St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day is today. Yes, there really was a christian Saint Nicholas. He lived in the country of Greece, just a couple hundred years after the birth of Christ. This day is in honor of Saint Nicholas and his life.
Saint Nicholas became a priest, and later, a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. True to the christian concept of giving up belongings and following Christ, St. Nicholas gave up all of his belongings. He was well known for giving to needy people, especially children. There are may stories and tales of him helping out children in need.
The practice of hanging up stockings originated with Saint Nicholas. As the ancient legend goes, Saint Nicholas was known to throw small bags of gold coins into the open windows of poor homes. After one bag of gold fell into the stocking of a child, news got around. Children soon began hanging their stockings by their chimneys “in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there”.
It wasn’t until the 1800’s that the spirit of St. Nicholas’ life evolved into the creation of Santa Claus. And, this happened in America. Santa Claus emerged (or evolved) from the stories and legends of St. Nicholas. Santa Claus was kind and generous to children. Unlike “St. Nick”, Santa Claus is largely a non-religious character.
Have a happy St. Nicholas Day.
Origin of St. Nicholas Day:
St. Nicholas Day has been celebrated for hundreds and hundreds of years. It commemorates the death of this very special, very holy person on December 6th. Record keeping was not perfect in his time. His death is believed to have been in either 345A.D., or 352 A.D.
Repeal Day
Repeal Day is today. It commemorates the repeal of the 18th Amendment. Once more, Americans were free to buy, sell, and consume alcoholic beverages. I’ll drink to that!
In the early 1900’s, many of the good people of America believed that alcohol was the root cause of many social ills in the country. Prohibition on a national scale, was promoted in part by the American Christian Women’s Temperance Union. This movement grew in popularity. Ultimately, the United States Congress passed the 18th amendment on January 16, 1919. The 16th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, transportation, sale and consumption of alcohol.
The ban on alcohol did little to improve the social conditions of the country, or to reduce crime. Rather, crime increased as racketeers got into the the business of making and selling alcohol. The popularity of the 18th Amendment waned. More and more people and groups sought it’s repeal.
Congress passed the 21st Amendment, effectively repealing the 18th Amendment. On December 5, 1933, the State of Utah voted it’s approval of the 21st Amendment, achieving the 3/4 of states need to approve this amendment. Thus on this day, the 18th Amendment was formally repealed.
The prohibition of alcohol in Canada arose in various stages, from the possibility of local municipal bans in the late 19th century, to provincial bans in the early 20th century, to national prohibition (a temporary wartime measure) from 1918 to 1920. Most provinces repealed their bans in the 1920s, though alcohol was illegal in Prince Edward Island until 1948.
As legislation prohibiting consumption of alcohol was repealed, it was typically replaced with regulation restricting the sale of alcohol to minors and imposing excise taxes on alcoholic products.
Important Note: While Repeal Day certainly is a day to have a drink in celebration of our rights and freedoms, we should always remember to drink responsibly.
Santa’s List Day
Today is Santa’s List Day. Have you been good all year? Have you been Naughty? Or, have you been nice? Santa knows.
Santa’s Elves have been everywhere, checking up on children all over the world, to see who has been naughty, and who has been nice. Thanks to the hard work of his elves, Santa now has two lists. The short list contains the names of a few children who have been naughty. A much longer list is filled with the names of children who have been good all year long.
Which list are you on?
Kids….. make sure to be especially good around the holidays. That’s when parents need children to be on their best behavior, as they are busy preparing for the holidays.
Happy Santa’s List Day!!!!
Origin of Santa’s List Day:
We have it on good authority, that this day was created at the North Pole.
We interviewed Santa, and a few of his top elves. They tell us that they strive to make the first draft of Santa’s “Naughty” and “Nice” lists by this day. Then, they review and adjust it, all the way to Christmas eve.
Santa told us that doing extra chores, or something special to help out around the house between now and Christmas, will get you off the “Naughty” list, and onto the “Nice” list.
National Roof Over Your Head Day
Today is National Roof Over Your Head Day. It is a day of appreciation for the things we have, starting with the roof over our heads.
For most of us, a roof over our head signifies living in a house that protects us from the elements, keeping us warm, dry, and cozy. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as you and I. There are many homeless people right here in our country. Some people live in a cardboard box on the street…… literally. There are millions of people around the world who live in poverty or disaster areas, and do not have a home to keep them comfortable and safe.
Spend a few minutes appreciating your roof and home today, along with the many things that you have. And, also make a contribution to a homeless shelter, so others can come in out of the cold.
Happy National Roof Over Your Head Day!
Happy National Fritters Day
Today is National Fritters Day, aren’t we all lucky that this this special day has finally arrived!?
Before you can begin to celebrate this very important day, you need to know what a “fritter” is. Many people do not know, making it all the more fun to eat your first fritter today. A fritter is a fried cake or dough with fruit or meats inside.
Whatever you do, do not fritter this day away without eating at least one fritter.
Happy National Fritters Day!
World Aids Awareness Day
World Aids Awareness Day is today. This day is noted around the world, by fundraisers and educational programs, and events.
HIV/AIDS is one of the worlds biggest medical crises. It is estimated that approximately 40 million people in the world currently have aids. One million of them, are in the United States. Each year, over 40,000 new cases are reported in the U.S.
On this day, there are a number of things you can do. They include:
- Learn more about HIV/AIDs.
- Promote education about this disease, and protection against it.
- Help people with AIDS.
- Donate to the fight to end this disease.
Please do what you can to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day
Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day is today. Do you feel okay? If so, it is a good day to take off from work.
According to Wellcat.com, the creators of this special day, the objective is to call in “well” to your work. It’s as simple as that.
Caution: We recommend you use extreme caution and good judgment. Following the concept of this day could get you a reprimand or cost you your job! Participating in this day might not be the right thing for you to do.
Have a happy Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day.
Square Dance Day
Here’s a chance to get out and “Dosey Do” with your partner. It’s Square Dance Day!
English, Irish, and Scottish settlers brought square dancing to the U.S. As it evolved in the U.S., a caller was added, to help dancers stay in step. It remains popular among southern and western rural areas, and with senior citizens.
Couples square dance in circles or square formations. It’s lively and quick, and lots of fun.
Square Dancing is both fun, and great exercise. Medical sites and journals speaks to its health benefits for people of all ages.
The origin of Square Dance Day is unknown. Our research did not uncover the roots. But, don’t miss the opportunity today to “Swing your partner” to the lively beat!
Are you looking to Celebrate Square Dancing for a whole month? September is International Square Dance Month.
Red Planet Day
The planet Mars is referred to as the “Red Planet” because it appears red in colour. Red Planet Day honors our celestial neighbor, the fourth planet in the solar system.
Is Mars truly red in color? Scientists debated this question, even after the Mars Rovers landed and began to explore the planet. Why? Because the lenses used to take photos are tinted.
On Red Planet Day, take a few minutes to look upwards into the sky, and gaze at our neighbour. Hopefully, you will have a cloudless night sky for viewing. You can also recognize this day by reading up about Mars, and viewing pictures of it. There are plenty of pictures online.
Red Planet Day commemorates the launch of the Spacecraft Mariner 4 on November 28,1964. The 228 day mission of Mariner 4 brought the spacecraft within 6,118 miles of Mars on July 14, 1965.
Mars Facts and Trivia:
Fourth Planet from the Sun
Mars gets it’s name from the Greek word “Ares”, the God of War
Often visible to the naked eye
Distance from the Sun: average 136,764,000 miles
Rotation around the Sun: 687 days
Rotation period: 1.026 Earth days
Gravity: 1/3 of Earth
Size: 7th largest planet, about 1/10th the mass of Earth
Moons: none
Temperature range(F): -207 to +81 degrees
Pins and Needles Day
The real purpose of Pins and Needles Day is to commemorate the opening of the pro-labour play Pins and Needles on Broadway on this day in 1937. Over decades of time, people lost track of the original meaning of this day.
Today, most people look upon Pins and Needles Day, as a nervous and anxious day. It’s a day of eager anticipation, as we await an event or for something to happen. One could argue that kids are on pins and needles from now until Christmas, as they nervously wonder if they have been good enough to receive a visit from Santa in a few weeks.
Of all the special days on the calendar, this is a nerve racking day. You are on pins and needles until that special future event successfully unfolds. And, if it doesn’t………. well we will just think positively.
We hope you have a happy, and calm, and relaxing Pins and Needles Day!
Origin of Pins and Needles Day:
The real origin of this special day goes back to the labour movement in the 1930s. The pro-labour Broadway musical Pins and Needles, opened on this day in 1937, at the Labor Stage Theater in New York City. This play was written by Harold Rome. It was produced by the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union. Union members made up the cast. It ran for 1108 performances, once holding the record for longevity.