NATIONAL PUPPY DAY

Observed each year on March 23rd, National Puppy Day celebrates the unconditional love and affection puppies bring to our lives. Their cuddles and wiggles make us smile and without a doubt, there are squeals of delight when there are puppies around!

National Puppy Day

The day also brings awareness to the need for care of and homes for orphaned pups as well as to educate people about the horrors of puppy mills across the country. Puppies are a big responsibility. Be sure to consider everything involved and adopt from a shelter. The puppies there need love and a home just as much as any other and they grow into loyal pets, too!

Kona is our daughter

Janice's rescue dog. She is an American Boxer.

April Fools’ Day—occurring on April 1 each year—has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, though its exact origins remain a mystery. April Fools' Day traditions include playing hoaxes or practical jokes on others, often yelling “April Fools!” at the end to clue in the subject of the April Fools' Day prank. While its exact history is shrouded in mystery, the embrace of April Fools' Day jokes by the media and major brands has ensured the unofficial holiday’s long life.

April Fools’ Day Pranks

In modern times, people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and websites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims that have fooled their audiences.

In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees. In 1985, Sports Illustrated writer George Plimpton tricked many readers when he ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour.

In 1992, National Public Radio ran a spot with former President Richard Nixon saying he was running for president again… only it was an actor, not Nixon, and the segment was all an April Fools’ Day prank that caught the country by surprise.

In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich. Google notoriously hosts an annual April Fools’ Day prank that has included everything from “telepathic search” to the ability to play Pac Man on Google Maps.

In 1992, National Public Radio ran a spot with former President Richard Nixon saying he was running for president again… only it was an actor, not Nixon, and the segment was all an April Fools’ Day prank that caught the country by surprise.

In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich. Google notoriously hosts an annual April Fools’ Day prank that has included everything from “telepathic search” to the ability to play Pac Man on Google Maps.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY

On April 2nd each year, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day celebrates a classic food favorite. The average American will have eaten over 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school.

Peanut butter was considered a delicacy in the early 1900s and was only served in New York City’s finest tea rooms. In a May 1896 article published in the Good Housekeeping magazine, a recipe “urged homemakers to use a meat grinder to make peanut butter and spread the result on bread.”  That same year, in June, the culinary magazine Table Talk, published a “peanut butter sandwich recipe.”

It is thought that Julia Davis Chandler issued the first reference to peanut butter (or paste) paired with jelly on bread in the United States in 1901. Her article is found in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics. In the late 1920s, the price of peanut butter declined, and the sandwich became very popular with children.

According to the Peanut Board, during World War II, both peanut butter and jelly were part of the United States soldiers’ military ration list.

In 1968, The J.M. Smucker Co. introduced Goober, a jarred product that combined alternating vertical stripes of peanut butter and jelly.

NATIONAL CHEESE FONDUE DAY APRIL 11TH 

Observed annually on April 11th, National Cheese Fondue Day recognizes a food holiday many enjoy. Fondue is a dish of melted cheese or other ingredients, served in a communal pot (caquelon) over a small portable stove (réchaud).  Participants then dip the bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. Cheese fondue consists of a blend of cheeses, wine, and seasoning.

#National Cheese Fondue Day

A 1966 book published in Zurich, under the name “Kass mit Wein zu kochen” is known for having the earliest known cheese fondue recipe. It calls for grated or cut up cheese melted with wine and for the bread dipped into it.

Cornstarch may be the reason the Swiss became so fond of fondue. In 1905, the thickener was introduced to the land of Switzerland. As many may know, cornstarch thickens liquid and makes smooth and creamy gravies. It also creates a smooth and stable emulsion of the wine and cheese.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHEESE FONDUE DAY

• Whip up a cheese fondue.
• Invite friends and family (near and far) to join you with their own versions.
• Host an online celebration and catch up with friends.
• Discover how they celebrate with cheese fondue and make a toast to good times.
• Share recipes, and if you don’t have one, we found a recipe for you to try.
• Enjoy this delicious Creamy Cheese Fondue recipe.
• Use #NationalCheeseFondueDay to post on social media.

Celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day April 18, 2023

When Superstorm Sandy hit the United States in late October 2012, more than 6 million people in 15 states and the District of Columbia lost power, some for weeks. And, while police, firefighters, and other emergency workers came to the nation’s aid, the real unsung heroes of the recovery were the linemen. These brave men and women not only worked tirelessly for 16 hours a day to restore power and phone lines, they helped FEMA clear roads, remove debris, pull up fallen trees, and of course climb poles to rehang fallen lines – one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. In honor of their service, Congress named April 18th National Lineman Appreciation Day. So, if you see a lineman climbing a pole, give a wave and thank them for their tireless, and critical, work!

National Zucchini Bread Day April 25th, 2023

Zucchini happens to be a vegetable that tends to take on the flavor of the other ingredients it is combined with. It is a commonly used ingredient in savory meals such as casseroles, stir fry, or side dishes. But many people don’t know that it can also be a yummy, healthful ingredient that is part of a variety of baked goods. Moist and sweet, this popular bread is delicious enough to deserve its own day to celebrate: National Zucchini Bread Day. 

History of National Zucchini Bread Day

Zucchini, as it is known today, seems to have developed fairly recently, somewhere around the late 1800s, in Italy. (Although some sources say it may have been around in Mexico for several thousand years prior to this!)

The gourd seems to have made its way to the United States through Italian immigrants and to other places in the world as well. Many countries and cultures now have dishes that they love to cook or bake using this versatile vegetable.

National Oatmeal Cookie Day April 30, 2023

Celebrate National Oatmeal Cookie Day with the family - bake delicious oatmeal cookies and enjoy a tasty treat!

NATIONAL FAMILY FUN DAY

Today is May 28 and the Sunday before Memorial Day at National Day Calendar and we are celebrating National Family Fun Day. This National Day is encouraging families to celebrate everywhere to create some family fun during the long weekend and every day!

#NATIONALFAMILYFUNDAY

People across the U.S. use Memorial Weekend as the time to begin summer fun. Families are camping for the first time this season, attending graduations, and having family reunions. National Family Fun Day is your reminder that you don’t have to plan a huge event to enjoy today’s National Day!

Why is it important to spend time with family?

Families are busy and it can be difficult to spent time together. Sadly, many get caught up in the daily activities of children, work, and family obligations. Families that spend time together are supportive of one another. When families spend time together they tend to have a greater sense of purpose and feel supportive of one another.

Studies show that healthy family relationships encourage security and love. Spending time with family offers the benefits of forming unbreakable bonds. As a family, we learn to offer support and encourage other family members to excel.

NATIONAL MINT JULEP DAY | MAY 30

National Mint Julep Day on May 30th each year sets up a refreshing toast to summer. Each year, people around the country gather for a glass of mint julep! This refreshing southern classic is a traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby.

#MintJulepDay

A classic mint julep is made with a mint leaf, bourbon, sugar, and water. In the Southern states, where mint julep is more associated with the cuisine, spearmint is the mint of choice. Preparation of the drink may vary from one bartender to another.

• Some believe the mint julep originated in the southern United States sometime during the 18th century.
• The term “julep” is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine.
• During the 19th century, Americans also enjoyed a gin-based julep.
• Each year, Churchill Downs serves almost 120,000 mint juleps over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
• May 2008 – Churchill Downs unveiled the world’s largest mint julep glass (6-foot  tall).

HOW TO OBSERVE MINT JULEP DAY

Enjoy a mint ju

lep on this nice spring day! Try out a delicious click >( Mint Julep ) recipe provided by National Day Calendar Ambassadors the Erratic Divas. Use #MintJulepDay to post on social media.