History
Officially made a holiday in 1929, and continues to date. The record for the world’s longest Lei was set at the 81st celebration of Lei Day in 2008. Unofficially the Lei measured more than a mile in length. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lei-day/

School Principals' Day Along with lawyers and bankers, school principals are in a small group of jobs whose holders are often hated and only rarely appreciated. That should change on School Principals’ Day, the origin of which is unknown but can probably be credited to teachers’ unions!

Though the job title varies between countries (‘School Principal’ is used in North America, while ‘Head Teacher’ is preferred in the UK, for example) every school has to have a boss. Schools are like small businesses, with hundreds of customers (students) and dozens of staff (teachers, receptionists, cleaners and so on) and making it all run smoothly is the job of the Principal. It’s especially difficult if the kids are trouble-makers or the parents aren’t happy. Principals have varying responsibilities, from teacher evaluations to dealing with serious discipline issues, but at its heart their job is about providing the best environment for kids to learn. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/school-principals-day/

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