Uncle Sam Day
September 13, 2016 at 12:01 am | Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment
Good morning patriots. Today is Tuesday, September 13th. Today's holidays are:
Uncle Sam Day celebrates a symbol of America. Uncle Sam appears on everything from military posters to cartoon images to advertising media. He is perhaps, the most recognizable symbol in the world.
The officially recognized theory regarding the origin of Uncle Sam dates back to soldiers stationed near Troy, New York during the war of 1812. Barrels of meat they received were stamped "U.S." The supplier was Samuel Wilson of Troy, New York. Solders jokingly referred to him as "Uncle Sam". In 1813, the first image of "Uncle Sam" appeared in a cartoon. In 1961, Congress issued a resolution recognizing "Uncle Sam" Wilson and authorized a monument in his hometown in Troy, NY.
Uncle Sam Day became official in 1989 when a joint resolution of Congress designated September 13 "Uncle Sam Day". This date was selected, because "Uncle Sam" Wilson was born on this date in 1776.
Bald is Beautiful Day
Bald is Beautiful Day is a holiday that we can stop hiding and finally start celebrating what haunts many individuals all over the world. Today, being bald is beautiful. There will be no hats, crooked toupees, or cover-ups of any sort. Let it shine!
The perfect day to let your gifty-ness shine as well. This day has no specific gift ideas. Just give because they are bald!
Some sources quote this holiday's date as September 8th, though we've found more credible references for the September 13th date.
National Defy Superstition Day
It is no coincidence that National Defy Superstition Day falls on the 13th. For centuries, the number 13 has been considered an omen of bad luck, misfortune, or even death in many societies. No one knows the true origins of the superstition surrounding the number 13, but there are a number of theories. Below I have listed of some of the most prominent.
There were 13 people at the Last Supper, and Judas Iscariot — the one who betrayed Jesus — was the 13th man to take his place at the table.
The end of the Mayan calendar's 13th Baktun was superstitiously feared as a harbinger of the apocalyptic end of the world.
Traditionally, there used to be 13 steps leading up the gallows, and legend has it that a hangman's noose traditionally contained 13 turns.
There was a mass arrest and execution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307.
Originally, a coven of witches was made up of exactly 13 members.
National Defy Superstition Day encourages you to break those superstitious beliefs you've had since childhood. Stepping on a crack will not break your mother's back. "Three on a match" (lighting 3 cigarettes from one match) does not bring bad luck. The list of childish superstitions is endless. Hotels don't have a 13th floor, nor a room #13, nor any room that ends with the #13; all because of superstition. Use this holiday to rid yourself of your unfounded superstitions.
With that said, I would not recommend that you run around willy-nilly shattering mirrors, indiscriminately tipping over salt shakers, or walking under ladders; and above all else, I would recommend that you avoid any encounters with a black cat. Better to be safe than sorry.
Positive Thinking Day
Positive Thinking Day is all about attitude. The power of positive thinking is absolutely astounding. Medical research confirms that a positive attitude works wonders at fighting disease and ailments, from the common cold to cancer. People with an "I think I can" attitude, are far more likely to succeed at work, and in accomplishing every goal they set in life. The best way to develop/maintain a positive attitude is to surround yourself with positive people. They will help you stay focused.
Like the lowly ant in the song "High Hopes", with a positive attitude, you can accomplish anything.
To celebrate this holiday, be as positive as you can.
International Chocolate Day
International Chocolate Day celebrates the birth of Milton Hershey, founder of Hershey's chocolate, on this date in 1857.
I can think of no food item that deserves a holiday more than chocolate. Sure, chocolate can be high in calories; and apparently, it's very bad for dogs, but there are still plenty of good reasons to eat chocolate. WebMD reports that dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants gobble up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments. They also report that dark chocolate (again, not milk chocolate) lowers high blood pressure. Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure. You just have to ensure that you balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.
There's only one way to celebrate this holiday, eat chocolate! You're welcome.
National Peanut Day
Peanuts are native South America and are not really nuts at all. They are legumes, like peas, beans, and lentils.
Peanuts are one of America's favorite snack foods. They are also a key ingredient in many dishes and are a topping for a wide variety of desserts. Many Oriental recipes use peanuts in main menu items.
Peanuts were not always considered healthy, but more recent research suggests that peanuts can reduce cardiovascular disease and lowers triglycerides in the body. Peanuts are high in protein and fiber, and are now believed to help curb hunger, and therefore help in diet control.
To celebrate this holiday, eat some peanuts. PBJ lovers, peanut butter counts. Yippee!
Fortune Cookie Day
Fortune Cookie Day celebrates the creation of the Fortune Cookie. Duh! It's pretty clear that the Fortune Cookie did not originate in China. Rather, it was invented in California. There appears to be some uncertainty over who invented it. Some historical references suggest it was Makoto Hagiwara who invented the fortune cookie at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco in 1914. Others believe that David Jung, founder of the Hong Kong Noodle Company, was the first to make fortune cookies in Los Angeles in the 1920's.
Documentation for the date of this holiday is uncertain. A large majority of my sources declare Fortune Cookie Day as today, September 13th, but I did find another reference to another Fortune Cookie Day in July.
Snack a Pickle Time
When most people think of pickles, they think of tasty cucumbers cured in a brine. And, in fact, what most people think of as pickles are low in calories, have no fat, and have probiotic benefits.
However, the term 'pickle' actually refers to any food that has been preserved in a seasoned brine or vinegar mixture. The most commonly pickled item is, as you might expect, cucumbers. But the variety of food items that can be pickled is limited only by one's imagination. Everyone has heard of pickled peppers (Peter Piper picked a peck of them), but chilies, cauliflower, pearl onions, and baby corn, are also popular. Some people even like even pickled herring and pickled pig's feet! (YUK)
There are a plethora of pickling spices used too. Common combinations include, but are certainly not limited to, dill, allspice, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, cardamon, mustard seeds, ginger, and peppercorns. Once again, your imagination is the only limiting factor.
To celebrate this holiday, enjoy some pickles. Be adventurous and start a batch at home. There are about a gazillion recipes available online.
National Ants on a Log Day
The National Day Calendar has designated the second Tuesday in September of each year as National Ants On A Log Day in 2014. It was submitted by Duda Farm Fresh Foods and Peanut Butter & Co. This holiday recognizes this healthy snack enjoyed by millions and is intended to encourage healthy snacking.
Ants on a log is a snack made by spreading peanut butter on celery and placing raisins on top. The "ants on a log" moniker was first used in the 1950's. The typical peanut butter version of ants on a log is recommended as a healthy snack by the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
In early September, children are headed back to school and it's time start packing nutritious school lunches again. Celery, peanut butter, and raisins are all "brain foods" and are beneficial in helping children stay focused.
Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day
The objective behind Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day is to empower kids and teens to become more actively involved in the planning, preparation, and cooking of meals. At the same time, this holiday fosters a closer relationship between children and their parents and helps raise awareness of the many serious health and social issues related to our youth's eating habits today.
To celebrate this holiday, encourage your kids to participate in the preparation of tonight's dinner, and encourage them to learn more about health and nutrition.
National Celiac Awareness Day
Roald Dahl Day
On this date in:
1789 – The United States Government took out its first loan. [And so deficit spending began].
1898 – Hannibal Williston Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film, which is used to make movies.
1922 – The highest shade temperature ever recorded (136.4° Fahrenheit) was recorded in El Azizia, Libya.
1943 – Chiang Kai-shek became the president of China.
1948 – The School of Performing Arts opened in New York City. It was the first public school to specialize in performing arts.
1948 – Margaret Chase Smith was elected to the Senate and became the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.
1949 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association of America (LPGA) was formed.
1959 – The Soviet Union's Luna 2 became the first space probe to reach the moon.
1960 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned payola.
1970 – The first New York City Marathon took place. Fireman Gary Muhrucke won the race.
1971 – In New York, National Guardsmen stormed the Attica Correctional Facility and put an end to the four-day revolt. A total of 43 people were killed in the final assault.
1977 – The first diesel automobiles manufactured by General Motors were introduced.
1981 – Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig said the United States had physical evidence that Russia and its allies used poisonous biological weapons in Laos, Cambodia, and Afghanistan.
1988 – Forecasters reported that Hurricane Gilbert's barometric pressure measured 26.13. It was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.
1993 – "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" premiered on NBC.
1993 – Israel and Palestine signed their first major agreement. Palestine was granted limited self-government in the Gaza Strip and in Jericho.
1994 – President Bill Clinton signed a $30 billion anti-crime bill into law.
1998 – The New York Times closed its Web site after hackers added offensive material.
2001 – Secretary of State Colin Powell named Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in the terror attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Also, limited commercial flights resumed in the United States for the first time since the terrorist attack on America on 9/11.
Celebrity Birthdays:
Walter Reed 1851 – Physician.
Milton S. Hershey 1857 – Entrepreneur.
John Pershing 1860 – Army General.
Sherwood Anderson 1876 – Author.
Claudette Colbert 1905 – Actress.
Bill Monroe 1911 – Bluegrass musician.
Roald Dahl 1916 – Author.
Dick Haymes 1916 – Singer.
Scott Brady 1924 – Actor.
Mel Torme 1925 – Singer.
Eileen Fulton 1933 – Actress.
Barbara Bain 1934 – Actress.
Fred Silverman 1937 – TV executive.
Judith Martin 1938 – Journalist.
Richard Kiel 1939 – Actor.
David Clayton-Thomas 1941 – Singer.
Bela Karolyi 1942 – Gymnastics coach.
Jacqueline Bisset 1944 – Actress.
Peter Cetera 1944 – Singer.
Nell Carter 1948 – Singer, actress.
Jean Smart 1959 – Actress.
Joni Sledge 1956 – Singer.
Zak Starkey 1965 – Musician.
Louis Mandylor 1966 – Actor.
Fiona Apple 1977 – Singer,songwriter.
Ben Savage 1980 – Actor.
Mitch Holleman 1995 – Child actor.