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LydiaN586309
LydiaN586309
Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
March 24, 2019

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

  • March 24, 2019
  • 485 replies
  • 398101 views

Today is March 24th and it is:

World Tuberculosis Day

 

World Tuberculosis Day is a worldwide event that aims to raise public awareness about tuberculosis and the efforts made to prevent and treat this disease. This event is held on March 24 each year and is promoted by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

March 24th marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch detected the cause of tuberculosis--the TB bacillus. This was a first step towards diagnosing and curing tuberculosis. World Tuberculosis Day can be traced back to 1982, when the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease launched World TB Day on March 24 that year, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Dr. Koch’s discovery.

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I plan on posting interesting tidbits about each day/date of the calendar.  I hope others will add to it as well.  It can be related to any subject as long as it happened on or is correlated in some way with that particular date.

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      LydiaN586309
      LydiaN586309Author
      Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
      November 28, 2019
      National French Toast Day – November 28, 2019
       
      What is National French Toast Day?
      No need to wonder about what to make for breakfast on November 28 — it’s National French Toast Day. You know — that thick, sweet, savory dish that’s become a staple of the American breakfast diet. Just writing about this topic has us thinking about heading out for a late breakfast. That’s why we’re so jazzed about National French Toast Day — which, in 2019, falls on the same day as Thanksgiving. French Turkey Toast, anyone?
      National French Toast Day history
      Here’s the first thing you need to know: The French do not call this French toast. It’s called “pain perdu,” or “lost bread,” because you can literally use stale bread to make it. (Most Americans, however, might find that objectionable.)

      French toast, according to Frenchly, comes from a desire to not waste food. Also, please note that it’s a major faux pas to throw bread way. (Bread has religious meaning.) Most experts agree that French toast dates back to ancient Rome. A similar recipe can be found in the book of Apicius from the 5th century BC. The Romans dipped slices of bread in milk (and sometimes eggs) before frying them, and called it “Pan Dulcis.”

      Fast forward to the 1400s and you’ll find a similar recipe at the court of Henri V where the “lost bread” attracted many fans. Still, it wasn’t until the mid 17th century that the term “French Toast” appeared in England. Food historians believe the term “French” does not even mean France; instead, it refers to the verb “to French” which means “to slice” in Old Irish.

      So, “French toast” is actually “sliced toast.”

      Irish settlers traveling to the U.S. and Canada may have brought the term with them. The phrase “French toast” first appeared in The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink in 1871. However, similar recipes were also called “Egg toast,” “Spanish toast,” and even “German toast.”

      There’s another less exotic theory. French toast may have been called “French” because it enabled chefs to inflate the price. “Traditionally in the United States, we have an admiration for French cuisine, which we consider elaborate and gastronomic,” says Kitchen Project Editor-in-Chief Stephen Block. “And that’s probably why this dish was named that way. It’s just marketing. There’s no chance that ‘Lost Bread’ could have worked. And since the dish was successful and the recipe was easy, the name spread.”
       
       
       
       
        LydiaN586309
        LydiaN586309Author
        Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
        November 28, 2019

        Yes, today is THANKSGIVING DAY!  However and contrarily, today is also....

        National Day of Mourning – November 28, 2019
         
         
         

        HomeU.S.​National Day of Mourning 2019 – November 28
        What is the National Day of Mourning
        The National Day of Mourning takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. If this date sounds familiar to you, it’s because the fourth Thursday of November also coincides with Thanksgiving in the U.S. Every year on the National Day of Mourning, Native American people in New England gather together to protest. To them, Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of the unjust treatment that Native Americans have received since the 1620 Plymouth landing.
        History of the National Day of Mourning
        The National Day of Mourning reminds us all that Thanksgiving is only part of the story. Native Americans, since 1970, have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day.

        Pilgrims landed in Plymouth and established the first colony in 1620. As such, it’s the oldest municipality in New England. Many Native Americans, however, don’t celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. Thanksgiving, to them, is a brutal reminder of “the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture.”

        They participate as a way to honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. “It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”

        The United American Indians of New England (UAINE) sponsors this event. They maintain that the Pilgrims arrived in North America and claimed tribal land for their own, as opposed to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with the local inhabitants. UAINE members believe that these settlers “introduced sexism, racism, anti-homosexual bigotry, jails, and the class system.”

        The National Day of Mourning generally begins at noon and includes a march through the historic district of Plymouth. While the UAINE encourages people of all backgrounds to attend the protests, only Native speakers are invited to give these speeches about the past, as well as current obstacles their people have overcome. Guests are asked to bring non-alcoholic beverages, desserts, fresh fruits and vegetables, or pre-cooked items. The protest is open to anyone, and has attracted other minority activists.

          LydiaN586309
          LydiaN586309Author
          Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
          November 28, 2019

          Of course, we all know today is.....

          Thanksgiving 2019 – November 28, 2019
           
          America’s Thanksgiving holiday, born in the 1500s, mythologized in 1621, and observed even during the bleakest hours of the Civil War, now stands as one of the nation’s most anticipated and beloved days — celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November (November 28, 2019). Perhaps no other nonsectarian holiday has more tradition. Family, friends, food, and football have come to symbolize Thanksgiving — a rare celebratory holiday without an established gift-giving component. Instead the day urges all of us to be grateful for things we do have.
          History of Thanksgiving
          This story doesn’t necessarily start with Pilgrims. 
           
          Evidence shows that Spanish explorers and settlers held thanksgiving services during the late 1500s in what is now Florida and New Mexico. Thanksgivings also took place in what became the Commonwealth of Virginia as early as 1607, with the first permanent settlement of Jamestown holding a thanksgiving in 1610.
           
          The ‘First’ Thanksgiving
           
          It wasn’t until a decade later that the Plymouth settlers, known as Pilgrims, arrived in the New World. They celebrated at Plymouth for three days after their first harvest in 1621. The gathering included 50 people who were on the Mayflower (all who remained of the 100 who had landed) and 90 Native Americans. The feast was cooked by the four adult Pilgrim women who survived their first winter in the New World, along with young daughters and other servants.   
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          LydiaN586309
          LydiaN586309Author
          Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
          November 26, 2019

          TODAY IS...

          National Cake Day – November 26, 2019
           
           

          For 2019, National Cake Day is on Tuesday, November 26. We believe Marie Antoinette said it best when she (allegedly) said “let them eat cake!”

          We’re not sure the peasants of 18th century France were too fond of the sentiment but nevertheless we’ll take her advice do just that! 

          What is National Cake Day?
          Can’t wait for your birthday? Remember, National Cake Day falls on November 26. No one really knows how this holiday came about, but we all know that we all love to eat cake.

          National Cake Day History
          The term “cake” has a rather complicated history. The word itself is of Viking origin, from the Old Norse word “kaka.”
          It’s All Greek to Me!
          The ancient Greeks called cake “plakous,” which was derived from the word for “flat.” The simple ingredients include flour mixed with eggs, milk, nuts, and honey. They also had a cake called “satura,” which was a flat heavy cake. During the Roman period, the name for cake became “placenta,” which was derived from the Greek term. A placenta was baked on a pastry base or inside a pastry case.

          National Cake Day Activities


          Bake a cake
          The most obvious and fun way to celebrate National Cake Day is by putting on an apron (or not if you wish to get flour all over your clothes), and preheat your oven! You can make one from scratch or use a little help from little box at the store.


          Invite your friends over for a cake decorating contest
          You provide the base and they provide the creativity. Invite your friends over for a night full of frosting and laughs, and judge the cakes by the best, worst, and most creative designs.


          Let them eat cake (at work)
          Everyone loves a nice treat at work. Surprise your co-workers by bringing in a homemade or store-bought cake. When people ask what the occasion is, the answer is simple, "It's National Cake Day, duh!"

            LydiaN586309
            LydiaN586309Author
            Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
            November 26, 2019
            International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – November 25, 2019
             
            On November 25, 1960, the Mirabal sisters of the Dominican Republic were assassinated by henchmen of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The sisters, who had been active in movements against the Trujillo regime, were beaten and strangled to death, then placed in a Jeep that was driven off a mountainous road in order to make their deaths appear accidental. In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The date marks the beginning of 16 days of remembrance and activism, culminating in International Human Rights Day.

            According to a report by the United Nations, 19 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 years of age have experienced physical and/or sexual violence “by an intimate partner.” In some cases, this violence ends in the women’s death.

            International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women timeline
            December 17, 1999 The Day Becomes Official

            A United Nations resolution establishes November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

            1981 The Date is Saved

            Women attending the Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Encuentros mark November 25 as a day to raise awareness of violence against women.

            November 25, 1961 Mirabal sisters Assassinated

            Three female Dominican political activists are assassinated. This is the event that will eventually inspire the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

            How to Observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
            1. Join the movement

              There are a lot of things you can do to keep the momentum going — from learning the facts about violence against women to organizing meetings, teach-ins and marches to express your support and solidarity.

            2. #OrangeTheWorld

              Share photos, messages and videos showing how you "orange the world" alongside other women worldwide. It's all part of a campaign organized by UN Women, the United Nations organization that dedicates itself to gender equality and the continuing empowerment of women.

            3. Write an op-ed

              Most local newspapers are happy to accept opinion pieces from readers. Write an op-ed alerting others to the existence of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

               

              5 Facts About Violence Against Women
              1. It's an epidemic

                An estimated 35 percent of women worldwide have been physically and/or sexually assaulted by a nonpartner.

              2. It's up close and personal

                Some studies show that up to 70 percent of women have experienced violence from an intimate partner.

              3. It's spreading

                Women and girls account for 71 percent of all human trafficking victims.

              4. The numbers are staggering

                More than 1 in 10 females have experienced forced sexual acts in their lives.

              5. Times are changing

                At least 140 countries have laws against domestic violence and sexual harassment.

              Why International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is Important
              1. It raises awareness

                Every second of every day, women around the world are subjected to violence. Observing this day provides us with the space to recognize the problem and to start taking steps to reduce and, hopefully, eliminate it.

              2. It inspires action

                This day is not only a chance to raise awareness but to create an atmosphere in which women and men can organize together and take direct action to combat the epidemic of violence against women.

              3. It makes the future bright

                Only when women are free from the fear of brutality can we start to create a future in which every person is treated with respect and dignity.

            LydiaN586309
            LydiaN586309Author
            Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
            November 21, 2019
            Today is....
            The Great American Smokeout!  November 21, 2019
             
            What is Great American Smokeout?
            The American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November (November 21, 2019), challenging smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours. If you or a loved one smokes cigarettes, consider joining the movement, and take the first step toward quitting cigarettes forever!
            History of Great American Smokeout
            The inception of the Great American Smokeout stems from a 1970 event in Randolph, Massachusetts. High school guidance councilor Arthur P. Mullaney asked people to give up cigarettes for one day and donate the money they would have spent on buying cigarettes to a high school scholarship fund. A few years later in 1974, newspaper editor Lynn R. Smith led Minnesota’s first Don’t Smoke Day. The two efforts caught on and on November 18, 1976, the California Division of the American Cancer Society got 1 million people to quit smoking for the day. This marked the first official Smokeout before the American Cancer Society took it nationwide in 1977. As a result, there was a dramatic change in the public view of tobacco advertising and use. Many public establishments and work places are now smoke-free to protect non-smokers and support people trying to quit. 
             
            Every year the Great American Smokeout draws attention to preventing deaths and chronic illnesses caused by smoking. From the late 1980s to the 1990s, many state and local governments have raised taxes on cigarettes, limited promotions, discouraged teen cigarette use, and taken further action to counter smoking. States with strong tobacco control laws saw up to a 42% decrease of smoking in adults.
             
            Though smoking rates have dropped, almost 38 million Americans still smoke tobacco, and about half of all smokers will encounter smoking related deaths. Each year, more than 480,000 people in the United States die from a smoking related illness, meaning smoking causes 1 out of 5 deaths in the US alone.
             
            How to Observe Great American Smokeout
            1. Make a plan

              Learn about options to curb cravings and get your support system ready to help you through hard times. If you're trying to help someone else quit, check out some ways to ensure you're doing it the right way.

            2. Get rid of anything smoking-related

              It's the perfect day to remove all smoking-related items from your home. Remove all cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters from your car and workplace as well. Also consider stocking up on substitutes like gum and crunchy snacks.

            3. Reflect on your smoking past

              If you've tried to quit before, the Great American Smokeout is a good time to reflect on your past attempts. Think about why those attempts didn't work, and go back to the drawing board for the next time around. 

            4 Famous Ex-Smokers You Never Knew Smoked At All
            1. Gwyneth Paltrow

              The Academy Award-winning actress smoked frequently as a teen and didn't decide to quit until she was pregnant with her first child.

            2. ​Barack Obama

              The former president quit with the help of Nicorette ​gum, hoping to set a good example for his daughters.

            3. ​Jennifer Aniston

              The "Friends" star quit smoking successfully by turning to yoga and other exercise to keep her mind off of cigarettes.

            4. ​Mila Kunis

              The actress admitted she used cigarettes as a way to slim down for her role in "Black Swan," but has since given up the habit.​

            Why Great American Smokeout is Important
            1. A single day can help people take the first step

              The Great American Smokeout highlights the dangers of smoking tobacco and provides a meaningful way for people to avoid cigarettes. It also offers a comfortable environment for family members and friends to speak about tobacco and how to quit smoking.

            2. It brings people together

              Not only does the Great American Smokeout speak to the negative effects of smoking, but it also helps people come together in the name of quitting. People trying to quit can communicate with one another online using the hashtag #GreatAmericanSmokeout, or by attending local events in various cities.

            3. It provides resources to quit

              The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout website provides resources, news, and stories about the journey to quit smoking. Smokers can find inspiration and tips to increase their chances of quitting successfully.

             
              LydiaN586309
              LydiaN586309Author
              Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
              November 18, 2019

              TODAY IS....

              Mickey Mouse’s Birthday – November 18, 2019
               

              It must be fun to celebrate your birthday when you never age! Mickey Mouse first appeared in the short film “Steamboat Willy” on November 28, 1928. Ever since then, fans all over the world have celebrated this day as his birthday. Mickey reminds us of the magic of childhood — a time when dreams had wings, and our imagination made everything possible. Besides, everyone loves Mickey!

              Mickey Mouse’s Birthday timeline 2004 Mickey Goes CGI

              "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" featured the character in CGI animation for the first time.

              1993 Toontown!

              Mickey's Toontown opened at Disneyland. The 1988 Disney film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" inspired this new part of the Magic Kingdom. The area featured the "Mickey's House and Meet Mickey" attraction.

              1987 Ear Force One

              The first Mickey Mouse hot air balloon took flight.

              1935 Mickey — in color

              The first Mickey Mouse film in technicolor, "The Bad Concert," was released. This marked the end of Mickey's black and white era.

              1928 From rabbit to mouse

              Artist Ub Iwerks modified Oswald Rabbit — turning him into Mickey Mouse. Mickey's big-screen debut came in the feature film "Steamboat Willie."

              How to Celebrate Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
              1. Put him on your wrist

                Mickey Mouse watches never seem to go out of style. There's even a 90th anniversary edition now available.

              2. Visit a Disney resort

                Enjoy music, fireworks, and special snacks as the parks stage a Mickey-themed party.

              3. Throw your own party

                How about a Mickey Mouse party for the kids where everyone gets to dress up like Mickey, Minnie, or another Disney character?

              5 Things You Never Knew About Mickey Mouse
              1. He has a middle name

                Mickey's full name is Michael Theodore Mouse.

              2. The secret of this mouse's gloves

                Mickey Mouse wears white gloves so that his hands can be distinguished from his entire body.

              3. A friend to presidents

                Most U.S. presidents have posed alongside Mickey, with the notable exception of Lyndon Johnson.

              4. "Hot Dogs!"

                Those were the first words Mickey Mouse said. In fact, he was the first cartoon character to speak.

              5. Star power

                He is the first cartoon character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

                LydiaN586309
                LydiaN586309Author
                Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                November 11, 2019

                TODAY IS......

                Image result for VETERANS DAY IMAGES

                A Brief History of Veterans Day

                Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

                In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

                 

                Image result for IMAGES OF VETERANS AT WAR

                 

                In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.

                 

                Image result for THE EMBLEMS OF THE MILITARY FORCES

                 

                Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.

                 

                Related image

                 

                Image result for VETERANS DAY IMAGES

                Celebrating the Veterans Day Holiday

                If the Nov. 11 holiday falls on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday is observed by the federal government on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. State and local government closings are determined locally, and non- government businesses can close or remain open as they see fit, regardless of federal, state or local government operation determinations.

                United States Senate Resolution 143, which was passed on Aug. 4, 2001, designated the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, 2001, as "National Veterans Awareness Week." The resolution calls for educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

                 

                Related image

                The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day

                Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

                President Eisenhower's letter to Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, designating him Chairman, Veterans Day National Committee

                The White House Office

                October 8, 1954

                Dear Mr. Higley:

                I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible.

                I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954.

                Sincerely,

                DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

                Image result for VETERANS DAY IMAGES

                  LydiaN586309
                  LydiaN586309Author
                  Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                  November 7, 2019
                  National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day – November 7, 2019

                  National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day is an opportunity to celebrate the sumptuous combination of chocolate and almonds. Nearly 40 percent of all the world’s almonds end up in some form of chocolate, most often a candy bar. The pairing is one of the oldest known recipes using chocolate. While National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, held on November 7, is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, it’s primarily an online celebration involving dark chocolate and almond lovers.

                  National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day timeline 1938 Government endorsed chocolate

                  The federal government, recognizing the nutritional value of chocolate, added it to the meal rations for U.S. troops.

                  1925 Cocoa became big business

                  The U.S. Cocoa Exchange opened in New York City to facilitate cocoa transactions.

                  1920 Mounds bar born

                  Hershey's Mounds bar, made with almonds, coconut, and dark chocolate, hits the shelves.

                  1853 Cocoa tarries lifted

                  This made chocolate accessible to more than just the upper class.

                  1830 You can eat it

                  J.S. Fry and Sons, a British chocolate maker, devised a way to turn cocoa into a solid bar.

                  National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day Activities
                  1. Dip it at home

                    Buy a nice big bar of dark chocolate along with a jar of almonds to make your own dipped almonds at home. You might add a teaspoon or two of cornstarch to thicken the chocolate sauce. Sprinkle them with some sea salt to add extra flavor.

                  2. Buy a dark chocolate and almond candy bar

                    You have plenty to choose from! You've got Hershey's Special Dark with Almonds, or a Mounds bar, which includes shaved coconut (Mounds' sister bar, Almond Joy, features milk chocolate), or the Dove Silky Smooth Promises Dark Chocolate & Almond.

                  3. Tour a chocolate factory

                    The kids will love you for it! There's Hershey's in (the obviously named) Hershey, Pennsylvania. You can also hit the theme park next door. The Sanders and Morely Candy Makers chocolate factory in Clinton Township, Michigan offers a free tour, as does Hammond's Candies in Denver.

                  5 Reasons Why Chocolate's Healthier Than You Think
                  1. Better fat

                    Experiments on rats have shown that the fat in cocoa is actually less fattening than the fat in other fatty foods.

                  2. Anti-inflammatory

                    Research shows cocoa works as an anti-inflammatory agent in humans.

                  3. Improved eyesight

                    Consumption of cocoa thins the blood and improves circulation to the brain; it's thought to improve vision as a result.

                  4. Good for your skin

                    Dark chocolate, in particular, contains antioxidants that actually can improve the condition of your skin.

                  5. Get your fiber

                    Dark chocolate contains fiber and offers all of the health benefits that fiber brings, including satisfying your appetite.

                  Why We Love National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
                  1. It's a tasty combo

                    The origins of combining dark chocolate and almonds are unknown, but whoever did it knew what they were doing. There's something about the taste and texture of almonds that just works alongside the bittersweet taste of dark chocolate.

                  2. Believe it or not, it's healthy!

                    While there's plenty of fat in dark chocolate-covered almonds, health benefits do exist when eaten in moderation. The antioxidants in dark chocolate, combined with the vitamins and proteins in almonds, offer a snack that can help reduce cardiovascular disease.

                  3. Made in the USA

                    The U.S. is the world's largest producer of almonds, and the majority of production happens in California. One Sacramento plant churns out more than two million pounds of almonds each day.

                    LydiaN586309
                    LydiaN586309Author
                    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                    November 5, 2019

                    TODAY IS...

                    National Candy Day – November 4, 2019
                     
                    What is National Candy Day?

                    We hope your sweet tooth is ready, because November 4 is National Candy Day. These sweet and sour treats have been our favorite snack since childhood. Whether they’re hard, chewy, fruit flavored, or a “melt in your mouth not in your hand” sort of treat, candy has been a consistent source of happiness and, as we get older, nostalgia. 

                    National Candy Day History
                    The story of candy begins in India. Between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the Persians and Greeks learned that the people in India had, what they called, reeds that make honey without bees. These reeds were actually sugarcane, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia. Ancient Indians would boil sugarcane juice, turning it into individual pieces of sugar, which they called “khanda.”
                     
                    Before sugarcane was domesticated outside of Asia, honey was used in ancient China, the Middle East,  Egypt, Greece, and Rome to coat fruits and flowers, which would preserve them and turn them into a form of candy. Before the Industrial Revolution, candy was used as medicine to either calm the digestive system or cool the throat. In the Middle Ages, candy was mostly consumed by the wealthy and was made of sugar and spices to aid digestive problems, which were very common, as food was neither fresh nor balanced. 
                     
                    Candy first came to America in the 18th century from France and Britain. Very few colonists were skilled in sugar work, meaning only the wealthy were able to enjoy these new treats. In the 1830s, when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, technological advances allowed candy to be accessible to more than just the rich, including a new market specifically for children. While some artisan sugar workers remained, candy stores were becoming an American staple, especially in the lives of children across the country. Penny candy became the first thing a child would spend their money on, and candy store owners relied mostly on the business of children and families to keep them running. 


                    If you're like us, you don't need a reason to celebrate dark chocolate, but it sure is sweet to have one. National Dark Chocolate Day on February 1 is an opportunity exalt the health and happiness that dark chocolate brings and pay homage to the history and cultural significance surrounding this decadent…


                    We're all for cutting back on sugar — but let's start tomorrow. It's National Jelly Bean Day, and we still have plenty of Easter candy on hand. Did jelly beans really exist during the Civil War? It's possible, but they first appeared in the popular press after the turn of the…


                    Without a doubt, National Lollipop Day on July 20 is a day that children of all ages can celebrate. We’re looking at you, grandparents — relive some childhood memories! People in the Midwest call lollipops suckers but they go by other names as well — lolly, or sticky pop. They…

                     

                    National Candy Day timeline 1817 Butterscotch

                    In a town called Doncaster in Yorkshire, England, a man named Samuel Parkinson began making butterscotch as a hard candy.

                    1883 Saltwater taffy

                    New Jersey shop owner David Bradley's candy store flooded due to a major storm. Because of this storm, he began calling his taffy "saltwater taffy."

                    1941 M&M's

                    M&M's were invented by Forrest Mars, who got the idea by watching soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard shell during the Spanish Civil War. The chocolates had hard shells so the soldiers could carry them during warm weather. 

                    1960 Starburst

                    Starburst candies were invented in the UK by Peter Phillips and were originally called Opal Fruits.

                    National Candy Day FAQs
                    Which holiday has the highest candy sales?

                    Halloween pulls in the most candy sales over any other holiday, as people load up on bags of sweets to pass out to eager trick-or-treaters.

                    When is National Candy Month?

                    National Candy Month occurs in June to celebrate over 100 years of candy and the impact its had on all of our lives. 

                    What is the most popular candy in the U.S?

                    Though the preferred candy tends to differ depending on the state, the two highest selling candies in the United States are M&M’s and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

                    National Candy Day Activities
                    1. Buy candy for a friend

                      Give sweets to be sweet! Nothing says "Have a great day" better than a box of colorful candy.

                    2. Make your own

                      How about making your own candy for a change? Candy is made by boiling sugar in water or milk until it starts to caramelize. Find a recipe that strikes your interest and make it at home!

                    3. Try something new

                      We all have our go-to candies, but next time you're at the shop, try the candy you always look at but never actually pick up. It might be a new favorite.

                    Why We Love National Candy Day
                    1. It's delicious

                      If you've never had a king-sized Kit Kat bar or pack of Sour Patch Kids, then you haven't lived. Candy is great. End of story.

                    2. Childhood nostalgia

                      From crushing piñatas at birthday parties, to passing out Hershey's Kisses for Valentine's day, candy was a big part of our childhoods. No matter how much we grow, candy will always bring back those special memories.

                    3. It's improves your mood

                      Happy? Sad? It doesn't matter! Candy is used by many people as a way to boost happiness. It has a natural knack for lifting our moods.

                     

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