Yellow Pig Day is a mathematician’s holiday celebrating yellow pigs (is there such a thing!?!), and the number 17.  It is a July 17 holiday and is celebrated annually since the early 1960s, primarily on college campuses, and primarily by mathematicians. On campus, Yellow Pig Cake and Yellow Pig Carols are traditions!

If you are a mathematician, spend part of the day thinking and working in multiples of 17. 

Another Pig Day? There are also some references to this holiday” on January 17th. The references are only found in online calendars and on Ecard companies. We did not find it in any published documents. We did not find any factual evidence supporting this day on January 17th.

Color of the Day: Of course, it comes as no surprise that today’s favorite color is yellow. Hence we wear yellow shirts, eat yellow beans or yellow squash, and drive yellow cars, if possible.

Did You Know? Pigs are one of the smartest animals on the planet. They rank fourth, behind humans, apes, and dolphins.

They don’t just sit around all day working on their tans. Rather, they are the heroes of the beach and poolside. A lifeguard’s duty is to protect and save your life. So, it is only fitting that we celebrate Lifeguard Appreciation Day annually, as a way of thanking them for the important role they play in public safety. On this July 31 holiday, give recognition to the young lifeguards who must be vigilant and alert every moment of their work shift.

It’s not easy to qualify to become a lifeguard. First, they must be strong swimmers. At the beach, they can encounter rough waters and dangerous rip currents. Candidates must take a course and pass a test. They must be certified. Training is extensive. It includes how to save someone who is drowning, resuscitation of drowning victims, first aid, and CPR. Only then, are they qualified to be a lifeguard.  Then, they need to recertify every two years.

Sitting up on the lifeguard chair all day is not as easy as it looks.  They are constantly alert, as they watch for swimmers in trouble. And on occasion, they dash into the water to save a swimmer who is in trouble. Lifeguards are the enforcers of the rules on the beach and at the poolside. The rules are established for safety. For example, most pools prohibit running along the slippery surface around the pool. And, most pools prohibit diving headfirst into the pool, which is also dangerous. Also, at an oceanside beach, they are always on the lookout for sharks.

While you are relaxing at the beach or having fun at a waterpark, the lifeguard is on station, keeping you and others safe. So, as you pass the lifeguard chair, offer a simple thanks for the important role they play 

Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that make us happy and put a smile on our faces. With a rainbow of bright colors and a great sweet taste, sprinkles are indeed one of the smile-inducing treats in life. Today is National Sprinkle Day. On this July 23 holiday, you’re going to smile from sunrise to sunset, and perhaps a wee bit later.  You can begin your day by putting them on your pancakes or waffles. And, the best way to end this fun day, is with a generous amount of them on top of ice cream or on just about any late-night treat you want.

Sprinkles are made of sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, shortening, wax, and food coloring. Some recipes include gelatin.

Sprinkles are popular around the world. And, they are known by a variety of names. In Holland, they are still called “Hagelslag”. In Belgium when you want them on your ice cream, you ask for “muizenstrontjes” or “mouse droppings”. They are also called “Hundreds and Thousands”, and “Nonpareils”. Call them what you will. Certainly, they are the ultimate topper for countless foods. 

There’s no holiday quite like today. It’s a fun holiday that everyone will find cute and amusing. Today is Stick Out Your Tongue Day. It’s no time to get tongue-tied. On this fun-filled July 19 holiday, we show off our tongue for everyone to see. The object of this day is simply to inject a little fun and humor into our lives and those we see today.

We use our tongue as a means of expression. It’s body language at its finest. This body language can be used for countless reasons. On occasion, we do so in a childish, rude, or insulting manner. But most often, sticking it out is done for fun and humor. Even Albert Einstein found sticking his tongue out to be amusing. And, there are pictures of him to prove it.

This holiday is guaranteed to put smiles on everyone’s face. We encourage you to have fun on this zany holiday. Stick out your tongue in funny and goofy poses. Do this in public to everyone you see. And, post pictures on social media.  

It is the middle of summer. And the weather is hot and sticky, just like summer is supposed to be. We naturally turn to the cooling and soothing benefits of healthy tropical fruits. It brings thoughts of a sandy beach on a tropical island with warm, balmy breezes. So, it is not surprising that we celebrate National Tropical Fruit Day today. One of the objectives of this July 18 holiday, is to raise awareness of the exotic fruits available to us, and their health benefits. So, let’s savor and enjoy fresh exotic fruits, eaten by themselves, in a fruit salad or recipe, or in an icy tropical beverage.

Tropical fruits are grown in the hot, humid, and rainy regions of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. We most often think of bananas and coconuts coming from these regions. However, there’s dozens of other tropical fruits, each with their own taste and characteristics.  These fruits are among the healthiest foods you can eat. Hopefully, they are a regular part of your diet. These fruits are high in dietary fiber. In addition, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. But, that’s not all. They have a high level of antioxidants, too. 

As you sit under a shady tree or rest in your hammock enjoying a tropical fruit salad, think about all of their health benefits. Aside from the sugar content in them, tropical fruits are a healthy food choice for everyone.

Foodies are going to just love today’s holiday. At this time of the summer, the cherry harvest is at its peak. The harvest only lasts for a few weeks. So, let the pit-spitting contests begin! Today is the perfect time to celebrate National Cherry Day.  Yes, July 16 holidays couldn’t be sweeter. And, this one might be the sweetest holiday of the whole month. Many farming communities celebrate with a harvest festival. And, we don’t have to tell you what is in all of the baked goods at the celebrations.  You don’t have to live in a farming community to celebrate this sweet summer treat. Hold a festival in your community. Or, have a party with your neighbors. 

There are sweet cherries for eating fresh. And tart, or sour varieties, are best for baking. There is even a yellow variety. Yellow varieties are sweet. In addition to tasting good, they are good for your health.

Did You Know? National Cherry Month is not in July. Rather, it is in February.

A barn is an iconic outbuilding on just about every farm in rural America. Usually painted a traditional, classic red color, it is the heart of the farm. And, it evokes thoughts and warm feelings of a quieter place and time in American life. So, today, we celebrate National Barn Day. On this July holiday, we turn nostalgic as we think about them and imagine life on the farm.

Historically, the life of a barn begins with a barn-raising. This is a community event. All the neighbors and townsfolk get together and help with its construction. The ladies prepare food and drink for the workers. They gather and help with the tools. They provide encouragement as the structure goes up, too. The men provide the brawn and the muscle. Depending upon the size of the barn, the frame can rise in just a day. Nowadays, barn-raising events are infrequent. Most construction is performed by professional contractors. 

Once the structure is completed, it is used for a wide variety of purposes. There’s plenty of room for farm equipment, tools, and machinery. Horses and cows are often housed in them. Other farm animals take up residence, too. But, not all farm animals live in them. Pigs reside in a pigsty, while chickens, ducks, and geese live in a coop. Hay is a common item stored in the loft. Other farm produce may also find temporary storage here.

Song of the Day: Old McDonald Had a Farm.

Our Favorite Vowels: “E-I-E-I-O.

Here today, gone tomorrow. That’s what the latest styles and trends are all about. The latest fads burn hot like a supernova. Everyone has to have the latest style. Then, in the blink of an eye, it is replaced by the next fashion trend. But, Fashion Day is here to stay as there is always a new latest and greatest craze. This annual July 9 holiday is all about celebrating the fashion industry, along with designers, models, and everyone else associated with coaxing us to dress and be in style.

Fashion is a mere perception. The industry designs the latest style. Then, they promote it, and just like that everyone wants it. Fashion applies to the clothes we wear, the jewelry we covet, and the shoes on our feet. Stilettos, anyone!? It can be a rippy pair of blue jeans or a designer purse. Our accessories are fashionable items, too. But, it doesn’t stop there. We change our hairstyles to match how our idols and the stars of the screen wear their hair. We even paint our fingernails and toes to reflect current trends.    

This holiday is destined to be the latest craze. As a matter of fact, celebrating this holiday is the fashionable thing to do. So, stick around and enjoy this holiday in good fashion. The next fad is just around the corner.

Raise the flag! Show your pride in our great country. Support your fellow citizens. Today is Made in the USA Day. Both consumers and manufacturers celebrate this patriotic holiday. Also sometimes called Made in America Day, this July 2 holiday appeals to the patriotism in each and every one of us. It encourages us to buy American-manufactured products. And, it encourages manufacturers to source component parts and materials right here in the good old U.S. of A.

Are you tired of the poor quality of goods made in China and many other foreign countries? Sure you are! What sells us on imports is the lower purchase price. But after the fact, purchasing lower priced goods doesn’t look so good when the product quickly breaks or doesn’t perform up to expectations. So, take a stand and commit yourself to buying U.S.-made products wherever possible. You’ll be glad that you did!

Americans vote with their dollars. Consumers, celebrate this holiday, by voting your dollars in support of American manufacturers.  It assures the prosperity of our great nation.