Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
March 24, 2019
485 replies
396942 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.

**********************************************

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.

Show previous replies

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

National Endangered Species Day – May 19, 2019

Animal lovers and conservationists unite: May 19 is National Endangered Species Day. This is a day to consider the dwindling populations of certain animals and work together to help. Environmental conservation didn’t gain traction until the mid-1800s. America’s Endangered Species Act of 1973 sparked both domestic and international conservation by providing a framework for protection.

Even today some remain critical of human efforts to make the world more habitable for endangered animals. They argue that natural selection should decide which species live or die. But let’s remember that humans have an unprecedented effect on the planet, which can have negative consequences on the lives of other animals.

The question remains: Should humans have ultimate authority over which animals live and die?

How to Observe National Endangered Species Day:

Make a donation
There are thousands of charitable organizations dedicated to conserving endangered species, and they all could use your help. These organizations exist at national and local levels as well, so you can choose how far and wide your money goes.
Volunteer at a local nature center
If you can spare the time, find a nature center near you and volunteer. Take the opportunity to learn something new about this wonderful planet we live on, and learn how you can make sure it’s in good shape for the future. Most nature centers offer helpful literature, and those who work there are always ready for a chance to talk about their work. If you’re interested volunteering could turn into a regular hobby!
Go on a nature walk
Take time on National Endangered Species Day to see for yourself what the natural world looks like, right in your backyard. See if you can spot all the creatures that make their homes with you, and try to figure out the best way to help your local ecosystem work.

Why National Endangered Species Day is Important?

Healthy planet
Every animal is a vital link in its own respective food chain. Removing any link has disastrous effects on other animals, humans, and the planet in general. The key to making sure that human history continues is to make sure we live on a healthy planet, and in order to do that, we must allow other animals to live and thrive along with us.
Bald eagles: A success story
The pesticide DDT once posed a threat to America's bald eagle population. The U.S. banned DDT in 1972. The Endangered Species Act took effect a year later. Bald eagles recovered by 2007 and no longer occupy a spot on the endangered list.
Research
When it comes to studying disease or biology or natural history, it’s not enough to study fossils and other humans. Studying the animals who share our planet allows us to form a deeper understanding of the way life works. If a species goes extinct, there is no real way for us to truly understand how they impacted the planet. After all, dodo saliva could have been utilized as a natural antidepressant, but since they all died out several centuries ago, we’ll never know for certain.

Some Endangered Species:

Panda

Orangutan

Red Panda

Rhinos

Wolves

Giraffees

Iberian Lynx

...and many, many other species.

What else can we do?
ACT NOW IN HONOR OF ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY
May 17, 2019
Dear Humanitarian,
Today is Endangered Species Day! Our world is a richer and more beautiful place thanks to the enormous diversity of species that inhabit it, and today we are honoring a law that is vital for protecting that incredible biodiversity—the Endangered Species Act.
The UN’s Global Assessment report that came out earlier this month painted a bleak picture, projecting that we could lose approximately one million species over the next 50 years due to exploitation of species, habitat encroachment, climate change, pollution, and invasion by non-native species.
However, laws such as the ESA still give us a fighting chance to save wildlife from extinction. Under the protection of the law, 99 percent of listed species have been spared from extinction, and thanks to the ESA a number of species such as the bald eagle, grizzly bear, and West Indian manatee are on the road to recovery.
SEND YOUR LETTERS
What You Can Do
Unfortunately, the ESA frequently comes under attack, particularly by certain members of Congress. In recognition of Endangered Species Day, we ask that you write to your members of Congress and urge them to appreciate what a strong, flexible, and crucial law it is and oppose any attacks on it.
Be sure to share our eAlert with family, friends, and co-workers, and encourage them to contact their members of Congress, too. Thank you for all you do for animals!
Sincerely,
Cathy Liss
President, Animal Welfare Institute

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Today Is.....

National Brother's Day – May 24, 2019

When you were growing up, you may have envied only children. They never had to share their dessert, they were exempted from sibling rivalry, and they didn’t live in constant fear of wedgies. Today, cast aside that envy and feel sad for those onlies, who don’t get to celebrate National Brother’s Day on May 24. When you were younger, you argued over LEGOs, whose turn it was to sit in the front seat, or who would get the last brownie. Yet in some strange way, those childhood squabbles served to make you closer over the years. As a grownup, you know that having a brother confers a number of advantages: a whole lifetime’s worth of jokes and memories, the camaraderie that comes from having endured the same sadistic algebra teacher, and that warm, fuzzy feeling you get at family reunions (OK, maybe that is the wedgie, or a poorly executed Indian burn?) .

National Brother's Day Activities

Indulge in your favorite bonding ritual
Beer? Ballgames? Barbecue? Brunch? Whatever you guys like to do, today’s the day to do it together. Even if it just means grabbing a bite to eat, take time out to bond with your brother.
Tell him what he means to you
This doesn’t have to be as touchy-feely as all that, but it ought to be a bit more meaningful than slurring “I love you, man!” after a couple of Jameson shots. Just let him know that you appreciate all he’s done for you, or that you really dig hanging out with him.
Buy him a little something
Unlike Mother’s Day, when it’s basically de rigeur to spring for flowers, perfume, or a brunch buffet, there are no guidelines when it comes to buying your brother a treat. How about a funny t-shirt you saw online, a book he’d enjoy, or movie tickets? If he’s a whiskey aficionado, get him that special bottle he wouldn’t buy for himself. Who knows, maybe he’ll share.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Today Is....

World Bicycle Day – June 3, 2019

For many of us, riding a bicycle without training wheels is the first challenging physical activity we ever learn how to master. We all remember, don’t we? A running start. The protective hand secured to the bicycle seat is released. And then — ZOOM! — the child is off and peddling, and a lifetime of adventure and freedom awaits aboard a succession of beloved two-wheeled conveyances. In the spirit of that very first trip, let’s take a closer look at World Bicycle Day, shall we?

World Bicycle Day - History April 12, 2018 Stamp of approval

The United Nations officially designates June 3 as World Bicycle Day.

March 2016 Sibilski appears at Scientists for Cycling

Sibilski speaks at the Scientists for Cycling colloquium in Taipei, Taiwan, and argues for a World Bicycle Day.

February 2016 World bicycle day gathers momentum

Professor Sibilski publishes another blog post for the World Bank titled "Why is there no world day for the bicycle?" Momentum begins to build.

February 2015 The movement begins

Leszek Sibilski, a sociology professor and cycling and physical education activist, writes a blog post for the World Bank titled, "Cycling Is Everyone’s Business."

World Bicycle Day Activities

Plan a trip
No matter where you are in the world, we're sure that your city or town will look completely different once you start to explore it by bicycle. Many cities have dedicated bike lanes that allow you to ride at your own pace and convenience. And many bicyclists love to get outside of town to take in the sweeping vistas and wind-in-your-hair excitement of rural bicycling.
Acknowledge the worldwide celebration
European Cyclists’ Federation Secretary General Dr. Bernhard Ensink says of the United Nations' declaration of June 3 as World Bicycle Day: "Cycling is a source for social, economic and environmental benefits, and it is bringing people together."
Spread the word
World Bicycle Day is pretty much brand new — adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in April 2018. Let everyone know about this super cool celebration.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

TODAY IS.....

World Environment Day – June 5, 2019

World Environment Day, which the UN first established in 1972, urges all of us to protect our natural surroundings.

The stunning facts? An estimated 7 million people die each year due to causes related to air pollution, with a majority occurring in the Asia-Pacific region. This day, which falls on June 5, encourages worldwide activism. That means everything from littering to climate change. World Environment Day is both a global celebration and platform for public outreach.

China, which now owns half the world’s electric vehicles and 99 percent of the world’s electric buses, is hosting the 2019 event. “The country has demonstrated tremendous leadership in tackling air pollution domestically,” says Acting Head of UN Environment Joyce Msuya. “It can now help spur the world to greater action.”

How to Observe World Environment Day

Make a commitment to recycle
It might seem like a basic tip, but are you really taking every possible opportunity to recycle? Next time you're thinking about throwing that piece of paper in the trash because a recycling bin isn't accessible, think twice. Holding a plastic container and too lazy to see if it's one of the biodegradable kinds? Open up your smartphone and look it up! Everyone's responsible for reducing greenhouse gas emissions— including you.
Plant a tree
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. Placed strategically around a single-family home, they can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants.
Volunteer
Anyone can volunteer, and volunteering can make a difference to the whole community. Get out of your comfort zone by volunteering for the National Park Service, or stay local by volunteering at your farmers market. Any way you choose to participate, you'll feel the positive impact of getting out of the house and caring for the planet.

Why World Environment Day is Important

It reconnects us to nature
Sometimes we forget just how much natural systems support our own well-being. But we're part of nature, and we depend on it. So today's the perfect occasion to go out and enjoy your country’s national parks, and celebrate the vital relationship.
It raises awareness
More and more people are starting to understand that we need to sustainably manage our planet’s resources and ecosystems. However, that belief is far from universal. That's why World Environment Day is so important: it provides an occasion to raise awareness and teach friends and family that the physical environment is fragile and indispensable. But before you begin promoting environmental awareness in your own community, make sure that you have a thorough understanding of environmental issues yourself. There's always more to learn!
It encourages us to take action
The environment has become increasingly polluted with contaminants and toxins, and these have a harmful impact on our health. They can cause respiratory diseases and cancer—and that's just for starters. By raising awareness of the issues with the air that sustains us, World Environment Day inspires us to do something about it and fix the environment we can't live without.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

TODAY IS....

National Moonshine Day – June 6, 2019

Moonshine, once a fiery (and illegal) homemade liquor, has now gone legit. Still, the drink conjures up colorful early 20th century memories of Prohibition, fast cars, and makeshift stills in the Appalachian woods. So, when it’s time to celebrate National Moonshine Day on June 6, you can indulge guilt-free.

The drink achieved legendary status upon the passage of the 18th Amendment (Prohibition) in 1919. At that point, Americans who wanted to drink alcohol had to turn to the black market of the day, which belonged to the moonshiners and bootleggers. They distilled the moonshine and then delivered it, making criminals of everyone involved.

Today large distilleries sell moonshine, looking to rekindle nostalgic memories of the illicit drink. But the days of cheap, questionable brews with deadly contaminants are thankfully over.

National Moonshine Day Activities

Try a craft whiskey
Craft whiskeys are those distilled by small companies or even individuals. These whiskeys are made in a non-mechanized way. So if you want to feel like you’re celebrating the days of moonshining, a craft whiskey is going to put you closer than drinking large batch whiskey from one of the well-known distillers. We can’t guarantee your craft whiskey came from a still in someone’s back yard, but we can’t guarantee it didn’t either.
Watch a NASCAR race
The origin of NASCAR is filled with stories of bootleggers hauling moonshine in their souped-up cars, running from authorities. As the need for bootleggers waned, the drivers needed a way to show off their fast cars. They eventually began racing each other on local back roads, and then on dirt ovals. NASCAR was born. Historians note North Carolina's tradition of auto racing developed in the garages of bootleggers, particularly on the roads between North Wilkesboro and Charlotte. Today’s NASCAR doesn’t much resemble the early days of back roads and bootleggers, but the whiskey doesn’t much resemble moonshine’s risk of blindness either. Both are good things.
Work in the moonlight
Want to gain a feel for the difficulty of moonshining? Those making moonshine had to work in the dark to help them hide from authorities. Moonlight was their only guide. So you can try doing an outdoor chore only by moonlight. (Preferably something that doesn’t involve fast-moving blades or working on a ladder please – safety first, after all.)

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

TODAY IS.....

National Donut Day – June 7, 2019

Random thoughts on June 7 — National Donut Day — from a pair of highly regarded scholars:

“Whether you take the donut hole as a blank space or as an entity unto itself is a purely metaphysical question — and does not affect the taste of the donut one bit.”
— Haruki Murakami (Japanese writer)
“Mmmmmm…donuts.”
— Homer Simpson (Husband)

Here we go. Donuts are religion in the U.S. Perhaps no snack food symbolizes all-out joy for Americans like this chewy deep-fried treat. We seem to want them all the time. Bring a box to the office during any part of the workday and just see how long they last.

National Donut Day falls on the first Friday in June each year. This replaces The Salvation Army’s “Donut Day” event created in 1938 to honor members who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.

Here are some National Donut Day 2019 deals:

Dunkin’: Get a free donut when you purchase a beverage.

Krispy Kreme: Stores are giving away one free donut to anyone who comes in on Friday, no purchase necessary. Yes, you can pick from the whole menu!

Tim Hortons: This chain doesn't so much have a deal or freebie offer, but it did decide to introduce a new doughnut Friday. Tim Hortons will debut a churro flavor, a honey cruller filled with caramel filling and topped with cinnamon sugar. Just note, the rollout will be at participating locations Friday, then debuted at the rest of its locations starting June 12, for a limited time only, according to published reports.

Walmart: Looks like someone’s trying to one-up Krispy Kreme! Walmart is trying to give away 1.2 million doughnuts Friday, so just head over to the bakery section at your nearest store and you can get one glazed doughnut for free.

Entenmann’s: Well, Entenmann’s isn’t handing out any freebies Friday, but the company does have a cool-sounding contest going on.

From now until June 14, Entenmann’s is running the Fan Flavor Challenge & Sweepstakes in hopes of finding its next big flavor. If you win, you’ll score $5,000 and free doughnuts for an entire year. To enter, head to the sweepstakes site and create your own doughnut, picking a base, flavor, glaze and topping -- then, provide a brief summary for why you like Entenmann’s doughnuts. Be sure to come up with a creative name for your creation! The winning entry will debut during the holiday season.

Also, if you have a favorite neighborhood shop, check its social media pages. It appears many mom-and-pop-type smaller businesses are running deals, special flavors and promotions of their own.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

TODAY IS.......

National Loving Day – June 12, 2019

Celebrate your loved one on National Loving Day! Every June 12, we honor the United States Supreme Court’s 1967 decision to strike down laws in several states that banned interracial marriage. The decision was sparked by Loving v. Virginia, a court case involving Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple from Virginia who married in 1958. Upon returning home after their wedding, they were arrested. The couple fought back against the laws that forbid their partnership, and ultimately won the right to marry. Richard and Mildred’s determination changed the lives of millions of Americans and shaped the future of relationships in the country. From June 12, 1967 onward, Americans were no longer prohibited from marrying someone they loved solely because they were of different races. At the time of the Supreme Court’s decision, sixteen U.S. states still forbid interracial marriage, so the ruling was a necessary game-changer.The holiday was not created until decades after the decision, in 2004. It was launched by Ken Tanabe, who grew up in an interracial family with a Japanese father and a Belgian mother. He launched the holiday in hopes that the day of celebration would bring together multiethnic families from around the world.

National Loving Day Activities

Host a barbecue
National Loving Day is often celebrated with backyard barbecues. Invite your family and friends over for great food and a celebration of love. Early June is the perfect time for a summer gathering, and what better reason than to honor a holiday that’s all about love?
Attend a festival
Many communities mark National Loving Day with joyful festivals and city-wide celebrations. New York City hosts the holiday’s flagship celebration each year, and other communities also host parties and gatherings. Find one near you at LovingDay.org, or consider hosting your own!
Watch a film inspired by the holiday
National Loving Day inspired the film Loving, a cinematic tribute to the couple that started it all. The movie, which was released in 2016, follows the story of Richard and Mildred Loving’s arrest, legal battle, and ultimate Supreme Court victory nine years later. The film was nominated for an Oscar and received widespread critical praise. If documentaries are more your style, press play on The Loving Story, a 2012 HBO film that shares little-known details of the couple’s journey. Kicking back on the couch with one of these films is a great way to reflect on the struggles that went into securing rights for couples of all races.

Why We Love National Loving Day

It celebrates love in all forms
National Loving Day is a great opportunity to acknowledge the fact that love does not discriminate, and that millions of families throughout the U.S. and around the world consist of multiple races and ethnicities. Love is love — and what’s more beautiful than that?
It honors the Loving couple’s bravery
Richard and Mildred Loving’s bold choice to fight for their rights created a better future for so many of their fellow Americans. Had the Supreme Court not ruled in their favor, millions of happy families that consist of more than one race may not exist today. The freedom to marry whomever we love was granted far more recently than most of us realize, and it’s important to protect that right in any way we can. National Loving Day is a great reminder to appreciate our current liberties and to ensure our rights are always recognized.
It spreads awareness
National Loving Day is a great cue to ditch discrimination and treat all families and couples with the respect they deserve. It’s also a reminder that race is not what matters in a happy relationship — what’s important is that a couple is happy and compatible.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

TODAY IS.......

International Yoga Day – June 21, 2019

FRIJUN 21

If you had to guess which bill presented to the United Nations General Assembly had the highest number of co-sponsors ever, which would you guess? You probably wouldn’t think of International Day of Yoga—but that’s the answer! India’s Prime Minister called for the adoption of June 21st as International Day of Yoga, and here we are celebrating today. You may know yoga as a recent workout trend, but yoga has Indian roots that date back as far as 5000 years ago. In ancient India, yoga was considered a mental, physical, and spiritual way to practice meditation and transform the body and mind. So grab your yoga mat and let’s get to work. Namaste!

International Yoga Day Activities

Bring Your Tree Pose to Nature
Practicing outside can breathe some fresh air into your yoga poses. Practice on the beach, at your local park, or even in your backyard. Surrounding yourself in a new environment can be much more engaging by having new things to focus on.
Do your om thing
Create your own flow of movements and discover new combinations to your favorite music. Sometimes a change in movement or music can help you focus your energy and sync your breathing perfectly to musical transitions.
Introduce a friend to the yogi lifestyle
Bringing a friend can be just the right motivation you need to revamp your practice. Not only will their presence inspire you to strengthen your poses, but also they can score big on free yoga deals for new students. Win win.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

TODAY IS...

National Hydration Day – June 23, 2019

Each June 23, the U.S. celebrates National Hydration Day. Proper hydration is vital to living a healthy life, but it’s often overlooked. It’s easy to forget to carry a water bottle on a hot day outside, but skipping out on H2O can lead to major health risks. National Hydration Day was created in honor of late football coach Victor Hawkins, who invented a special hydrating mouthguard to keep his players healthy on the field. SafeTGard, the company that now sells his invention, launched the holiday after Hawkins’ passing to honor his legacy and to encourage others to stay hydrated. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a casual exerciser, or someone who simply loves to spend time outside in the sun, drinking water is key to avoiding heat stroke, dehydration, and other dangerous issues. Celebrating National Hydration Day is a great way to raise awareness!

National Hydration Day Activities

Set reminders to regularly hydrate during the day
Write out reminders on post-it notes or type them into your phone. You can even download apps that remind you to drink a set amount of water each day. After following these reminders for a while, they’ll likely become a habit that you’ll practice without even thinking about it.
Tell everyone you know to stay hydrated
Remind your loved ones that it’s important to drink lots of water each day, especially when they’re outdoors in the summer or are exercising. People often forget to prioritize hydration, but being prompted by a friend or family member who cares can stand as a great reminder.
Make some tasty infused water
If you avoid drinking water because you find the taste a little bland, infuse a pitcher of water with mix-ins like lemon wedges, cucumber slices, strawberries, cantaloupe, mint, or other refreshing produce. Sometimes, simply having a tasty beverage on hand can make all the difference. You can even take things a step further by filling up grab-and-go bottles of infused water at the beginning of each week, or filling up a special pitcher for your desk at work.

Why We Love National Hydration Day

It encourages healthy physical activity
We all know how great exercise can be for our health, but working out while dehydrated is anything but healthy. Water provides your body with the power and fuel it needs to get you through a workout or a busy afternoon outside. When you’re properly hydrated, you’re able to exercise in a happy, healthy way—and that makes your mind and body happy.
It inspires people to make other positive choices
When you’re properly hydrated, you may find that you feel a lot better than you do when your body is short on water. (After all, dehydration can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and feelings of exhaustion.) Getting into the habit of drinking water more often can feel like a victory, and that may inspire you to build other healthy habits into your life. The sky’s the limit!
It reminds us of how important our health is.
Heat stroke or dehydration can happen to anyone, no matter how healthy they may seem on the surface. Symptoms can sneak up on you, and nobody is immune to the risks of not staying hydrated enough. Hydration awareness is an important reminder that no matter how young, agile, or fit we may feel, our bodies need water, and health isn’t something to mess around with.

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Today is........

National Free Slurpee Day – July 11, 2019

Each year, approximately 7,290,000 gallons of Slurpee are consumed worldwide. For comparison, that’s enough sugary substance to fill TWELVE Olympic-size swimming pools. If that alone isn’t enough to convince you of the world’s unanimous love for Slurpees — well, we aren’t quite sure what will. What we do know is that National Free Slurpee Day falls on July 11 each year and gives humanity a reason to unite for the greater good: free, ice-cold Slurpees. The Slurpee, an exceptionally sweet, slushee-type beverage sold and marketed by 7-Eleven, was invented on accident back in the late 1950’s and originally bore the name ICEE. It later became the well-known drink that we love and adore, and in 2002, the very first National Free Slurpee Day was celebrated in correlation with 7-Eleven’s 75th birthday. The long-standing tradition allows one to stop by a participating 7-Eleven on July 11, between the hours of 11am and 7pm, and receive a free, 12 oz Slurpee (while supplies last — so get there early). Join us while we ode to the greatest summer drink of all time!

Show more replies

Sign up

Login with SSO

Login to the community

Login with SSO