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WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

Today is March 24th and it is:

World Tuberculosis Day

 

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

 

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

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

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NATIONAL CHEESE LOVER’S DAY

On National Cheese Lover’s Day, don’t feel bleu, throw a feta or act capricious. January 20th is a gouda day to kummin over and have some cheddar or asiago or fontina! 

There is no firm evidence of how cheese making was discovered. but legend tells us it was likely by chance that someone created the first cheese. Thousands of years ago, people transported milk and stored it in sheep’s stomachs. Left to sit a few days, the proteins would separate into curds and whey. From there, preserving the solids with salt may have seemed a logical next step. Salt was a highly valued preservative in ancient times.

The earliest record of cheese making dates back to 5,500 BCE in what is now Poland. Today there are over 1,400 varieties of cheese.

Basic Cheese Making

The basic principles behind making cheese are quite simple. Let the milk sour (or scientifically, coagulating the casein protein). Then separate the curds (solids) from the whey (liquid). The curds are then salted and left to age.

Bacteria, enzymes or fungi may be added at various stages. These along with the type of milk, temperature, time, and moisture are all controlled to produced the desired taste, color, and texture. Herbs and spices may also be added.

The nutritional value of cheese varies depending on the variety. Cottage and mozzarella cheese are at the lower end of fat and calories per serving while mascarpone and cream cheese pack it on. Marscapone makes desserts like tiramisu rich and creamy. 

For the Love of Cheese

For cheese lovers who think one day is just not enough to celebrate cheese, National Day Calendar presents a calendar full of cheesy celebrations. There are 18 other cheese specific holidays on the calendar. 

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The Statue of Freedom
The crowning feature of the Dome of the U.S. Capitol stands 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds.
The Statue of Freedom is a classical female figure with long, flowing hair wearing a helmet with a crest composed of an eagle’s head and feathers. She wears a classical dress secured with a brooch inscribed "U.S." Over it is draped a heavy, flowing, toga-like robe fringed with fur and decorative balls. Her right hand rests upon the hilt of a sheathed sword wrapped in a scarf; in her left hand she holds a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with 13 stripes.
Last night she was repeatedly raped by a mob that claimed to represent America. They do not represent "We the people" that my fellow Veterans but their lives on the line over the decades to protect everyone's right to speak out peacefully to help build a better country for everyone. Tens of thousands gave their lives to protect and help build a better Democracy for everyone! It is now time to move forward to restore America to being a kinder place for all of US!

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Happy Birthday To All Of Our AARP January Birthday Members From Here On The Front Porch!

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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

  1. 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.

  2. Give some as a gift

    Why wait until Valentine's Day to share some chocolate Kisses with someone?

  3. Try making some chocolate candies

    Have fun with it and pick out some cool molds.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

     

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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.

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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. 

 

Eggnog Cookies


Eggnog Bread Pudding

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!

 

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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.

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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. 

 

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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.”

 

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SAINT NICHOLAS DAY

On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day recognizes the third-century saint who became an inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus. 

St. Nicholas is known for selling all his possessions and giving his money to the poor. Raised as a devout Christian, St. Nicholas dedicated his whole life to serving the sick and suffering.

Legendary stories about St. Nicholas later become part of the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus. For example, during the third century, a daughter’s chances of marriage increased when her father offered a large dowry to prospective husbands. One story tells of a poor father with three daughters. He had no dowry to offer.

Traditionally, families left their shoes by the fires at night so that they could dry. On three separate occasions, Ol’ St. Nicholas provided a dowry for each girl. Legend says he made gold appear in their shoes, drying by the fire.

While St. Nicholas Day is not to be confused with Christmas, though similarities do exist. Traditions include leaving gifts in shoes (or stockings) or the exchange of small gifts. Another tradition suggests leaving treats for good boys and girls. However, the naughty ones receive a twig or chunk of coal.

Interesting facts associated with St. Nicholas:

  • He is the patron saint of a great many causes. Some of the causes include sailors, travelers, clergy, school children, and thieves, to name a few.
  • He was born in the village of Patar, located on the southeastern coast of modern-day Turkey.
  • Buried in a tomb in Myra, water believed to have healing powers formed in his grave. It is called the Manna of Saint Nicholas.
  • December 6th is also known as The Feast of St. Nicholas, widely celebrated in Europe.

HOW TO OBSERVE #StNicholasDay

Incorporate some Saint Nicholas Day traditions into your holiday season. Slip a gift or surprise into someone’s shoe. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.

  • You could leave a special note or a small wrapped piece of chocolate.
  • Leave a coin or an ornament for the tree.
  • Tuck a stress ball or a new pair of socks into a loved one’s pair of shoes.
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BUY NOTHING DAY

After spending 10 years in retail in the 1970's I definitely do not shop on the day after Thanksgiving!

 

Buy Nothing Day is observed annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This day is part of a movement against consumerism, urging the world to change their purchasing habits, to consume and produce less. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #Buy Nothing Day

Instead of shopping, stay home, and relax.

Or you can try these ways to show support for the day.

  • Cut up credit cards.
  • Do a Whirl-mart – the act of disrupting others shopping by pushing your shopping cart around a store over and over while purchasing nothing.
  • Organize a Christmas Zombie walk – a visual expression of the obsession consumers have with Black Friday deal.
  • Balance your checkbook.
  • Read a book about counter-consumerism like the Empire of Things by Frank Trentmann.
  • Clean out your closet.
  • Donate or volunteer at a local food pantry. 

Use #BuyNothingDay to post on social media.

BUY NOTHING DAY HISTORY

Buy Nothing Day originated in Canada in September of 1992 as a way to protest the frenzy of Black Friday shopping. In 1997, the day’s founder, artist Ted Dave, moved the day to the Friday after Thanksgiving to correspond with one of the most popular shopping days in the United States.

 

Link: https://youtu.be/MG6xavgvzZQ

 

 

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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!

 

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BLASE’ DAY

Blase’ Day is observed annually on November 25th.

This unique observance gives us permission to be blase’ toward just about anything. 

Of French origin meaning to be indifferent or bored with life, unimpressed, as or as if from an excess of worldly pleasures.

Unimpressed by pumpkin spice everything? It’s okay to be blase’ about it today. Heard the same pop song for the 4th time today? Be blase’. Nothing on TV tonight? Just be blase’. Bored by your friend’s team winning their 266th game in a row? Yep, you got it. Whether it’s that 20 page Christmas letter, your mom’s constant picture taking or the fifth night of leftover pizza, you can be blase’.

However, there are things we shouldn’t be blase’ about. For example:

  • Contributing to your 401k
  • Making your car payment
  • Restocking the coffee
  • Singing happy birthday with a 2-year-old
  • Being sure to Celebrate Every Day®

HOW TO OBSERVE #BlaseDay

There are also several ways to express your blase’ feelings.  Meh.  Yawn. Tune out. Use #Blase.

BLASE’ DAY HISTORY

Thomas & Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays created Blase’ Day.

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Thanks, Dave!  😉



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What's special about today?  It's another day to appreciate life...another day of blessings...another day to be creative and to explore...another day to love those we love, and to do an act of kindness for someone else!  A brand new opportunity!!

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Simple

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Today is special because

it's the last

 

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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!



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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.

Veterans-Day925

 



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Today is special because it's ...

Veteran's Day Eve!

Have a great holiday Vets!

Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

 

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Today is special, just because it's today.

 

Just think, ever since whatever it was that began whatever this is, billions, or thousands of years ago, again, your beliefs may differ from mine, this day, this very moment, has been waiting since that moment to appear right now, as today!

 

And it won't last for very long.

 

Why, in only 24 hours (less if you just look at today as the calendar date) it will forever be consigned to an ever growing list of yesterdays.

 

That's not a bad thing, really. I'm thankful for every single one of those yesterdays that I have to remind me that each of them began as a special "today" that once gone, were even more special still. Special in the fact that I let so many of them slip through my hands before I realized that while tomorrows never came, yesterdays will always last forever, even if today will not.

 

If I'm going to accomplish something worth remembering, to join all those other gallant memories of my yesterdays, then I only have today, just this one, to do so and that's what makes today special for me.



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 May the rest of your life be the best of your life!



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National Black Cat Day

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TODAY IS...

UNITED NATIONS DAY

OCTOBER 24, 2020

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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.

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This AARP system  is in honor of October 24th National BOLOGNA Day 

 

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National-Pumpkin-Cheesecake-Day-October-21.jpgNATIONAL PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE DAY Each year on October 21st, National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day ushers in the flavors of fall. Cheesecake is one of America’s favorite desserts and by adding pumpkin, we celebrate the essential flavoring of the season.  

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. 

 

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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 Day

Chocolate 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!

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Johns_Yorkshire_Puddings.jpgNATIONAL YORKSHIRE PUDDING DAY

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 #YorkshirePuddingDay

Of 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 HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this savory food holiday.

 

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national-sausage-pizza-day-1200x834.jpgNATIONAL SAUSAGE PIZZA DAY

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.
HOW TO OBSERVE #SausagePizzaDay

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 HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. 

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