Category: moreholidays

Flower of the Day: Skunk Cabbage

Recipe of the Day: Tex-Mex Tomato Zucchini Salad

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any August calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in August is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. August holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

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Moreholidays August Beach Day

National Beach Day

When is National Ocean Beach Day? This holiday is always celebrated on August 30

Yes, sand does get in everywhere. Despite this, where else would you rather be on a hot summer day? Exactly… the beach. So, you’re really going to enjoy National Beach Day. You’re going to love the natural beauty of the beach and seashore. If you can, call in to work and take a vacation day, as Labor Day is upon us, and summer is almost over. Then, enjoy this August 30 holiday by the shore and savor the cool, gentle breeze as it wafts in off of the water. Beaches first became popular in Europe in the mid-18th century. Now, hundreds of millions of people around the world visit the beach at least once a year. Also, as you enjoy this day on the beach, pull out your cell phone and peruse our beach trivia and fun facts.

While working on your suntan sounds like a great way to spend one of the last few days of summer, frolicking at the beach is not the intended goal of the author of this holiday. Rather, Life style expert Colleen Page created National Beach Day to raise awareness of the beauty of beaches around the world. And, we should make efforts to preserve and maintain beaches. It is ecologically important for us to express our appreciation of beaches by keeping them clean and safe for both tomorrow’s beachgoers as well as future generations.

In addition to preserving our beaches, the best way to show our appreciation is to hit the beach on this warm, summer day. Make up a picnic lunch and grab your beach blanket. Pack the suntan lotion and sand toys into your car. Then, head to the beach for a day of fun in the sun.

Beach Trivia

Looking for a little Beach trivia to impress your friends? Try these little factoids.

Most sand is quartz, a silica-based mineral.
Sand is commonly used to make glass.
Fraser Island in Australia is one big beach. It is the world’s largest sand island.
In 1948, the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Waters Act establishing water quality and pollution standards.
73 percent of beachgoers go into the water. That means 27 % stay on the beach without even putting their toes in the water!
The world record sandcastle was constructed on the beach in Blokhus, Denmark. Over 4860 tons of sand were used. Dutch artist Wilfred Stijger assisted by 30 other sand sculptors, built a sandcastle measuring 69 ft 5 inches tall.
Sandy beaches are a variety of colors, including white, tan, pink, and black.
Black sand comes from volcanic material.
Since 1990 more people have died falling into holes in sand at the beach than by sharks.
Water covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface.
The United States sees the most shark bites of any country. In 2021, there were 73 confirmed cases worldwide. Of those, 47 occurred in the United States. Florida had 28 confirmed cases.

How to Participate in National Beach Day

Here are some ideas on how to participate in National Beach Day:

Spend a fun day on the beach working on your suntan and having a picnic along the shore.
Do your part. While you are there having fun, make sure to take your trash to a receptacle, or bag it and take it home to discard.
If you see trash, pick it up and discard it properly. This includes cigarette butts, bottles (especially broken bottles), plastic materials, food waste, and any other trash.
Join a beach clean-up crew.
Play beach volleyball.
Take sunrise and sunset pictures over the water.

Today’s Slogan: “A bad day at the beach is better than a good day at work.”

Today's Chuckle

“Blowing on the wine in your coffee mug will convince participants of your Zoom meeting that your coffee is hot.” – – Author Unknown

History and Origin of National Ocean Beach Day

In 2014, Colleen Page, a family lifestyle expert, created National Beach Day. The goal is to promote and preserve safe and clean beaches.

While the selection of this end-of-summer August 30 date to celebrate this holiday may seem odd, the goals of this day are not directly about enjoying the beach. Rather is to restore, maintain, and preserve them. So, it makes sense to hold this holiday after the heavy use beaches receive all summer long. You can help to rejuvenate them.

Our research did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. We found no congressional records or presidential proclamation.

Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.

This Day in History

Here are some things that happened on this day:

Nadia Comăneci becomes the first gymnast in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 score at the Montreal Games. (1925)
The first recorded occurrence of a comet hitting the surface of the sun. It releases energy the equivalent of one million hydrogen bombs. (1979)
The Late Show with David Letterman premieres on CBS. (1993)

International Lifeguard Appreciation Day

Related Holidays

People who like this holiday will also like:

International Bikini Day

Flip Flop Day

Sandcastle Day

More August 30 Holidays

Here are more August 30 holidays we are certain you will enjoy:

Frankenstein Day

Toasted Marshmallow Day

More About Today

Recipe of the Day: Fried Pepper Rings

Plant of the Day: Oregano

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any August calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

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Moreholidays June Fudge Day

National Fudge Day

About National Fudge Day

When is National Fudge Day? This holiday is always celebrated on June 16

Chocolate candy lovers rejoice! Today is a sweet day. It is National Fudge Day. On this June 16 holiday, we celebrate this irresistible, fabulous, sugary sweet confection. A great way to enjoy this holiday is to go to a candy store that makes fresh fudge right in front of your eyes. Can you pass up the opportunity to sample some fudge when you enter a candy shop? We think not. And, once you’ve tasted a sample or two, it’s nearly impossible to walk out of the store without buying some to eat later at the beach or in front of the television as a late-night snack.

The meaning of the word has changed over time. In the 17th century, well before the candy was first created, the word “Fadge” was used as a verb meaning “to clumsily fit together or adjust”. A form of this meaning is in use today. For example, we may be working on a difficult estimate and decide to “fudge it”. In the early 1800s, the word meant a “hoax or to cheat”. To this day, kids use the term “Oh, Fudge” as an expletive. Of course, today it has a much sweeter meaning, bringing thoughts of decadent joy.

Fudge is enjoyed around the world. It is a very versatile candy, too. Flavors and varieties are almost unlimited. Can you think of a food item to put into a batch of fudge? How about a combination of items? chances are someone is already ahead of you and has successfully given it the taste test.

For the Record: The largest slab of fudge ever made weighed 5,760 pounds. The Northwest Fudge Factory produced this slab of fudge in Levack, Ontario, Canada, on October 23, 2010.

The History of Fudge

No one knows certain who created the first batch of fudge candy or when. Recipes for it began to appear in cookbooks in the 1800s. It is likely people were making it much earlier. It possibly had its roots in Scotland in the 1700s.

By the 1880s fudge was made and sold in candy stores selling confections. Folklore suggests a confectioner erred in making caramel. Upon realizing the mistake, the confectioner likely said “Oh Fudge”, and the candy was invented.

In 1886, Vassar college student Emelyn Battersby Hartridge wrote a letter mentioning her purchase of a box of fudge for 40 cents a pound at a store in Baltimore, Maryland. Without knowing it, her letter caused the popularity of fudge to quickly grow in popularity in college campuses across the United States.

It began as a summertime treat. Candy stores were quick to please the sweet tooth of Americans. Many shops made it fresh right at the store in full view of gawking customers. Kids and adults drool at the sight of this delightfully sweet candy being made right before their eyes. Candy shops selling fudge are very popular in beach areas and other tourist areas. If you’re on the boardwalk at the beach, you’ll find at least one candy shop filled with tourists buying fudge. It didn’t take long before fudge was used in ice cream. In 1906, Clarence Clifton Brown from Los Angeles, CA, and owner of C.C. Brown’s Ice Cream Shop, invented the hot fudge sundae. Today, we find all sorts of ice cream flavors with fudge in it, too.

Mackinac Island, Michigan claims to be the “Fudge Capital of the World”. Every August, they hold a Fudge Festival. People from around the country and the world mark their calendars and attend this chocolatey sweet festival.

Fudge Trivia and FAQs

Amaze your friends with the depth of your knowledge of fudge candy.

The first known sale of fudge cost 40 cents a pound.
The flavors and varieties are only limited by your imagination.
“Tablet”, or “Taiblet”, is a candy first made in Scotland in the 1700s. It is a medium-hard confection with similar ingredients and is considered a descendant of fudge.
Fudge is similar to fondant.
Mamie Eisenhower was a huge fan. Mamie’s Million Dollar Fudge was named in her honor. It included nuts and marshmallow creme.
Harry Ryba, the “Fudge King” of Mackinac Island once offered a lifetime supply of the candy for just $2,250. He said, “a lifetime, being yours or mine, whichever ends sooner”.
Candy thermometers are important to produce a smooth texture, avoiding crystallization which results in a gritty texture.
It stores for up to a year in the freezer.

How to Celebrate and Participate in National Fudge Day

It is very easy to celebrate this fun food holiday:

Eat fudge.
Make it at home at home. Select your favorite flavors.
Try a flavor you’ve never had before.
Bring some to work to share with co-workers. Have a fudge party.
Have a contest with your friends. Everyone makes a batch of their best fudge. Then judge the results.
Go to candy stores that make it fresh.
Give a box of fudge to a loved one.
Give a box to someone who needs cheering up.
Have an ice cream flavor with fudge in it.
Candy stores celebrate this holiday with free samples and discounts.

Today's Quote

“Optimism is sustainable. If you can find something to be grateful for, then you can find something to look forward to.” – – Michael J. Fox

History and Origin of National Fudge Day

Our research did not find the creator or the origin of this day. We traced the origin of this holiday to 2014. We found no references to this day prior to 2014. While there is a lot of information and history about fudge, there is very little information written about this holiday.

We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. There are no congressional records or presidential proclamations.

Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.

This Day in History

Here are some things that happened on this day:

Pope Gregory the Great issues a decree saying “God Bless You” is the proper response to a sneeze. (600)
The first issue of “Ladies Home Journal” is published. (1883)
Native American Apache leader Geronimo was born on this day in 1829.

International Waterfall Day

Related Holidays and Information

People who like this article will also like:

Chocolate Day

Chocolate Trivia – Enjoy it on any type of chocolate holiday. There are several.

More June 16 Holidays

Here are more June 16 holidays we are sure you will enjoy:

Cannoli Day

Fresh Veggies Day

More About Today

Famous June Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Nasturtium, an edible flower

Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Pie Fudge

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any June calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in June is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. June holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

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Moreholidays August Fajita Day

National Fajita Day

About National Fajita Day

When is National Fajita Day? This holiday is always celebrated on August 18

Hey Amigo, stand up, and let’s hear a big “Ole”! Today is National Fajita Day. This popular August 18 holiday is definitely something to cheer about. On this holiday, people all over the world enjoy this favorite, Tex-Mex dish in a restaurant or at home. And, Vaqueros out on the trail with a cattle herd have much to celebrate. They invented Fajitas while out on a cattle drive, and suddenly the Tex-Mex culinary scene would never be the same again.

Imagine what it must have been like on a cattle drive. Long, hot, dusty days sitting atop a horse. Every day is filled with danger and peril at every turn. Those long days sure made a cowboy hungry. At night, the campfires were lit for warmth and to cook meals. Occasionally, camp cooks made Fajitas, using inexpensive skirt steak to fill the stomachs of weary and hungry cowboys. They were a simpler form of Fajitas than those we eat today. But, they were delicious all the same. And it was a welcome relief to the usual boring beans served on the trail.

Of course, eating them on National Fajita Day is a must. Other Mexican and Tex-Mex holidays are a great time to put them on your dinner menu. And, there are 364 other days of the year to enjoy delicious, marinated meat and veggies with all the toppings rolled up into a flour tortilla.

History of Fajitas

From humble western cattle trails, Fajitas evolved into one of today’s most popular Tex-Mex dishes. Many people believe Fajitas originated in Mexico. However, they first appeared in the United States. Mexican Vaqueros in Southwest Texas created Fajitas in the 1930s. Vaqueros are Mexican cowboys who are horse-mounted cattlemen. The vaqueros discovered a way to use tough skirt steak to make a fantastic meal. They chopped the skirt steak into small pieces before cooking it and added chopped vegetables and some spices. They originally served it with corn chips. Later, the meat and vegetables were put into a soft flour tortilla. Various toppings were also added.

In the 1960s, Fajitas began showing up on restaurant menus, and their popularity spread. By the 1980s, Fajita recipes appeared in cookbooks, spreading their popularity even further. Today, you will find Fajitas in restaurants all over the world.

In restaurants, Fajitas are typically served on a sizzling hot, cast-iron skillet. Today there are many Fajita recipes. You can use soft flour tortillas or corn tortillas. In addition, you can use steak, chicken, fish, and other meats. Vegetables include onions, sweet peppers, and can include a variety of other veggies. While cheese wasn’t on the original recipe, it is almost always one of today’s toppings. Toppings have evolved, too. Some of the more popular topping options are sour cream, salsa, chiles, finely chopped tomatoes, and guacamole. Put any of these ingredients inside a soft tortilla, roll it up, and chow down. Serve Fajitas with corn chips and salsa on the side. Oh, don’t forget the guacamole.

Fajita Trivia and Facts

Here are our Fajita trivia and factoids. They will make your knowledge of this Mexican dish impress everyone at the Mexican restaurant.:

They are not originally from Mexico. Rather, they were invented in Texas.
In 1991, McDonald’s added a Chicken Fajita to their menu. It was not a success.
In the 1970s, Sonny Falcon trademarked the term “Fajita King”.
Mexican families consume an estimated two pounds of tortillas a day.
The term “mole” refers to traditional Mexican sauces, some of which make their way to your Fajita.
Skirt steak is a beefsteak cut from the diaphragm muscle of a cow. Aren’t you glad you found out this little factoid!?
In Mexico, they are called “Arrachero” which is the Mexican word for skirt steak.
Some people consider them a form of taco. What do you think?
On average, people eat 2 -3 Fajita per meal, using about 1/2 pound of meat.

How to Celebrate and Participate in National Fajita Day

Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate National Fajita Day:

Go to your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant and enjoy a Fajita.
Make them at home. They are easy to make, and you can add any ingredients and toppings in whatever proportions you prefer.
Have a Fajita party. Invite your friends and chow down to a great Tex-Mex dish. Don’t forget the Tequila.
Got a family Fajita recipe? Share it with others. Post it in a recipe book.

Today's Quote

“Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.” – – Mark Twain

History and Origin of National Fajita Day

In 2016, On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina founded National Fajita Day. Fajitas are their signature dish. And creating this national day helps to promote their business. This restaurant chain, headquartered in Irving, TX, has 150 stores in the United States and 7 in South Korea.

We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. We found no congressional records or presidential proclamation.

Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.

This Day in History

In addition to National Fajita Day, here are some things that happened on this day:

The oldest known temple to Venus is founded, and the tradition of Vinalia Rustica (grape harvest festival) is begun. (293 B.C.)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates the 1,000 Islands bridge, connecting the US and Canada. (1938)
Karl Marx, socialist, political theorist was born on this day in (1818)

Related Holidays

People who like National Fajita Day will also like:

Cinco de Mayo

National Margarita Day

National Tequila Day

Taco Day

Quesadilla Day

More August 18 Holidays

Here are more August 18 holidays we are sure you will enjoy:

Bad Poetry Day

Serendipity Day

More About Today

Flower of the Day: Liatris

Recipe of the Day: Mexican Goulash (Chili Pasta)

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any August calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

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Moreholidays July Listening Day

World Listening Day

About World Listening Day

When is World Listening Day? This holiday is is always celebrated on July 18

Shhh! Lend me your ear. Listen up, as I’m not going to say this again. Today is World Listening Day. The goal of this July 18 holiday is to raise awareness of the acoustic ecology or environment that surrounds you. It is also a day better understand the soundscape and to celebrate good listening practices. There are two key communication skills humans need to successfully circumnavigate their daily lives. They are talking and listening. Most of us have mastered the gift of gab with little or no difficulty. But, our listening skills often leave something to be desired. We encourage you to use this holiday to get in tune with the soundscape, and to learn how to really hear what people are telling you.

Do you have to get out the megaphone to get people to hear you? Do you ever get the sense that people aren’t really listening to the really important things you have to say? Many of us think we are good listeners. But, that often just isn’t the case. Many of us are good talkers, but our listening skills have room for improvement. If you’ve ever caught yourself formulating a reply while a person is still talking to you, then you are not hearing and truly absorbing all the speaker has to say. Do you hear what I’m saying?

You may be wondering just what the concept of “soundscape” means. A soundscape is the acoustic environment as perceived by humans. Why is this important? While walking in a forest, or a city street, those background noises and conversations might be important to your safety.

Today’s Deep Thought: If everyone is talking, who is listening? Conversely, if everyone is listening, who’s doing the talking?

Listening Facts and Trivia

Here are some interesting listening facts and trivia.

The average person hears between 20,000 and 30,000 words a day.
Typically, we can recall about 50% of what a person says immediately after they are done talking. And, just an hour later, we can recall just 20% of it. How can you improve this percentage?
We listen at 125 – 250 words per minute. But we think at 1000 – 3000 words per minute.
85% of what we learn is from listening.
Research shows that men only use half their brain to listen while women engage both lobes.

How to Celebrate and Participate in World Listening Day

Here are a few ideas on how to participate in World Listening Day:

Stop talking and listen.
Go to a very quiet place and see how many sounds you can hear and identify.
Resist the temptation to formulate a reply as someone else is speaking.
After someone has spoken, repeat or summarize what they said back to them to confirm you heard what they said and understand it.
Participate in the World Listening Project’s theme for the year.
Donate to the World Listening Project.
Improve the acoustics or soundscape of your environment to help you become a better listener.

Deep Woods Thought for Today: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make any noise?

Today's Quotes

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” – – Epictetus

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – – Winston Churchill

“When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes.” – – Victor Hugo

History and Origin of World Listening Day

The non-profit organization World Listening Project (WLP) created World Listening Day in 2010. They did so to honor and commemorate the birthday of Raymond Murray Schafer. He was born on July 18, 1933. Murray is a creator, composer, environmentalist, and author of the book The Tuning of the World. Also, Murray is the founder of the modern study of acoustic ecology.

This is a global holiday seeking to promote a better understanding of environmental culture, and society by listening as well as audio recording in the field.

This Day in History

Here are some things that happened on this day:

Nadia Comăneci becomes the first gymnast in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 score at the Montreal Games. (1925)
Comet Shoemaker-Levy’s largest collision with Jupiter leaves a black spot a phenomenal 12,000 km across! (1944)
John Glenn, astronaut, Ohio Senator, was born on this day in 1921.

National Tropical Fruit Day

Related Holidays

If you like World Listening Day, then you’ll love:

Take it in the Ear Day

More July 18 Holidays

In addition to World Listening Day, here are more July 18 holidays you will enjoy:

National Caviar Day– something’s fishy here.

More About Today

Famous July Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Zinnia

Recipe of the Day: Grilled Corn on the Cob

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any July calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in July is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. July holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

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Moreholidays July Kebab Day

World Kebab Day

About World Kebab Day

When is World Kebab Day? This holiday is celebrated on the second Friday of July

Have you decided what’s for dinner at your house tonight? How about having “dinner on a stick!?” Today is World Kebab Day. Kebabs have an “out of this world” flavor. On this July holiday, people all over the world are putting their favorite meats, vegetables, and fruits on skewers, and slathering it with sauce and seasonings. Then, they are cooking their shish kabob or doner kebab over a smoky grill.

There are many types of kebabs. Shish kababs are most common, especially in Asia and North America. Cooked on a skewer over a smoky fire, they include any variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits. Doner Kebabs are also popular. They are used primarily for meat used in gyros. Doner kebabs have layers of meats stacked vertically in a cone shape. While cooking, the outer layers are shaved or cut off and used for gyros and pitas. While there are well over 50 types of kebabs, some of the more popular include Butahkalmi, Chuanr, Espetadas, Gyros, Halabi, Galouti, and Souvlaki.

How do you like your Kebab? Some people like meat, veggies, and fruit mixed together on a single skewer. Others prefer meat on one stick, and veggies on another. On average, people eat 2 – 3 skewers of kebabs at a meal. But, it can be more. We tend to eat more meat only skewers. There is no standard size. Some skewers are larger than others. So, there’s no standard number of pieces of food on a skewer either.

What’s your favorite side dish to serve with kebabs? They are most often served on a bed of wild or seasoned rice.

The History of Kebabs

Kebabs are made with bite-sized pieces of food speared onto a skewer or stick. Everyone says they originated in the Middle East. While that’s true, its popularity has certainly made its way around the globe. And every culture seems to have its own version of food on a stick (or skewer), using all sorts of meats and fish, vegetables, fruits, and importantly seasonings and spices. Wherever in the world you consume kebabs, it is most likely cooked on a grill to add a smoky flavor. Have shish kebabs, doner kebabs, or your favorite variety. When traveling to other countries, try kebabs made in local restaurants. You’ll be glad that you did!

In the Middle East, kebabs were first made of heavily seasoned meats. Meats were most often lamb and beef. Originally, people cooked meats and vegetables cooked on separate skewers. This was likely due to different lengths of cooking times. Chinese shish kebabs frequently include mutton, chicken, duck, or goose. Even today, it is common to find kebabs cooked on city street corners. In Cyrus, pork, lamb, and mutton are commonly used. In America, beef, chicken, pork, and fish are commonly used. Even vegetarians enjoy a good kebab. Simply use tofu instead of meat.

Kebab Trivia

Amaze your friends with your shish kebab trivia knowledge.

The practice of cooking meats on a stick goes back to ancient times.
They originated in Turkey.
The word “kebab” means “to roast”. However, they are most often grilled.
The first recorded use of the word “kebab” was in a Turkish script of Kyssa-i Yusuf in 1377.
Every Turkish cookbook has a chapter called kebaplar with dozens of kebab recipes.
If it is food and can be put on a skewer, it’s a candidate for shish kebabs.
In the Muslim world, the word is a symbol of immigration.

Today’s Deep Thought: If you put a hotdog on a long stick and cook it over a campfire, is it a Hot Dog Kebab!? We believe the answer is “yes”. What do you think!?

How to Celebrate and Participate in World Kebab Day

Here are a few ideas on how to participate in World Kebab Day:

This is a food holiday, so celebrate by eating kebabs for lunch and dinner.
Put your skewers to work. Try a kebab recipe you’ve never had before.
The weather is great for an outdoor party. So, hold a kebab party. Have your guests bring a few skewers of their favorite recipe. Then, fire up the grill and cook them all up. There’s going to be plenty of variety to try.
If you’re too busy to cook tonight, find a local restaurant that has them on their menu, and go out to eat.

Today's Quote

“Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children.” – – Sam Levenson

History and Origin of World Kebab Day

Our research has not yet uncovered who created World Kebab Day. Obviously, it is someone who enjoys their meal on a stick. While there is much written about the history of kebabs, we have yet to find information about the creation of this fun food day that is celebrated around the globe.

We have traced references to this holiday back to 2020.

More About Today

Famous July Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Hydrangea

Recipe of the Day: Grilled Eggplant

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any July calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in July is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. July holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

Please Support Our Site. Shop for:

National English Muffin Day

Moreholidays April Picnic Day

National Picnic Day

About National Picnic Day

When is National Picnic Day? This holiday is always observed on April 23

It is springtime, and every day the weather is getting a little nicer. Is it nice enough in your area to get outside and enjoy it? We sure hope so, as today is National Picnic Day. Grab the paper plates and plastic cutlery. On this lovely April 23 Spring day, we are encouraged to have a fun picnic lunch or dinner. For most of us, it is the first time in several months we can enjoy eating outdoors. I don’t know about you, but the picnic table is calling me. And, today is going to be the first of many days of eating outside.

Picnics can take a wide variety of forms. Spread your food and drinks out onto a picnic table. Or, you can fill a picnic basket with goodies and eat it on a blanket. Add a bottle of wine for a romantic picnic. Have your picnic in your backyard, at a park, or on the beach. Your choice of foods is unlimited, from sandwiches and cold fried chicken, to hot dogs and hamburgers. And, don’t forget the baked beans and watermelon. Drink choices are broad, too. Beer, lemonade, Kool-Aid, and wine are popular choices.

Did of Know? The word “picnic” comes from the French word “Piquenique”. It was coined in 1692 and refers to social events.

The Evolution of Picnics

The French are credited with holding the first picnic. In 1789 during the French Revolution, Royal Parks were opened to the general public for the first time. People flocked to the royal parks carrying blankets and baskets of food and wine. Picnics came into being and were quite popular. Their popularity spread to England and other countries in Europe. This form of casual outdoor dining eventually spread across the Atlantic to America. Today, people all over the world celebrate events and reunions with picnics, complete with food, drink, and games. And, if the weather is inclement, open up the garage door and hold it in the garage protected from the weather.

It doesn’t take much incentive to hold a picnic. They are popular for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. In the summer, picnics are a great way to create new memories at family reunions, graduations, neighborhood get-togethers or street parties, anniversaries, birthday parties and so many more events.

For the Record:

In 2000, France set a new picnic record. It was held along 600 miles of coastline.

In 2009, Portugal set a record of 20,000 people at a picnic.

How to Celebrate National Picnic Day

There are so many ways to celebrate and participate in National Picnic Day. Here are a few ideas:

Plan an easy meal and eat at the picnic table.
Head out to your local park with a blanket and basket filled with goodies.
Have a family picnic.
Have a block or street party.
Hold outdoor games during the picnic.
If the weather is still a little cook in your area, hold a picnic around a campfire.

Did You Know? When an ant finds goodies on your picnic table, it leaves a scent as it travels along the way back to its nest. This allows other ants to follow the trail back to your picnic table.

Today's Quotes

“If you go for a stroll, have a picnic or lunch with a glass of wine – it doesn’t get better than that.” – – Meghan Markle

“We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.” – – Bill Vaughan

“Death is the sound of distant thunder at a picnic.” – – W.H. Auden

History and Origin of National Picnic Day

Our extensive research has not yet identified the creator of this holiday or why it was created. As a matter of fact, there is very little written about this holiday. We did find a reference to an annual picnic celebration held at UC Davis. Held annually since 1909, this event attracts tens of thousands of participants. But, it is held in May and the organizer’s website offers no connection to National Picnic Day.

It appears that this date was selected as it is springtime in many parts of the country, so we turn our thoughts to outdoor activities like picnics. But, in some areas, it still remains a little too cold for outdoor picnics.

Without any information from the creator of this day, we may never know if this is a true national holiday. We found no documentation in congressional records to confirm that this is truly a national day. Nor, did we find a presidential proclamation.

Definition of “National” Days – and why it is important to distinguish true National days.

Related Holidays

People who like this holiday will also like:

Picnic Table Day

Teddy Bear Picnic Day

More April 23 Holidays

Here are more April 23 holidays we are sure you will enjoy:

Lover’s Day

National Zucchini Bread Day – they hold this at a time when you are not sick of all that zucchini.

Take a Chance Day

World Laboratory Day

More About Today

Famous April Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Painted Tongue

Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Zucchini Nut Bread or Zucchini Bread recipe

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any April calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in April is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. April holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

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Moreholidays July Picnic Table Day

Picnic Table Day

About Picnic Table Day

When is Picnic Table Day? This holiday is always celebrated on July 23

It’s summer and the weather is absolutely perfect to spend the day outdoors with family and friends. What better day to have outdoor food and fun than on Picnic Table Day? Sometimes called Eat at a Picnic Table Day, this July 23 holiday arrives in the middle of summer when eating outdoors is the only place to enjoy a meal. However, if the day is rainy, don’t let today be a washout. Have a of couple strong guys carry the table into the garage and let the party begin!

Just looking at a picnic table brings back fond memories of warm and sunny summer days. It reminds us of picnics in the park or at the beach, and of family reunions. We work on summer camp craft projects with all the materials arrayed on top of the picnic table. And, we also think about all the delicious summertime food and drinks spread out on the table. It includes hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, watermelon, lemonade, a cooler of beer, and much more. It’s also the perfect place to put the chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers for making S’mores at the campfire.

While the majority of picnic tables are rectangular, they come in all shapes and sizes. Round tables are common. And, there are octagonal tables too, that comfortably fit eight people. Six- and eight-foot tables are the most popular. There’s even mini picnic tables sized just right for little tykes.

For the Record: The world’s longest picnic table is 1,336 feet 2 inches. It was constructed at the Memphis in May International Festival in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, on 25 May 2019.

How to Celebrate and Participate in Picnic Table Day

Here are some ideas on how to celebrate and participate in Picnic Table Day:

Create fun memories as you sit on a picnic table in your backyard, in a park, or on the beach.
Eat lunch and dinner on a picnic table.
Hold a family reunion and load the picnic table with your favorite summertime food and reink.
Sit all the kids in the neighborhood down on the table and give them a popsicle.
Work on craft projects at the table.
Take a close look at the table. Does it need a fresh coat of stain or paint?
If you don’t have a picnic table, what are you writing for? Go out and buy one today.
Play a card or board game on it.
Build one yourself. It isn’t hard, and plans are readily available online.

Today's Quotes

“Death is the sound of distant thunder at a picnic.” – – W.H. Auden

“If ants are such busy workers, how come they find time to go to all the picnics?” – – Marie Dressler

“If you go for a stroll, have a picnic or lunch with a glass of wine – it doesn’t get better than that.” – – Meghan Markle

History and Origin of Picnic Table Day

Bob Matthews from Rochester, NY created this holiday in 2023. Matthews is also the owner of HolidayInsights.com. He created this holiday as picnic tables are a symbol of summer. In addition to eating on them, they are used for playing games, sharing a drink together, working on outdoor projects, and many other uses. He says just looking at them brings back memories of great times, good food, and good friends.

This Day in History

Here are some things that happened on this day:

Charles E. Minches of St. Louis, Missouri fills a pastry cone with two scoops of ice cream, and the ice cream cone is invented. (1904)
Frank Sinatra’s song “Strangers in the Night” is #1 on the charts. (1966)
Air Force Colonel Eileen M. Collins becomes the first woman to command a space shuttle. (1999)

More July 23 Holidays

In addition to Picnic Table Day, here are more Jul 23 holidays you will enjoy:

National Sprinkle Day

Vanilla Ice Cream Day

Related Holidays

People who like Picnic Table Day will also like:

National Picnic Day

National S’mores Day

Teddy Bear Picnic Day

More About Today

Famous July Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Blazing Star

Recipe of the Day: Campfire Foil Potatoes

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any July holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every July day is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily July holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. July holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

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National Park Service Day

Moreholidays August Smokey Bear Day

Smokey Bear Day

About Smokey the Bear Day

When is Smokey the Bear Day? This holiday is always held on August 9

Attending a campfire is a popular summer activity. And, it’s important to have a safe, controlled campfire. Today is Smokey the Bear Day in recognition of the role the US Forest Service mascot plays in reducing forest fires. Raging forest fires have spiked as a result of global warming and carelessness on the part of humans. While individuals may not be able to do a lot about fires caused by the effects of global warming, we can reduce the number of devasting fires caused by our carelessness. Among other places, some of your efforts to reduce fires begin at your evening campfire.

Each year thousands of wildfires in the United States consume millions of acres of forests and cost millions of dollars. And, these statistics are dwarfed by the devastating fires that rage in Canada’s vast northern wilderness. The smoke and toxic fumes from these fires threaten our health. About half of them are caused by dry lightning hitting dry tinder. But the other half are ignited by careless humans.

Smokey Bear is extremely popular. He plays a vital role in protecting our pristine forests by reducing the number of human-caused wildfires. But, his fire-fighting role is not without controversy as you will discover in this article.

For the Record: Smokey’s proper name is “Smokey Bear”. Some people refer to him as “Smokey the Bear”. While the former is his correct name, he doesn’t mind if you add the word “the” to his name.

Smokey the Bear’s Slogan: Only you can prevent forest fires.

This History of Smokey the Bear

The roots of creation of Smokey the Bear began during World War II. In 1942, a Japanese submarine launched incendiary shells into the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara, CA. They hoped to terrorize Americans with large forest fires. While it only caused minor fires, it heightened concerns about wildfires used as “weapons of war”. On August 9, 1944, the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council decided to use a bear to promote and educate people about forest fires and how to prevent them. Smokey was a huge success.

Smokey Bear’s first slogan was “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires”. In 1947, he made his most famous quote “Only you can prevent forest fires”. More recently, in 2001, the slogan became “Only you can prevent wildfires”.

In 1950, a black bear survived a forest fire in New Mexico. Injured in the fire, he was captured and nursed back to health. Then, he was sent to live at the Washington, DC Zoo. He was named “Smokey” and become immensely popular. In 1953, Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote a song about him titled “Smokey the Bear”.

Environmental Debate on Forest Fires

The US Forest Service Smokey Bear ad campaigns were very successful in lowering the number of forest fires set by human carelessness. They raised public awareness of what people can do to avoid sparking a forest fire. The ads were highly effective in lowering the number of fires and the acreage burned. This sparked debate on good versus bad burns. A good burn is considered a controlled burn and is environmentally helpful. It helps maintain a healthy forest by eliminating excessive amounts of dry, combustible materials. A bad burn is a fire that gets out of control and devastates hundreds and sometimes thousands of acres, often consuming homes and other buildings along the way. Opponents argued that by drastically reducing the number of fires, Dry tinder buildup on the forest floor leads to larger, more damaging fires.

With the success of Smokey Bear’s ads, detractors believe fewer small (good) burns increased the occurrence of raging, out-of-control wildfires. this

How You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Statistics prove that our efforts indeed reduce dangerous and often deadly forest fires. Listed below are some things you can do to help eliminate them and protect your home from forest fires when they occur.

Make campfires safe. Always have a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
Never leave an unattended fire.
Make sure a campfire is completely out before retiring for the evening.
Comply with “no open fire” orders when issued.
Never, ever throw out a cigarette that is still lit.
Make sure matches are out. Drop them into water.
Do not use fireworks during dry conditions.
Clean away dry brush and combustible materials from around your home.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Smokey Bear Trivia

What do you know about Smokey Bear?

His original name was “Hotfoot Teddy”.
The correct name is Smokey Bear, not Smokey the Bear.
An estimated 96% of adults recognize his name.
Prior to the creation of Smokey Bear, Disney lent Bambi to the Forest Service and War Advertising Council to use in fire prevention ads.
Illustrator Albert Staehle drew the first Smokey Bear.
He is the mascot of the US Forest Service.
9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans.
Smokey Bear has a Twitter account.
The only Americans with their own personal zip code are the President and Smokey Bear.
Highly successful Smokey Bear campaigns have been so successful at preventing forest fires that trees and debris pile up on the forest floor. This results in forest fires burning larger and hotter.

How to Celebrate Smokey Bear Day

Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate Smokey the Bear Day:

Review fire prevention methods.
Educate others on fire safety.
Look at old Smokey Bear ads.
Have a campfire safely and talk about how each of us can avoid wildfires.

Today's Quotes

“If a man is talking in the forest, and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong?” Jenny Weber

“If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it make any noise?” – – Author Unknown

“This land is your land, this land is my land, From California to the New York Island. From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and me.” – – Woody Guthrie

“If you tell a joke in the forest, but nobody laughs, was it a joke?” – – Steven Wright

History and Origin of Smokey Bear Day

This holiday was created by Bob Matthews from Rochester NY. He is also the owner of HlidayInsights.com. According to Matthews, Smokey Bear is an important player in the fight against carelessly set forest fires. Smokey educates people on how to avoid becoming “the match” that lights a deadly and devastating inferno.

Matthews chose August 9 to celebrate this holiday as Smokey first appeared in commercials on August 9, 1944.

Related Holidays

People who like this holiday will also like:

National Public Lands Day

More August 9 Holidays

Here is another August 9 holiday you will enjoy:

Book Lover’s Day

More About Today

Flower of the Day: Moon Flower

Recipe of the Day: Creamed Corn

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any August calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in August is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

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What’s more see additional historical events.

Moreholidays November Freckles Day

Love Your Freckles Day

About Love Your Freckles Day

When is Love Your Freckles Day? This holiday is always observed on November 22

Today is the day those fortunate enough to have freckles happily look forward to. It’s Love Your Freckles Day. On this November 22 holiday, some of us get to show off those cute little spots. Meanwhile, the rest of us with clear skin can only look at freckled folk with envy. Oddly, this holiday is in colder weather when they have faded from people with summer freckles or solar lentigines. Freckles are those cute little sun-kissed spots on your face, legs, or arms. The spots are shades of brown, tan, or red.

The dermatological name is “ephides”. Members of every ethnic group from anywhere in the world can have them. From a genetic standpoint, people who have the MC1R gene, or the VCI92 variant can have them. It appears most often on people who are light-skinned or have red hair.

It is important to note that they are not skin defects, and they are not harmful in any way. Although throughout much of history, people looked upon them as unsightly and unfavorable. During Medieval times, people with freckles were persecuted and accused of witchcraft. As recently as the 1920s, they were undesirable. Skincare companies made products specifically to hide them or make them fade. People with freckles hid them behind heavy layers of makeup. They also used various methods to remove them through surgery, chemical treatments, and more recently laser procedures.

My how times change. Nowadays freckles are “in”. People who have them wear them with pride. They are described as cute and youthful. Will this be just a passing fad? We think not, as people who have are beautiful people.

Did You Know? The word comes from the Scandinavian word “freken”.

Summer Freckles

Perhaps you have “summer freckles” or “sun freckles”. Sunlight can bring them out on the exposed skin of people who otherwise have clear skin. They appear most frequently on the face, back and arms. However, they may show up on the legs or any other part of your body. Formally called solar lentigines, it is temporary and goes away in the fall when you’re indoors your tan fades away.

While they are considered more fashionable than in the past, some people prefer to avoid them. There are two ways to avoid summer freckles. The first way is to stay out of the sun. The second way is to slather on a high-SPF sunscreen.

Freckles Trivia

What do you know about Freckles? Here are some interesting factoids:

They are harmless.
Freckles are caused by genetics.
They are a natural sunscreen. They darken under the sun, to protect your skin.
If you have the MC1R gene, you are likely to have them.
While there is no exact count, it is estimated that 4-15% of the world’s population have freckles.
Not all redheads have them.
They are not a sign of cancer.
Freckles are shades of brown, tan, or red.
People with red hair and light skin are more likely to have red freckles.
They can be lightened with chemical treatment, laser treatment, and other methods.
People with them were once persecuted and accused of witchcraft.
In the Victorian era in England, carboxylic acid was used to attempt to remove. It caused burns.

How to Celebrate and Participate in Love Your Freckles Day

Here are some other ways of celebrate and enjoy Love Your Freckles Day:

If you have them, show them off.
Wear clothing that exposes them for others to see.
Post pictures of your freckles on social media.
Have a freckles party.
If you live in a warm, sunny climate, go out into the sunshine and let those solar lentigines shine through.

Today's Quotes

“I had so many freckles that my mother used to say that they were kisses from the angels. I’ve still got them.” – – Lara Flynn Boyle

“I really believe in less is more in terms of makeup. Additionally, I try not to wear too much foundation. I like to see my skin coming through. I like to see my freckles. And I just think that’s the most youthful look.”- – Michelle Monaghan.

“I love the texture of my skin and I love my freckles and even if my nose gets a little red, I don’t mind so much.”- Camille Rowe

History and Origin of Love Your Freckles Day

We did not find any information about the origin of this special day, when it began, or who originated it. The oldest article we found about this holiday was in 2020. We found countless older articles on the topic of freckles, solar lentigines, and famous people who had them. But, none of the older articles referenced this holiday.

For some strange reason, the creator of this November 22 picked a day in cold weather, when our freckles are covered up on long shirts, sweaters, and pants. It would seem to us that a summer day is more appropriate so our fine-freckled friends could display them with pride. And, people who get temprary summer freckles could get in on the fun, too.

This Day in History

Besides Love Your Freckles Day, here are some things that happened on this day:

The first snowmobile patent is issued to Carl Eliason of Sayner, WI. (1927)
President John F. Kennedy, the youngest person to become a U.S. president, is assassinated in Dallas, Texas as his motorcade traveled through the city. (1959)
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis was born on this day in 1958.

More November 22 Holidays

Here is another November 22 holiday you will enjoy:

Go For a Ride Day

Related Holidays

People who like this holiday will also like:

National Dimples Day

More About Today