Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
March 24, 2019
485 replies
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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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DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Nationally Cherries Jubilee Day – September 24, 2020

National Cherries Jubilee Day on September 24 celebrates a very unique dessert that deserves more love! Cherries jubilee is a dish that involves cherries and liqueur, usually a brandy or Kirschwasser. Originally, the cherries were simply poached in a sugary syrup and served with warm brandy, which was set on fire for a dramatic presentation as it was served to guests. Modern recipes serve the cherries with ice cream, but the fire has remained a key part of this dish. Cherries jubilee was first served at one of the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria and the popularity for the dessert skyrocketed during her reign. It was considered a highly fashionable dessert to offer one’s guests. The dessert made a comeback in the 1950s and 1960s, and now this classic dessert has earned itself a new brand of retro prestige. For National Cherries Jubilee Day on September 24, we invite you to join us in indulging in this most dramatic of desserts.

Order yourself some cherries jubilee

A number of restaurants have started to offer this classic dessert again, now that cherries jubilee has transitioned from a popular dish of the 1950s to a retro-fabulous dessert in modern times. Check around your local restaurants and find a place that serves cherries jubilee near you. On September 24, make a point to visit that restaurant and try out cherries jubilee for yourself. Even better, bring a friend and share the experience. Just don't invite anyone with a fear of fire!

It has cherries

Cherries are one of America's favorite berries, and we have hundreds of cherry-themed dishes to prove it. But unlike the cherry pie, cherry salad, cherry-cranberry jelly, cherried pork, and dozens of other desserts, starters, and even main courses that incorporate this very beloved berry, cherries jubilee has some royal history behind it. As one of the desserts served at the jubilees of Queen Victoria in the late 1800s, cherries jubilee not only delivers on the cherries, but it does so with regal dignity and royal style.

NATIONAL CHERRIES JUBILEE HISTORY

Initially, the cherries were basically poached in a sugary syrup and presented with warm brandy, which was determined to fire for an dramatic introduction as it was served to visitors.

Present day recipes serve the cherries with ice cream, yet the fire has stayed a key aspect of this dish.

Cherries jubilee was first served at one of the jubilee festivities of Queen Victoria and the popularity for the dessert skyrocketed during her rule. It was viewed as an exceptionally popular sweet to offer one’s visitors.

The dessert made a rebound during the 1950s and 1960s, and now this classic pastry has earned itself another brand of retro prestige. For National Cherries Jubilee Day on September 24, we welcome you to go along with us in enjoying this generally dramatic of sweets.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

LydiaN586309Author

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day – September 27, 2020

Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day falls on September 27 this year and is traditionally observed on the last Sunday in September. The day is for honoring families of those who have received The Gold Star – the military award no one wants. The award commemorates the tragic death of a military member who has perished while in the line of duty and hopes to provide a level of comfort to the parents and families that are left behind. Since World War 1, a “Gold Star Family” has signified a family that has lost one of its members in combat. The family can display a Gold Star Service Flag for any military family members who have died from any honorable cause – each gold star on the flag signifies a death. Though today only around 1% of the country is involved in military service, as compared to the 12% during other times of war, like World War 2, there are still a significant number of surviving Gold Star families – not to mention, a Gold Star lives on in a family’s legacy.

HISTORY OF GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

Though the exact roots of the tradition aren’t totally known, it was during World War 1 that the gold star came to symbolize that a family member had fallen in battle. Around that time, the term “Gold Star Family” came to mean that you were a surviving family of a person who died in service and families hung banners with a gold star outside their homes. The tradition has since been authorized and seeks to ease the grief of mothers and families while reminding that no one truly serves alone.

Gradually, there came to be many ways for grieving family members to honor their loved ones with symbols worn or places outside the home. In 1918, President Wilson allowed grieving military mothers to wear a traditional black armband featuring a gold star. Soon after, it was approved for families to cover the blue star on the service flag outside of their home with a gold one. As of 1947, Gold Star family members can also display the Gold Star Lapel.

The American Gold Star Mothers Inc. first got its start in 1917, when Grace Siebold’s son was killed during World War 1. Wanting to create a support system for grieving mothers in similar circumstances, Grace gathered what would become the American Gold Star Mothers to grieve together and tend to hospitalized veterans in local hospitals. The organization was formalized as a non-profit in 1928, with a mission of remembrance, education, and patriotism. Still today, they support Gold Star mothers in their grief, hold an annual conference, and organize events with supporting groups.

Though Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day isn’t observed as a National, federal holiday like Memorial Day, it was declared by Congress in 1936 to be the last Sunday in September – though, at the time, it was only known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day.” It was in 2011 that President Obama amended the declaration, declaring the day to include families as well as mothers. Today, the holiday includes any immediate family member and authorizes that person to display the Gold Star Service Flag.

Today, America is not embroiled in any kind of conflict like World War 1 or 2, and far fewer individuals consider Gold Star heroes and their families – oftentimes, people may think that they don’t know anyone in a Gold Star Family. However, there are many more Gold Star families from previous wars than you may think, and since over 1.3 million people are involved in the military today, it’s possible you know a family that still grieves a recent fallen soldier. Understanding the sacrifice and acknowledging the holiday are the best ways to support the families and honor the soldiers.

HOW TO OBSERVE GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

Read about the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice
Endless family testimonials, articles, and other media can be found to learn more about the lives of our brave servicemembers. This Gold Star Mothers and Family Day, learn more about their bravery and honor their memory.
Donate to an organization that supports Gold Star Mothers and Families
Many organizations are dedicated to supporting Gold Star Mothers and Families emotionally and with other benefits. Specifically for mothers, you can donate to the American Gold Star Mothers Inc. Other organizations to consider are Snowball Express and fallenpatriots.org, but do your own research and determine where your money is best donated.
Visit a Gold Star soldier’s grave
Gold Star soldiers must not be forgotten, and a great way to remind ourselves of their sacrifice is to visit their grave. You might consider laying some flowers or a flag at their resting place.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

The American Gold Star Mothers are headquartered in California
Called “The Gold Star Manor,” a home on a 23-acre piece of land in Long Beach, CA serves as the headquarters for the American Gold Star Mothers.
There is a National Gold Star Families Registry
This program honors fallen soldiers by keeping a registry of their deaths, so as to properly recognize them publicly.
Gold Star Mothers raise money for Wreaths Across America
During the holidays, the American Gold Star Mothers partner with Wreaths Across America, helping them raise money to put wreaths on the graves of gold star soldiers.
There are over 470,000 Gold Star Families
While you may not think you know a Gold Star Family, with approximately 472,050 Gold Star Families reported by the National Gold Star Family Registry, you actually might.
There is a specific organization for Gold Star Wives
While wives are encompassed in the meaning of a Gold Star Family, the separate organization Gold Star Wives provides support and benefits to the wives and children of fallen soldiers.

WHY GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY IS IMPORTANT

It emotionally supports the families left behind
One of the most important things to Gold Star Mothers and Families is ensuring their loved one is not forgotten. When we display our commitment to remembering their soldier, we can all help ease the burden of their grief.
It reminds us of our gratitude
We can often take the freedom we enjoy in the United States for granted but this holiday reminds us that freedom is not without a price; in this case, the ultimate price. We’re going to spend some time today appreciating the freedom we enjoy every day while being mindful of why we have it.
It raises awareness of the military
Though oftentimes the meaning of Memorial Day is overlooked, Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day reminds us all of the purpose of the holiday. It also raises awareness of the heroism that our military members display regularly.

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

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.

Did you know in European cities like Prague — ordering beer in a restaurant is cheaper than ordering water?

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

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

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

By Tallene

Jun 21, 2018

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.

Link: https://10faq.com/health/coffee-benefits/?utm_source=7017173049&utm_campaign=1496037521&utm_medium=56626362606&utm_content=56626362606&utm_term=%2Bcoffee&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsv7BRCmARIsANu-CQdfx49AS359NDk_3Wdvi7gBmYUcxPp7GqU1jUEeByd3OnQLJ7mtqo8aAn9TEALw_wcB

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

From Carriage Dogs to Fire Pups

October 1, 2020 – NATIONAL FIRE PUP DAY

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 DAY

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.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFirePupDay

Learn more about fire pup history. Visit rover.com to learn more. Use #NationalFirePupDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL FIRE PUP DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this fire fighting heritage day.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

NATIONAL 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.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

NATIONAL 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.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

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.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

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.

It’s worth noting that one needn’t actually bake a cupcake in a cup or even a cupcake tin.

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.

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

DaveMcK

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

NATIONAL 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: