Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is celebrated each year on February 2nd. On this day in mid-winter, the groundhog awakens from a long winter’s nap, and goes outside of his den to see if he sees his shadow. This tradition is big, on an otherwise cold and dreary mid-winter’s day.

According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow (a sunny morning), there will be six more weeks of winter. He then returns to his den and goes back to sleep. If however, he does not see his shadow (cloudy days), he plays around outside of his hole for a while. If he does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner.

The Groundhog’s Day tradition travelled long ways. It comes from German roots. German immigrants brought the tradition with them from Germany. As they settled in hills of Pennsylvania, they began the tradition of using the Groundhog to predict the the arrival of Spring. The tradition is based upon Candlemas, the day that is the midpoint between Winter and Spring. A famous Candlemas poems goes:

If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is the site of the annual Ground Hog event. Our little rodent friend (yes, Groundhogs are classified as rodents) is called Punxsutawney Phil. There are a few other “predictors” around the country, but they all pale in comparison to Phil’s ability to predict the remainder of winter.

For the Record Phil sees his shadow about 9 out of 10 times

National Freedom Day

National Freedom Day celebrates freedom from slavery, and recognizes that America is a symbol of freedom.

National Freedom Day was established in 1948 to remind us that America stands for, and is a symbol of freedom for all people. The roots of this special day come directly from the end of slavery and the signing of the 13th amendment outlawing slavery.

Celebrate this day by reflecting upon your own freedoms that you enjoy by being fortunate enough to be in America. Millions of people in the world are not free.

Origin of National Freedom Day:

Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave, created National Freedom Day. He believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. So, February 1st was chosen to celebrate National Freedom Day.

On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a the bill proclaiming February 1st as National Freedom Day.

Sdrawkcab Yad

Backwards Day is a day to do everything backwards. Use your imagination, and  Backwards Day can be lots of fun. It’s especially popular with school aged kids.

Try writing backwards or reading backwards. Wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your meal, starting with dessert! Now that’s what I call fun! Walk backwards, or talk backwards. Play a board game backwards, from the finish line to the start. Are you starting to get the picture!?

This day is limited only by your imagination. Evah nuf!

National Inane Answering Message Day

Many people look at the title of this day and think ….huh!!? Some people think its a typo, and the day should read “National Insane Answering Message Day”. However, it actually and truly is “National Inane Answering Message Day”.

First let,s clarify the meaning of an “inane” answering message. We all get them on our answering machines. An inane message is a senseless or meaningless message, or a prank call. Or, it could be an insane message.

So, National Inane Answering Message Day is a day to end those numerous, annoying inane answering machine messages. Trouble is…….how do you do that? In today’s, world, caller Id is a great tool to accomplish this goal.

National Puzzle Day

Don’t be puzzled by today. National Puzzle Day honours puzzles of all sizes, shapes and forms. Crossword puzzles are by far the most common. Sudoku, a number puzzle, is the most recent puzzle rage. There’s easy puzzles, and there’s puzzles for experts. They fit the needs of every person, and every skill level.

Puzzles are a favourite pastime of millions of people, young and old. So, what’s with this fascination over puzzles? There are numerous reasons for its popularity. For many, doing puzzles is fun. Some people just like the challenge of completing them, and graduating to evermore complex and difficult puzzle solving levels. For others, it is a way to kill time, and to eliminate boredom. Others still, do puzzles to keep their mind sharp, or to learn new words.

Whatever the cause for your interest, spend National Puzzle Day doing puzzles.

National Kazoo Day

People young and old love Kazoos. Kazoo Day celebrates the the joy of this musical instrument.

Alabama Vest of Macon Georgia made the first Kazoo in the 1840’s. Actually, he conceived the Kazoo, and had Thaddeus Von Clegg, a German clockmaster make it to his specifications.

Commercial production of the Kazoo didn’t occur until many years later in 1912. Manufacturing was first started by Emil Sorg in Western New York. Sorg joined up with Michael McIntyre, a Buffalo tool and die maker. Production moved to Eden, NY where the factory museum remains today.

Kazoos are easy to play. Simply hum a tune into the kazoo, and you’re an expert. Kazoos can be played solo, or in groups. It plays a great tune both ways.

What do you do on National Kazoo day? Why, play the kazoo, of course.

Bell – Let’s Talk Day

Today is Bell – Let’s Talk Day. Not a holiday, but an important day. Addressing the thousands of Canadians with mental health issues, Bell – Let’s talk day raises funds and awareness for those in need of help. Mental health issues such as depression can hit anyone at any time. Start the conversation. For every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, Bell will donate 5¢ more to the cause. Go to http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/end-the-stigma/facts/ to find out more.

Namaste

Spouse’s Day

Today’s obscure holiday is Spouse’s Day – a time to enjoy and appreciate your better half. You can use this day as a prelude or warm up to Valentine’s Day, perhaps. But, its not as much of a gift giving event. Rather, use it as a time to show your spouse that you care and appreciate all of the things that he/she does for you and for the household. Over the long years of a relationship, its easy to take for granted the many things your spouse does. He/she’s always there. They do so many big and little things as a routine event. So, take today to notice and to say thanks. As for the “enjoyment” part of the day…we will leave that up to you to enjoy your spouse however the two of your desire….

Opposite Day

Opposite Day is a topsy, turvy day when everything you say, do, see, and hear are the opposite. If you say go left, you mean go right. If you say look up, it means look down. If you see your left foot…is it really your right?

Yesiree, Bob. Opposite Day can be a whole lot of fun. It can also be very, very confusing. This special day is celebrated primarily among school children. Sponge Bob Square Pants even got into the act, with an episode containing the whimsical nature of this day.

Thought for the Day: Opposites attract.

Compliment Day

How nice of you to visit our site today. I can see by your choice of websites,  that you are an intelligent person. You are a kind and inquisitive person. I love the way you……

  Yes, it’s Compliment Day. Today is a great opportunity to say something positive about the people you come into contact with. Everyone has good attributes.  …that’s right……. everyone.

•   Its a cinch to find compliments for family and loved ones, even for your Mother-in-Law. (Tip: She’s probably a good cook.)

•   Friends are friends because you see something good about them. Here’s an easy compliment to a friend: “Wow, you’re very intelligent…you choose your friends wisely”.

•   It’s more challenging to compliment your boss, or people you don’t like.  Take up the challenge, and find a compliment for them today, too.

Remember: Mama said  “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything”.  After a long search for something good, if you just can’t find a compliment for them, then silence is golden.

      Compliment Day is celebrated by offering sincere compliments to people you know. It is important that you are sincere. People will see right through insincerity, and you will do more harm than good.

How many compliments should you give out today? The common suggestion is  five compliments. Yes, they should be to five different people.

Have fun!