Saxophone Day

Saxophone Day is today. The Saxophone is a classical woodwind instrument. It is an essential instrument in jazz bands, symphonic bands, marching bands and more. It’s only fitting that this great instrument has a day of recognition all to its own.The Saxophone was invented around 1840. It was created by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian musical instrument maker.  The sax is made of brass. Adophe Sax invented 8 types of saxophones: Sopranino, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contrabass, and Subcontrabass. The first Saxophone ever created was the Bass Saxophone. A 9th type of Saxophone, the Soprillo Saxophone, was invented in 2004. It is the smallest Saxophone.Some famous Saxophone Players (Alphabetical order):

• John Coltrane
• Stan Getz
• Coleman Randolph Hawkins “Hawk”
• James Moody
• Charlie “The Bird” Parker
• Lester Prez Young

Happy Saxophone Day!!!

Guy Fawkes Day/Gunpowder Day

Guy Fawkes Day and Gunpowder Day are one and the same. It commemorates the infamous Gunpowder Conspiracy of 1605 in England. It was led by, you guessed it, Guy Fawkes.

The Roots of Gunpowder Day or Guy Fawkes Day

In 1603, King James I took the throne in England. An avid Protestant, he began persecuting Catholics in the country.  He forbid Catholics from practicing their religion, and punished Catholics who did not convert to the Protestant church.

The Gunpowder Conspirators were a group of Catholics who sought to take action against the king. They plotted to blow up the British Houses of Parliament. They planned to do so, when the king and his supporters were in the buildings. Their plot was uncovered on November 5, 1605. Thirty six barrels of gunpowder were found in the basement of Parliament. Guy Fawkes, the leader of the conspiracy, was arrested and tortured until he confessed. He was arrested just as he was about to ignite the gunpowder.

How do people in England celebrate Gunpowder Day? They do so, with fireworks and bonfires.

Thought for the Day: Are we celebrating Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators, for attempting to eliminate religious persecution? Or, are we celebrating the government’s successful discovery of the plot, saving many lives?  …You make the call.

King Tut Day

King Tut Day celebrates the date of the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s Tomb.

Over 3,000 years ago, Tutankhamen became the King of Egypt at the age of 9. He died at the age of 19. He is commonly called “King Tut”. The tomb of Egypt’s “child king” was discovered on November 4, 1922.  The tomb was discovered nearly intact in Egypt’s Valley of Kings.

King Tut’s rule lasted a short nine years, from 1333 B.C. to 1324 B.C. The cause of his death is uncertain. Murder and an innocent accident are the two main theories.

How to celebrate this special day: Spend a little time with your nose in the Egyptian history books. Learn more about King Tut, along with the culture and times of Ancient Egypt.

Happy King Tut Day!!!

Housewife Day

Housewife Day recognizes the importance of stay at home wives and moms. Also referred to as “Retro” Housewife Day. These rare, wonderful, caring creatures, build and enrich strong family environments. They help to instill family values and good character.

“Housewife” is an old term. It hails back to the days when one income could support the family in a manner of comfort. It was also a time when women did not have equal rights. While these days are long gone, women’s views of working or staying at home, fall on both sides of the fence. The decision to be a “housewife”, or stay at home mom, is still preferred by many. Unfortunately, income needs often necessitate going to work.

Today, we celebrate and thank all of the ladies who choose to stay home and tend to the house and family!

All Soul’s Day

The Christian holiday of All Soul’s Day pays respect and remembers the souls of all friends and loved ones who have died and gone to heaven. It is a time to pray for their souls that they may be received into heaven. Upon death, it is believed that souls have not yet been cleansed of sin. Praying for souls of loved ones helps to remove the stain of sin, and allow the souls to enter the pearly gates of heaven. All Souls Day was started in 998.

Often people will pray to their lost loved ones and even ask for special favours.

All Soul’s Day is also sometimes called the “Day of the Dead”.

All Saint’s Day

The Christian holiday of All Saint’s Day honours and recognizes all of the saints of the christian church, many of which were martyrs. The church sets this day aside to celebrate over 10,000 recognized saints. Historically, All Saints Day was known as Hallomas.

Did you know? All Saints Day and All Souls Day was originally in May. They were moved to November 1st and 2nd to downplay the Pagan holidays of Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve) and Dia De Loss Muertos. Religious leaders felt these holidays were too popular at the time to ban outright. But, if moved, the pagan holidays would slowly die away…….worked so well!

Hallowe’en

Today is Hallowe’en, possibly the best holiday of the year. It is the favourite for many of us, as there is no stress, no overload, and no “Holiday Depression”. It’s just absolutely fun.

Halloween or Hallowe’en; a contraction of “All Hallows’ Evening”),also known as All Hallows’ Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It initiates the triduum of Hallowmas, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.

According to many scholars, All Hallows’ Eve is a Christianized feast initially influenced by Celtic harvest festivals,with possible pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic Samhain. Other academics maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has solely Christian roots.

Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related “guising” or “trunk-or-treating”), attending costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

Kids beware! About 9 out of 10 parents admit to sneaking a treat from their kids treat bag!

National Candy Corn Day

National Candy Corn Day is today. Enjoy a handful of this sweet Fall treat. And, what perfect timing. National Candy Corn Day comes just a day before Halloween. That means you can eat plenty of it, before you go out Trick or Treating.

Candy corn is enjoyed all year long. Place it in a candy dish any time of the year, and watch it disappear by the handful. By far, the vast majority of candy corn is consumed during the Fall months, with both Halloween and Thanksgiving being the biggest times to eat it.

Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger, and first manufactured by the Wunderle Candy Company. The Goelitz Candy company was the first to manufacture mass quantities around the turn of the century.

Candy corn consists primarily of corn syrup, honey, and sugar. There’s lots of carbs (sugar), but it’s fat free!?

Have a happy  National Candy Corn Day.

Hermit Day

Hermit Day is today. It’s a quiet day to spend quietly in seclusion, all by yourself.

For some people, being a recluse is a way of life. They spend every day by themselves, in peaceful seclusion. For whatever reason, hermits prefer living away from the crowds and the sea of humanity. For many of us who lead an increasingly busy lifestyle, the idea of being a “Hermit for a Day” is very tempting. The thought of getting away from it all, even if for just one day, is very appealing.

If you are a Hermit, celebrate your lifestyle today. If you’re one of the many, who yearn for a break from your hectic lifestyle, be a Hermit on this day. Chill out by yourself where no one can find you.

Spend this day in a secluded area or environment. May we suggest you do so with a good reading book. We hope that no one interrupts your calm and serenity.

Have a happy, secluded, quiet, and peaceful Hermit Day.

Plush Animal Lover’s Day

Plush Animal Lover’s Day is today. It’s a day to enjoy your plush, stuffed animals.

The objective of this day is simple: enjoy and appreciate your plush animals. Give them a little love and special attention today. And, if they’ve lost a little of their “plush”, that’s okay, you still love them.

Have a happy and loving Plush Animal Lover’s Day!