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Face it. We love chocolate. Many of us can’t help but add a bar or two while we’re checking out at the grocery store — that is, if we don’t already have a bag of fun-sized chocolates in the cart. Snack all you want on December 28 because it’s National Chocolate Candy Day. So if you missed the treats on Halloween or need a last sugary fix before the new year, spend some quality time with chocolate candy!
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY TIMELINE
1828
New Inventions, New Chocolate Creations.
Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Houten invented a hydraulic press that could separate the cocoa butter from the cacao, thereby producing a powder.
1870s
The First Chocolate Easter Egg
Rodolphe Lindt's invention of the conching machine resulted in the mass production of chocolate, paving the way for John Cadbury to introduce his first chocolate egg.
1900
Hershey Bar is born!
Chocolate - once considered a luxury for the wealthy, is made affordable by Milton Hershey.
1945
Hershey goes to War
By the end of World War II, the entire Hershey plant was producing ration bars at a rate of 24 million a week.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY ACTIVITIES
Eat all the chocolates
Whether you're feeling the wonderful combination that is peanut butter and chocolate or are more of a chocolate and caramel fan, indulge in every kind of chocolate candy. See if you can guess the filling before reading the description.
Give some as a gift
Why wait until Valentine's Day to share some chocolate Kisses with someone?
Try making some chocolate candies
Have fun with it and pick out some cool molds.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY
It gives us an excuse to eat all those chocolate gifts we just received
Whether it's the fun-sized chocolate candies in our stockings, or a bag of ornament-shaped chocolates, we have a new reason to indulge.
Dark chocolate can improve our health
A quality dark chocolate bar contains soluble fiber and plenty of antioxidants to deem this a beneficial sweet treat. That said, enjoy everything in moderation.
Chocolate makes us feel good
We can't seem to help getting giddy over chocolate. Science can back us up on this too. Studies show chocolate may temporarily help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
NATIONAL CANDY CANE DAY
National Candy Cane Day on December 26th gives candy lovers a day to celebrate the red and white striped candies found abundantly during the holidays.
In 1844, a recipe for a straight peppermint candy stick, which was white with colored stripes, was published. However, some stories tell of all-white candy sticks in much earlier times. Folklore tells of the origin of the candy cane, yet no documented proof of its real beginning. Literature begins mentioning the candy cane in 1866, and it was first known to be mentioned in connection with Christmas in 1874. As early as 1882, candy canes have been hung on Christmas trees.
Fun Candy Cane Facts:
- The average candy cane is 5 inches tall.
- While most candy canes are not sugar or calorie-free, they do not have any fat or cholesterol.
- Striped red and white candy canes were first introduced in 1900.
- The first machine to make candy canes were invented in 1921 by Brasher O. Westerfield. Until then, they were made by hand.
- Bob McCormack and his brother-in-law & priest Gregory Keller brought the candy cane to the masses. What started out as candy making for McCormack’s friends and family turned into mass production when Keller invented the machine that enabled Bob’s Candies to go big time.
- Traditionally the flavor for candy canes is peppermint, but there are a variety of flavors.
- Alain Roby, Geneva pastry chef, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest candy cane, measuring 51 feet long.
National Eggnog Day raises a holiday toast once a year on the day before Christmas. Also known as egg milk punch, eggnog is a popular drink throughout the United States during the holidays.
The sweetened dairy-based beverage is traditionally made with milk and cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and spices. When served at parties and holiday get-togethers, liquor is often added to the eggnog. Many people prefer brandy, rum, whiskey, bourbon, or vodka. Sometimes they even mix up a combination. For added holiday cheer, garnish the glass with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice.
Eggnog also flavors other holiday treats, too. For example, you can find eggnog flavored coffees, teas, baked goods, and puddings at your grocery store. You may even have a few recipes of your own to spice up your holiday baking, too!
Even though the origin of the eggnog drink is debated, many believe that the drink initially developed in East Anglia, England. However, others believe it originated as a medieval European beverage made with hot milk.
While gathering together with family and friends, enjoy a glass or two of eggnog! Other ways to enjoy the day include baking eggnog flavored goodies. Make a seasonal ice cream or another holiday treat to share. We’ve included a few recipes for you to try.
Use #NationalEggnogDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL EGGNOG DAY HISTORY
As we’ve not yet discovered the creator of this beverage holiday, National Day Calendar is finding the research to be delicious!
WINTER SOLSTICE
The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs annually between December 20th and December 23rd.
The winter solstice is marked by the point at which the North Pole is at its farthest from the sun during its yearly orbit around the sun. It will be approximately 23 degrees away from the sun. Despite the temperature outside, the winter solstice is considered the astronomical beginning of winter. Meteorological winter begins December 1st and lasts until the end of February. It’s marked by the coldest average temperatures during the year.
Depending on how far north a person is in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter, their day can range from 9.5 hours to absolutely no sunrise at all. On the bright side, the days will gradually become longer in the Northern Hemisphere until the summer solstice in June. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same day marks the summer solstice and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year.
The vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox conventionally mark the beginning of spring and fall respectively and occur when night and day are approximately equal in length.
Around the world since ancient times to modern-day, celebrations, festivals, rituals and holidays recognizing the winter solstice have varied from culture to culture.
HOW TO OBSERVE #WinterSolstice
Winter lovers, enjoy the shortest day of the year. Those longing for more sunlight, prepare to celebrate. Longer days are ahead. Use #WinterSolstice to post on social media.
WINTER SOLSTICE HISTORY
Since the marking of time and the earliest calendars, this day marked the hardest time of the year for early people. Survival was paramount when food and heat are not reliable. In all corners of the Earth, there are ancient remains that seem to have been built around marking the winter solstice.
- Probably the most famous of these is Stonehenge, England. Every year when the sun sets on the winter solstice, the sun’s rays align with two of the giant stones known as the central Altar and the Slaughter stone.
- As the sun rises the day of the winter solstice, its rays illuminate the main chambers of the monument dating back to 3200 B.C. at Newgrange, Ireland.
- In Tulum, Mexico an ancient Mayan city stands deserted. At the top of one of these buildings, a small hole casts a starburst when the sun rises on the winter and summer solstices.
NATIONAL PFEFFERNUSSE DAY
December 23rd is reserved for National Pfeffernusse Day, a German spice cookie. Very popular around the holidays, pfeffernusse are fluffy cookies made with ground nuts and spices and covered in powdered sugar.
The exact origin of the cookie is unknown. However, the Dutch believe that pfeffernusse (or pepernoten) are linked to the feast of Sinterklaas, which is celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands and December 6 in Germany and Belgium. This holiday is when children receive gifts from St. Nicholas, who is partially the inspiration for the Santa Claus tradition.
Over time, many bakers have created their own pfeffernusse recipes. Traditional methods included various nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Some modern recipes exclude nuts altogether along with the black pepper, retaining only cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom as flavorings. Bakers also use molasses and honey to sweeten the cookie
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPfeffernusseDay
Break out your favorite pfeffernusse recipe and start baking. This is one holiday tradition that will bring back memories for many of you. Not only will you be able to savor the delicious spicy-sweet cookies, but you can also pass down the tradition to another generation. Once you have a good stack of them baked and cooled, package them up as sweet gifts for loved ones.
Do you have recipes to share? Be sure to use #NationalPfeffernusseDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL PFEFFERNUSSE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this spicy cookie. While we do, we also encourage you to keep sampling and snacking on the recipes as you explore the fascinating holidays throughout the year.
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles “Chuck” Yeager, the World War II fighter pilot ace and quintessential test pilot who showed he had the “right stuff” when in 1947 he became the first person to fly faster than sound, has died. He was 97.
Yeager died Monday, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement, calling the death “a tremendous loss to our nation.”
Raccoon Was Once a Thanksgiving Feast Fit for a President!
What a difference that nearly 100 years can make in the dietary habits and traditions of a nation, huh? But according to this article, at one time, raccoon was quite an acceptable dish on many tables.
Happy Thanksgiving Day, everyone! I guess that I'm writing this and the fact that you're reading it, are things to be thankful for today and that makes today special for me!
Thanks, Dave! 😉
Simple
Today is special because
it's the last
of the year.
Then again, a lot of the days,
this year, 2020,
have felt like Friday the 13th!
Don't be scared to have a happy day!
Happy Veteran's Day!
Here's a link to some Veteran's Day deals!
Thank you for your service!
All gave some, some gave all.
Today is special because it's ...
Veteran's Day Eve!
Have a great holiday Vets!
Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue!
May the rest of your life be the best of your life!
National Black Cat Day
TODAY IS...
UNITED NATIONS DAY
OCTOBER 24, 2020
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations (UN) came into force when the five permanent members of the security council ratified the charter that had been drawn up earlier that year. These members were: France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Since 1948, the event's anniversary has been known as United Nations Day. It is an occasion to highlight, celebrate and reflect on the work of the United Nations and its family of specialized agencies.
This AARP system is in honor of October 24th National BOLOGNA Day
This sweet dessert mixes fresh soft cheese, cream cheese or cottage cheese, eggs, and sugar to create a base. The crust is made from crushed graham crackers, crushed cookies, pastry or sponge cake. Pumpkin may be added to cheesecake recipes in various ways. For example, it may be swirled throughout, mixed thoroughly with all ingredients or layered. Bakers prepare cheesecakes both baked or unbaked. Some bakers flavor cheesecakes and top them with fruit, fruit sauce, chocolate or whipped cream.
When is National Cheesecake Day?
An ancient form of cheesecake may have been a popular dish in ancient Greece. The earliest attested mention of cheesecake is by the Greek physician, Aegimus. He wrote a book on the art of making cheesecakes.
James Kraft developed a form of pasteurized cream cheese in 1912. In 1928, Kraft acquired the Philadelphia trademark and marketed pasteurized Philadelphia Cream Cheese. In fact, bakers us Philadelphia cream cheese more than any other to make cheesecake than any other.
North America has several different styles of cheesecakes:
- New York-style cheesecake
- Pennsylvania Dutch-style cheesecake
- Philadelphia-style
- Farmer cheese cheesecake
- Country-style cheesecake
- Lactose-free cheesecake
- Cheesecake Kludys
- Chicago Style Cheesecake
- Savory cheesecake
HOW TO OBSERVE #PumpkinCheesecakeDay
Try one of the following recipes to celebrate:
Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Use #PumpkinCheesecakeDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this sweet dessert.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE DAY – October 18
You know what’s better than a cake? Chocolate cake. You know what’s better than chocolate cake? A chocolate cupcake. That’s right, while we absolutely adore our cake, there’s a certain tug of delightful selfishness in a cake you can consume all to yourself, letting you revel in a little piece of gluttony. Chocolate Cupcake Day reminds us that sometimes it is more than acceptable to have a piece of confectionary delight that we simply don’t share with another, so find yourself a cupcake and make it disappear, just be sure it’s chocolate!
So popular is the idea of a personal cake, a cake of diminutive size, that there have been many different variations on both the style and technique. The invention of the microwave has even created recipes that enable you to mix and cook a cupcake in less than five minutes! Talk about the perfect cake, is there anything better than unabashedly delicious instant gratification? We don’t think so!
It’s worth noting that one needn’t actually bake a cupcake in a cup or even a cupcake tin.
Take, for example, the periodic table of cupcakes. These are cupcakes frosted in colors to match the periodic table of elements and then marked with each of the elements in black frosting. While these have been made in traditional cupcake tins, they have also been made as sheet cakes, cut down to cupcake size, and frosted appropriately!
Cupcakes are really all about the size of the end result, not the method of getting there, and Chocolate Cupcake Day tells you to indulge in every variation, as long as it contains chocolate!
History of Chocolate Cupcake DayChocolate Cupcake Day was established to celebrate that most perfect form of the Cupcake, the Chocolate Cupcake. Cupcakes are called by many names throughout the world, our personal favorite would have to be the term “Fairy Cake” from the British. The origin of the cupcake seems to go back as far as 1796, where cakes cooked in small cups were first mentioned, and the actual term cupcake was first seen in Eliza Leslie’s 1828 cookbook.
Following that, there was a bit of a lull in the cupcake scene. But in 1919, food company Hostess began making what we would recognize today as the first mass-produced cupcake, popularizing the concept. Interestingly, the company’s cakes weren’t a flash in the pan. They remain its most popular brand, beating out Twinkies, selling more than 600 million per year.
In the 1950s, British prime minister Winston Churchill suggested that manufacturers update cupcakes. Instead of making them with just dried fruit and spices, he suggested adding icing sugar. Later in his life, he blamed the humble cupcake for his jowl.
However, the real hey-day of cupcakes wasn’t the 1950s, but the 2000s. The decade saw a flurry of activity on the cupcake scene, with recipes published in major newspapers and commercial outlets introducing new lines. In 2005, Sprinkles Cupcakes opened the world’s first cupcake-only bakery. It now sells more than 25,000 cupcakes per day across eleven stores.
So popular is the idea of a personal cake, a cake of diminutive size, that there have been many different variations on both the style and technique. The invention of the microwave has even created recipes that enable you to mix and cook a cupcake in less than five minutes! Talk about the perfect cake, is there anything better than unabashedly delicious instant gratification? We don’t think so!
It’s worth noting that one needn’t actually bake a cupcake in a cup or even a cupcake tin.
Take, for example, the periodic table of cupcakes. These are cupcakes frosted in colors to match the periodic table of elements and then marked with each of the elements in black frosting. While these have been made in traditional cupcake tins, they have also been made as sheet cakes, cut down to cupcake size, and frosted appropriately!
Cupcakes are really all about the size of the end result, not the method of getting there, and Chocolate Cupcake Day tells you to indulge in every variation, as long as it contains chocolate!
How to celebrate Chocolate Cupcake Day
Here’s an idea: indulge yourself in the most delicious of cupcakes, the chocolate cupcake when Chocolate Cupcake Day comes around. It should hardly require any encouragement to have you scarfing up all the delicious chocolate cupcakes you can find, and on Chocolate Cupcake Day, there is certainly nothing wrong with indulging in chocolate cupcakes at every meal!
If you love experimenting in the kitchen, you might also want to check out a range of chocolate-themed recipes. Additional flavor options include coffee, peanut butter, cherry cola, orange cream, strawberry, and salted caramel. These ingredients add a new dimension to your baking and allow you to enjoy chocolate complemented by other delicious flavors.
Another idea is to host a chocolate cupcake party. Here, each person brings along a chocolate-themed cupcake with them, and you can sample each other’s recipes. What type of chocolate cake will you make? Double-chocolate with choccy sponge and icing? What about a triple chocolate version that also has chocolate drops mixed into the batter? Having a tea party lets you share ideas and get new inspiration for the kitchen.
Chocolate Cupcake Day also has a significant social media presence. Those interested can share information about the day through Facebook and Instagram accounts and link people to relevant pages.
Chocolate cupcakes are more than just food to delight the taste buds, though. They’re also something that helps many people push through the struggles and strains of life. The comfort of a delicious cupcake is something that you can enjoy in the evening after a busy day. One idea, therefore, is to use the day to write a blog post about what makes chocolate cupcakes so important to you. You don’t even have to include a recipe if you don’t want to. It can be a simple conversation about your experience with this popular, hand-held food item, and how it has helped you in the past.
Finally, if you have a killer chocolate cupcake recipe, you can share this with the people you know online. If you’ve made something so delicious that nobody can resist, then don’t keep it to yourself: share it! Or if you want to direct people to your site, post it!
Chocolate Cupcake Day, therefore, is about more than just eating. It is also about celebrating the genius invention of the cupcake. There’s nothing more enjoyable than sitting down to one of these delectable sweets and knowing it is all yours.
Whether you’re dining in Istanbul, relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean, working on a farm in Kansas or walking the avenues of Washington, D.C. there are cats who need your help.
Millions of community cats, or feral cats who live outdoors, are killed each year in animal shelters after people take them there.
They don’t realize these cats live and thrive outdoors. Owned, adoptable cats are at risk, too. When they end up at animal shelters, they are often killed because the shelter lacks the space, resources, and programs to care for them. For this and so many reasons, Alley Cat Allies is here to protect cats.
GLOBAL CAT DAY
Global Cat Day on October 16th raises awareness surrounding non-lethal feline programs across the country. More than any other shelter animal, cats and kittens face euthanization at a much higher rate. However, programs such as trap, neuter, and release (TNR) are making it possible for cats to live full and healthy lives right in our neighborhoods.
TNR programs aim to reduce shelters and overall colony populations across the country. TNR programs trap feral and stray cats. They are then neutered and vaccinated under the care of a veterinarian. Their ears are tipped to identify that they have been neutered. Then the cat is released back into the neighborhood where they were captured.
Long-term studies across the country show that not only does the population decline, but the cats live out their lives healthily. Additionally, these programs save taxpayers money over time.
- Reduces animal service calls
- Lessens the burden on shelters
- Neighborhoods become quieter – mating behavior decreases
Why Adoption Doesn’t Always Work
Feral cats – cats that have never had human contact – don’t associate well with humans. They will always be feral and unable to be adopted. Feral cats prefer the wild. A TNR program offers them the best chance of living side by side with humans.
However, adoption is still a viable option for stray cats and kittens under 12 weeks of age. Visit your local shelter if you are seeking a pet of your own.
HOW TO OBSERVE #GlobalCatDay
Learn more about TNR programs. Donate or volunteer to support a program near you. Help protect and control the cat population in your neighborhood in a humane way. Share information about TNR programs to make a difference.
Visit AlleyCats.org to find out more. Use #GlobalCatDay to post on social media.
GLOBAL CAT DAY HISTORY
Global Cat Day (2017) took the place of National Feral Cat Day, which was initiated by Alley Cat Allies in 2001.
National Yorkshire Pudding Day is observed across the United States each year on October 13th. Yorkshire Pudding has been a big family favorite here since my dad's family immigrated here to Blair, Nebraska in 1912 from South Shields, England. My Grandfather was a Congregational Minister and worked with Native Americans in Nebraska. The family ended up in Wisconsin in 1928. The pudding came along with my Grandmother. My mother kept up the tradition of having it on Christmas day. My wife Mary did it for years and our oldest daughter fixes it now. I'm sure it will not be fixed this year.
Not to be confused with a dessert, Yorkshire Pudding is a traditional English dish similar to a popover. The dish is made from a batter and usually served with roast meat and gravy.
Cooks in the north of England devised a means of making use of the fat that dropped into the dripping pans. They created a batter pudding while the meat roasted in the oven. In 1737, one such cook published a recipe for “A Dripping Pudding” in The Whole Duty of a Woman.
Make a good batter as for pancakes: put in a hot toss-pan over the fire with a bit of butter to fry the bottom a little then put the pan and butter under a shoulder of mutton, instead of a dripping-pan, keeping frequently shaking it by the handle and it will be light and savoury, and fit to take up when your mutton is enough; then turn it in a dish and serve it hot. ~ From The Whole Duty of a Woman.
In 1747, Hannah Glasse published similar instructions in The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy. She named the recipe ‘Yorkshire Pudding.’ Glasse received credit for re-inventing and renaming the original version of ‘A Dripping Pudding.”
These savory popovers open up a world of possibilities when it comes to fillings. While gravy is traditional, don’t hesitate to add cheese, eggs, your favorite protein, or an herby filling. If you have more of a sweet tooth, don’t hesitate to stray from the traditional by adding chocolate, caramel, or a cream cheese filling.
HOW TO OBSERVE #YorkshirePuddingDayOf course, celebrating the day requires eating Yorkshire Pudding. You’re likely to find it served in a pub-like setting on the East Coast. However, we also have recipes to share. With cooler weather, a Yorkshire pudding smothered in gravy sounds like a meal to serve to family and friends. It’s a perfect way to Celebrate Every Day®! We highly recommend it.
Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire Pudding
And, as always, share your favorite restaurant, recipe or celebration with us using #YorkshirePuddingDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL YORKSHIRE PUDDING DAY HISTORYNational Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this savory food holiday.
Food lovers across the country enjoy National Sausage Pizza Day on October 11th each year. Whether served on a thin or thick crust, sausage pizza goes well with other toppings, too. Don’t hesitate to add mushrooms and a variety of cheeses. What’s even better about sausage pizza are the different kinds of sausage to choose from.
While Italian sausage may be preferred, try experimenting. Add more garlic or try additional spice. Try smoky sausages such as chorizo or even a kielbasa visit with your local butcher for sausage suggestions. They’ve probably been smoking up the latest experiment just for you to try.
Sausage comes in many combinations, too. Lighter forms and different ages offer flavors that complement our toppings. A little sweet with the savory creates a modern taste experience.
Sautéd onions add amazing flavor to sausage pizza. While cooking up the onions add a few portabella mushrooms to the pan. Once you’ve added them to your pizza, sprinkle the top with feta cheese and fresh basil. You won’t regret it.
Pizza Facts
- In ancient Greece, the Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs, and cheese, which some attribute to the beginning of the pizza.
- In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα,” pita, meaning pie.
- The Romans developed a pastry with a sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves.
- The modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread.
- The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant. It was produced in the surroundings of Naples.
- An estimated 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese was produced in the United States in 1997.
- The first United States pizza establishment opened in New York’s Little Italy in 1905.
Invite friends and family over for homemade sausage pizza. Or go out for your favorite kind of sausage pizza and make it a celebration. While you’re out and about, be sure to give a shout out to your favorite establishment. Do you like thin or thick crust? How do you eat your pizza? Crust first, point first or do you fold it? We want to know. Everyone has their own pizza-eating styles.
Onion and Sausage Pizza
Chicago Deep Dish Sausage Pizza
Use #SausagePizzaDay to post on social media.
Do you want to know more? Check out these 5 Amazing Pizza World Records.
NATIONAL SAUSAGE PIZZA DAY HISTORYNational Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday.
O Old-fashioned ld-fashioned engine dog via flickr/candiedwomanire
Before there were fire pups, there were carriage dogs. A few hundred years ago, dogs were trained to trot alongside horse-drawn wagons and protect their occupants (and horses) from harm.
Although a “carriage dog” is not a specific breed, certain breeds were more suited to the lifestyle. A carriage dog needed a few key features:
- Long legs and a sturdy body
- Energy and motivation
- Endurance to keep up on a long journey
- A good temperament and high level of obedience
Enter the Dalmatian. According to the American Kennel Club’s Complete Dog Book, quoted on the Dalmatian Club of America website, Dalmatians were the perfect carriage dogs because they have the “strength, vitality, fortitude and size to keep going gaily til the journey’s end.” Dalmatians also happened to have a reputation for getting along great with horses, and it wasn’t long before they became the favored carriage dog among wealthy citizens of England and America.
When horse-drawn fire carriages hit the scene in the late 1700s, carriage dogs became fire pups. Dalmatians were perfectly suited for the job, not only because of their carriage-trailing abilities but their grace under fire. Dalmatians were known to have a calming effect on horses (source), so while firefighters battled a blaze, the fire dog could stay with the horses ease their stress. Back at the station, the fire dog would typically bunk in the stable alongside their equine charges.
NATIONAL FIRE PUP DAYHOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFirePupDay
National Fire Pup Day on October 1st recognizes the canine firefighters that have long been members of fire departments across the country.
While the Dalmation’s origin is unknown, their use in firehouses began during the 1700s. Trained as a carriage dog, the Dalmatian’s agility transferred quickly to horse-drawn fire engines. Even though Dalmations weren’t the only dogs fit for carriage work, they were the ones who mostly filled the role of fire dogs. They were also easily identified by their spotted and speckled coats.
In the days of the horse-drawn fire carts, they provided a valuable service, having a natural affinity to horses. The Dalmatians duty was to run alongside the horses. They ran in front of or beneath the wagon axles clearing the way.
Long after the red engines replaced horse-drawn wagons, the Dalmatian remains a recognizable tradition in fire stations across the country. These energetic firehouse mascots serve to educate the public about fire safety. They also represent past fire pup in honor of their heroism.
Learn more about fire pup history. Visit rover.com to learn more. Use #NationalFirePupDay to post on social media.
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this fire fighting heritage day.
National Coffee Day – September 29, 2020
While the U.S. and Canada celebrate National Coffee Day on September 29, other nations mark this day throughout the calendar. International Coffee Day happens just two days later on October 1. The International Coffee Organization has pledged to help struggling coffee farmers worldwide make a living wage.
FREE COFFEE AND COFFEE DAY DEALS
Here’s where to find the best deals on National Coffee Day 2020:
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is the place to be this National Coffee Day as all guests will receive a free brewed coffee, with no purchase necessary. If you’re a reward member then it’s even better, you’ll be able to grab a free brewed coffee and a free doughnut.
High Brew Coffee
Get your fingers and thumbs at the ready because on September 29 at 2PM in every timezone High Brew Coffee will be offering a limited number of free product coupons that can be used in named retail outlets. If you manage to get your hands on a coupon then you’ll be able to pop into one of the names stores and grab yourself a can of coffee.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ has gone all out and renamed it National Dunkin’ Day. What do you get on National Dunkin’ Day on Tuesday, September 29? A free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase at their restaurants, with the offer being limited to one per order.
McDonald’s
If you take up the offer within the McDonald’s app then you’ll be able to grab yourself a Premium Roast or Iced Coffee for $0.99.
Godiva
Godiva will be offering 30% of coffee bags throughout National Coffee Day. You can pop into one of their stores or take advantage of the offer online.
Sheetz
Order through the Sheetz app on National Coffee Day and you can claim a free cold bree.
Coffee: 10 Benefits of Coffee
Coffee is considered to be one of the most commonly consumed drinks in the United States. Although coffee is not good for you in large amounts, studies show that coffee can be beneficial when consumed in moderation. There are a number of health benefits that can be experienced when drinking coffee on a regular basis.
Coffee is loaded with antioxidants and other benefits that can improve your overall health. As much as two cups a day can give coffee drinkers a much lower risk of several serious illnesses. Consider pouring yourself a cup before a morning run or enjoying it with a nice breakfast sandwich before you get your day started.
National Drink Beer Day – September 28, 2020
Like most things, we look to the ancient Egyptians for answers. Historians point to beer as a ceremonial drink over 5,000 years ago because papyrus scrolls have been discovered documenting early beer recipes. But the Mesopotamians may have actually been the first to develop beer over 10,000 years ago, before recorded history.
Beer made its way to Europe and gained popularity during the Middle Ages. (Why drink polluted, possibly contaminated water, when you can drink a safer alternative, beer?) Eventually, German monks became master brewers, coming up with some of the fermentation techniques that brought the world closer to the beer we know and love today.
Did you know in European cities like Prague — ordering beer in a restaurant is cheaper than ordering water?
Europeans who arrived in the New World actually complained when they were out of beer and had to brew more. (Apparently, the love of beer was so strong, that upon arrival, brewing beer was one of the first things on the Pilgrims’ to-do list!)
Today, there are light beers with great flavor and less calories as well as dark beers like Guinness, served up warm in authentic English, Scottish and Irish pubs alike. There are ales and lagers which are distinguished by the type of yeast used in the fermentation process.
Is craft beer on your radar? Millennial Like most things, we look to the ancient Egyptians for answers. Historians point to beer as a ceremonial drink over 5,000 years ago because papyrus scrolls have been discovered documenting early beer recipes. But the Mesopotamians may have actually been the first to develop beer over 10,000 years ago, before recorded history.
Beer made its way to Europe and gained popularity during the Middle Ages. (Why drink polluted, possibly contaminated water, when you can drink a safer alternative, beer?) Eventually, German monks became master brewers, coming up with some of the fermentation techniques that brought the world closer to the beer we know and love today.
Did you know in European cities like Prague — ordering beer in a restaurant is cheaper than ordering water?
Europeans who arrived in the New World actually complained when they were out of beer and had to brew more. (Apparently, the love of beer was so strong, that upon arrival, brewing beer was one of the first things on the Pilgrims’ to-do list!)
Today, there are light beers with great flavor and less calories as well as dark beers like Guinness, served up warm in authentic English, Scottish and Irish pubs alike. There are ales and lagers which are distinguished by the type of yeast used in the fermentation process.
Is craft beer on your radar? Millennials s especially are showing much more refined palates and a broad knowledge of all kinds of beer. You’ll find a wide spectrum of craft brews, foreign and domestic, to fit every taste.
If you’re really looking for something different, try hard cider. It has a great “kick” to it! Plus, Foodie Alert: Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to pair a great beer with a delicious dish. And if you’re the adventurous sort, DIY with a home brew kit.
So on National Drink Beer Day, drink responsibly and in moderation, but enjoy. Just this once, pass up the white wine or your evening Cabernet. Get a frothy, ice-cold glass of beer with a good “head” on it and remember that beer is no longer just your parents’ brew!
While some people celebrate this day by gathering with friends and enjoying different varieties of the drink, others prefer being at their home, relishing the beverage. Many breweries across the country also offer deals and tastings.
Here are a few famous quotes about the alcoholic drink, courtesy Link: Food24:
1. “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!” - Martin Luther King
2. Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy. But being a Christian, that’s a tough call. That’s rebellion.” – Alice Cooper
3. “Beer culture is a part of the world of food and drink. It’s not just a commodity in cans and bottles, but has a value as an agricultural product with good ingredients.” – Michael Jackson
4. There is to me something profoundly affects in large masses of men following the lead of those who do not believe in men, and beer”- Walt Whitman
5. “Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health,”- Thomas Jefferson
6. "Beer, it's the best **bleep** drink in the world."- Jack Nicholson
7. "The beer tastes good to my throat, cold and bitter, and the three boys and the beer and the queer freeness of the situation makes me feel like laughing forever. So I laugh, and my lipstick leaves a red stain like a bloody crescent moon on top of the beer can. I am looking very healthy and flushed and bright-eyed, having both a good tan and a rather excellent fever." - Sylvia Plath, "The Journals of Sylvia Plath"
8. “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin
9. “Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer.” Henry Lawson
10. “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.” – Abraham Lincoln
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