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LydiaN586309
Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
March 24, 2019

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

  • March 24, 2019
  • 485 replies
  • 396983 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.

    485 replies

    LydiaN586309
    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
    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.

     

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    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.

     

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    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.

     

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    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.

     

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    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
    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
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    November 21, 2019
    Today is....
    The Great American Smokeout!  November 21, 2019
     
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    November 28, 2019

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

    National Day of Mourning – November 28, 2019
     
     
    LydiaN586309
    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
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    December 1, 2019

    World AIDS Day – December 1, 2019

     
    WorldWorld AIDS Day 2019 — December 1

    First recognized in 1988, World AIDS Day falls on December 1 each year. World AIDS Day is dedicated to spreading awareness of the AIDS pandemic spread by the spread of HIV infection, and to mourning those who have died of the disease. An estimated 40 million people worldwide have died of AIDS since 1981, and an estimated 37 million are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Despite recent improvements in treatment, the AIDS epidemic still claims an estimated two million lives each year, of which more than 250,000 are children.


    World AIDS Day timeline
    2013
    "A Functional Cure"
    12 of 75 people treated in a French study were “functionally cured” of HIV, not experiencing a return of the virus even after stopping antiretroviral therapy
    1987
    First Antiretrival Drugs
    AZT (zidovudine) is the first drug available to treat HIV.
    1986
    1M Americans Impacted
    Accordingto reporting in “The New York Times”
    1981
    U.S. Recognition
    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on AIDS for the first time
    1920s
    A Pandemic Surfaces
    The HIV-1 strain of virus emerged to circulate in Kinshasa, closely related to a virus found in chimpanzees


    How to Observe World AIDS Day
    Wear a red ribbon
    Wearing a red ribbon in your lapel is the most broadly recognized way of showing your support on World AIDS Day. Red symbolizes blood, and the pain caused by the disease, anger about global inaction to fight the epidemic, a warning to take the disease seriously, and a symbol of love, passion, and tolerance towards those affected by the disease. Check online to find a ribbon supplier that supports a charitable cause.


    Donate to an AIDS charity
    There are a host of national and international nonprofits devoted to fighting the disease and problems associated with its spread. Check online and consider whether you’d like to support an organization in the United States, where deaths have been declining since the mid 1990s but infection continues to affect thousands of people each year, or perhaps an organization focused on infection in Sub-Saharan Africa, where Adult HIV Prevalence has reached 1 in 20 people and 1.2 million people die of HIV/AIDS each year.


    Attend a candlelight vigil
    Most major cities in the US host candlelight vigils on World AIDS Day as a way of visually commemorating those lost to the disease and vowing to fight it in the future. Check online to find a vigil near you and head along to show your support. Don’t forget to share your experience on social media to ensure that the idea is brought to the front of mind for your friends, and to demonstrate your support.


    Why World AIDS Day is Important
    AIDS impacts everyone
    In its early years, some criticized World AIDS Day for focusing on children and young people, but organizers aimed to alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease as primarily affecting gay men, boosting recognition of it as a family disease. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age,globally,and of 1.8 million new HIV infections in 2016, 43 percent were among women.


    Getting to zero
    Since 2012, the multi-year theme for World AIDS Day has been achieving zero new HIV infections, zero deaths from AIDS-related illnesses, and zero discrimination. In 2016, new infections among young women aged 15 to 24 were 44% higher than they were among men in the same age group, which suggests the high profile AIDS-related deaths of male celebrities such as Freddie Mercury, Robert Mapplethorpe and Rock Hudson have continued to overshadow realities of new infection rates amongst women in the public imagination. World AIDS Day seeks to challenge those perceptions and protect everyone.


    Equalizing access to treatment
    Research shows that stigma associated with sex work and LGBT populations, internationally, is a growing factor in unequal access to effective treatment. International AIDS funding began to fall for the first time in 2015, but still, less than half of those suffering with HIV/AIDS have access to anti-retroviral treatment across the world. It’s never been more important to draw attention the inequalities in treatment, in order to stop its spread once and for all.